DECEMBER 1, 2025 www.paloalto.gov
DRAFT 2026 BICYCLE
AND PEDESTRIAN
TRANSPORTATION
PLAN UPDATE
City Council Meeting
Ozzy Arce
Senior Transportation Planner
[email protected]
Ria Hutabarat Lo
Chief Transportation Official
[email protected]
Sylvia Star-Lack
Transportation Planning Manager
[email protected]
Amanda Leahy
Project Consultant
[email protected]
Meeting Purpose & Recommended Action
Recommended Action:
Receive Report and provide feedback on the Draft Plan and near-term projects.
Purpose: Present the Draft 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update and near-term projects.
3 1
BACKGROUND
4 • What is the 2026 BPTP Update?
A City-led initiative to update the 2012 BPTP and establish a 10-year strategy for bicycle and pedestrian network investments, policies, and programs in Palo Alto.
• Vision: We envision a city where sustainable, safe, efficient, equitable, and enjoyable transportation thrives.
Together, we will create a comfortable and connected street and trail network that supports walking, biking, and rolling for people of all ages and abilities. We continue to be a leader in Safe Routes to School and invest more in active transportation infrastructure, education, and encouragement programs. • Objectives:
• Safe and Inclusive
• Connected and Accessible
• Comfortable and Enjoyable
• Community-led and Cooperative
• Integrate and Collaborative
Project Timeline
Proposed Bicycle Network
Pedestrian Districts
Prioritization Framework
Project List
Visioning;
Objectives Final PlanAdmin.
Draft Plan
Existing
Conditions
Analysis
CSTSC + PABAC + PRC + PTC + RC + CC
Public
Review
Draft Plan
CSTSC + PABAC + PRC + PTC+CC CSTSC + PABAC + PRC + PTC + RC + CC PABAC + PTC + CC City Council 20262023
Phase 1
Introduction &
Visioning
Phase 2
Existing Conditions,
Needs & Concerns
Phase 3
Recommendations
Phase 4
Draft Plan
Phase 5
Final Plan Adoption
& Implementation
2024 2025
Workshop
Online Mapping Survey
Walk Audit
Bike Ride
Council, Commissions, Committee
Draft 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Plan Update
www.paloalto.gov
Table of Contents
EX. Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Existing Facilities
3. Recommendations
• 2026 Bicycle Network
• Complete Vision
• Low-Stress
• Pedestrian Districts
• Near-Term Projects & Implementation
4. Implementation & Funding
5. Conclusion
7 Highlights of feedback incorporated into the Draft Plan • Focus on high-comfort, low-stress facilities, less on “Big Streets” • Low-Stress Bicycle Network = Bike boulevards!
• Near-term projects list & map
• Prioritizing improvements on Cowper St. Bike Boulevard over Middlefield Road • San Antonio Road corridor as a Pedestrian District
• Providing bike access on Cambridge Avenue and California Avenue • Car-free Cal Ave. as a “community street”
• University Avenue as a slow street (Class IIIc), not a bike boulevard • Show the relationship between the BPTP Update and the Connectivity Project • Bike Boulevard description & stop sign orientation
• “Stop signs should be oriented to favor bicycle travel.” • Support for prioritizing the Homer Avenue separated bikeway; and the E. Meadow & Bryant Blvd. Crossing Feasibility Study; Bicycle wayfinding signs for ECR 8 2026 Bicycle Network
9 Near-Term Projects
Low-Stress Bicycle Network
Complete Vision Bicycle Network
2026 Bicycle Network:
Low-Stress Network
• 104 projects
• 63 bicycle projects
• 33 crossing projects
• 3 special projects
• 5 recommended studies
10 2026 Bicycle Network:
Near-Term Projects
• 44 projects
• 16 bicycle projects
• 23 crossing projects
• 2 special projects
• 3 recommended studies
11 1
District Areas
Pedestrian Districts:
• University Avenue District
• California Avenue District
• Midtown District
• San Antonio Road Area
Neighborhood Commercial
Centers:
• Embarcadero Neighborhood
Commercial enter
• El Camino Real Neighborhood
Commercial Center
12 Phase 4: Draft Plan
Preliminary key themes from Phase 4 feedback:
• San Antonio Road: Strong support for prioritizing San Antonio Road bikeway improvements, including advancing implementation before or concurrent with anticipated high-density housing development, despite anticipated high cost. • Park Boulevard Extension: Support for adding the Park-Maclane-Wilkie-Miller to Mountain View section to the Park Boulevard Bike Boulevard (BLVD_24) project on the Near-Term list. • Bryant Street Focus: Specific endorsement for immediate upgrades to the Bryant Street Bike Boulevard, particularly the route heading downtown and necessary improvements at the East Meadow Drive crossing. • Speed Reduction: Support for establishing a maximum speed of 20 MPH (or less) on all bike boulevards. • E-Device Concerns: Concerns were raised regarding the increasing use of electric bikes and scooters and their operational impact on network safety and design.
• Age-Specific Education: Support for incorporating bike education programs tailored for an older population to help residents remain active and mobile.
• Justification & Policy: Requests included providing clear justification for each project on the near-term list and securing legislative support to allow for the use of speed cameras in Palo Alto. • PABAC’s Role: The Committee requested establishing a formal, direct communication channel between the PABAC, the Planning and Transportation Commission, and the City Council, suggesting a review of the PABAC Charter for necessary modifications.
13 Recommended Changes to Near-term Projects
For Council consideration:
1. Modify project BLVD_24 (Park Boulevard Bike Boulevard) to include the Park-Maclane-Wilkie-Miller to Mountain View section, including wayfinding;
2. Modify project SB_11a (Middlefield Road Separated Bikeway Connection to Menlo Park) to a Class II Bike Lane, and extend the project boundaries from Channing Avenue to Menlo Park instead of Everett Avenue to Menlo Park.
3. Add a new project: Class IV (separated bikeway) on Churchill Avenue from Alma Street to Bryant Street, with a traffic circle at Churchill Avenue & Bryant Street.
4. Programmatic: A new program to fill pedestrian facility gaps along key pedestrian routes without specifying specific locations as a response to the desire for more pedestrian-focused recommendations. 14 Plan Adoption & Next Steps
• PTC recommend adoption of the Draft Plan: November 12 • Draft Plan public comment period closed: November 14
• City Council Study Session on the Draft Plan: December 1 • Final Plan presented to the City Council for adoption: Early 2026 15 Recommended Action: Receive Report and provide
feedback on the Draft Plan and near-term projects.
DECEMBER 1, 2025 www.paloalto.gov
DRAFT 2026 BICYCLE
AND PEDESTRIAN
TRANSPORTATION
PLAN UPDATE
City Council Meeting
Appendices
www.paloalto.gov
18 The City adopted the current BPTP in July 2012
Summary of feedback received
www.paloalto.gov
Phase 1: Visioning
Key themes from Phase 1 feedback:
• Safety is the top priority, particularly for students traveling to and from school. • Strong demand for separated or wider bike lanes and safer street crossings. • Need for a seamless network that crosses major barriers (e.g., highways, rail). • Direct connections to schools, transit hubs, and key community destinations. • Integration of e-bikes and other micromobility options. • Emphasis on high-quality design, including comfort, aesthetics, wayfinding, and shade.
• Education, outreach, and ongoing community input are essential. 20 Phase 2: Existing Conditions Analysis; Needs & Concerns Key themes from Phase 2 feedback:
• Strengthen the existing network by addressing critical gaps. • Prioritize improvements along key corridors, including San Antonio Road, Alma Street, Embarcadero Road, Middlefield Road, and El Camino Real. • Enhance sidewalk continuity, wayfinding, and placemaking in pedestrian-oriented areas such as University Avenue and California Avenue.
• Improve transitions between different types of bicycle facilities to create a smoother, more consistent experience.
21 Phase 3: Project Recommendations
Key themes from Phase 3 feedback:
• Mixed reactions to “Big Streets” projects: while they provide direct connections, many questioned their overall return on investment.
• Strong call for a clearer initial prioritization framework that accounts for real-world constraints.
• Desire for more pedestrian-focused recommendations.
• Emphasis on improving overall network connectivity and cohesion. • Support for non-infrastructure strategies such as education, policy tools, funding mechanisms, and planning for emerging mobility modes.
22 Revised Prioritization Framework**
Prioritization Factor Criteria
Initial
Evaluation
Safety High-Injury Corridors
Safe Route to School
Connectivity Bicycle Level of Traffic
Stress
Access to Transit
Supplemental
Evaluation*
Project Cost & Funding
High, Medium, LowProject Readiness
Project Support
*Only the projects that scored 70-100 in the Initial Evaluation will advance to the Supplemental Evaluation. 23 **Presented to the City Council at the June 2, 2025 meeting Ranked Priority Project List
Ranked Priority Project List – Top 10
• Projects were ranked based on
the results of the Supplemental
Evaluation
• Intended to guide order of
implementation and identify an
actionable project list
• Revisited and adjusted based on
community and City Council
input
24 Bikeway mileage totals: 2012 vs. 2025
25 How is the 2026 BPTP different than the 2012 BPTP?
26 • Class III Bike Routes are not proposed
• “Sharrows: are not proposed, except for bike boulevards • Enhanced bikeways not included
• Such as floating bike lane or restricted hours bike lanes
2026 Bicycle Network:
Complete Vision
• 135 projects
• 94 bicycle projects
• 33 crossing and intersection
improvement projects
• 3 special projects
• 5 recommended studies
27 2026 Bicycle Network:
Near-Term Projects
28 1
District Recommendations
For each pedestrian district
or neighborhood center,
the plan identifies:
• Potential Application of
Pedestrian Toolbox.
• Special Projects to serve
the district unique
contexts.
29 1
Pedestrian Toolbox
Enhanced Crossings
Signal Adjustments
Street Reconfiguration Design Enhancement
Activation
Major Intersections
30Note: This is just a sample of the toolbox items and not a complete list.
Implementation
31 1
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER EFFORTS
32 Specific Projects (e.g.
South Palo Alto
Bike/Ped Connectivity)
1 BPTP + SOUTH PALO ALTO BIKE/PED CONNECTIVITY
33 A near-term project: “CROSSING_10”
1 E-BIKES
34 • The Draft BPTP Update includes the following Programs and Policies:
• Bike Parking Requirements For New Development: Regularly review the City’s minimum short- and long-term bike parking requirements for new development projects and update requirements to reflect changes in parking demand. Update and maintain the City’s list of approved bike parking designs to accommodate a variety of bicycle types such as e-bikes and cargo bikes.
• Electric Bicycle Engagement Strategy: Work with the Palo Alto Police Department to develop strategies to encourage the safe use of e-bikes on public roads.