Something for Everyone

In recent months, Sunnyvale made substantial progress in bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure. There are projects going on throughout the city, so there's bound to be something for everyone. Below are the highlights.

Caltrain Station Access

Of all destinations in Sunnyvale, the Caltrain Station deserves special status because it is a gateway to other cities on the peninsula.  Sunnyvale is currently working on improving bicycle and pedestrian access on streets near the Caltrain station.  You can expect some modern features like raised intersections, a scramble crossing, a 2-way bike-pedestrian path, and traffic circles.  The final Council decision on these improvements will happen in late 2025 or early 2026. 

Evelyn Bike-Pedestrian Path

Once complete, the Evelyn Avenue Bike-Pedestrian Path will connect the downtowns of Sunnyvale and Mountain View. Council recently allocated funds to complete the funding for the project.  Construction will begin soon on the Sunnyvale end.  Mountain View lags Sunnyvale on this project but is also working on their end.  

Homestead Full-time Bike Lanes

The Homestead Road Full-Time Bike Lanes will be completed in 2026, three years after Council approved it.  In this year's budget cycle, Council allocated the remaining funds for this project.

Fair Oaks Intersection Improvements

Since 2019, Fair Oaks Avenue has had 3 fatalities due to a car crashing into a pedestrian or bicyclist. A study issue to improve the safety of 3 intersections on Fair Oaks Avenue got funding in this year's budget cycle.  The 3 intersections are Balsam, McKinley, and Taylor.  The study is expected to last until 2027.

Peterson Middle School Sidewalks

Part of the city's Safe Routes To School Plan, sidewalks for Peterson Middle School students got fully funded through a grant. Construction will likely proceed in the summer of 2026. Currently, the streets near Peterson Middle School mostly do not have sidewalks so students have to walk in the street with cars.

Sweeping Protected Bike Lanes

Sunnyvale established a process for sweeping protected bike lanes:  pay overtime for existing street maintenance crew to sweep the bike lanes on a regular basis using existing machinery, like a leaf blower.  Council allocated funds in this year's budget cycle to pay for this maintenance work.  The significance of this budget allocation is that the 17 miles of protected bike lanes planned in the 2020 Active Transportation Plan can now proceed. Once Sunnyvale builds enough protected bike lanes, the city will purchase a skinny street sweeper to sweep the bike lanes more quickly. 

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About the Author

Sharlene Liu is Founder and Chair of Sunnyvale Safe Streets. She completed her term on BPAC last year and continues to advocate for biking and walking facilities in Sunnyvale and California.