Buffered Bike Lanes to be Piloted on El Camino in Menlo Park

After a rousing City Council study session that went past midnight on August 25, Menlo Park has directed staff to scope out a buffered bike lane pilot for El Camino Real. Since this was only a study session, a final decision by Council is still anticipated. That will determine the design of the bike lane, the length of the pilot (6 months or a year), and the criteria for making the pilot permanent.SVBC strongly supports adding bike lanes on El Camino Real and has been involved with Menlo Park's process over the last year. I spoke in favor of adding protected bike lanes (alternative 3) to El Camino Real over a third vehicle lane (alternative 1). Buffered bike lanes were alternative 2.The San Mateo County Health System has found that though El Camino Real makes up only 1% of streets in San Mateo County, it is the location of nearly 15% of bike collisions and 20% of pedestrian collisions. We urged Council to consider the dire safety issues and plan for a vision of Menlo Park for future generations: a lively place that draws people for shopping, transportation, recreation, and community events rather than a traffic-congested highway. With Menlo Park taking the lead, neighboring Atherton and Redwood City may follow suit with bike facilities on their portions of El Camino Real.There were over 15 speakers present who supported bike lanes on El Camino Real and only a few against. One of the highlights was a middle school student who would like to bike on El Camino Real with her friends.SVBC will be following up with a letter to Council with recommendations on the design of a buffered bike lane, how to encourage people to use the facility, and criteria to gauge the success of the pilot. Let us know what you think of the potential plan in the comments or by contacting us!