Palo Alto - Bryant Street

Location

• Palo Alto, CA
• Start: East Meadow Drive in South Palo Alto
• Finish: North city boundary at San Francisquito Creek
• Total Distance: 3.25 miles

Background

Bicyclists felt that they should have a "highway" along the corridor, where stops are minimized and speed is maximized. The idea was presented in 1975 and became a part of the City of Palo Alto's General Plan. Design and construction began in 1982 in the southern and central sections of Palo Alto. It extended north and was completed in 1992.

Notable Features

Traffic Signal

A traffic signal was constructed at the intersection of Embarcadero Road. Its purpose was to serve only bicyclists and pedestrians who needed to cross the intersection. There was much controversy over the cost of the installation of this signal. Citizens felt that the $150,000 price tag was too much and believed that it would increase air pollution by stopping arterial traffic. However, it greatly increased the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians through this area. This feature cost $150,000.

Street Closures

Two streets were closed in order to accommodate the construction of Bryant Street. These closures cost the city $25,000 total. The only traffic that was permitted on the street was traffic for adjacent residents, bicycle traffic, and pedestrian traffic.

Traffic Circle

A neighborhood traffic circle was constructed during the second stage. As a result, traffic volumes decreased at this location. The four-block section of street between the traffic circle and the newly installed traffic signal experienced a drop in vehicle speeds from 30.6 mph to 29.1 mph at one block and 31.7 mph to 30.9 mph at another block.

Signage

Signs stating "Not a Through Street" (Figure 4.51) were installed at the intersections. At the opposite intersections reflective signs were installed to alert oncoming drivers of bicyclists. These signs proved to be quite effective. Stop signs were removed and "No Parking at Any Time" signs were also added along the corners of each intersection to allow for better bicycle access and visibility.  Stop signs were removed at each intersection. City staff worried that speeds in this area would increase due to the removal of these stops. However, quite the opposite occurred as speeds decreased an average of 1.2 mph.

Barriers

Barriers with landscaping and reflective signs were constructed at bicycle only entrances. These barriers have been placed in such a manner as to allow both directions of bicycles to pass through the barriers, while preventing ordinary sized vehicles from passing through. These features increase the awareness of the bicycle only access, thereby increasing the safety and freedom of movement for the cyclists, many of whom are school-aged children.

Street Maintenance

The overall maintenance was increased due to traffic calming measures being added. Landscaping, street cleaning, and resurfacing were increased to provide safer streets for bicycles.

Volumes for various sections of Bryant Street

Public Response

The public's overall response has been very positive, including the non-cyclists. The biggest point of controversy in the entire project was the installation of the traffic signal. The other issues were related to the vehicle impacts of removing and changing the stop sign system and what to replace them with (e.g., traffic circles, street closures, etc.) Residents of the area were originally fearful that the removal of the stop signs would lead to vehicle speeding, increase of traffic volumes, and unsafe crossing for school children.

Transportation Philosophy of the Town

The City of Palo Alto is generally very supportive of non-auto modes of transport. Support has increased recently with the introduction of the revised General Plan, which came out several years after the extension of the bike boulevard in 1992.

Additional Information

The highest 12-hour 1982 "after" bike volume was 725 in a location other than reported in Table 4.10. The increase in bicyclists is not necessarily from new riders. City staff believes that many transferred from other less convenient parallel routes.

Original Contact

Mr. Carl Stoffel
City of Palo Alto
P.O. Box 10250
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650)329-2552

Entrance to "Bicycle Boulevard".

Bryant Street appears like an ordinary residential street on this end to allow residents to drive their cars to and from their homes.

Bicycle-only entrances with signage and barriers.

This information originally compiled by Angela Obeso, 1999, as part of a senior project.