Trail Quality in San Jose

Dec 11

I ran into someone on the Guadalupe trail in San Jose last week who looked confused. The ensuing conversation has stuck with me ever since.

The bicyclist was out on a maiden voyage with her new bike and was enjoying exploring the trail for the first time. She then put her hand over her heart and commented on all the homeless families and individuals on the trail. She was shocked.

I braced myself for how the conversation then typically goes, a “just get rid of them” type of attitude.

Her response was different.

Of the bicyclists I talk with, almost 100% of those who ride the trails in San Jose complain about the trash, the homeless individuals, and express concern for their own safety. Instead, this woman had a compassionate response spurred by confusion as to how such a wealthy and prosperous community cannot manage to ensure that people can afford a roof over their heads.

We at the Bike Coalition have written several blogs about this issue with the intent to help people who bike understand our role, to support housing solutions, to get involved in saying “yes” to housing in your community. We as a bike nonprofit have gotten involved in housing issues because housing issues intersect with bike issues.

But the reality is, people don’t feel safe on the trail, and the trails are a mess.

And here’s the really sad part.

We are at a time when people are dusting off that old bike and trying it out again due to the pandemic. Where are they headed with their bike? The trails because this is where new bicyclists feel most safe and comfortable, away from cars. Unfortunately, they are then having an experience that doesn’t lead them to want to ride again.

So what do we do?

After talking with other organizations who have been steeped in this issue (Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, San Jose Conservation Corps and Destination Home) SVBC recently sent a letter to the City of San Jose in conjunction with a study session on Beatify San Jose. (Quick Aside: Watch the study session for more info on all the good things the City of San Jose is doing as well as the challenges to doing more. The relevant departments are doing a lot, along with the County of Santa Clara. The recently passed measure to fund Valley Water also made money available for addressing trail quality issues.)

In that letter, posted here, SVBC suggested three things:

Safety: Adequately fund programs that put official, friendly people on the trails who can create the feeling of safety. These are civilians, not police officers.
Trash: Adequately fund the clean-up of trails.
Encampments: Apply compassionate solutions to those living outside, especially within the context of a highly contagious and dangerous virus. This includes things like installing dumpsters and porta potties. It also includes the City and County’s ongoing efforts to provide long term solutions to housing and homelessness and for all cities to be a part of the solution.

For #3, we at SVBC cannot stress enough how important it is for each and everyone of us to support sensible housing solutions. People who ride bicycles cannot be the type of people who complain about homeless individuals on the trails and then oppose housing proposed in our neighborhoods. Please, attend a community meeting on housing via zoom and let our public officials know that people who ride bikes are also people who support housing.

The trails in San Jose and beyond are one of the best assets of our communities. They get us outside, expose us to nature, and provide useful commute routes. If you’re interested in helping to ensure that our trails are wonderful, join the San Jose local team. You can do so here.

Safety: Adequately fund programs that put official, friendly people on the trails who can create the feeling of safety. These are civilians, not police officers.
Trash: Adequately fund the clean-up of trails.
Encampments: Apply compassionate solutions to those living outside, especially within the context of a highly contagious and dangerous virus. This includes things like installing dumpsters and porta potties. It also includes the City and County’s ongoing efforts to provide long term solutions to housing and homelessness and for all cities to be a part of the solution.

On #1 and #2, two years ago, the San Jose Conservation Corps developed a trail maintenance program that trains Corps members to ride, patrol, and identify areas in need of clean-up. The program also serves as a career path, working with West Valley College and the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. With funding from the State to develop the program and some additional support from Valley Water as well as additional partners like the Guadalupe Park Conservancy, this program has a lot of promise to address near term trail quality concerns. And while in reality, the trails ARE safe, this type of program will combat the unsafe feeling. SVBC is currently talking with the Conservation Corps about how we can help scale the program up.For #3, we at SVBC cannot stress enough how important it is for each and everyone of us to support sensible housing solutions. People who ride bicycles cannot be the type of people who complain about homeless individuals on the trails and then oppose housing proposed in our neighborhoods. Please, attend a community meeting on housing via zoom and let our public officials know that people who ride bikes are also people who support housing. The trails in San Jose and beyond are one of the best assets of our communities. They get us outside, expose us to nature, and provide useful commute routes. If you’re interested in helping to ensure that our trails are wonderful, join the San Jose local team. You can do so here.