The City of Santa Clara and project consultant TJKM Transportation Consultants began working on the Walsh/Martin Avenue Bikeway Planning Study in January 2023 and completed the project in Fall 2024. The study identified the most feasible design of new Class IV bicycle facilities along Walsh Avenue from Bowers Avenue to Lafayette Street and along Martin Avenue from Lafayette Street to De La Cruz Boulevard. Class IV bikeways, also commonly known as "separated bikeways" or "protected bikeways", are on-street facilities reserved for use by bicyclists, with physical separation between the bikeway and travel lanes.
The study identified potential design concepts, including options for parking removal and/or lane reductions, to install Class IV bicycle lanes on both the Walsh and Martin Avenue corridors. The City invited nearby residents, public health professionals, school staff, commuters, and community business leaders to take part in the process. The final Project Report included a traffic and parking analysis, street design concepts, and a discussion on opportunities and constraints of the potential design options.
It should be noted that the study is only a planning level documents and does not include design, environmental review, or construction of any alternative.
At the October 22, 2024 City Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution accepting the Walsh/Martin Avenue Bikeway Planning Study, and approve the following roadway concepts:
- “Four Lanes, Protected/Buffered Bikeway, Center Turn Lane, Maintain No Parking” for the 80-foot-wide section of Walsh Avenue; and
- “Four Lanes, Protected/Buffered Bikeway, Remove Parking” for the 64-foot-wide section of Walsh Avenue; and
- “Four Lanes, Protected/Buffered Bikeway, Remove Parking” for Martin Avenue.
Staff will be pursuing opportunities for additional funding, which will be required to design, bid, and construct the proposed bikeway improvements.
