Unveiling Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition's 2024 Initiatives: Local Team Spotlights
As we pedal into 2024, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) is gearing up for an exciting journey spearheaded by dedicated local teams working to enhance bicycle infrastructure in their respective areas. Let's delve into the ambitious goals and projects each local team has set out to achieve this year.
El Camino Real Team: Advocating for Safer Streets
The El Camino Real team is leading the charge in the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition's campaign to secure bike lanes on El Camino Real by 2030. With a mission to foster healthier and more equitable communities, the team advocates for safety and accessibility for all. Collaborating with state, county, and city stakeholders, along with grassroots partners, the ECR team is working tirelessly to make El Camino Real safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Join us in shaping the future of transportation in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
North San Mateo County Team: Paving the Way for Active Transportation
The North San Mateo County team is channeling their efforts into advocating for increased funding to complete priority projects outlined in the South San Francisco Active Transportation plan. They aim to create a network of safe and accessible routes for cyclists, promoting active transportation alternatives. The team aims to push North County leaders and officials to oppose large-scale, costly, vehicle-centric planning projects, such as highway widening and vehicle overpasses. They’ll do so all while building relationships with officials in Daly City and recruiting more local team members. The team will also advocate for improved trail connections, focusing on the Colma Creek, Centennial, and Bay Trails. By enhancing these connections, they hope to weave a tighter fabric between communities in North County, making cycling a viable and enjoyable option for residents.
City of San Mateo: Transforming Vision into Reality
In San Mateo, the team has set ambitious goals for 2024 aimed at enhancing road safety and community involvement. Their primary focus is on bolstering their membership base to increase advocacy strength. They are actively pushing for the adoption and funding of a Vision Zero Policy by the City Council, emphasizing the importance of eliminating traffic-related fatalities and injuries. They aim to implement at least one quick-build project in each district to rapidly improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, their efforts extend to advocating for installing "no right turn on red" signs in the Downtown Business District to enhance pedestrian safety and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. These initiatives underscore the team's commitment to fostering a safer, more accessible city for all residents and visitors.
City of San Carlos-Belmont Team: Join Us!
The San Carlos-Belmont team is actively recruiting volunteer members and expanding community engagement. By highlighting the impact of volunteers in promoting sustainable transportation and road safety, they aim to attract individuals passionate about making a positive difference in their neighborhoods.
Redwood City Team: Community Connectivity
The Redwood City team has outlined several critical objectives for the year ahead, focusing on community engagement and advocacy for sustainable transportation. Their primary goal is to significantly expand their volunteer team - which you can join today! They plan to enhance team cohesion and collaboration by holding quarterly in-person meetings, supplemented by social events like group rides every other month. Additionally, they aspire to foster closer ties with local government representatives by inviting Redwood City Council members to join their team rides. Furthermore, they aim to increase bike parking availability at prominent local events like Pub In The Park and Music In The Park, promoting cycling as a convenient and environmentally friendly transportation option for attendees. These initiatives underscore the team's commitment to building a more connected, active, bike-friendly community in Redwood City.
Palo Alto Team: Strategic Advocacy
The Palo Alto team strategically focuses on influencing the direction of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) process. With a keen eye on funding allocation, they aim to advocate for wise project prioritization involving closely monitoring the BPTP and actively participating in decision-making to ensure that only the most impactful projects receive the necessary funds. Another crucial aspect of their agenda is supporting the annual Bike Palo Alto event. This not only fosters a sense of community but also raises awareness about biking as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. The team is also actively engaged in monitoring the El Camino Real paving project, emphasizing safe crossing details, and advocating for robust bike infrastructure through participation in the council rail committee. Lastly, the Palo Alto team is championing the Safe Systems for All staff project, demonstrating their commitment to creating a safe and accessible environment for all cyclists.
Mountain View Team: Community Engagement and Advocacy
The Mountain View team aims to actively engage with city officials and relevant committees, including the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (B/PAC), the Council Transportation Committee, and City Council meetings. They plan to provide input on ongoing city projects, mainly focusing on developing the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to prioritize projects wisely. Additionally, they will organize community bike rides, participate in outreach events, and execute campaigns throughout the year. Notably, they will spearhead a "Day Without Driving" event, participate in Bike Month, and contribute to Bike to Wherever Day activities, all with the overarching goal of promoting sustainable transportation and community engagement.
Sunnyvale Team: Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure
The Sunnyvale team is focused on advocating for significant improvements in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure within the city. Their primary goal is to persuade the city of Sunnyvale to prioritize the complete streets re-design of Fair Oaks Avenue in its 2024 study issues, aiming to enhance safety and accessibility for all road users. Additionally, they are lobbying for the hiring of the city's first-ever Active Transportation Planner, dedicated to focusing on pedestrian and bicycle safety initiatives and infrastructure development. These efforts demonstrate the team's commitment to promoting sustainable transportation options and creating a safer and more inclusive urban environment for all residents and visitors in Sunnyvale.
Santa Clara Team: Civic Engagement and Volunteer Mobilization
The Santa Clara team is deeply invested in cultivating meaningful connections with city staff and stakeholders. By actively participating in city council meetings, advisory committees, and community forums, the team aims to contribute constructively to local initiatives and policies. A key focus of their efforts is the recruitment and mobilization of volunteers who are eager to contribute their time and skills to various projects and programs. Join today! Through targeted outreach and engagement activities, help us empower Santa Clara residents to play an active role in shaping the future of their community.
San Jose Team: Cycling Infrastructure and Safety
The San Jose team is dedicated to advancing various aspects of cycling infrastructure and safety within the city. Their primary focus lies in advocating for the implementation of comprehensive bike plans and priority policies, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing cyclist safety and accessibility. Additionally, they are actively involved in the execution of the Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries. The team is also working towards improving bike lane cleanliness by securing funding for bike lane sweeping and striping, with a particular focus on equitable service delivery. Moreover, they prioritize building and maintaining strong relationships with elected officials to ensure that cycling concerns are heard and addressed effectively. To further their impact, the team plans to organize three bike rides with three priority council members, fostering direct engagement and dialogue. Lastly, they aim to expand their team by recruiting three core leads and three active members, strengthening their advocacy efforts and community outreach. These initiatives underscore the team's commitment to promoting cycling as a safe, accessible, and sustainable mode of transportation in San Jose.
As SVBC teams pedal forward, they are committed to making Silicon Valley a hub for cycling enthusiasts through strategic advocacy, community engagement, and sustainable initiatives. Stay tuned for updates on their progress as they continue to drive positive change in the region.