BPAC selects Fair Oaks Complete Street as its top council priority

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission on Dec. 18 voted to recommend that the City Council prioritize bicycle lanes in both directions and sidewalk improvements on Fair Oaks Avenue as the commission’s one annual council priority project.

The commission’s action followed staff presentations on the new Council Priority Project process (policy 7.3.26, approved by the City Council on 10/21/2025) and an extended discussion among commissioners about north–south bicycle connectivity. Transportation and Traffic Division Manager Angelo Obeso reminded the panel that this meeting was intended for ‘‘big ideas’’ only and that detailed scoping and analysis would occur later if council selects the item.

Commissioners debated a set of candidate ideas, including expanded downtown pedestrian-only areas, citywide wayfinding signage, school-route improvements, and upgrades to the Active Transportation Program (ATP) designations. After a ranked-choice/straw-poll step narrowed the field, Fair Oaks received the most support among commissioners.

Commissioner Millman moved the motion formally, asking the commission to recommend "bicycle and sidewalk improvements in both directions on Fair Oaks Avenue." The motion was seconded and carried in a roll-call vote: Jeff Wilson — yes; Commissioner Haffeman — yes; Commissioner Mailman — yes; Commissioner Galakota — yes; Commissioner Monet — yes. Staff recorded the outcome as 5 yes, 2 absent.

Supporters argued Fair Oaks is the logical north–south route connecting North Sunnyvale to downtown and schools and noted recent pedestrian-involved accidents along the corridor. "We need one route for cyclists and one for pedestrians," a commissioner said during deliberations, stressing contiguous sidewalks and safety upgrades.

Opponents and cautious colleagues noted the corridor’s complexity — including a Highway 101 overcrossing and slip ramps that may require coordination with Caltrans — and the likely large cost and multi-year timeline for corridor-wide work. Staff and several commissioners said the East Channel Trail and existing ATP projects overlap with parts of the corridor, but they emphasized Fair Oaks’ unresolved safety gaps and council-level interest.

The recommendation will be added to the list the city manager’s office compiles for council consideration in February; council members may choose up to three items from the compiled list for further study and potential budget inclusion.

Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s single recommended idea to the city manager’s office for the council workshop process; if council selects the idea in February, staff will prepare scoping and budget material for later review.