Portola Valley: Traffic Committee renamed to emphasize bikes and peds

The Council of the Town of Portola Valley has voted to change the name of its Traffic Committee to the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Traffic Committee. The name change reflects the importance of cycling in the picturesque San Mateo County town.

From the Almanac Online:

"The interactions between bicycles and cars is really one of the more important issues in this town," Mayor Ted Driscoll said to open the discussion at the council's Sept. 14 meeting.

Indeed. To say that Alpine and Portola roads, the town's two arterials, are popular with cyclists is to significantly understate the situation. Cyclists in ones and twos are an ongoing presence, as is a knot, similar to a racing peloton, of anywhere from 30 to 100 cyclists speeding by at least once a day when the weather is good.

Congratulations to the Town of Portola Valley! Including the needs of cyclists and pedestrians in traffic planning is just the kind of smart approach SVBC likes to see. Good planning makes sharing the road easier and safer for everyone, and helps encourage more people to try a bicycle for everyday use.