REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Bicycle Wayfinding Project Introduction (He)
Report
BACKGROUND
Bicycle wayfinding signage is an important tool to guide cyclists along designated routes and improve navigation across a city or within a region. The City of Santa Clara Bicycle Plan (2018) recommends a citywide bicycle wayfinding system that supports the City’s bicycle network and improves access to local destinations such as schools, commercial centers, libraries, government facilities, and parks. In 2019, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) formed a Wayfinding Subcommittee with a strong interest in developing wayfinding routes with destination points, sign locations and details.
In November 2024, Santa Clara voters approved Measure I that authorizes the issuance of $400 million of general obligation bonds to address unfunded infrastructure needs, including $300,000 for Bicycle Wayfinding. In January 2026, the City Council authorized the issuance of the first series of Measure I General Obligation Bonds, which made funding available for the Bicycle Wayfinding project.
In September 2026, the City Council approved an agreement with Tetra Tech, Inc. to complete the engineering design of the Public Right-of-Way ADA Improvements and Bicycle Wayfinding project. The subconsultant Alta Planning + Design will lead the planning and design of Bicycle Wayfinding project (Project). The Project will include a comprehensive analysis of approximately 40 miles of existing bicycle network (Attachment 1), a review of past and current BPAC wayfinding recommendations, community outreach, coordination with stakeholders, development of wayfinding branding, sign concepts, signage design and layout along selected existing bicycle routes.
DISCUSSION
Staff will introduce the Bicycle Wayfinding project to the BPAC and provide an overview of the project, work plan, future outreach activities, and schedule. Staff invite BPAC to share their input on project vision, wayfinding route priorities and key destinations, and ask questions about the project process.
The Project will gather input from the community and BPAC at the following key milestones:
1. Project overview, schedule, and vision (this meeting),
2. Review and provide feedback on draft bicycle wayfinding concept designs and layouts, and
3. Review and provide feedback on final bicycle wayfinding concept designs and layouts.
Staff will also coordinate the Project directly with the BPAC Wayfinding Subcommittee throughout the process. The project webpage link can be found at Bicycle Wayfinding Project <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/public-works/engineering/traffic-engineering/bicycle-and-pedestrian-projects/bicycle-wayfinding-project>, which will include project updates and future outreach events. Public can email or call the project staff to provide input on the project.
Staff
Written by: Nicole He, Senior Civil Engineer, Public Works
Reviewed by: Carol Shariat, Transportation Manager, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bicycle Wayfinding Routes