City Bike Network Planning History

2017 –

A one-year field trial of buffered bike lanes on University between Middle and Live Oak and on Oak Grove between Crane and Mancussen was initiated after a consultant conducted a feasibility analysis. A true needs analysis was NOT performed and the field trial plan lacked the rigorous success criteria that a professional bike network designer would usually recommended.

2016 –

  • In January the Chairman of the Bike Commission rejected the Re-Imagine Menlo Park request that it review and discuss a Menlo-Ravenswood bike corridor citing general concerns about costs, complexity and the political environment.
  • OneBayArea agreed to fund most of the $500,000 cost of bike and pedestrian safety improvements on Valparaiso.
  • The City Council decided NOT to pursue the idea of adding bike lanes along El Camino Real; feasibility had been established in the multi-year El Camino Corridor Study.
  • In July the City Council approved the study of an Oak Grove Bike Corridor and contracted the services of Alta Planning + Design, a well-respected bike network design firm.

2015 – Mostly studies and proposals.

  • In August Menlo Park determined that bike lanes could be added to El Camino Real, and the City Council authorized staff to study a possible one-year field trial starting in 2016.
  • Improvements were made to bike lanes on Santa Cruz and Ravenswood Avenues and “share the road” street markings were added to Oak and Ravenswood Avenues.
  • At year end the Menlo Park Bike Commission proposed the creation of an east-west bike corridor based on Oak Grove Avenue at the north end of El Camino with bike additional facilities on street approaches.
  • Re-Imagine Menlo Park proposed a central east-west bike corridor based on Menlo and Ravenswood Avenues with bike additional facilities on street approaches.

2012 – The Menlo Park Specific Plan restated the needs and changes proposed in the 2004 city bike network development plan. Project priorities, an implementation plan and a proposal for a capital improvement budget remained undefined. All recommendations are simply changes that the City believes should be evaluated. No commitments have been made.

2008 – “Improved east-west bike connectivity” was included as a primary objective of the Menlo Park Vision Plan.

2004 – Assisted by a Bay Area bike network consultant (Alta Planning + Design) Menlo Park developed its first Comprehensive Bike Development Plan which identified bicyclist needs and bike network recommendations. The plan did not include project priorities, an implementation plan nor a proposed capital improvement budget.

Major Studies & Projects (Since 2004)

Oak Grove-University-Crane Bike Project (2016-Now)

My perspective: Riding a bike should not only be a practical form of transportation; it should be an enjoyable experience that encourages more riding by existing bicyclists and inspires non-bicyclists to try swapping their vehicles for bikes. Unfortunately, this project fails to build strong interest in bike riding as it disappoints both in function – convenience, safety, and comfort – and “sex appeal”. Bicyclists have waited for more than a decade for major gaps in our bike network to be filled and now deserve a much better solution. Finally, significant negative impacts on non-bicyclists – beyond the loss of more than 177 street parking space- greatly  outweigh its value. View proposal.

Menlo-Ravenswood-University Bike Corridor Proposal (2015)

Menlo Park could transform Ravenswood and Menlo Avenues into a state-of-the- art, east-west bike corridor that offers MORE bicyclists a safe and convenient way to ride to MORE popular destinations on both sides of El Camino Real, including downtown. This bike environment would also be more attractive and comfortable than existing and planned alternatives. The design and location also would showcase the city’s commitment to building a community bike network that benefits bicyclists AND motorists. [Download the Menlo-Ravenswood bike corridor proposal.  Includes detailed descriptions, illustrations and photos. (50 pages = 31 MB pdf)]

El Camino Bike Lane Study (2015)

The City Council tabled a field trial for bike lanes on El Camino. View Study.  A survey of residents conducted by Re-Imagine Menlo Park clearly demonstrated that a large majority of respondents opposed this project. (Note: View Bike survey results)