Workshops on making city more bike-friendly Workshops on making city more bike-friendly (March 31, 2004)

A bicycle plan is in the works in Menlo Park that's intended to identify ways to expand the city's network of bike lanes, routes and paths; connect gaps in the system; and encourage people to bike more, city officials say.

A $40,000 Caltrans grant is being used to develop the plan, which would then qualify the city for additional grants to improve bicycling transportation in town.

The first of three workshops seeking public comment on the plan is set for Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Menlo Park Senior Center, located at 110 Terminal Ave. in the Belle Haven neighborhood.

City officials said they are seeking public comment on these questions:

** What parts of the existing bicycle network are working, what parts are not, and what is missing?

** What improvements could be made to streets, intersections and paths that would encourage people to bike more?

** What can the city do to encourage more employers to provide amenities, such as secure bike parking, lockers, and showers to assist bike commuters?

** How can the city make Menlo Park a safer place for recreation and for people to bike to work and school?

A formal plan for bicycle transportation is an indication to the state that a city is "thinking about transportation in the broadest sense," said Pipo Bui, a former member of the Menlo Park Bicycle Commission.

The city has a $40,000 contract with the Alta Planning + Design firm in Berkeley to come up with a plan before August 1, when the Caltrans grant expires, said city transportation engineer Rene Baile.

Alta is characterizing Menlo Park's bicycling needs by analyzing the city's bike lanes, bike lockers and accident statistics, Mr. Baile said. The plan will be a joint effort by Alta and a steering committee composed of people from Menlo Park's transportation division, city staff and the bicycle commission. The plan must be approved by the City Council.

MEETING

The first of three workshops seeking public comment on a city bike plan is set for Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Menlo Park Senior Center, located at 110 Terminal Ave. in the Belle Haven neighborhood. For more information, call Rene Baile, city transportation engineer, at 330-6775. Or e-mail rcbaile@menlopark.org.

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