Walking & Biking News & Ideas
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We hope you are staying healthy!
We've got some great articles this month so that you can start your fall fully informed! We've interviewed the Cupertino City Council candidates to get their views on local walking and biking issues, and have rated those answers on a red/yellow/green scale so that you can be better informed when you vote in the upcoming election. We also have some great tips on how to keep your child and other children safe when they are on the way to school, a new pedestrian trail just opened here in Cupertino connecting two big parks, a great trail review of Villa Montalvo Park, a recap of the Fall Bike Fest and upcoming events. Read on for news you can use!
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Our 2022 Election Survey and scores are in!
See which City Council Candidates get top marks
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The results of our election-year Candidate Survey are again informative and surprising! We asked Cupertino City Council candidates their views on walking and biking infrastructure and biking and for encouragement of both of them. We scored the responses and ranked the candidates based on these scores and their previous public statements and actions.
We encourage our readers to consider this information when voting for a particular City Council candidate.
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How did the candidates do? Most candidates scored well, with four of the candidates receiving an overall score of 40 or more points without any red answers, which nets them an overall green score from us. |
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Receiving top marks in order of most points were J.R. Fruen, who had a perfect score; Steven Scharf and Claudio Bono (tied); and Sheila Mohan.
Candidate Govind Tatachari is not included in these survey results, as we did not receive a completed survey from him.
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Polls show that in Cupertino more than 80% of residents wish for more and better places to walk in our city, including new trails. Safe places to bike are highly supported for traffic mitigation and sustainability.
If a candidate claims they are resident-focused, or “for the residents” then they should have scored well by wanting better walkability, bikeability, and the infrastructure to support them for the benefit of all Cupertino residents.
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Stevens Creek Trail Now Crosses Stevens Creek Boulevard
New North/South Connector Between Parks
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This was made possible when former Cupertino Mayor Richard Lowenthal and his wife Ellen Lowenthal purchased the land north of Stevens Creek Boulevard, with the express intent of building a pedestrian and cycling trail that would connect Varian Park and the Stevens Creek Elementary area with Blackberry Farm and beyond. After purchasing the land, the Lowenthals worked with the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail to clear the space for a pedestrian trail. Further work will be required to allow bicycle traffic in the future. Read more....
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We are happy to announce
that a pedestrian trail extension of the Stevens Creek Trail is now open north of Stevens Creek, where the trail had previously ended. It is now possible to cross from the south side of Stevens Creek Boulevard by going under the road overpass and onto the new trail on the north side.
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Cupertino Fall Bike Fest
We hope you were able to join us at Cupertino's fun Fall Bike Fest on September 24!
There were two rides--one a longer 8 mile ride, highlighting the new bicycle infrastructure here in Cupertino, and a shorter family ride of about 1.5 miles, with fun family activities along the way. Bike Fest also had exciting contests (youngest rider, most load on a bike, best decorations, best group theme, and more) with great prizes, a radar gun race, a bike rodeo for the kiddos, bike blender smoothies, bike decorating, vendors and local partners with free samples and bike items for sale, bike demos, and much more!
WBC gave away almost 100 free helmets at the Festival and fitted about another 100. Three Walk-Bike Cupertino board members (Helene Davis, Seema Lindskog, and Jennifer Shearin) acted as leads for many of the activities and worked with Cherie Walkowiak, our fantastic Festival Chairperson for months to plan out every detail and ensure the Bike Fest was a huge success. We were proud to help again this year to encourage everyone to have fun and be safe while biking!
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Local Walk-Bike Events this month |
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❖ Friday, Sept 30 - Sunday, Oct 2 |Western Wheelers Napa Valley Ride (more info).
❖ Sunday, October 2| Monthly Cruiser Ride: Join WBC members and Rotary Club members on an enjoyable 1.5 – 2 hour bike ride each month! The routes vary, but always include a social stop and good times. Confirm this month's ride by contacting us at the emails listed here.
❖ Wednesday, October 12 | 4pm-5pm: Safe Routes to School Working Group meeting (more info). All community members are welcome--you do not have to be a school parent!
❖ Wednesday, October 19 | 7pm-9pm: Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meeting (more info). The Bicycle Pedestrian Commission reviews, monitors and makes recommendations regarding City transportation matters including but not limited to bicycle and pedestrian traffic, parking, education and recreation within Cupertino. The public is welcome.
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A Vision for Over 2600 miles of new trails |
A new map has been released by the Rails-to-Tail Conservancy (RTC) and the Bay Area Trails Collaborative (BATC) which shows the new plan to connect over 2600 miles of regional trails. This can increase access for millions more people to enjoy outdoor walking, biking, and hiking.
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Important tips for safe walking, biking, or dropping off at school |
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A Relaxing Hike at Villa Montalvo County Park |
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Trail Review by Jian He
Ever since I started volunteering for my sons’ schools, I have made so many friends who love to hike together and enjoy nature. We formed a weekly hiking group and mostly hike around the Rancho San Antonio Preserve in Cupertino. In spring this year, several friends and I were invited by an artist friend to hike at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga. The name “Montalvo” sounded so familiar, then I remembered my family had so much fun 10 years ago at a children’s art festival hosted in Montalvo Arts Center.
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It was a lovely surprise to discover that above the beautiful villa are miles of shaded hiking trails managed by Santa Clara County Parks. We enjoyed a wonderful time together hiking along redwood trees and exploring the arts in this historical landmark, which was built in 1912 as Senator Phelan's favorite home.
For first time visitors, please study the park map carefully before you go. There are four parking lots, and Lot 1 is located farthest to access the trailhead. Read more...
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September is Pedestrian Safety Month! |
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• Wear bright colors
• Carry a flashlight
• Only cross at marked
intersections
• Be aware of traffic
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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.
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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 500 words or less, and should include a picture (at least 3 pictures for hikes). All submissions are subject to approval & editing, and can be used by Walk-Bike Cupertino in future publications. Contact us here.
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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
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