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Menlo Park residents voiced their concerns about a pilot project that aims to make Middle Avenue from El Camino Real to Olive Street safer for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
During a virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 19, the city reviewed several proposals for Middle Avenue. Last October, the city installed a dedicated bike lane on a portion of Middle Avenue near Nealon Park through a pilot program, which led to the removal of most parking on both sides of the street at Nealon Park.
While many residents at the meeting supported bike lanes, some weren’t so happy with the change. There were complaints that “no parking” signs were not being adhered to, with some calling this situation a “disaster.”
One resident at the meeting mentioned that cars have been parking on the bike lanes, and was concerned that because of the removal of most parking near Nealon Park, visitors were parking in front of residences.
“There are always cars parked in the bike lanes,” said Shannon Garrow, another Menlo Park resident. “I have never driven down the street where it has actually been a free bike lane.”
Proposed plans
Proposals for Middle Avenue include a protected left turn, bike signals and partially protected intersections. The city is also considering the possibility of prohibiting right turns on red lights at the intersection of Middle Avenue and El Camino Real.
The changes are part of the Middle Avenue complete streets project, which is set to bring significant changes to the area. The undertaking began in 2022.
The city is in the process of finalizing the street data, which will be used to create the recommendation which will likely be presented at the next meeting on March 28, according to Menlo Park Senior Transportation Engineer Kevin Chen.
Chen said the city is looking to reconfigure the parking at Nealon Park, which could bring back limited parking spots.
There was also pushback to the idea of prohibiting turns on red at Middle Avenue and El Camino Real since there is a gas station on the corner which a speaker said could create confusion and was unnecessary given the design.
Residents suggested various improvements, such as making the bike lanes clearer to drivers creating or European-style bike lanes, which are elevated, as a model for improvement. On the issue of safety with pedestrians, speed bumps were suggested to slow down speeding drivers, which some speakers felt was one of the greatest dangers on the avenue.
A follow-up in-person meeting will be held in Nealon Park on March 28 at 6:30 p.m. and will include information presented on March 19. Input will be presented to the Complete Streets Commission on April 10, which will craft a recommendation that will then head to the City Council on May 7.
If all goes according to plan, a final design will be completed in the fall or winter of this year, with construction scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.
Community members can complete an online survey providing feedback until March 31.
When will there be proper bike safety for neighborhoods east of El Camino , where student have the furthest to bike, and zero improvements, and the most development, and the highest rate of bike accidents. Where there will only be more mass development already in development phases. I know the city can do this over here. I see them do so regularly on the west side of El Camino, as we are seeing here yet again. Can’t have the golden children neighborhoods be impacted. That would suck. There have repeated safety measures west of El Camino. Very minimal at best, east of el camino. Just so you know Menlo Park, our kids are important too! Shame on you! Zero answers from the city for years .
If you want to make Middle pedestrian friendly, put in sidewalks the full length of the street on both sides.