Crews set to upgrade safety on bike lanes

Paths near I-280 will be painted green, extended, repositioned

Bike lanes on Page Mill Road approaching Interstate 280 will be painted green, and slightly extended and repositioned, to improve safety.

County transportation officials said Monday that temporary improvements for the interchange soon will move into a design phase.

Changes include more yield and bicycle crossing signs and expanding the 35mph zone closer to Old Page Mill, giving vehicles more time to slow from 50 to 35 before entering an area where bikes cross vehicle traffic.

Transportation officials got public input on two concepts in April, with variations of bike travel to the right of vehicle traffic versus at the median. Some cyclists said in April that they preferred bike lanes in the median as long as there are traffic signals to safely guide them there through vehicle traffic.

Colin Heyne, of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, described the proposed interim change as a “safer, less daunting design.”

“Combined with speed reduction strategies uphill of the junction, the extension, repositioning and green highlighting of the bike lanes will create certainty for people on bikes and in cars,” Heyne stated.

Westbound Page Mill traffic will be kept to one lane until the onramp, reducing opportunities for car-bike conflicts, and eastbound bike traffic will shift to the median, eliminating conflicts with freeway-bound drivers, Heyne said.

A new bicycle cutthrough will be placed for riders leaving Old Page Mill Road and merging onto Page Mill Road.

The county hopes to widen Page Mill and add a bike and pedestrian trail in the future.