From: Amanda Charne
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2026 1:38 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Cc: Kelly Abey <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda Item No. 4.a San Rafael Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update To: Honorable Mayor and City Council of San Rafael,
The City has spent two years preparing an update to the Bike and Pedestrian Plan, but the Update fails to identify the scale of residential development approved in Downtown San Rafael. The Plan Update emphasizes smaller-scale “implementable” projects for which grant funds might be more readily available. These projects are undoubtedly valuable and warranted. However, it’s disappointing that the Plan Update fails to incorporate incoAming residential development in project scoring and prioritization and neglects to advance the more transformative infrastructure projects that could serve this additional population.
Reportedly, eight of the ten high-rise development projects will be located near Fourth Street. Yet several key Downtown corridors continue to rely on Class 3 or 3+ bikeways, or remain in the conceptual planning stage, including:
· Downtown East West Connection/4th Street (B15)
· Gerstle Park to 4th Street (B22)
· Sun Valley to 4th Street (B07)
Class 3 and 3+ bike lanes are unlikely to achieve a substantial shift from driving to bicycling since riders must share road space with cars. Neon paint offers no physical protection from drivers scrolling on their phones while operating multi-ton vehicles within inches of yourself or your children.
Prioritizing near-term investment in protected Class IV bikeways in Downtown is essential to making bicycling a practical and appealing option for everyday local trips.
Such infrastructure would help accommodate the transportation needs of incoming residents, proactively address traffic and circulation impacts, and advance the City’s climate goals.
I appreciate the effort that has gone into updating the Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and the City's genuine commitment to improving walking and bicycling conditions here.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update.
Amanda Charne