Dear Neighbors in Stevens Creek/Scenic Blvd neighborhood,
We have an idea to promote with the city – to install a pedestrian/bike bridge connecting Carmen Road over Stevens Creek Boulevard. This original street was bisected many years ago when Stevens Creek Blvd was “lowered” to reduce the original steep grade, just above the Blue Pheasant. When you look at the site, it becomes readily apparent that this provides a more direct route for kids getting to school and connecting two great neighborhoods.
As you probably know, Stevens Creek Blvd is very busy and it is – practically speaking – not possible to cross it safely without going to cross-walks that are 1/2 mile apart. The net result is that the ~130 Stevens Creek School kids living on the Janice/Scenic side can’t safely walk to school and the ~170 Kennedy Middle School or ~180 Monta Vista High School kids can’t easily go the other direction by bicycle or walking. You can see a map along with attendance data at this link: http://tinyurl.com/
We think this bridge idea – a great neighborhood amenity – improves health, safety (both personal and neighborhood security), reduces traffic at Stevens Creek School and pollution.
If you think this is a great idea worth exploring, please sign the petition at this link as soon as possible: https://www.walkbikecupertino.
This is a great idea to reduce traffic and kids can safely walk to school!
I support ideas that improve walkability and safety of our neighbors; especially kids.
Risk of Crossing Steven creek blvd is the only reason I don’t let my kids walk or bike to school. It would be amazing to have this bridge!
A pedestrian bridge crossing Stevens Creek Blvd. at Carmen would be a big safety improvement. I strongly support it.
I think this is a fabulous idea. It will definitely make walking to elementary school easier and safer for my 3 kids and would encourage us to do it more often, getting another car off the road.
We definitely want this bridge!! It would positively impact our quality of life
For Kennedy and Monta Vista kids, they are going East anyways, so they can definitely use the crosswalk near the golf course.
To me, the biggest problem is that my house is between Carmen and Stevens Creek; in another word, it’s right beside the proposed bridge. From the bridge, my backyard will be in view clearly. I am afraid that my privacy will be compromised.
Please reconsider the proposal.
Thank you for your feedback and comments – we share many of your concerns and hope to be able to work through them in the coming months. An initial reply follows:
– Regarding the Phar Lap crosswalk: for bicyclists coming from SCS, there is not an easy/safe way to cross SCB. It would be illegal and dangerous for cyclists to ride their bikes the wrong way down the hill.
– Regarding privacy – We share your concern and any bridge would need to be sensitive to those concerns. That said, it is well documented that trails and pedestrian friendly amenities increase safety and property values all around the country. Locally, the Sheriff has no reported incidents of vandalism or crime in the Scenic Circle, Creekside Park or Orogrande areas featuring bike/ped amenities.
– The petition asks that the city evaluate the scope, cost and impact to the immediate community of having a bike/ped bridge at Carmen.
Great idea
Thanks to you all for your support! Please click on the orange colored link to sign the petition and reply to confirm via email.
absolutely agree with the bridge idea – safety for our neighborhood kids + encouraging more walking and cycling = good for the world.
Great place for pedestrian bridge…
Love the idea. I will use it every week day – at least twice a day!!!
We really need this for safety as well as to encourage walking.
This bridge will help walkers and bikers in the area.
This bridge is a wonderful idea!