Action Alert: Contact Palo Alto City Council to Support Funding of Bike Projects

As the City addresses a $56 million gap in funding for infrastructure projects, Palo Alto’s expansive vision for a bike boulevard network and related bicycle improvement projects may face an uncertain future. On March 20, City Council’s Finance Committee will consider which City projects might be cut or reduced.By no small feat, City Council has vaulted Palo Alto’s profile to gold status as a Bicycle Friendly Community,  yet this reputation may fall short if we don’t register our support. To ensure the City continues to prioritize the important bicycle and safety projects we hold so dear, City Council needs to hear from folks who live or work in Palo Alto.Please email city.council@cityofpaloalto.org and copy me, Ben@bikesiliconvalley.org, NOW with your support for bike boulevard funding and improvements to bicycle infrastructure. You can also attend the next Finance Committee meeting, at which these items will be on the agenda. More details and suggested talking points below.Tuesday, March 20 City Council Finance meeting: 250 Hamilton Avenue, Community Meeting Room// 6: 00 PM: 6:15 pm: Public comment on items not on agenda: this is a great opportunity to share out why the City ought to remain steadfast in their support and implementation of bike projects.Sample Talking Points for email or public comment

• Name, neighborhood or employment in Palo Alto, and length of time you’ve lived or worked here.
• Thank Council for making great strides toward moving Palo Alto toward a biking city.
• Share your personal story of how these projects help solve real transportation problems for real people.
• Discuss how these infrastructure projects support City goals, policies and programs, with respect to advancing the transportation element of the 2017 Comprehensive Plan and the 2017 Sustainability & Climate Change Action Plan, which prioritize safety, sustainability and multi modal transportation.
• Why you enjoy biking in Palo Alto.
• Specific comments on planned and current bike projects (Bryant St Extension, Maybell Ave, Stanford Ave, Park Blvd, and Wilkie Way.)
• Mention how these bike projects include key safety improvements addressing the need of all roadway users, including motorists, pedestrians, and transit users.
• Thank you.