Walking & Biking News & Ideas | |
|
Hello Larry,
We've got some great updates for you on projects, events, and more locally including the Tamien Innu, Regnart Trail crossing at Blaney Avenue and the 10th Annual Bike Fest happening this Saturday, September 30!
Plus, learn below about how to pick a good bike helmet, read about a cool coastal hike, hear about how painted crosswalks are enhancing safety (we could do that here!) and find about how there's a lot of grant funding out there to pay for new and better infrastructure. Read on to learn more!
| |
|
Tamien Innu moves forward
by Jennifer Shearin
| |
|
Have you heard of the Tamien Innu? Sometimes referred to as the “I-280 Trail”, and previously named the “Junipero Serra Trail”, it’s a planned off-street trail connecting the east and west sides of Cupertino on its northern side.
The trail, when complete, will begin at Vallco Parkway near Tantau Avenue, follow alongside I-280 for three miles, and ultimately connect to the Don Burnett (Mary Avenue) Bridge. Many people are eagerly awaiting this trail for safe and enjoyable walking and biking for recreation or to connect to shopping or dining destinations, such as Main Street Cupertino.
| |
|
Recently, the city staff have provided updated timing on when construction will begin on the project and what issues they have faced during the design. The first phase is expected to begin construction in summer of 2024.
Read more...
| |
Click on map for larger view | |
|
Cupertino misses out on millions in grant money
by Seema Lindskog
| |
Grant funding is a key way for a city to pay for bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects. Because Cupertino is facing an unprecedented budget crisis right now, it is even more important that it takes advantage of these grant opportunities. Instead, most of the grant money is going to other cities. This is for a variety of reasons. | |
|
WBC Advocacy Made the Difference | |
BLANEY ROAD CROSSING AT REGNART TRAIL | |
Last month, we highlighted the accident that occured and the continuing safety issues with the Blaney Avenue crossing for walking and biking users of the Regnart Creek Trail. Thank you to the many people answered the call and emailed the City Staff and City Council to express their desire for improvements at this location! | |
|
This adocacy made the difference. The city tranportation staff have added a center median reminder to cars to yield to pedestrians (with the added benefit of often slightly slowing cars) and are studying lowering speed limits on Blaney.
They have also added "stop" reminders for pedestrians and cyclists near this crossing. City staff have asked WBC to remind everyone that for safety, cyclists and pedestrians should wait until cars stop or significantly slow until proceeding across the crosswalk.
We'll keep you updated about the results of the speed limit study and if any further changes are planned.
| |
|
How to pick a good bike helmet
by Aaryan Doshi
| |
For all cyclists, safety is always of utmost importance and concern. Picking out a proper helmet can be the difference between injury and a fun, breezy day on your bike. Here’s a quick guide that will be your best friend in making this important decision!
For all helmets, look for a helmet that has integrated MIPS technology (which stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which reduces rotational motion to the brain in the event of a crash. read more...
| |
For sizing, measure your head using a soft tape measure (like for clothing) around the circumference of your head. This will correspond to the size charts you will see both online or at biking stores. (picture of size chart) | |
Some helmets to consider
Below are some good choices for helmets. Click here to see more that are tailored for good ventilation, have higher visibility, and more information on all helmets.
| |
|
Bike to the Bay
Saturday, 10/14/2023, 9:00 AM. This ride ends at Day on the Bay, which is a festival with free food and entertainment, hosted by County Supervisor Otto Lee. It is open and free to everyone, not just Otto Lee's constituents. There are two starting points, one in Sunnyvale and one in San Jose. Sharlene Liu, from Bike Sunnyvale, will be leading the one from Sunnyvale. Eventbrite registration is here.
Bike to the Future
Sunday 10/29/23. This is Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition's annual fundraiser featuring food, entertainment, music, prizes, and different routes to choose from.
| |
| |
|
Painted Crosswalks:
A new trend for safety and fun
by Senna Rogoyski
A new trend has begun taking place: painted crosswalks. While this trend is yet to be seen everywhere, localities in California such as Los Angeles, Modesto, and many other municipalities across the country have adopted this innovative approach. They’ve found these crosswalks enhance the safety in their community and add to their community pride.
In these cities, citizens of the towns have painted all sorts of art in their crosswalks, including abstract art, art reflecting community culture, and fun images. Some paint 3-D stripes for added safety and some add specific colors to be supportive, such as the rainbow pride crosswalks now common in many cities.
| |
|
We have not yet had a painted crosswalk in Cupertino.
The previous push for one several years ago--a rainbow crosswalk on Stevens Creek at Finch–-was not approved by the previous council at the recommendation of the City Staff. Instead, a very narrow painted rainbow stripe was painted near the crosswalk.
A great place for a painted crosswalk would be the intersection of Blaney and Suisun, near Eaton Elementary School. The school crossing guard was removed starting this school year. Adding a painted crosswalk would be a great way to enhance the safety of this intersection and bring the community together in a fun activity.
| |
Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trails
AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR CURIOUS MINDS
By Jian He
| |
|
Traveling to cheer for sports tournaments often brings us opportunities to discover new hiking trails. This June, we shared our summer hiking experience in Marin County.
In early September, we had another great experience exploring Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trails during a tournament hosted in Santa Barbara County. This trail system is an integral part of Ellwood Devereux Open Space, a 652 acre multi-agency regional open space, including a Monarch Butterfly Grove and several public reserves. We also enjoyed lunch at a landmark restaurant and learned about local history.
To my family, hiking is like learning in an outdoor classroom that intrigues our minds to ask questions and seek answers. In this travelog, you will find out how we discovered Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trails and what we learned on the journey and beyond.
| |
A Taste of Local History
After driving for 4 hours from the Bay Area, we reached the city of Goleta at Ellwood Mesa Coast. Our first stop was Timbers Roadhouse, a restaurant located just a few minutes off the highway 101. Its timber structure and taxidermy mounts looked so interesting that we asked the waiter about its history. This house was built in the 1950’s using the pine timbers dismantled from Ellwood Pier, which was damaged by a Japanese submarine in 1942, read more...
| |
If you enjoyed this newsletter,
please encourage your friends or family to sign up too!
Walk-Bike Cupertino never shares or sells any personal information.
| |
|
We'd love to hear YOUR voice!
Do you know a great walk, ride, run or hike? Want to share an issue about walking, biking, city planning, or interesting idea?
Walk-Bike Cupertino would love to spotlight it in our newsletter and on our website! Articles should be 400 words or less, and should include a picture. All submissions are subject to approval and editing, and can be used by Walk-Bike Cupertino in future publications. Contact us here.
| |
Happy Walking and Biking,
Your friends at Walk-Bike Cupertino
Find much more, including maps, safety data, and information on all the city projects at: walkbikecupertino.org
| | | | |
