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Safety questions drive debate over allowing larger delivery robots in San Jose bike lanes
Summary
Residents and operators debated whether larger, faster delivery robots should be allowed in bike lanes; staff said bikeway operation will be piloted and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommended speed-matching behavior rather than a static cap.
A central safety concern in the webinar was whether larger delivery robots should operate in bike lanes or be restricted to sidewalks. Several attendees argued bike lanes are for human cyclists and that robots would create dangerous passing interactions; one attendee reported a robot blocking a curb cut on Santa Clara Street.
Operators and the DOT described principles intended to reduce conflicts: robots should avoid passing cyclists, yield predictably, and match the pace of slower cyclists rather than rely on a single static maximum speed. "The main principles are, the robot should not try to pass a cyclist... As a cyclist goes past, the robot pulls over," a company representative said. Staff said bike-lane operations will be a pilot and will be closely monitored to determine whether regulations should be adjusted.
Larger 'Dot' devices were described as capable of up to 20 mph but operators said they typically operate more slowly and avoid pedestrian areas except when necessary for pickup or drop-off; the bikeway permit will include pilot conditions and close monitoring.
