San Mateo staff outline multiyear push for protected bike lanes, school corridors and intersection safety

Good evening, commissioners. My name is Nicolette Chan, associate transportation planner in the public works department, and with me I have Catherine Sheehan, our deputy public works director.

The Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission on July 9 received an extensive update on bicycle and pedestrian work across San Mateo City, including new designs for separated bike lanes, intersection safety projects near schools and a string of paving projects that will add bike facilities where feasible. Staff said the work is funded through a mix of grants and local funds and will unfold over several years.

The commission heard that the city is pursuing a mix of protected (Class 4) bike lanes, buffered on-street lanes (Class 2) and neighborhood bike boulevards (Class 3), and that several projects now in design respond directly to prior community outreach and safety studies. "This route is particularly important because it provides north–south connectivity and gives key access to destinations like the event center, Fiesta Gardens International School, the Nueva School, and the commercial corridor along Delaware Street," Nicolette Chan said about the Delaware Street Safe Routes to School corridor.

Most immediate projects and status - Delaware Street Safe Routes to School corridor: Design and construction of a Class 4 separated bike lane and bike boulevard from 19th Avenue to Pacific Boulevard. Chan said the project is a city priority and has a design+construction budget of about $3,200,000 drawn from grants and local funds. Staff reported two community meetings in April, a study session with City Council in May and additional outreach planned for Aug. 19. Concerns raised by residents and stakeholders include removal of five on‑street parking spaces on the segment between Saratoga and…