There was significant discussion on the plans for the Class IV bike lanes along McClellan, including treatments at intersections. This will be an ongoing topic at the BPC meetings.
- HMH Consultants, which will be providing the McClellan Class IV protected bikeway engineering plans, took a deeper level review of the conceptual design. They have recommended raising the bikeway to sidewalk level at locations where bike lane crosses minor intersections. Benefits can include safer intersections for cyclists and decreased auto speeds. Potential negative effects can be that children may cross intersections without taking sufficient precautions and an increased potential for puddles at the intersections.
- There was also a discussion on the the pros and cons of auto and bicycle mixing at the McClellan/Bubb intersection. Select commissioners strenuously suggested eliminating or significantly shortening the mixing zone for cyclist safety reasons. David Stillman will further investigate NACTO rationale for mixing zones and report back to commission in September.
- Options being considered for the Stelling/McClellan intersection include a bike island and shortening the pocket to minimize mixing zone. Green surfacing will be required in the mixing zone. David Stillman will return to commission in September with his option for best protecting cyclists.
Targeted public forums will be held in 1-2 months for residents affected by Bike Boulevard plans across the city. These dates were still to be announced at the time of the meeting.
There was much discussion around the proposed Wayfinding signs to be used on Bike Boulevards and elsewhere throughout Cupertino. First, David Stillman reviewed terminology, and then several design concepts were presented to the commission. Commissioners agreed on:
- Background to be Cupertino ‘skyline’ and Don Burnett bridge elements (three color)
- “Bike Boulevard” words on signs (not just icon)
- Directional signs with mileage but not times.
Commissioner Shearin reviewed data on the recent increase in bike thefts at the Cupertino Library. There were none recorded in 2016 through May of 2017, and there have been six since then, all of which were locked bikes. Security cameras have not useful for identifying perpetrators due to the positioning/angle of the cameras. Mitigation options could include more cameras, on demand bike lockers, or encouraging increased use of U-locks (only cable locks were cut). Commissioner Shearin will pursue increasing the number of cameras in the affected areas.
Jerry Tallinger, Public Safety Commissioner, discussed a proposal for a Transportation Safety Forum. He will be pursuing enforcement and education options that do not overlap with existing measures.
Other brief notes:
During Oral Communications, Commissioner Shearin reported on a 12-year-old Lawson student injured while cycling near school when a driver made an illegal left turn. Senior Transportation Director David Stillman will request detailed info. Larry Dean also reported Walk Bike Cupertino now has 1,000 members. He asked David Stillman about getting a statement of work for 2017 projects.
There was no discussion regarding the Pedestrian Plan this month, other than a note that consultants are working with the city on the Plan. Cupertino City Council has approved Calendar Associates to start the I-280 circuit bikeway/trail consultant study. CCC did not approve the Union Pacific RR Trail, over concerns that the railroad would not agree to work with the city even after spending funds for a consultant. The Regnart Trail study was approved by the CCC. At the VTA BPAC meeting, it was noted that San Jose wants to strike the Measure B funding cap at 505 per district since San Jose has greater than 50% of population.
This is only an informal synopsis of the BPC meeting held August 16, 2017. For official agendas and minutes of all Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meetings, please see www.cupertino.org.