Varying perspectives among residents and officials for keeping school-bound cyclists safe in Los Altos Hills could derail a planned bike lane if compromise fails before the end of the year or its largest funder rejects the final design proposal.
Town officials last year applied for a nearly $1 million Safe Routes to School grant from the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) which would help fund an approximately 1.7-mile bike path along Fremont Road from Edith Avenue to Arastradero Road, one of the town’s busiest thoroughfares. The path would improve safety for students pedaling to nearby schools, according to officials.
But utilizing the funds may hinge on the town’s influence within VTA ranks and whether board members OK the town’s final proposal – however it turns out.
Los Altos Hills Councilman Rich Larsen, who represents the town on the VTA board, said his term expires in December.
“We’ve got to get this thing nailed down this year or the money’s gone,” Larsen said, noting that officials would then have to consider dipping into town funds. “Being in the inner circle (of VTA) is a huge help.”
The original grant, according to Larsen, stipulated that the project must have an 8-foot-wide paved pathway. The first plan, drafted by city officials, mandated widening Fremont Road to accommodate the lane. It also required cutting down approximately 32 trees.
Some residents objected to that plan, claiming a wider road and fewer trees would increase speed and decrease the rural character of the town.
One off-road bike/pedestrian path proposal drafted with residents’ input was put forward. More recently, the Pathways Committee – after a two-night meeting – sculpted a rough plan that includes road striping to guide motorists, according to Chairwoman Eileen Gibbons.
Fellow committee member Courtenay Corrigan, who clarified that the striping wouldn’t necessarily indicate a bike lane, said, “We’ve substantially changed it to keep the rural feel of Los Altos Hills.”
Councilman John Radford, who attended part of the extended meeting, said that plan “basically doesn’t even attempt to have formal bike paths areas in certain parts” and likely wouldn’t meet VTA standards for funding.
Larsen, an avid cyclist, said he’s already been able to persuade fellow VTA board members to make several exceptions to the grant conditions.
“We’re way outside the original scope (of the project) anyway,” he said. “So far we’ve been able to bend the rules. We’ll keep bending as far as we can.”
Breene Kerr, former mayor and current Pathways Committee member, began pursuing the VTA grant nearly two years ago with Larsen. He said a bicycle-safety component is necessary to earn the grant money.
“At the end of the day, we need to improve bike safety,” he said. “I think, ultimately, something is going to be worked out that will accommodate the concerns of neighborhood and have positive impact.”
The town council must approve the final proposal and may review plans as soon as the Sept. 22 council meeting.
“What it boils down to is compromise and what will be approved” by VTA, Public Works Director Richard Chiu said. “That’s kind of the balance. … If they don’t approve it, there’s a risk we don’t get the grant money. … Then it’s a matter of do we do it with our own money or not?”
