| Some
key observations on bicycling conditions throughout the county include:
- There is a general
lack of bike lanes and connectivity between bike lanes in many cities
- Several of the
major bicycling corridors consist of wide shoulders with striping that
has deteriorated in many places
- The cities of Menlo
Park, Redwood City, and Foster City have the most extensive network
of bike lanes and paths
Survey responses showed
that, with the exception of Redwood City and San Carlos, all cities in
San Mateo County have at least one staff person designated to oversee
bicycle-related issues. The time spent on bicycle issues varies. Staff
in over half of the cities devote less than one hour per week to bicycle-related
issues.
Funding available
for bicycle projects is minimal in comparison to major roadway construction
projects. Cities are more inclined to apply for grants that will support
projects impacting automobiles because they may receive more funding for
their efforts. Transportation funding from the state is contingent upon
a county's adoption of a Congestion Management Plan. San Mateo County's
Congestion Management Plan is under the jurisdiction of C/CAG.
San Mateo
County does not have a bicycle advisory committee to address bicycle-related
issues in the unincorporated areas of the county. Less than half of the
cities in the county have bicycle advisory committees.
The roles
of the advisory committees that are in place include:
- addressing issues
and complaints
- recommending improvements
- assisting with
developing city bicycle objectives and plans
- project recommendations
- providing advice
to city councils
Survey
data regarding city master bicycle plans is inconsistent with information
received in interviews. Approximately half of the cities have bicycle
plans, with varying degrees of detail and depth. Most cities report that
they coordinate projects with neighboring cities on issues involving:
- the development
of continuous bicycle lanes and paths between cities
- regular communications
for continuity and project planning
- partnering for
funding opportunities and co-authoring grant applications
In 1996,
a bike map was produced to illustrate for commuters and recreational bike
riders recommended bicycle routes in the county. In 1999, Barclay Maps
produced a new version, the "Bicycle Transportation Map of the San
Francisco Peninsula, San Mateo County," which was available through
companies for their employees and through retail outlets. To date, the
maps have not readily available, but C/CAG recently purchased 3,000 and
plans to distribute them during Bike to Work Day in May 2003.
The C/CAG
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee provides general support for
bicycle-related issues in the cities within the county. C/CAG currently
has a $600,000 budget for grants to cities in support of bicycle transportation
projects. Grants are awarded based on criteria established by the C/CAG
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Regional, state, and federal
funding sources are also available to cities, and over the past three
years, $2,158,200 has been awarded to half of the cities in the county.
The Peninsula
Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance offers to employers a bicycle safety
education program and provides funds for bicycle racks and lockers at
the worksite. In 2002, the Alliance conducted safety and education programs
at two companies. With funding from a federal grant, the alliance teaches
bicycle safety courses and distributes bicycle helmets to low-income bicyclists
in the community. These programs amount to less than 10% of the total
staff time of the alliance. Except for special projects, the Alliance
does not undertake community outreach programs related to bicycle safety
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