Project Overview

Enhance the safety of existing Class II bikeway facilities by narrowing existing travel lanes and installing a bicycle buffer zone/green-colored pavement. 

This project was listed in the 2016 Bicycle Transportation Plan. It recommends, “to “Study reconstruction of medians and/or lane reduction in both directions to accommodate buffered bike lanes”.

Why Does Walk-Bike Cupertino Support this Project?

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De Anza is a high-speed corridor with many safety issues for cyclists

Safety for cyclists and pedestrians is an issue on this divided 6+ lane road where vehicles routinely travel at 50+ mph (40mph speed limit). Currently there are single paint-stripe bike lanes, offering no protection for cyclists.

Buffered bike lanes are a step toward protected bike lanes

Protected (Class IV) or completely separate bike lanes (Class I) are the only type of lanes that add safety for cyclists from motorists. Having a buffer in place allows potential future protected lanes to be installed easily, without changing lane configurations. Many of these installations are not expensive, requiring only drop-in concrete separation barriers.

Approved city plans ask for more active transporation in Cupertino

Plans including the General Plan (Mobility Element), Climate Action Plan, and Transportation Plans all call for encouragement of active transportation through structural changes. As the top reason that residents do not walk or bike is safety, addressing safety concerns is encouragement.

Increased usage of the De Anza corridor is expected

The building of 4300+ homes between now and 2031, especially on corridors with good transit links and access to shops, means that the use of current high-speed corridors will increase. Allowing some of that traffic to travel safely not in a car will reduce the traffic loads and any potential for traffic jams.