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Home My WebLink AboutCC 03-03-2026 Item No. 3 Active Transportation Plan_Written Communications_2CC 3-3-2026 #3 Active Transportation Plan Written Communications From:valerie To:Public Comments; City Council; City Clerk Subject:Opposition to Proposed Bike Lanes in Cupertino Neighborhoods -particularily Faria Elementary neighborhood Date:Tuesday, March 3, 2026 10:10:05 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear City Clerk, Please include my mail in written communications for the upcoming city council meeting. Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------- Dear Members of the Cupertino City Council, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed creation of bike lanes in the City of Cupertino that would remove existing street parking, particularly in the Faria Elementary School neighborhood. The affected streets—including Pepper Tree Lane, Stelling Road, Shelly Drive, Bonny Drive, Rodrigues Avenue, and Terry Way—serve as vital parking and access points for residents and visitors alike. I have lived in this neighborhood for over 20 years. I drive through the area daily and walk around the neighborhood every day. Based on my consistent, firsthand observation over two decades, I rarely see bicyclists using these streets—at most, I see one bike perhaps once a month. This raises serious questions about whether there is sufficient demand to justify removing valuable street parking that hundreds of residents rely on. My primary concern is that this proposal appears to benefit a very small number of individuals at the expense of the broader community. Removing parking spaces will significantly impact homeowners, guests, caregivers, and service providers. Before implementing such sweeping changes, I urge the City to conduct objective traffic studies—such as installing traffic cameras or performing formal usage counts on the proposed streets—to determine how many bicyclists truly use these routes on a daily basis. Additionally, special events at Freya parking already create congestion challenges in the area. Eliminating street parking will only exacerbate these issues. With the upcoming development at 20865 McClellan Road, which will add approximately 20 townhomes, the neighborhood can expect a substantial increase in vehicle density. Reducing parking capacity at the same time that housing density increases does not seem practical or responsible. Monta Vista High School already has access via McLaren Avenue, which adequately serves student cyclists in that area. If the City determines that additional bike lanes are necessary, they should be implemented selectively where there is clear demand and community support —not as a blanket policy applied across all Cupertino streets regardless of neighborhood impact. I would also like to address the advocacy efforts of Walk Bike Cupertino members. While I respect that some residents enjoy biking to work and to other destinations, that is a personal choice and, for many, a luxury. Not everyone is able to bike to work or travel by bicycle. In my own case, I was traumatized by a past bicycle accident and am unable to bike as a result. I must rely on a vehicle for transportation. Are the rights and needs of residents like myself to be sacrificed in order to accommodate the preferences of a small group? I am further concerned that decisions affecting our neighborhood are being driven by individuals who do not reside here and who may not fully understand the daily realities and needs of our community. Local residents should have meaningful input in determining how their streets are used. In conclusion, I respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider the current bike lane proposal, particularly in the Faria Elementary School neighborhood, and to prioritize the needs, safety, and accessibility of the broader residential community over a limited and unproven demand. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, VJ From:E. Poon To:City Clerk; City Council Subject:Proposals for concrete barriers for bike lanes on Stelling, Blaney and Finch Date:Tuesday, March 3, 2026 3:49:35 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Subject: Concerns Regarding Permanent Concrete Curbs for Bike Lanes Dear Councilmembers, I am writing to formally share my perspective on the proposed installation of permanent concrete curbs for our local bike lanes. While the goal of increasing cyclist safety is one we all share, I have significant concerns regarding the long-term impacts of using rigid concrete barriers as the primary solution. Based on practical challenges observed in other regions, as well as our own local infrastructure needs, I urge the Council to consider the following drawbacks: Emergency & Law Enforcement Access: Permanent concrete curbs create a rigid “island” effect that can hinder emergency and police vehicle access. Cupertino is a relatively small city, and the short response time of our deputies has always been an asset. This advantage should not be given up lightly. Drainage and Maintenance: Unlike flexible or modular options, poured concrete can interfere with existing street drainage. Raised concrete may worsen ponding already observed at some intersections. The addition of barriers could make the street surface more hazardous and increase the City’s exposure to liability. Aesthetic and Neighborhood Impact: The “hardened” look of concrete barriers can feel industrial and stark, potentially detracting from the character of our residential streets compared with greener or landscaped separation methods. Lack of Flexibility: Once poured, concrete is difficult and expensive to modify. A “quick-build” or mock-up approach would allow the City to test traffic patterns and make adjustments before committing to a permanent, high-cost project. A mock-up could also help alert local residents to what is being planned. Public outreach is costly and not easy. So far, only about 600 residents have been reached by ATP consultants, which represents a very small percentage of the City’s population. In the past, I attended a safety meeting in the downstairs room of City Hall where several Sunnyvale residents—likely from the Walk Bike Cupertino group—discussed walking and biking safety to Cupertino schools via Zoom. I recall that one participant mentioned measuring the proposed bike lane on Homestead and concluding that it was too narrow to be of practical use. That comment is food for further thought. All of the proposals involve existing roadways built decades ago. Before remodeling them for any purpose, we need careful measurement and realistic mock-ups. However, the ATP reports often note that technical details are not included and are instead held by City departments. In the final analysis, consultants are not responsible for measurements—our City staff is. Thank you for your time and for considering the concerns of local residents on this matter. Sincerely, Emily Poon Resident since 2007