Sunnyvale reflects on being a more bicycle friendly city in 2009

Several projects have recently come to fruition in Sunnyvale, with others in the planning stages. With two high profile projects completed in 2009, the Borregas Ave. bridges over 101 and 237 and the Mary Street bridge over 280, Sunnyvale continues build upon a route that will connect high tech workplaces in the north to De Anza College and residential areas in the south.

Two bicycle bridges over highways 101 and 237 at Borregas Ave. were opened on a grand Earth Day event on April 22. Just a few days later the beautiful Mary Street Bridge was opened, which connects the cities of Cupertino and Sunnyvale over highway 280. The structure is a wonderful white-cabled suspension bridge that looks spectacular at night bathed in lights.

The City of Sunnyvale is now considering a possible (three mile) road diet on Mary Street north of Fremont Ave. to Maude Ave. This would extend the existing bike lane on Mary St. (from the Mary St. Bridge to Fremont Ave. to the north). Additionally, a similar study will be performed on that portion of Borregas Ave. which connects the two bridges between freeways 101 and 237.

Sunnyvale has also received funding of over $700,000 for Safe Routes to School improvements to residential and school sidewalks. This money was provided by the California Safe Routes to School Program.

And lastly, in December the Sunnyvale City Council amended the General Plan to include a policy in support of bicycle and pedestrian trails in the city. Currently Sunnyvale is working with Mountain View and Los Altos to fund environmental studies before work begins on plans to connect the Stevens Creek Trail to Sunnyvale trails. On December 8, the city lifted it's 15-year ban on trail building. The ban was supported by residents along the Stevens Creek trail who feared that trails would invite crime to their neighborhoods. The trail moratorium has for years blocked any attempt to create a route from Sunnyvale in the south following the creek north to the bay (as well as Shoreline Park). The lifting of the moratorium also gives new hope in attempting to build a regional recreational creek trail.

Sounds like a good year for Sunnyvale. Let's hope 2010 is filled with even more good news on bikeway improvements.

Happy New Year.