HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 02-19-2026 Item No. 9 Active Transporation Plan_Written CommunicationsCC 2-19-2026
#9
Active Transportation
Plan
Written Communications
From:Tracy Kosolcharoen
To:City Council; Tina Kapoor; City Clerk
Cc:David Stillman; Matt Schroeder
Subject:Written comments -- Agenda Item 9, ATP
Date:Wednesday, February 18, 2026 7:46:59 AM
Attachments:2026 Sheriff Memo Re SCC Concrete Lanes.pdf
Dear City Council,
(writing on behalf of myself) — please do not make roadway changes that delay our
emergency response times. Some of the latest ATP project proposals do not fully account
for their impact on emergency vehicles.
Both our sheriff and fire departments confirmed that they travel slower on small
roads with concrete bike barriers like McClellan, in my direct conversations. Please see
the attached written statement from the sheriff's department, which notes that during peak
hours, the sheriff must take alternate routes to avoid congested, concrete-buffered roads like
McClellan. They cannot even turn on their sirens on these roads because it confuses drivers
who cannot pull aside. Constricting more high-traffic two-lane roads across Cupertino
cumulatively degrades response times across our city.
We can increase bike safety without delaying public safety response. Most of the
ATP proposes painted buffered bike lanes along our 2-lane roads, which I very much
support. Painted buffers are a proven option that still allows cars to pull aside for
emergency vehicles to pass. In fact, the last city memo on the De Anza bike lane changes
showed that the new painted buffer bike lanes significantly improved safety for bikers and
vehicles alike.
I ask City Council to consider painted buffer bike lanes in lieu of concrete
separation on three of the ATP proposals for Stelling (mostly two-way in the proposal),
Blaney (mostly two-way and curved in the proposal), and Finch (all two-way). Please do not
create additional strains on law enforcement that prevent them from turning left on the left side
of vehicles, or create gridlock that they must subsequently avoid during peak hours.
Note that I am not asking to change the Foothill, Homestead, or Stevens Creek concrete lane
ATP project listings, which are wider roads with space for turning.
Please consult our own city's law enforcement and emergency response first and
foremost, and consider their feedback before any outside research studies. During the last
planning commission meeting, some commissioners referenced studies from entirely different
states and with different scenarios (4- to 3-lane conversion). Please compare similar
scenarios involving 2-lane roads, not 3- or 4-lane roads.
Increased response times would put lives at risk due to longer transit times to
hospitals, and make our city a greater target for crime. Many residents choose to live in
Cupertino because it is safe and has rapid emergency response rates. Per the latest sheriff and
fire department reports, Cupertino experiences at least 6K sheriff and fire department
incidents per year. We enjoy exemplary sheriff response times compared to the rest of the
county. Moreover, as we add hundreds of new housing units, and our aging population
continues to grow, we can expect increased strain on our law enforcement and
emergency response.
Is council willing to slow down our emergency response?
For many of us, protecting emergency response times is non-negotiable.
We can make biking safer without physically preventing cars from yielding to
emergency vehicles. Please enable our sheriff to fight crime and save lives quickly
and effectively.
Thank you for your consideration,
Tracy
P.S. -- there is a minor correction on the memo from Sergeant Slaugh and the reference to the
raised island on Wolfe & SCB should read "prevents vehicles from moving left," not right. I'll
send through a corrected version when I have it.
Tracy Kosolcharoen
Chair, Planning Commission
TKosolcharoen@cupertino.gov
County of Santa Clara
Office of the Sheriff
55 West Younger Avenue
San Jose, California 95110 -1721
(408) 808 -4400
M E M O R A N D U M
Robert Jonsen
Sheriff
TO : Tracy Kosolcharoen
FROM : Sergeant A. Slaugh #1922 / West Valley Traffic Sergeant
SUBJECT : Emergency Vehicle Response Re: solid bike lane barriers
DATE : February 13, 2026
______________________________________________________________________________
In response to whether the Emergency Response of the Sheriff’s Office is impacted by a solid barrier
between the far most right lane, bike lane and shoulder of any roadway, I offer this statement as the
opinion of an emergency responder.
The California Vehicle Code, section 21806(a)(1), states that when an authorized emergency vehicle is
operating its forward -facing red lights and siren, “The driver of every other vehicle shall yield the
right-of-way and shall immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any
intersection, and thereupon shall stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has
passed.” This law exists so that emergency responders can arrive swiftly to emergency calls for service.
Several locations within the City of Cupertino currently present conditions where, during peak commute
hours, traffic congestion prevents motorists from complying with this legal requirement. In these areas,
the installation of cement barriers or raised curbs designed to protect bicycle lanes leaves drivers with no
physical space to yield to the right, as required by law.
In some segments—such as Stevens Creek Boulevard east of Wolfe Road —there is a raised island that
prevents vehicles from moving right. In other areas, such as McClellan Road, there is no two -way
left-turn lane , making it impossible for an emergency vehicle to pass on the left. Department policy
requires emergency vehicles operating with lights and sirens to pass on the left whenever feasible. When
both sides are obstructed, an impasse is created, resulting in confusion for motorists and delayed response
times for emergency personnel.
In these situations, emergency responders often must bypass the main arterial altogether and divert
through residential neighborhoods to reach their destination. While veteran deputies familiar with the area
can navigate these alternate routes efficiently, newer deputies —who rely more heavily on GPS—may
experience additional delays, potentially impacting response times during critical incidents.
From:Rhoda Fry
To:Public Comments
Cc:City Council
Subject:February 19 2026 City Council Agenda Item #9
Date:Tuesday, February 17, 2026 4:25:21 PM
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recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council,
Regarding February 19 2026 City Council Agenda Item #9.
I am concerned about the continued erosion of public parking in favor of bike paths.
We need to find a way to satisfy both needs.
Since installation of the bike path near Lawson school, which resulted in an avoidable loss of
parking, neighboring streets have become very congested with on-street parking and there are
more people speeding through the neighborhoods because of the dearth of parking near the
school.
In order to protect public safety and quality of life, please retain on-street parking when
designing new bike paths.
Regards,
Rhoda Fry