We are thrilled to announce the resounding success of the 4th Annual El Camino Real Ride, which took place on May 11th! The event is part of a remarkable journey, and we are excited to share the highlights with you.

The journey began in 2021 when Santa Clara's local team leader, Gabriela Landaveri, initiated the inaugural El Camino Real Ride. This humble beginning marked the start of a wonderful tradition that has been growing ever since. In its second year, with support from Sunnyvale team lead Ari Feinsmith the ride expanded from Santa Clara's El Camino Real to Sunnyvale's, and each subsequent year has seen an even larger group of enthusiastic riders. In 2023 with support from Sharlene Liu(SVBC Bike Sunnyvale) and Bruce England (SVBC Mountain View) the ride continued to grow to the city of Mountain View and highlighted the need for continuous bicycle infrastructure along El Camino in every city.

This year, with support from all of our SVBC Santa Clara County Team Leads, the ride extended all the way to the city of Palo Alto, with approximately 100 individuals uniting as a vibrant bike bus for a remarkable 14-mile journey. The camaraderie, energy, and shared passion for safety were truly palpable, making this event a remarkable success.

The goal of the El Camino Real Ride is to raise awareness about the urgent need for safe bike infrastructure on El Camino Real and to patronize businesses along our ride. By doing this we are sending out the important message that El Camino is not the most bike-friendly location and that bikes bring local customers to local businesses!

Group photo at Baraka Market-photo credit: Enno Holzenkämpfer

The El Camino Real Ride offers a rare and safe opportunity to experience riding on El Camino Real, a major thoroughfare connecting the hearts of cities from San Jose to San Francisco and beyond. This route, typically avoided by cyclists due to safety concerns, is crucial as it will host many businesses and future residences. Currently, El Camino Real is designed primarily for cars, featuring multiple lanes but no bike lanes. The injury and fatality statistics associated with this road are alarming and unacceptable.

While some cities have plans to install bike lanes, we advocate for the urgent implementation of safe bikeways along El Camino Real. Safe bike infrastructure is not only necessary but critical to protect cyclists and ensure a more inclusive, accessible route for everyone.

We were honored to have several notable guests and advocates for active transportation join us. Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein attended the event to show his support, while Ria Lo, Transportation Manager for Mountain View, Tara Sreekrishnan, Governing Board Member with the Santa Clara County Board of Education and Sunnyvale councilwoman Linda Sells, rode alongside us. Additionally, City of Mountain View Active Transportation Planner Brandon Whyte joined us at Eagle Park, along with Issa Ibrahimi, Associate Transportation Planner/ San Mateo Caltrans bike/ped Coordinator with Caltrans.

Building relationships with councilmembers and city staff is key to the advocacy work that we do. Creating these relationships is crucial because:

1. **Influence on Policy**: Councilmembers and city staff have the power to influence and implement policies that promote safer and more accessible biking infrastructure. Our collaborative efforts can drive significant changes in local transportation policies.

2. **Community Support**: When local officials and staff are engaged and supportive, it sends a strong message to the community about the importance of sustainable transportation. Their involvement can inspire more residents to participate and advocate for biking initiatives.

3. **Resource Allocation**: City staff and council members can prioritize funding and resources for bike-friendly projects. By fostering these relationships, we can ensure that biking infrastructure receives the attention and investment it deserves.

4. **Collaborative Problem-Solving**: Working closely with city officials allows us to address challenges and find solutions more effectively. Their insights and expertise are invaluable in navigating the complexities of urban planning and transportation.

As we reflect on the success of the 4th Annual El Camino Real Ride, we are inspired by the progress we've made and the community that continues to grow. None of this would have been possible without your support, dedication, and enthusiasm.

This event's growth highlights the need for continued advocacy to improve El Camino Real. We encourage you to join our El Camino Real campaign to learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference.

Join the ECR local team

Thank you once again for being an integral part of this remarkable journey. Here's to more years of successful rides and impactful change!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Enno, who captured the event's spirit through his lens. We invite you to find your favorite ride memory in the El Camino Real Ride Photo Gallery