We are about to mark the one-year anniversary of the passage of Measure W. Over this year, SVBC has been working with San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) on the Strategic Plan for implementation of the funding measure. The Draft Strategic Plan 2020-2024 is now open for comments thru Nov. 15 and will be approved in early December. Check out the blog for more info and how to provide feedback!

There are numerous pots of money for bike projects from the national, state, regional, and local level. Every single funding pot for bike projects is oversubscribed, demonstrating the demand for additional funding. That is why SVBC works to ensure that any funding measure includes robust allocations for bike projects, which often have a higher bang for your buck than traditional roadway projects. Read on for a round up of recent grant-funded projects in San Mateo County.

As part of our work to get better biking infrastructure across our two counties, we offer our support to local jurisdictions as they apply for various funding pots. Whether it’s the statewide Active Transportation Program (ATP), nationwide grants, or local level funds, we reach out to cities and the counties to offer our review and support of their grant applications for better bike infrastructure and programs. Because these funding programs for bicycle and pedestrian improvements are always oversubscribed and there are a lot of good projects, support letters from relevant organizations make applications more competitive, can be worth several points in the ranking process, and can be the difference between being awarded a grant or not.

Freeway crossings are one of the biggest barriers to biking and walking and discourage people from biking for transportation. As highway interchanges are updated, they should include safe and comfortable facilities for all roadway users, for all ages and abilities, which is the definition of Complete Streets. The Holly Street overcrossing of Highway 101 in San Carlos currently has a narrow sidewalk on one side, some fading sharrows, and shoulders adjacent to 4-6 lanes of fast-moving traffic entering and exiting the freeway. Even the most experienced bicycle riders are intimidated by this interchange, with good reason.