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Council directs staff to develop one Solano Avenue bike‑facility concept as active‑transportation planning continues
Summary
After hours of public and council debate, the Albany City Council directed staff to further develop a single preliminary option (Alternative 1) for protected/uphill cycling facilities on Solano Avenue as part of the Active Transportation Plan, while staff will still advance ADA curb‑ramp work for the corridor; the motion passed 3–2 in roll call.
The Albany City Council voted May 5 to direct staff to further develop one of two concept options for cycling facilities on Solano Avenue as staff advances the Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The motion directs staff to incorporate “Alternative 1” into phase‑two ATP analysis and public engagement.
The motion was made by Councilmember Jordan and seconded by Councilmember Mickey. A roll call after extended discussion and public comment produced three yes votes (Councilmembers McKee, Jordan and Mayor Lopez) and two no votes (Vice Mayor McQuay and Councilmember Hanson Romero); the motion carried.
What staff proposed
Justin Fried, the city’s transportation and sustainability manager, presented two schematic alternatives for Solano Avenue (Masonic to Tulare):
- Alternative 1: A one‑direction protected cycle track in the uphill (eastbound) direction placed between angled parking and the sidewalk, with parallel parking and shared lanes in the downhill (westbound) direction. This layout yields a smaller net loss of on‑street parking (about one space on a representative block in the concept analysis).
- Alternative 2: Bi‑directional separated cycle tracks on both sides placed between parking and the sidewalk, with narrower travel lanes and parallel parking in both directions. Parametrics’ block‑level analysis estimated a larger loss of parking under this scheme (about nine fewer spaces on a representative block) and greater operational constraints for large response vehicles.
Staff also provided a rough order‑of‑magnitude construction estimate for a full Solano Avenue streetscape reconstruction (Masonic to Tulare): about $30 million if curb lines and alignment largely remain the same; toward $50 million if curb alignments and underground base work change.
Safety, access and operations concerns
The city’s fire chief and other public safety staff reviewed turning radii and clearance needs for emergency vehicles. Staff said the fire engine requires about 15 feet of clearance when stopped; on the analyzed block the reduced travel widths in Alternative 1 would mean more frequent one‑direction restrictions during long emergency responses and a higher likelihood of requiring police traffic control. Alternative 2 would further reduce combined travel lane width and make traffic blockage more likely during such responses.
Public comment and council viewpoints
About two dozen speakers addressed the agenda item. Business owners on Solano worried that losing parking would harm restaurants and neighborhood shops; some urged retaining the existing curb lines and parklets, or focusing instead on parallel routes and on installing pedestrian and lighting improvements. Other residents, walking‑advocacy members and several transportation commissioners supported protected cycle tracks and linked bicycle facilities to climate and equity goals, saying safer bicycle facilities can increase foot traffic and local business visits.
Council discussion reflected those tensions. Proponents described Alternative 1 as a compromise that adds protected uphill space for cyclists while preserving much of the existing parking; opponents cited impacts on deliveries, truck access (notably to the Safeway loading area), emergency response and business loading needs.
Council direction and next steps
By motion, the council directed staff to carry Alternative 1 forward into the ATP’s next public‑engagement phase and to continue ADA curb‑ramp upgrades under separate capital work. Staff said ATP phase‑two engagement will begin with a public workshop May 20 and that detailed block‑level designs and cost estimates would follow if council confirms a later policy direction. Staff also noted that coordination with adjacent jurisdictions (Berkeley east of Tulare) and further study of loading, bus operations and parklet locations would be needed before construction.
Speakers quoted in this article are limited to individuals recorded during the ATP presentation and council discussion.
