Sunnyvale City Council Passes Plan for Bike Lanes at Cost of Parking, After marathon Debate
In a move that has sparked heated debate, the Sunnyvale City Council has voted 6-1 in favor of removing parking along a stretch of neighborhood road and installing two bike lanes. The plan, which lacks funding and is expected to take years to come to fruition, aims to improve cycling safety for local residents.
The proposal was met with strong opposition from scores of public speakers who expressed concerns about the impact on parking, accessibility, and speed. Many argued that removing parked cars would only increase speeds and make the road less safe for all users. Others voiced worries that it would affect the daily lives of seniors, disabled residents, and those who rely on cars for deliveries or work.
However, council members who supported the plan emphasized its importance in addressing climate change and adapting to future growth. They argued that removing parking and adding bike lanes was a crucial step towards creating a more sustainable transportation network that prioritizes cycling safety.
The plan would see the installation of two 3-foot-wide buffered bike lanes on either side of Hollenbeck Avenue, which currently lacks dedicated bike infrastructure. While some cyclists use the stretch for their commute, it is not currently a popular route. Staff reports showed that only less than a third of the street parking was being used, and there had been few collisions involving bicycles.
Advocates for bike lanes argued that the plan would improve safety for students and families who rely on the road to get to school, as well as reduce emissions by making cycling easier. Local student Sara Mosin emphasized that the bike lanes with a buffer zone were "the only option that offers a real choice, a real chance at safety."
The project's funding status is uncertain, with no timeline for implementation and an evaluation to be conducted during the 2027/2028 budget cycle. Mayor Larry Klein acknowledged that not everyone would be satisfied with the plan, saying "there's a lot of other work that we need to get done before we actually get around to implementing this."
In a move that has sparked heated debate, the Sunnyvale City Council has voted 6-1 in favor of removing parking along a stretch of neighborhood road and installing two bike lanes. The plan, which lacks funding and is expected to take years to come to fruition, aims to improve cycling safety for local residents.
The proposal was met with strong opposition from scores of public speakers who expressed concerns about the impact on parking, accessibility, and speed. Many argued that removing parked cars would only increase speeds and make the road less safe for all users. Others voiced worries that it would affect the daily lives of seniors, disabled residents, and those who rely on cars for deliveries or work.
However, council members who supported the plan emphasized its importance in addressing climate change and adapting to future growth. They argued that removing parking and adding bike lanes was a crucial step towards creating a more sustainable transportation network that prioritizes cycling safety.
The plan would see the installation of two 3-foot-wide buffered bike lanes on either side of Hollenbeck Avenue, which currently lacks dedicated bike infrastructure. While some cyclists use the stretch for their commute, it is not currently a popular route. Staff reports showed that only less than a third of the street parking was being used, and there had been few collisions involving bicycles.
Advocates for bike lanes argued that the plan would improve safety for students and families who rely on the road to get to school, as well as reduce emissions by making cycling easier. Local student Sara Mosin emphasized that the bike lanes with a buffer zone were "the only option that offers a real choice, a real chance at safety."
The project's funding status is uncertain, with no timeline for implementation and an evaluation to be conducted during the 2027/2028 budget cycle. Mayor Larry Klein acknowledged that not everyone would be satisfied with the plan, saying "there's a lot of other work that we need to get done before we actually get around to implementing this."
it's like they're expecting us to sell our cars or something lol anyway i think it's kinda cool that they're trying to make the city more sustainable and all but i get why some people are salty about losing their spots. i mean, accessibility is a big deal and seniors/disabled folks need easy access to public spaces too 
but at the same time i can see how bike lanes would improve safety for students and families 
and reduce emissions is a no-brainer 
those people who are worried about parking & accessibility r really stressing me out 
but at the same time, i can understand why ppl r concerned about daily lives being affected 
maybe they could've done a better job explaining the plan & its benefits? 
anywayz, gotta respect everyone's opinion & hopes for a more sustainable future 
. All those folks talking about how it'll increase speeds and make the road less safe... I get where they're coming from, but have we seen the stats on accidents involving cars and cyclists? Not exactly a ringing endorsement for our current setup 
.
) and we need to start taking action ASAP. This plan might not be perfect, but it's a step in the right direction towards creating more sustainable transportation options for everyone. Plus, think of all the emissions that'll be reduced when people are cycling instead of driving 
. Now, let's just hope the city council can get their act together and make this plan a reality 
!
. wha about all the seniors & ppl w/ disabilities who rely on cars? dey wont be able 2 get arond 
. n yall think its cool 4 students 2 ride their bikes down a busy street, but wat about all da ppl who r drivin or walkin at da same time? its just not safe 
. an dont even get me started on de fact dat its probly never gonna happen 
they had a similar debate in seattle and it was all about creatin a more sustainable future. now that climate change is a bigger deal, its kinda expected that cities would start makin moves like this. still gotta wonder tho if people are gonna complain 'bout the lack of parking spots no matter what 
I'm literally livin' in a nightmare where they're takin' away our precious parking spots for two measly bike lanes 
like what even is the point? You got one 3ft buffer zone, does that really make it safe for seniors and disabled people? Like we all know those are just gonna get knocked outta their wheelchairs by some speedy motorist 
And don't even get me started on deliveries and work - what's next, takin' away our driveways for electric cars? 
. On the other hand, it's awesome that the city is trying to be more sustainable and think about the future 
. Two bike lanes might not seem like a lot, but if they do improve cycling safety and reduce emissions, that's gotta count for something 
. Guess only time will tell how this plan plays out 
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. what's the plan b when it's not funded tho? 
and 6-1 is pretty lopsided...somebody better come up with some solid stats on how this'll actually improve safety or i'm not buying it 
. and yeah, its true tho, the stats show its not even bein used much 
. its all about makin choices 4 sustainability 
. Like, can't they see how it's gonna affect the little old folks and delivery guys who can't just cycle everywhere? It's not like the city is gonna magically provide some other way for them to get around. And what's with the 3-foot-wide buffers? Are they even thinking about the parking situation? I mean, we're already stuck dealing with crazy expensive spots, now we gotta give up our precious parking spots altogether?! 
. I get that climate change is real and all, but can't we find other ways to reduce emissions? Like, I don't know, investing in electric vehicles or something? 
Not to mention, have you seen the traffic on Hollenbeck Avenue? It's a parking lot! 
Where are they gonna park their cars?