101-Staff Report.pdf
PUBLIC WORKSDEPARTMENT
CITY HALL
1010300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3354www.cupertino.org
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting:May 3, 2011
Subject
2011Cupertino Bicycle Transportation Plan.
Recommended Action
Adopt ResolutionNo. 11-______,approvingthe 2011 Cupertino Bicycle Transportation Plan.
Discussion
The Cupertino Bicycle Transportation Plan is a long-range planning document designed to
encourage bicycling as a safe, practical and healthyalternative to the motor vehicle. The current
Plan was adopted by the City Council in December, 1998. Since that time, the city has witnessed
an increase in bicycle usage, as well as an increased emphasis on alternative forms of
transportation as a way toreduce traffic congestion andpromote environmental sustainability.
As a result, over the past two years the Cupertino Bicycle Pedestrian Commission and City staff
have been working together to develop an update to the Bicycle Transportation Plan that
addresses present and future needs of the bicycling community, sustainability, and satisfies the
requirements for funding eligibility for bicycle projects.
The 2011 Cupertino Bicycle Transportation Plan is divided into five main chapters. Chapter 2,
Environment,describes Cupertino’sclimate and topography, its major land-use features, and
provides data on present and projected bicycle use. Chapter 3,Engineering,describes each of
theseventeenproposed bikeways throughout Cupertino.Chapter 4, Encouragement,describes
the ways in which bicycling can be encouraged and discusses incentives to bicycle commuting.
Chapter 5, Education,discusses the challenges posed by cyclists who lack the basic skills to
safely ride a bicycle in traffic, and the various education programs and approaches designed to
improve cyclists’ safety. Chapter 6, Enforcement, focuses on the importanceand roleof law
enforcement officials in citing cyclists who fail to observe the rules of the road.
The heart of the Plan is Chapter 3, in which each of the seventeen proposed bikeways are
described. For each bikeway, the proposed designation (bike route, bike lane, bicycle boulevard,
etc.), location, a description of the work to be done, length, and approximate cost are given.
Proposed improvements range from small, low-cost items such as installing bike route signs, to
large-scale projects such as a grade-separated railroad crossing. Additionally, implementation of
many of the bikeways will need to be vetted with the neighborhoods, as they may involve
removal of on-street parking, removal of stop signs, or providing access through neighborhoods
which currently have no through access. City Council’s adoption of the 2011 Bicycle
Transportation Plan will allow staffto pursue the feasibility of the individual bikeways through
detailed engineering study,public outreach, and funding research, and that staff will return to
Council for final approval of each of the bikeways individually once that work has been done
and community concernshave been mitigated to the extent possible.
The adoption of a Bicycle Transportation Plan is a requirement for a jurisdiction to be eligible
for outside funding from certain sources, such as Transportation Development Act(TDA)money
administered through the Metropolitan Transportation Commissionand Bicycle Transportation
Account(BTA)money administered through Caltrans.
Sustainability Impact
Implementation of the elements of the 2011 Bicycle Transportation Plan willencourage
bicycling, reduce reliance on the single-occupancy vehicle, and will therefore have a positive
impact on sustainability. Additionally, adopting the Plan is consistent with theCirculation
Element of the General Plan, Goal B (“Increased Use of Public Transit, Carpools, Bicycling,
Walking, and Telecommuting”) and Goal C (“A Comprehensive Network of Pedestrian and
Bicycle Routes and Facilities”).
Fiscal Impact
There is no immediate fiscal impact resulting fromadoption ofthe Bicycle Transportation Plan.
However, there will bea cost associated with implementing each of the proposed improvements
contained within the Plan. Many of the smaller improvements could be funded by existing
operating budgets with minimal fiscal impact. Larger projects may require identifying specific
funding sources, such as TDA or BTA grant money, and inclusion withinthe Capital
Improvement Program. Staff would return to Council at a later date for approval of individual
projects that have a significant fiscal impact.
_____________________________________
Prepared by:David Stillman, Senior Civil Engineer
Reviewed by:Timm Borden, Director of Public Works
Approved for Submission by:David W. Knapp, City Manager
Attachments:
A-Resolution
B-Bicycle Transportation Plan