Draft 2026 bicycle and pedestrian plan emphasizes low‑stress network; public urges daylighting, e‑cycle safety and Middlefield improvements
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Summary
Staff presented the draft 2026 Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation Plan, which prioritizes a low‑stress network and a 10‑year near‑term projects list; public commenters urged stricter MUTCD compliance, daylighting near schools, e‑cycle safety programs, and targeted improvements on Middlefield and San Antonio Road.
City transportation staff presented the draft 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan to the Peralta City Council on Dec. 1, describing a 10‑year strategy built through multi‑phase public engagement that prioritizes a low‑stress bicycle network, pedestrian districts, and 44 near‑term projects for safety and connectivity.
Ozzie Arce, senior transportation planner, said the plan updates the 2012 document to reflect current needs and emphasizes bike boulevards, a recommended 20 mph speed limit on those boulevards, and prioritizing San Antonio Road where no parallel alternative exists. The Planning and Transportation Commission unanimously recommended adoption and staff requested council feedback on four specific changes before returning with a final plan in early 2026.
During the extended public‑comment period, safety advocates and neighborhood groups supported the Vision Zero objective but raised several specific concerns: Helene Grossman called for strict adherence to MUTCD design standards and faster correction of safety‑critical intersections (she cited the Ross Road roundabout experience); multiple speakers urged daylighting curb markings near schools and clearer timelines for implementation; Penny Elson and Laura Anthony asked staff to address rising safety problems from faster, heavier 'e‑cycles' and coordinate with Safe Routes to School and local hospitals; PayBack members asked for more explicit responses to their prior recommendations and stronger bike parking and bike boulevard treatments in commercial corridors such as Middlefield.
Council members pressed staff on follow‑up mechanisms and data sources. Staff said town‑hall input and surveys were incorporated, described the sign‑in and survey process and acknowledged some data gaps (for example in the cell‑phone based trip dataset cited by commenters). Staff noted near‑term projects are guided by a prioritization framework and that the plan was adjusted to focus more on high‑comfort, low‑stress residential streets while retaining targeted arterials where necessary.
Council did not take formal action on the plan at the meeting; members asked staff to consider daylighting priorities on school routes, evaluate PayBack recommendations and regional connectivity (including ties to Stanford and neighboring cities), and return with a final adoption package in early 2026.
"Safety is the number one priority, especially for students," Arce said during the presentation, and multiple speakers urged the council to ensure the plan includes short‑term safety fixes as well as longer‑term projects.
