This month, we have a lot of news and videos for you. We talk about Vision Zero, how Cupertino is getting some new art with artistic bike racks, all the news outlets highlighting WBC's efforts to improve safety, and a (scary) video on what it's like to bike near Collins Elementary in the morning. Plus, there's more: a hike in a beautiful wildflower covered preserve and exciting news about a climate action book recently published by a WBC Youth Board member. Read on for interesting insights!

The City of Cupertino is moving closer to having a Vision Zero plan. The fundamental goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries to users of our roadway system, including vehicle drivers and passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians and others. (This metric is typically called “KSI” for Killed or Severely Injured.) 

Historically, surface transportation infrastructure in the United States has focused disproportionately on moving vehicles as efficiently as possible. 

Vision Zero represents a paradigm shift towards prioritization of a safe and equitable transportation system for all users. This will require slowing vehicle speeds to decrease impact forces, which is highly correlated to fatalities and serious injuries. WBC strongly supports making our streets safer for all users, especially our most vulnerable, which are cyclists and pedestrians.

What happens next

The Bike Ped Commissioners have until April 8 to provide their detailed feedback to the consultants. The Vision Zero Plan will then be revised by the consultants based on this feedback.

The City Staff will then share the revised Vision Zero Plan on the City of Cupertino website at least 15 days before the BPC meeting at which it will be discussed again (either in May or June 2024). This will allow residents and the BPC Commissioners a chance to review the revised plan in detail before that meeting. If the commissioners are comfortable with the updated draft report, they will recommend to the City Council that they adopt the plan. (Read more....)

Why do we need to improve our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure?

Watch this nerve-racking video taken on April 1, 2024 in front of Collins Elementary from the point of view of a cyclist (Warning: video contains NSFW language!). TL;DR - The cyclist could have been seriously injured in three different ways in the span of just 1 minute 30 seconds.

The Rotary Club of Cupertino's Climate Action Committee has initiated an exciting new public-private partnership with the City of Cupertino and the Cupertino Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, in collaboration with the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, to install artistic bike racks around the city.



The goal of the project is to beautify the city and support local businesses. The artistic bike racks will be provided free of charge to the city's businesses and installed by Rotary volunteers. The Rotary Club is also working with the City of Cupertino to install racks in some of the Cupertino Parks.

Click here to see more rack designs!

The germ of the idea started when the City of Cupertino set aside $50,000 to install new bike racks on city right-of-way (i.e. streetside) locations more than a year ago.

Bike Ped Commissioners and Walk Bike Cupertino members both recommended not only reviewing the locations -- as bike racks close to the front doors of businesses are used much more than those at the curb of busy streets -- but also considering using artistic bike racks to add functional "art in unexpected places" to Cupertino.

The Rotary Club of Cupertino's Climate Action Committee then stepped up to offer additional funding and volunteer labor to make these artistic racks possible. The Chamber of Commerce joined the project to support local businesses and connect them to the Rotary team.

Walk Bike Cupertino board members biked extensively throughout the city and created a detailed list of both existing locations with bike racks and locations that could benefit from bike racks. This list was the starting point for the team. (Read more...)

KTV Fox 2 video-- click to play

Walk Bike Cupertino has been getting a lot of press lately for our efforts to make walking and biking safer and easier.

Recent news stories have centered on two issues: the continued safety issues at Calle de Barcelona and Finch near Cupertino High, and the replacement of the bridge over Stevens Creek near McClellan Ranch. These issues have been highlighted by local news organizations and on local TV stations.

Mercury News breaks story on intersection safety issues then KTVU 2 picks it up

The Mercury News was the first to report on safety issues at the Barcelona/Finch intersection. Journalist Stephanie Lam inteviewed and quoted WBC board members Henry Widjaja and Jennifer Shearin for the story.

The article also highlighted the petition signed by hundreds of parents to add a stop sign to this location and how the local school does not oppose adding one. For more information on this location and its issue, see this WBC article.

McClellan Bridge becomes San Jose Spotlight Story then KRON 4 interviews WBC Chair

Journalist Annalise Friemarck from the San Jose Spotlight highlighted how the McClellan Bridge was far past its lifespan at more than 100 years old, but there were still not enough funds to rebuild it. KRON 4 subsequently picked up the story from the San Jose Spotlight, giving it further press. WBC Board Chair Seema Lindskog was highlighted in both articles advocating for more safety at that location.

KRON 4 video -- click to play

We recently discovered an amazing new preserve Máyyan ‘Ooyákma Coyote Ridge, which has been opened to the public since August 31, 2023 under the care of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. It’s home to a large variety of native plants and wildlife, spanning over 1,859 acres of land with 5 miles of multi-use trails, connecting the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range. When we visited it last week, wildflowers had already started to bloom on the hills and in the valleys, and a ranger told us that they will reach peak bloom in April. 

Before You Hike

We highly recommend that you spend time browsing through the interpretive exhibition, talking to rangers or volunteers at the info booth, and learning about the history and purposes of this special place. This would truly open your eyes and minds to observe nature’s wonders on the hike. 

Read more on what to see before you hike →

Breathtaking Views

Enjoy these spectacular views we captured last week. We could not find enough words to describe how beautifully and naturally this land is being preserved, in the midst of the fast development of Silicon Valley, thanks to all the efforts of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, their partners and volunteers. 

See more breathtaking views →

More Information

Find a video and blog articles on this wonderful area here.

Today our planet faces an enormous number of environmental challenges such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollution. However, it could be argued that the biggest challenge and the root cause of all this is resource consumption. We buy things (often unneeded) which means businesses are continuously making items and we end up using more energy and making more waste. 

A circular economy stops the cycle

In contrast, we could instead work toward a circular economy. A circular economy promotes the reuse of items, renting, repairing and recycling instead of throwing them away and buying a new item. Embedding the principles of a circular economy in everyday life is the focus of Aaryan Doshi’s recently published book, Designing on the Brink: Products for a Climate in Crisis.

"The intersection of circular design and recent innovation in fintech can facilitate this transition [to a circular economy]--and in the process, help us heal our planet."

Examples from real life

In the book, he takes five commonly used products such as a shoe or a jacket or a charger and illustrates how they can be Read more...

Vision Statement and Implementation Alternatives

April 10th, 2024, 6:00 - 7:30 PM Zoom only

Registration Link

Community Advisory Group Workshop

April 25th, 2024, 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Cypress Community Center

403 Cypress Ave, San Jose 95117

Registration Link

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.