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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: Transportation
Meeting Date: June 15, 2026
Report #:2512-5749
TITLE
Adopt a Resolution Approving the 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP); CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution Approving the Final 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) (Attachment A), including staff-recommended changes from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC) (Attachment B).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) serves as the City’s comprehensive vision and action plan to create a comfortable, connected, and safe multimodal network for users of all ages and abilities. Following Council review of the Draft Plan on December 1, 20251, staff conducted final community outreach and considered final feedback from members of the public, Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), PABAC, and City Council.2 The Final Plan (included in Attachment A) reflects this input to the Draft Plan, including Council’s request for a proactive approach to e-bikes, and tighter integration with ongoing and recent City initiatives (see Attachment C). The Final Plan advances a Low-Stress Network approach by prioritizing 25 bicycle projects, 24 intersection/pedestrian crossing projects, 3 special projects, and 3 studies, totaling about 19 miles of improvements including school commute routes, transit access routes, and pedestrian districts (see Attachment D and Attachment E). 1 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, December 1, 2025. Study Session: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: Draft Plan and Near-Term Projects. CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16332. 2 Palo Alto Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting, May 7, 2026. Action Item: Staff Presents the Final 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) for Endorsement. https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/transportation/bicycling-walking/pabac/pabac- meetings-2026/2026-05-07_pabac-agenda-packet_final.pdf.
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BACKGROUND
On July 9, 2012, City Council adopted the City’s 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP), which has served as the foundational policy document for improving the safety and appeal of active transportation in Palo Alto.5 To modernize this vision, on May 17, 2021, the City Council supported a grant application for State Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA3) funds.6
Council reviewed and provided feedback on the 2026 BPTP in various stages:
Introduction, overview, context & baseline conditions on January 22, 2024; 7 Vision, objectives, performance measures, and existing conditions on April 29, 2024; 8 Project prioritization and recommendations on June 2, 2025; 9 Draft Plan on December 1, 2025; 10 and,
Additional analysis efforts on March 9, 2026. 11
At the December 1, 2025 meeting, the City Council spoke positively about the 2026 BPTP effort and encouraged staff to refine key areas, including proactively addressing the rapid growth of e-bikes in future facility design, ensuring seamless alignment with other key City efforts, and incorporating other project and programmatic changes (see Attachment C). Staff then incorporated the public, Committee, Commission, and City Council feedback and published the Final Plan on April 13, 2026. On May 7, 2026, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee endorsed the Final Plan with recommended changes via motion—see the Stakeholder Engagement section of this report for more information. 5 Palo Alto City Council Meeting. September 12, 2012. Action Item 6: Public Hearing: Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan Incorporating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan and Approval of a Negative Declaration (continued from May 21, 2012). https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council- agendas-minutes/00-archive/2012/07-09-12-ccm-fixed.pdf . 6 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, May 17, 2021. Consent Item 6: Resolution 9955 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Making Required Findings in Support of the City’s Grant Application for State Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funds to Update the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3426&compileOutputType=1. 7 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, January 22, 2024. Informational Report: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: an active transportation plan--Introduction & Overview, Community Engagement, Context & Baseline Conditions, and Next Steps. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=13335&compileOutputType=1. 8 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, April 29, 2024. Study Session: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: Review and discuss the vision statement, objectives, performance measures, and share and obtain feedback on the existing conditions technical analysis. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=15058&compileOutputType=1. 9 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, June 2, 2025. Study Session: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: Draft Project Prioritization Framework and Prioritized Project Lists. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=16124&compileOutputType=1. 10 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, December 1, 2025. Study Session: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: Draft Plan and Near-Term Projects. CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=16332&compileOutputType=1. 11 Palo Alto City Council Meeting. March 9, 2026. Consent Item 8. Approval of Contract Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C23185922 with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. To Increase Compensation by $17,000 to $350,945 and to Extend the Term for an Additional Six Months Through December 31, 2026, for the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update; CEQA status - exempt under Public Resource Code section 21080.20. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=18681&compileOutputType=1. 9 0
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ANALYSIS
This report presents the Final 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (Attachment A) for Council’s consideration and adoption. Based on prior input, the Final 2026 BPTP introduces a revised citywide bicycle network (Complete Vision and Low-Stress), introduces Pedestrian Districts, leverages existing planning foundations, and addresses changes in context and needs since 2012.
Key Elements of the 2026 BPTP
The 2026 BPTP includes the following key elements:
Prioritizing a Low-Stress Bicycle Network: The plan shifts its foundational focus toward developing calm, neighborhood-based Bicycle Boulevards. This strategy prioritizes routes that community members already find comfortable and familiar, allowing the City to rapidly expand safe, continuous coverage with fewer tradeoffs involving vehicle traffic and parking.
Targeted Near-Term Implementation Framework: Rather than trying to build the entire complete vision network at once, the plan isolates actionable, high-priority projects for the next 10 years. This near-term focus allocates resources toward 25 priority bicycle projects (representing roughly 19 miles of enhancements), 24 intersection and crossing improvements, three special projects, and three specific studies. Establishment of Dedicated Pedestrian Districts: To enhance walkability, the plan defines specific commercial and neighborhood "Pedestrian Districts"—such as the University Avenue, California Avenue, and San Antonio Road, and Mitchell Park/Cubberley corridors. It leverages a specialized Pedestrian Toolbox designed to explicitly improve sidewalk continuity, crossing visibility, signal adjustments, and neighborhood placemaking.
Proactive E-Bike and Micromobility Integration: Reflecting recent community and City Council feedback, the plan features updated programmatic strategies to address the rapid adoption and unique speed/safety dynamics of e-bikes. This includes updating educational programs, assessing infrastructure compatibility, and ensuring micromobility safely integrates into the low-stress network. Inter-Agency Initiative Alignment: The plan ensures tight integration with other major city efforts, such as the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan, the San Antonio Road Area Plan, the South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Undercrossing at El Dorado Avenue, and the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan.
Changes Since December 2025
Following the City Council’s review on December 1, 2025, the Plan was updated to:
Feature proactive regulation, engagement, and education strategies to manage the rapid growth of e-bikes and e-motos;
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Ensure seamless alignment with major city initiatives like the San Antonio Road Area Plan, the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan, and the Cubberley Master Plan; Include directives to audit the 2030 Comprehensive Plan policies that might otherwise restrict critical safety improvements.
oNote, specific to 2030 Comprehensive Plan Policy T-4.1 (Keep Streets Open as a General Rule), PABAC recommended an amendment from a concern that the T-
4.1 policy could be interpreted to prevent implementation of modal filters on bike boulevards or school routes. In May 2026, City staff reexamined 2030 Comprehensive Plan Policy T-4.1 and found that a policy amendment is not necessary to implement modal filters since modal filters do not close streets as defined by the California Vehicle Code; and safely manage and reroute traffic under the clear authority of 2030 Comprehensive Plan Policies T-4.2 and T-4.3. Integrate several project-specific and programmatic modifications—such as prioritizing key travel segments on Middlefield Road, advancing additional safe routes to schools, and adding robust pedestrian-focused capital programs.
See Attachment C for a table that details the City Council’s requested changes to the Draft Plan, and how City staff incorporated the requested change into the Final Plan.
Next Steps
Pending Council adoption, City staff will publish an Adopted Final Plan that incorporates minor edits based on PABAC’s May 7, 2026 meeting (Attachment B).
Staff has also initiated work to advance the following initial priorities for BPTP Implementation:
PABAC Reform (BPTP Policy IC-1.3): On June 4, 2026, PABAC provided initial input on the Committee’s role, structure and membership. Staff will engage further with PABAC and will return to Council in fall 2026 to obtain input and consider potential Bylaw amendments needed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Committee. Electric Bicycle Strategy (IC-1.4, 1.5 & 1.6) and Bike Parking (CE-1.5): On June 1, 2026, Council expressed an interest in addressing issues associated with use of e-bikes on California Avenue, including locating bicycle parking at entrances to the community street.19
Staff is currently collaborating with Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) staff and Palo Alto Council of PTAs (PTAC) representatives on a multi-pronged strategy to address an increase in e-bikes, illegal e-motos and collisions involving students. Educational material will be distributed to parents during summer and fall 2026, and staff will return 19 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, June 1, 2026. Action Item 16: Outdoor Activation Standards, Pre-Approved Parklet Plans and Public Space Design Concept for the Car-Free Portion of California Avenue; and FIRST READ: Adopt an Ordinance Amending the Sign Code to Streamline Permitting of Signs in Conjunction with a Parklet; CEQA Status - Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=18729&compileOutputType=1 9 0
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to Council in fall 2026 to discuss a holistic strategy on this topic. Staff is also working on a grant application to accelerate installation of high-quality bike parking throughout the City, including gateway locations on California Avenue. Traffic Calming Policy Update (SI-1.7): Staff has secured Measure B Local Streets and Roads (LSR) funding to initiate work on potential improvements along Bryant Street (BLVD_2) as a follow up to an earlier traffic calming petition. This work will feed into a broader effort to update the City’s Traffic Calming Policy in order to increase the responsiveness and efficiency of traffic calming work in the City. Capital Projects: Staff is also seeking grant funding and will advance projects that were prioritized in the BPTP via the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process, including the following capital projects that are already underway :
oSouth Palo Alto Bikeways Demonstration Project (SB_18 & SB_23) to upgrade bicycle lanes on school routes, which is funded by federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) and state Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA3) grant funds. oPlanning for Midtown Bicycle and Pedestrian Undercrossing (Crossing_10), also known as South Palo Alto Connectivity Project in the vicinity of El Dorado, which is funded by a VTA Measure B Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning grant; oDesign for Seale Avenue Bike/Pedestrian Undercrossing for Churchill Grade Esparation (Crossing_1), which is funded by Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Measure B Grade Separation grants.
oEast Bayshore Road Bike Lanes (BL_10), which can be achieved in conjunction with scheduled repaving (SI-1.14).
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the 2026 BPTP.
The 2026 BPTP will be used to help prioritize future capital projects through the City’s CIP planning efforts as well as grant-writing efforts to support these projects. Adoption of the 2026 BPTP will also make the City eligible to apply for certain grant funds including TDA3 funds.
Work on the 2026 BPTP was undertaken with the support of a $334,852 TDA3 grant.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Final 2026 BPTP incorporated input obtained through an extensive, four-phase engagement process that combined digital engagement with in-person events to ensure broad representation. Engagement efforts are outlined in Section 1.7 of the Final Plan (Attachment A) and include:
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Phases 1 & 2 Engagement on Visioning and Needs Analysis, included public workshops, walking tours, and cycling tours, the development of a project webpage, and survey.
Feedback during this phase identified safety (particularly for students) as the top priority, as well as strong demand for a seamless, low-stress network that overcomes major barriers like highways and railroads while providing direct connections to schools and transit hubs.
Phases 3 & 4 (Recommendations and Draft Plan) included a community workshop, two rounds of board, commission, and committee meetings (January-June 2025) as well as public comment and a unanimous recommendation by PTC on the Draft Plan (October- November 2025). Feedback during this phase called for a more robust prioritization framework integrating qualitative and quantitative measures and a pivot from "big streets" to "low-stress network" approach. During the final public comment period, feedback emphasized the desire for 20 mph speed limits on bike boulevards, proactive e-bike policies, and upgrades to Bryant Street corridor.
Following Publication of the Final Plan, PABAC endorsed the Final Plan on May 7, 2026, with final requested changes as outlined in Attachment B.21 Staff considered this input and will incorporate most of the requested edits into the Adopted Final Plan, pending Council approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
California Senate Bill 922 (2022), codified as Public Resources Code section 21080.20, exempts active transportation plans, such as bicycle transportation plans like the 2026 BPTP, from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution Approving the 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (including the Plan itself)
Attachment B: PABAC’s Requested Changes to the Final Plan and City Staff’s Response Attachment C: City Council Requested Changes Incorporated Into the Final Plan Attachment D: Recommended Near-term Improvement Projects Tables Attachment E: Recommended Near-term Improvement Projects Map APPROVED BY:
Ria Hutabarat Lo, Chief Transportation Official
21 Palo Alto Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting, May 7, 2026. Action Item: Staff Presents the Final 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) for Endorsement. https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/transportation/bicycling-walking/pabac/pabac- meetings-2026/2026-05-07_pabac-agenda-packet_final.pdf.