Cupertino has finished a redo of the McClellan Road-DeAnza Boulevard intersection, which is Phase 3 of the McClellan Road protected bike lanes. These changes were designed to improve biking and pedestrian safety at this intersection and indeed, Cupertino implemented some great new changes for both cyclists and pedestrians.
However, there’s still work to do to take this new design from good to great. At specific pinch points on McClellan and Pacifica, cyclists need separation with barriers, especially on the curves.
Changes for Pedestrians
South De Anza crosswalk
Most strikingly, the intersection now has a new south side crosswalk across DeAnza, whereas previously there was only a single crosswalk to the north. The south crosswalk is divided by an island between the eight car lanes of DeAnza. This adds some protection across the eight lanes of traffic. According to David Stillman, Transportation Manager for Cupertino, the the walk signal is timed to allow a safe crossing from one side of De Anza to the other at a reasonable pace (3.5 feet/sec).
Residents may wonder why there is not a separate push-to-cross button in that center island. A button there can be considered a safety hazard as it encourages pedestrians to stop there. The island is sandwiched between high speed traffic lanes and is very vulnerable to car accidents. (For example, one of the brand new median poles at this very intersection was hit just a few days after being installed.)
The new south crossing across DeAnza.
The new design reduces crossings of car lanes for pedestrians, and also adds a protected channel for right-turning cyclists.
North De Anza crosswalk and east (Pacifica) crosswalk
The elimination of the channelized right turn lane from Pacifica onto DeAnza is a significant positive change. This channel required pedestrians to cross twice—both across the channel lane and across the car lanes. The updated intersection is safer for pedestrians. Both the crosswalks are now also more perpendicular to the drive lanes, increasing visibility.
Changes for Cyclists
McClellan side of intersection- traveling east
When heading east on McClellan toward Pacifica, cyclists are now protected by curbs while waiting at the intersection, a major safety improvement. This is the main traffic path for cyclists and connects with the Class IV lanes on Pacifica and then the Regnart Trail.
If a rider wishes to turn on De Anza, however, safety is unchanged from before the update. The right turn lane onto DeAnza is still not marked for cyclists. The left turn has a bike box at the leading edge of the lane (in front of the while stripe), but there is no way to get there if cars are stacked up at the intersection other than dangerously crossing from the ‘straight’ bike lane across a lane of cars to the new bike box.
Cyclists going straight on McClellan have significantly improved facilities. The left turning cyclists do not.
McClellan side of intersection- traveling west
Concerningly, the updates miss a major opportunity to improve the biggest risk area for cyclists traveling west. After crossing DeAnza, cyclists enter the unprotected bike lane on McClellan which immediately curves to the right. This portion is distinctly unsafe, as cars are also making that right turn from the higher speeds of DeAnza. Cars can also be turning into the 99 Ranch Plaza just ahead, which encourages them to drift into the painted bike lane, conflicting with cyclists. Except for where there are driveways, this unprotected area should have become a protected bike lane from the start of DeAnza.
There is a missed opportunity to protect cyclists at the dangerous first curve after entering McClellan. Bollards or drop in croncrete barriers should have been added here in the bike lane buffer zone.
This curve on McClellan heading west right after the DeAnza intersection is a big conflict point for cars and cyclists. Barriers are needed for the bike lane.
It’s noticeable that a new car lane turning left was also added to the intersection, but this is not to add increased traffic flow, but rather to “compensate for the shortened length (and thus, reduced queuing capacity) of the lanes and so maintain the previous capacity,” per Transportation Manager Stillman. Without this, the same number of cars prior to the change would back up more at the intersection after the updates.
Pacifica side of intersection- heading west
This same ‘floating bike box’ for left turns seen on the McClellan side is now in place on the Pacifica side as well. Unlike on the McClellan side, right turns onto DeAnza have a new protected channel for bikes only, improving safety. (See graphic above under “North and east crosswalk.”)
Those who have used this intersection previously will notice the “bike button” to have the lights change to cross is now absent. The button is no longer necessary, as new road sensors now pick up that a bike is waiting and cycle the lights accordingly. These sensors are present on McClellan as well.
Pacifica side of intersection- heading east and west
Like McClellan, both the east and west heading bike lanes on Pacifica should have new separation barriers in them except where there is a driveway. This would prevent turning traffic from DeAnza or Pacifica potentially driving in the bike lane as they turn the corner and injuring a cyclist. Vehicles drifting into bike lanes is a key reason why protected bike lanes are the safest for cyclists.
Barriers are also needed on Pacifica for the east and west heading bike lanes near the intersection.
Resolution to Issues
Cupertino Transportation Division will be looking into concerns from this article
The Transportation Division has agreed to consider adding a pathway to provide access to the bike box from the eastbound bike lane on McClellan to make it easier for bikes to turn left. They also “will be observing intersection operations and will consider adding separation barriers [i.e. bike lane barriers] as the effectiveness of the recent improvements is evaluated.” We hope these changes will ultimately be implemented, to bring the intersection improvements from good to great.
Conclusion
Overall, the intersection update (Phase 3) is a long overdue step closer to completion of the McClellan Bike Lanes project, which began in 2017. They are a welcome update for everyone who uses these busy roads.
Phase 4, the final phase of the project, would construct class IV bike lanes from Imperial to Byrne directly across the street from both Monta Vista High School and Lincoln Elementary. It is on hold due to right-of-way issues that may not get resolved. We hope that these issues do not permanently impede improvements, though, as that stretch is crucial for our biking and walking students at Monta Vista and Lincoln.
The information in this article is solely the opinion of the author and Walk-Bike Cupertino and does not reflect the opinions of any other organization or entity. For more information, contact WBC at info@walkbikecupertino.org.