Palo Alto is committed to promoting and encouraging bicycling as a safe, healthy, economical, environmentally friendly mode of transportation that is a viable and convenient alternative to the automobile. The most recent Census data reports that 7.1% of Palo Alto residents commute to work by bicycle, up from 5.6% in 2000. The City continues to work to significantly increase its proportion of travel by bicycle by providing facilities, services, and programs that promote bicycling.

Palo Alto – History of Bicycle Advocacy
In May 2003, Palo Alto was designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. This designation ranks Palo Alto with only ten other "Gold Level" communities. The City of Palo Alto strives to reach the “Platinum Level”, which only three other cities have reached (Portland OR, Davis, CA and Boulder, CO). The award is only presented to communities with remarkable commitments to bicycling. The League cited Palo Alto's strong commitment to education efforts and model policies in their commendation.

Palo Alto has been a leader in the development of innovative bicycle projects and programs for over three decades. The basic grid of the City's bikeway system, now totals over 41 miles of bike lanes, 11 miles of off-road bike paths, and 11 bicycle bridges. Over the years, the network has been enhanced by unique and highly successful projects such as the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard (the nation's first such facility), Adobe Creek Trail under Highway 101, regional Bay Trail, new bicycle bridges to adjacent communities, and installation of bicycle sensitive detection at signalized intersections.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update

The City’s current Bicycle Transportation Plan was developed in 2003.  An update to the plan is currently underway and includes new analysis of pedestrian issues to better link shared use trails and on-street facilities with key destinations.  The plan also emphasizes the needs of school children and an aging population.  New, innovative bicycle design standards are included in the update to help further promote and connect the City’s extensive bicycle network.  Development of the new Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation plan will continue through Spring 2012.  The Draft Report is currently available for public review.  To download a copy of the Draft Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, follow the link below:

          Draft Final Report –  Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan 
                                                              

To submit a comment or concern related to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, please follow the link above or send an email to transportation@cityofpaloalto.org.  

We would like to thank everyone that was able to attend the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update - Community Workshops.

The Draft Report was recommended for adoption by the Planning and Transportation Commission for Recommendation on September 14^th, 2011.  A Final Report was brought to City Council  November , 2011. The next version will be brought to the following public hearings:

Parks and Recreation Commision - February 28, 2012
Planning and Transportation Commission -  February, 2012
City Council- Late March, 2012

Historical Project Information:
Jan 2011      PABAC Community Meeting - Click here
Feb 2011     City-School Traffic Safety Committee - Click here
Feb 2011     Planning & Transportation Commission - Click here       
May 2011    Council Study Session- Click here   (Staff Report& Min. click here)
May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee - Click here

Historical Project Information:   

 May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. )

May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -

    May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. )May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -

    May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. )May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -

    May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. )May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -

  May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. )May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -

 May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. ) May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -

 May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. )May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -

 May 2011    Council Study Session-    (Staff Report& Min. )May 2011    City-School Traffic Safety Committee -