Past Regional Measures
Regional Measure 3
Senate Bill 595 authorized a special election to increase bridge tolls that are under the jurisdiction of the Bay Area Toll Authority, bringing in much-needed revenue for our region’s transportation infrastructure. Regional Measure 3 increased the bridge tolls from $1-3, bringing in billions of dollars to fund smart, sustainable transportation projects with a clear bridge nexus that increase regional prosperity and mobility. Along with the other Bay Area bike coalitions, we supported SB 595 and Regional Measure 3, which included funds for San Francisco Bay Trail/Safe Routes to Transit Bicycle and Pedestrian Connections. Read more in our letter.
Highway 101
As San Mateo County considered options for reducing congestion on Highway 101, we stood with other non-profits to recommend converting an existing lane in each direction on Highway 101 in San Mateo County into a FAST express lane and to use the proceeds to fund other transportation options. Express lanes, also known as High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, allow carpools, buses, and other high-occupancy vehicles in for free and give solo drivers the option to pay into the lane with a toll that varies based on demand to ensure the lane flows freely. While still allowing toll-paying solo drivers, FAST lanes channel revenues from tolls, as well as other funding sources, to space-efficient transportation options — express buses, shuttles, vanpools, carpools, active transportation, and more — and provide incentives to use them. We encouraged something like an example from Los Angeles Metro, in which 40% of net tolls went toward funding active transportation projects, such as bike infrastructure and first/last mile connections to transit (see page 8 and 12 of this presentation). Read more in our coalition letter. See here for current project status.
Santa Clara County Parks Park Charter Fund, Measure A endorsement
SVBC endorsed the Santa Clara County Parks Park Charter Fund, Measure A. This measure was passed on June 7, 2016. The Santa Clara County Park Charter Fund has provided sustainable funding for the county’s park system since 1972. This Fund has played an important role in offering biking opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. It is not a new tax, but a renewal, allowing Santa Clara County Parks to operate and maintain parkland throughout the county. This funding will also help the Department lead the Countywide Trail Master Plan, which will help to update a regional trail network. We supported the Charter Fund amendments and renewal.
Open Space Authority of Santa Clara Valley Measure Q endorsement
SVBC endorsed the local ballot measure for open space preservation, Measure Q, put forth by the Open Space Authority of Santa Clara Valley. This measure was passed on November 4, 2014. The funding measure will fund 26 proposed projects in urban areas and within the Conservation Focus Areas, including trail connections such as completion of the San Francisco Bay Trail, Penitencia Creek Trail, Coyote Creek Trail, Guadalupe River Trail, and a new San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail through Campbell and Santa Clara. This helps SVBC further our goal to fill gaps in existing bike networks, which will encourage more people to choose bikes for transportation and recreation.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ballot measure endorsement
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition endorsed the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ballot measure, that was passed in June 2014, for the following reasons:
We support linking open-spaces, parks and communities through bicycle connections
The endorsement will strengthen our relationship with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to continue their engagement in more urban settings and providing bicycle links to preserves.
The measure establishes an independent oversight committee, which will oversee expenditure of the funds.