Biking Cupertino

No single solution will fit all situations.  Even on the same street different solutions may be required for different sections of the street.  Different portions of a street may have different conditions such as the width of the street, whether there is parking or not, whether there is a sidewalk or drive ways or garbage pickup or any combination of these conditions.  There are portions of streets such as the western end of Rainbow too narrow for a bike lane.  So it is likely that a variety of solutions may be necessary on the same street and from street to street.  Such are the challenges of designing safe bicycle lanes and paths.

Auto manufactures entice us to buy cars by totally isolating us from the outside world with air condition, sound proof interiors, exterior systems and even built in TVs.  They provide comfortable seats and safety devices to give you the impression that you are perfectly safe withing their iron horse.  But statistic show the contrary.  More people are killed by or in cars than by any other means including war.  So even though auto manufactures have created an impression of isolation, exclusion, and safety, all it really is is an illusion.  But it works so well because in spite of all the statistics and even accident we have been involved in we persist in using this powerful and potential very dangerous mode of transportation.

If it weren’t for cars cycling would be extremely safe.  It is an wide open source of transportation that immerses you with the environment you ride through.  It engages all your seances on your surroundings.  You are not isolated from your riding experience but engrossed and engaged in and with it; you are part of it.  You see, smell, feel and almost taste and touch your surroundings.  Sometimes it not that great but most often it is.  But it can be make even better if the city had a vested interest in encouraging biking.

It is important that the city make biking an attractive alternative to driving.  That means it must be attractive for everyone to do.  The biking experience must be a more positive experience than the iron horse.  It must have nice scenery and smells that engage all our senses in a very positive experience.  This includes shaded trees and pleasant plants and shrubs, not all concrete and pavement.  It must be convenient with routs throughout the city for people to shop in complete security and safety.  The more these routs are isolated from car traffic the better the experience.  It must have convenient access to major bicycle arteries near our houses and bicycle/pedestrian trails.

Isolate bikes from cars as much as possible with closed off street which allow bicyclists and pedestrians to shop and dine in comfort and complete safety.  The long term goal is to gradually make driving as inconvenient as possible and biking and walking far more appealing.  We need to change our culture from a car-centric society to a bike-pedestrian-centric society that sustainable the environment and growth.

Whenever undertaking a project like making biking appealing so all can enjoy and participate one must first make that activity SAFE.  Otherwise all but the diehard bicycle enthusiast will take up the challenge.  The goal is to get everyone cycling much if not most of the time because of all the reasons listed under Benefits.

So our streets must be made SAFE from vehicular traffic.  This can be done in two ways which also can be combined: 1) Physical barriers separating cars from bicycles; 2) Putting distance separation between cars and bicycles with an adequate buffer zone.  This will vastly improve the safety of cyclists of all ages.  Special design considerations must be worked out at intersections and signal lights.  There are many solutions being used and illustrated in the Video Clips.  In the few cases where street are too narrow for a bike lane large chevrons may be painted on the streets indicating that bikes have the right of way and cars must follow behind until there is a safe place for them to pass.

Closing off select streets to car traffic is another idea for making cycling safe.  These streets could be dedicated to shopping, eating, and relaxing away from traffic.  This will make is very convenient for residents to shop and dine in safety.

Safety must be the First consideration by the City in designing a sustainable city where auto traffic is of lower priority because car traffic IS the number One Cause of serious injuries and fatalities.  Eliminating cars will greatly improve health and safety in the city and replacing it with far safer bikes and walking and lead to a far more sustainable future for our city.  It can be done and in the long run must be done.