SVBC's 15th Annual Bike Summit: Connecting for Change
On Thursday, Aug. 28th our 15th Annual Silicon Valley Bicycle Summit brought together over 200 advocates, professionals, and leaders to share insights and ideas for creating a safer, more bike-friendly Silicon Valley. Summit speakers and attendees focused on challenges bikers face and the real-world improvements that are happening on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. Speakers stressed the need to prioritize the needs of people who have historically been ignored in planning projects and shared examples that help chart a path toward more equitable and sustainable communities for all.
Welcome Address
South San Francisco Mayor Eddie Flores gave an inspiring and enthusiastic Welcome Address to Bike Summit attendees. Mayor Flores talked about the growing Every Kid Deserves a Bike Program, funded by Safe Routes to Schools.
Since launching in 2022, the program has grown each year, with more and more children taking part. Along the way, they’ve also learned why it can sometimes be difficult for kids to accept a free bike, helmet, lock, and toolkit. Many families living in overcrowded conditions don’t have space to store a bike, while others hesitate because their child doesn’t yet know how to ride or lacks confidence on two wheels. To help overcome these barriers, Every Kid Deserves a Bike hosts Bike Rodeos—fun, hands-on events where kids can build the skills and confidence they need to ride safely and comfortably.
Mayor Flores walked us through how his team plans, funds, and delivers projects designed to make South San Francisco a safer and more just city. An example of this is the work being done along El Camino Real. Flores said that change requires both input from merchants, pedestrians and bicyclists on how the city can best serve their needs, and then moving forward with that feedback. He noted that biking will continue to be important in South San Francisco, home to 250+ biotech firms with over 7.5 million square feet of space under construction, and a projected increase of up to 100,000 additional workers over the next 10 years. This dynamic part of our region is in good hands with the young and energetic leadership of Mayor Flores.
We’re turning plans into real-world improvements.”
–Mayor Eddie Flores
Photo credit: Every Kid Deserves A Bike.
Morning Plenary
Silicon Valley Bike Summit followed the inspiring welcome from Mayor Flores with a morning Plenary moderated by Zack Deutsch-Gross, now the Executive Director of Transform. The Plenary featured key local leaders, including BART Board Director Bernali Ghosh, San Mateo County Supervisor Noelia Corzo, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga. Discussion focused on the future of transportation, from bike to bus to train, and the importance of what funding can do for the future of the region across transportation.
Speakers shared their personal interest in transit, thoughts on why transit matters, hopes for the future of transit, and the important role that the bike community plays in passing large transportation investment measures. They spoke of the upcoming California Senate Bill 63 funding measure, which, if signed by the Governor, will provide Bay Area transportation with stable, long-term funding for agencies including VTA, SamTrans, BART, and Caltrain.
Recently elected BART Board Director Bernali Ghosh, a landscape architect by trade, reminded us how past funding improved safety and cleanliness at BART and shared optimism for what new funding–like the $750M California state loan and the regional funding ballot measure recently enabled by SB63–could achieve. Ghosh was made hopeful by UC Berkeley students, who voted 90% for the BayPass, a regional transit pass that allows students to go anywhere in the Bay Area for one low monthly fee.
San Mateo District 2 Supervisor Noelia Corzo shared that her highschooler uses transit to be independent, so transit to her and her son means freedom and community. She said more frequent transit would give the “gift of time.” She also wanted more bus shelters, noting that elders deserve a seat waiting for the bus and on the bus. She said that Caltrain electrification has rocketed weekend ridership to 169% above pre-pandemic levels and urged elected officials who were there for the “pretty picture” of electrification to also be there to fund the future of transportation. Corzo said that we have to acknowledge the racism that kept San Mateo County from embracing BART in the past, and is looking forward to “changing the narrative” about her county with their support of authorizing legislation SB 63. When asked what gives her hope, she mentioned the community made by young and old people interacting on transit.
Santa Clara Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga has made safe streets a priority since her time on the Mountain View City Council. Abe-Koga is thrilled to witness projects like SVBC’s support for making El Camino Real safer for biking and walking, which she alone supported years back, receive the unanimous support and vote of the Mountain View City Council.
On a recent trip to Japan, Abe-Koga observed how people rely on walking, biking, buses, and trains not just for commuting, but for all aspects of daily life—and she hopes to see more of that in the Bay Area. As a mother of two daughters who are deeply concerned about climate change, she is continually reminded of the pressing need for action. She also finds great hope in the region’s young leaders, whose fresh perspectives recognize the climate, health, and equity benefits of investing in public transportation.
Almost a fifth of Caltrain riders get to their station by bike or scooter.
Source: Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Caltrain. Bay Link Blog, February 2025.
The morning plenary provided ample room for hope and inspiration for how transportation funding can enhance quality of life, strengthen communities, advance equity, and foster pride of place across the Bay Area – setting an uplifting tone for the rest of the day’s sessions.
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Missed a session? Our speakers’ slides offer a quick glimpse into the discussions of the day—explore them here.