Action Alert: Support two important bike projects in Santa Clara County (UPDATE 5/17)

UPDATE (5/17): SVBC has learned that Board President Shirakawa has included the language “Request received from President Shirakawa to continue the hearing to date uncertain. This request may or may not be approved pending Board consideration of Item No. 4, Approval of the Consent Calendar and Changes to the Agenda.” This is, in other words, an attempt to shelve the vote on funding these bike projects indefinitely. It is therefore crucial that advocates show up to the May 22 meeting at 9:00 am and be ready to request that the Board does not approve Supervisor Shirakawa's request to continue the hearing. CLICK HERE to familiarize yourself with the agenda and show up in person to address the Board (Item 4) and express your support for the public hearing on recreational facilities (Item 10). The Board of Supervisors meets at the Santa Clara County Government Center, Board of Supervisors' Chambers, at 70 West Hedding in San José. See you there at 9:00 am!

Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss held a press conference this morning to announce a plan to invest $3 million in completing the Bay Trail Gap in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto and $5 million in the Adobe Creek Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge over Highway 101 in Palo Alto. These funds will cover more than half the costs needed to construct each project. Now we need to follow up with her colleagues on the Board to let them know of the strong community support for these projects.

What you can do:

• Attend the Tuesday, May 22, 9:00 am meeting of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in San José, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose - 10th Floor, East Wing.
• Send a letter of support to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors (BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org). Letters will get into their packet to read before the meeting if sent by tomorrow, Thursday May 17th, by 5:00 pm.

What you can say:

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Thank Supervisors Kniss and Cortese for their leadership on a proposal that provides value to people who enjoy nature, recreation, and bicycling and walking for transportation.

Completing a critical gap in the Bay Trail will connect over 100 miles of continuous bicycle and pedestrian paths between Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and the East Bay. The Bay Trail is a premier recreational resource and a major bicycle commuting route.

Constructing the bicycle/pedestrian bridge at Adobe Creek in Palo Alto will connect residents to the natural beauty of the baylands and provide a valuable bicycle commute route to the Bay Trail that is open and available for public use all year round.

The money invested by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors should benefit as many residents in the County and region as possible - not primarily Stanford University students and staff.