City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission
6:30 PM Online and Bay Conference Room, City
Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Thursday, July 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Beagle called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Vice Chair Beagle led the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Bryce Beagle
Commissioner Alex Bonne
Vice Chair Arwen Davé
Commissioner Geeta Gollakota
Commissioner Dan Hafeman
Commissioner Jonathan Wilson
Present 6 -
Commissioner Leia MehlmanAbsent 1 -
Commissioner Mehlman (excused absence)
Council Liaison Klein (present)
PRESENTATION
A 24-0836 Annual Reporting on Collisions Involving Pedestrians and Cyclists
Lieutenant Galazzo gave the annual presentation on collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. Lt. Galazzo showed and explained slides on the following:
- 5-year Pedestrian and Bicycle Injury Collisions (2019-2023) - 2023 Major Collisions
- 2023 Summary of Enforcement
- Common Violations
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- Pedestrian and Bicycle Injury Collisions 2022 (January - June) - The Three E's - Engineering, Education and Enforcement Commissioner Davé asked about the following:
- Common Violation slide - Are the violations by or against the bicycle riders? Lt. Galazzo addressed the question.
Commissioner Bonne asked about the following:
- Do you have a breakdown between electric powered bikes and the normal human powered bike on which one has more violations?
- Can you give a few examples of the safety messages that you broadcast to the public?
Lt. Galazzo addressed the questions.
Commissioner Gollakota asked about the following:
- Why do you think the injury of pedestrians from last year's numbers went down? - Do you think there are more or less vehicles on the road compared to previous year's after Covid?
- Do you have the data for pedestrian injuries by age?
Lt. Galazzo addressed the questions.
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following:
- How does the countywide group enforcement work?
- How is the The Freedom to Cross Act affecting enforcement? - When the report says "party at fault = 0" mean nobody was at fault? Lt. Galazzo addressed the questions.
Commissioner Wilson asked about the following:
- At what point does an e-bike become a motorcycle?
Lt. Galazzo addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following:
- Slide 3 - What does "filed" mean on the final column? - What is the typical conviction for filed cases and how often is the Driver's License
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revoked?
- What is the penalty for non filed cases?
- Slide 4 - Do you think most drivers know what an unmarked crosswalk is? Why do we have unmarked crosswalks?
- Are there any percentages on incidents that don't get reported? - Do you think it is too easy for a driver to get a license? Do you think it is too hard for a driver to lose their license?
- What is the process for drivers to get a ticket parking in the bike lanes along Sunnyvale Avenue?
- In what situation would you give a ticket to a pedestrian for jaywalking? - What is Department of Public Safety policy on Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413) with the daylighting for crosswalks?
- Should there be more enforcement for drivers on El Camino Real going over the speed limit?
Lt. Galazzo and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Commissioner Gollakota asked about the following:
- Is there anything that can be done to reduce injuries around Fremont High School going towards Mary Avenue?
- Are there any drone cameras to put around the schools to watch high traffic areas?
Lt. Galazzo addressed the questions.
Vice chair Beagle asked about the following:
- What is your viewpoint on the Idaho stop policy?
Lt. Galazzo addressed the question.
Public comment opened at 7:44 p.m.
Sharlene Liu, member of the public, commented on the following:
- Explained the CVC 21211(b): Do not block bike lanes law - Provided a video on how to help bicyclists when garbage bins are in the way - Enforce the law when garbage bins are blocking the bike lane on Sunnyvale Avenue
- Many cars block the bike lanes at schools which make it really hard for students to bike to and from school
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Public comment closed at 7:48 p.m.
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following:
- Is there anything that can be done about the garbage cans left in the bike lanes after pick-up?
- How many hours can the trash cans be left out on the streets before there is a violation?
Lt. Galazzo addressed the questions.
Commissioner Wilson asked about the following:
- Could increased efficiency in the drop off process deter people from parking illegally in the bike lane?
Lt. Galazzo addressed the question.
Commissioner Davé commented on the following:
- There is no good way to drop off kids
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Enjoyed the presentation
- Recommends making the penalties and infractions more so people won't commit them as much
- City roads should not support dangerous behavior, roads should be designed to be naturally safe
Commissioner Gollakota and Commissioner Wilson introduced themselves as the new commissioners on the BPAC commission.
B 24-0837
Vision Zero Plan Progress Update
Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer, gave a presentation on the Sunnyvale Vision Zero Progress Update. Highlighting the following:
- Vision Zero Plan Background
- Collision Trends - Total Collisions
- Collision Trends - Fatal and Serious Injury
- Collision Trends - Pedestrian & Bicyclist Fatal and Serious Injury - Completed Projects
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- Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Improvements at Fremont Avenue/Manet Drive/Bobwhite Avenue
- Signal/Crossing Improvements
- In-Progress
- Sunnyvale Safe Routes to School Improvements at Bishop Elementary School - Sunnyvale Quick Build Pedestrian Bicycle Safety Improvements - Safe Routes to Schools
- Bike & Pedestrian Improvements
- Outreach Plan for Vision Zero Campaign
- On-going Projects
- Department of Public Safety
- SRTS Education Program
- Future Projects
- Engineering Improvements
- Land Development
- Signal Improvements
- Sunnyvale Vision Zero Progress Update
Commissioner Bonne asked about the following:
- Are engineering changes designed to encourage or mandate that cars are able to not easily drive above posted speed limits?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Davé thanked City staff for the improvements made on the Mathilda Avenue/Maude Avenue intersection.
Commissioner Gollakota commented and asked about the following:
- Thanked staff for the quickbuild projects and focusing on the school safety - Worn out red paint where the curves are and residents are parking in the areas where there are no bulb-outs which is impacting visibility of pedestrians - New construction on arterial roads which impacts the paths exiting from those communities and makes them unsafe
- How do schools access the elementary K-8 bike safety presentations? Mr. Le and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Vice Chair Beagle commented and asked about the following:
- Residents are concerned that the pedestrian quickbuild projects are having an
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impact on bicycle safety
- Is the City taking bicycle safety into account when building the quickbuilds? Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following:
- What is Adaptive Pedestrian Signal System?
- Is Sunnyvale seriously trying to consolidate driveways? Where is it? Where's an example of where it is being done?
Mr. Le and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Commissioner Wilson asked about the following:
- Is there a prediction of the impact to our fatality and collision rate based upon these improvements?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Gollakota asked about the following:
- Do you work on safety improvements around the schools that are outside of the Sunnyvale boundary?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Public comment opened at 8:28 p.m.
Sharlene Liu, member of the public, commented on the following:
- Quickbuild curb extensions are a good improvement for pedestrians but a disadvantage for bicyclists
- Recommends removing the raised ledge that outlines the bulbout at the two ends of it. Would make it alot safer for cyclists and not very expensive to correct Public comment closed at 8:31 p.m.
Council Liaison Klein commented on the following:
- Feedback from the community of the quickbuild projects throughout the City - Goals and updates of the quickbuild projects within the City will be in the next City of Sunnyvale Horizon newsletter
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Commissioner Wilson commented on the following:
- Is there a clear metric to evaluate the performance of the quickbuilds across the different aspects of traffic?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Public comment opened at 8:34 p.m.
No speakers.
Public comment closed at 8:35 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment opened at 8:35 p.m.
No speakers.
Public comment closed at 8:36 p.m.
1.A 24-0831
Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting
Minutes of June 20, 2024.
Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2024 as submitted.
Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Bonne seconded the motion to approve item 1.A.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Vice Chair Davé
Commissioner Gollakota
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Wilson
6 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Mehlman1 -
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 24-0838 Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner, explained that every fiscal
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year in July the BPAC is asked to select a new Chair and Vice Chair. The term will serve from July 2024 and end in June 2025.
Vice Chair Beagle nominated Vice Chair Beagle for the Chair position. Vice Chair Beagle accepts the nomination.
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Has been Vice Chair for the last year
- Two opportunities to be acting Chair
- Currently doing acting Chair
There are no other nominations for the Chair position.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Vice Chair Davé
Commissioner Gollakota
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Wilson
6 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Mehlman1 -
Commissioner Davé nominated Commissioner Hafeman for Vice Chair.
Commissioner Hafeman declines the nomination.
Commissioner Davé nominated Commissioner Davé for Vice Chair. Commissioner Davé accepts the nomination.
There was no other nominations for the Vice Chair position.
Public comment opened at 8:43 p.m.
No speakers.
Public comment closed at 8:43 p.m.
Commissioner Wilson asked what the roles are of the Chair and Vice Chair. Ms.
Tsang explained the roles and responsibilities of the Chair and Vice Chair.
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Vice Chair Davé
Commissioner Gollakota
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Wilson
6 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Mehlman1 -
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
3 24-0839 Sweeping Protected Bike Lanes (Consideration of Potential Study Issue)
Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer, explained that the study was submitted by previous Commissioner Liu and it includes a review of maintenance options for the design for Class 4, separate bikeway protection intersection crossing, including street cleaning, equipment, limitation, replacement, requirement, equipment and staffing needs. The study will reveal the best practices to publish guidelines and the neighboring city's. The study also includes a cost estimate for staff time, equipment needs to maintain the protected facility.
Sharlene Liu, member of the public, made a presentation on the Study Issue Proposal - Sweeping Class 4 Bikeways. Highlighting the following:
- Motivation to have the study issue
- 17.1 miles of Class 4 bikeways in ATP
- 89% (15.3 miles) are high priority
- Only 7% (1.2 miles) implemented so far
- Studied other cities with Class 4 bikeways - sweeping and trash can solutions - Sunnyvale Sweeping Solution
- Could have a short-term solution (use a cyclist-powered bike lane sweeper of leaf blower)
- Followed by a long-term solution (narrow-gauge street sweeper) - Useful for sweeping quick-build bulb-outs and protected intersections too Commissioner Wilson asked about the following:
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- Is the time-share option feasible with the City's street sweeping schedule? Ms. Liu and Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Davé asked about the following:
- Is there a potential to have volunteer sweepers?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Gollakota asked about the following:
- Are there plans to convert more bike lanes into Class 4 bike lanes? - Is the cleaning aspect the reason there are not more Class 4 bike lanes? Ms. Tsang and Ms. Liu addressed the questions.
Commissioner Wilson asked about the following:
- Is the purpose for the study issue to propose a more in-depth consideration on how to sweep the bike lanes?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following:
- Is this study specifically referring to sweeping?
- How are we cleaning the existing Class 4 bike lanes?
Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Public comment opened at 9:11 p.m.
Kevin Jackson, member of the public, commented on the following:
- Encourages the BPAC to sponsor the study issue
- Class 4 bikeways have become one of the most important new bicycle facilities in recent years and provide significant benefits in terms of increasing ridership - Many communities are successfully using Class 4 bikeways and keep them clean - Recommends ranking the study issue highly
Public comment closed at 9:12 p.m.
Commissioner Hafeman moved and Vice Chair Beagle seconded the motion to
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accept the Sweeping Protected Bike Lanes Study Issue.
Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following:
- Encourages the City to raise sidewalks
Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Study issue is required to figure out a way to sweep Class 4 bikeways The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Vice Chair Davé
Commissioner Gollakota
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Wilson
6 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Mehlman1 -
4 24-0840
Homestead Road Full-time Bike Lanes: Design and
Construction (Consideration of Potential Budget Proposal) Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner, explained that a budget proposal is a proposal to add a new City service, eliminate a service or change a level of an existing service. The BPAC would vote on deciding whether they want to place this on the actual proposed budget proposal list. If it does get placed on the budget proposal list then in September/October the BPAC would decide if they want to sponsor it and then in January it would get ranked.
Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer, stated that previous Commissioner Liu submitted a budget proposal called Homestead Road, Full-Time Bike Lane: Design and Construction. Highlighting the following:
- Full-time bike lane will be implemented between Wright Avenue and New Brunswick Avenue on the North side of Homestead Road within the City of Sunnyvale right of way
- Signage will be converted to "no parking anytime bike lane side" - Existing Class II bike lane will be upgraded to Class IIB buffered bike lane where possible
- When Calwater Project is complete 40% of the part-time bike lanes will be
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converted into full-time bike lanes by the end of 2024
- City staff is looking for funding opportunities to design and construct full-time bike lanes for the remaining 60% of the part-time bike grant - Updated cost estimate is $477,000 for construction and $100,000 for design resulting in a grand total of $577,000 to achieve the full-time bike lane project Sharelene Liu, member of the public, made a presentation on funding Homestead Full-Time Bike Lanes. Highlighting the following:
- 1996 BPAC asked for full-time bike lanes on Homestead Road and was rejected - 2015 it came before City Council and the decision was deferred - Council meeting on August 8, 2023 where City Council unanimously supported Homestead Road Full-Time Bike Lanes
- Some progress made by piggy-backing on Calwater project. Saved 8% of cost - Lack of funding for remaining 92% of cost stalls further implementation - Homestead is on the High Injury Network
- Budget Proposal is to allot $577,000 from city budget to fund design and construction of Homestead bike lanes
- Important for the City to dedicate money for it
Commissioner Gollakota asked about the following:
- Is there only one bike lane on the north side of Tantau Avenue or on both sides? - Is the bike lane on New Brunswick Avenue part of the project where it would provide access to the extension of the Stevens Creek Trail? - Is there anyway to make Homestead Road bike lane a Class IV bike lane? Ms. Liu and Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
Commissioner Wilson asked about the following:
- If funding is approved, will the bike lane be a Class III bike lane? Ms. Tsang addressed the question.
Commissioner Hafeman commented and asked about the following:
- What percentage of the money allocated for design and implementation will go to the road diet between Wright Avenue and Bernardo Avenue? - Percentage of the cost of the road diet
Ms. Tsang addressed the questions.
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Vice Chair Beagle called for a recess at 9:41 p.m. Vice Chair Beagle reconvened the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Public comment opened at 9:50 p.m.
Kevin Jackson, member of the public, commented on the following:
- Strongly supports the proposal
- Opposed waiting until the entire project, including all of the proposed enhancements, is designed and funded before moving forward - There is no reason to delay the project on the rest of the corridor - Changing the signs on the existing poles is simple, cheap, and quick, and immediately delivers virtually all of the safety benefits that is to be achieved Public comment closed at 9:54 p.m.
Commissioner Bonne commented on the following:
- There has been a lot of talk about Homestead Road bike lanes for a very long time and it's time they finally get implemented
Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Davé seconded to approve the Homestead Road Full-time Bike Lanes: Design and Construction Budget Proposal.
Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following:
- Needs to be done as soon as possible due to all the traffic on Homestead Road The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes Chair Beagle
Commissioner Bonne
Vice Chair Davé
Commissioner Gollakota
Commissioner Hafeman
Commissioner Wilson
6 -
No 0
Absent Commissioner Mehlman1 -
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
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None.
-Staff Comments
Thinh Le commented on the following:
- Mathilda Avenue Bike Lane Study Community meeting on August 1 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Bay Conference Room 145
- Board and Commission recruitment is underway for Heritage Preservation Commission and Personnel Board. Applications are due by July 18 by 4:00 p.m. City Council interviews on August 5. More information at sunnyvale.ca.gov or call 408-730-7483
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
24-0832 BPAC 2024 Annual Work Plan
24-0833 Active Items List July 2024
24-0834 2024 Deferred Study Issues
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Beagle adjourned the meeting at 10:01 p.m.
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