Walking & Biking News & Ideas
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We hope you are staying healthy!
Everywhere we bike or walk, we see signs for local candidates. We hope you plan to vote -- your vote matters! Who is elected to the Cupertino City Council determines what biking and walking infrastructure gets built, and how liveable our city will be for our kids and all of us. So please vote!
This newsletter is packed with information! We've got a Spooky Halloween Scavenger Hunt, an important vote coming up on the Regnart Creek trail, an update on other local projects, a great trail review, a free bike repair clinic, inspiring local teens' initiatives, and more. Read on for news you can use!
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Join our Spooky Halloween Scavenger Hunt!
Win great prizes with just a photo!
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Complete our self-guided Scavenger Hunt by midnight on Nov. 1 and win fabulous prizes!
We’ve created a self-guided Scavenger Hunt across Cupertino that's great for all ages, with a list of 10 sights for you to seek out. Walk, run, or bike to the destination, snap a photo in front of it, and then upload it to our Facebook page with #WBCscavenger. Wear a costume for more fun doing it! Can you find each item on the list?
Entries must be uploaded by November 1. We'll have lots of awesome prizes for best costume, fastest to get all 10 sights, youngest...read more.
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Final Vote on Regnart Creek Trail is Tuesday, Nov.17
YOUR VOICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.
On Tuesday, November 17, the City Council will vote on whether the city should continue work on the Regnart Trail and also discuss the costs for private-land fencing/walls for local neighbors. We need everyone to attend and speak!
The number of people attending in support and the number of speakers will have a big impact on the council members' vote. The expected ask by the anti-trail residents is for a fencing budget of $1M+. We need to not only state we are for the project, but make sure our city is fiscally responsible when creating it. The current budget for the private-land fencing ($735K) is already 30% of the total cost of the project. (For more discussion on this project's fencing costs, click here.)
Everyone's voice matters, and speaking can easily fit into your schedule. All Council meetings are now over Zoom and speaking is off-camera (voice only) so you can relax comfortably in your home until it is time for you to speak. The Council loves hearing from our children, and they really listen to them. Please encourage them to speak, too.
Click on the link below to let us know you will be joining the call and we'll provide tips and talking points, or even a full script. You can also email the Council if you cannot speak. We'll send out more information on that in a special email update in a week.
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Don't forget to use our survey to help you vote |
Walk-Bike Cupertino would like you to be informed about all the candidates in our local races for City Council, CUSD and FUHSD Boards. Candidates completed a survey to share their thoughts about walking and biking projects, their support for Safe Routes to School, and much more. Check out their answers. |
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What's happening with City Projects |
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What's happening in your neighborhood right now and what's coming soon? See latest updates below!
Click on the table below to see a larger version.
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Projects which need vocal support now |
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Carmen Bridge
For the Carmen Bridge to move forward, the City Council will need to authorize staff to proceed with creating a design in the FY21-22 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget. According to Roger Lee, Cupertino Director of Public Works, more..
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Regnart Creek Trail
The Regnart Creek Trail will have its final vote on November 17 before construction. This vote will decide on how much money will be put toward city-financed fencing for neighbors (currently at $735,000), determine whether the project will go directly to construction more...
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Linda Vista Trail
The LVT Project (Stevens Creek Trail extension) went out to bid on October 19, with the bid submittal window closing on November 10. If bids are within budget, Council will vote on approval of the contract on November 17, which likely more...
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Local High School students make a real difference for walking & biking in our community |
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Kelly Tung and YEPI bring climate action to youth |
Kelly Tung, Monta Vista sophomore, has founded and runs the Youth Environmental Power Initiative (YEPI). YEPI is a rapidly growing nonprofit organization that aims to spread awareness for sustainability and environmental justice, promotes alternative transportation and safe biking and walking, and leads future leaders to fight against climate change and make positive changes for our environment.
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Gavin Wong's Eagle Scout Project promotes biking |
Congratulations to Monta Vista High student, Gavin Wong, who has achieved the level of Eagle Scout with his final project of a Bike Rodeo at Stevens Creek Elementary. It’s great for our community when students get involved and make a positive difference for walking and biking. We did a Q&A with Gavin after he received the Eagle Scout to find out all about his project, and here's what he had to say.
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At the Council meeting on 9/15, the City Council voted unanimously to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to/from Blackberry Farm. Both pedestrians and cyclists would have separate lanes from vehicles to prevent conflicts. Previously, the Council had purchased the property adjacent to BBF to allow for these updates. More information here. (Photo of current access road is at left.)
Also at the same meeting, the Cupertino City Council agreed to fund installation of a rainbow stripe alongside the crosswalk at Finch and Stevens Creek, prompted by a grassroots resident petition which asked for a full rainbow crosswalk as seen in other California municipalities. The crosswalk would show support for LGBTQ residents, and especially students. The council vote for the lesser project of a stripe was 4-1, with Councilmember Chao voting no.
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VTA Central Bikeway Study
VTA is conducting a Central Bikeway Study as a part of their Bicycle Superhighway Network! Santa Clara County’s first “Bicycle Superhighway” will be between Santa Clara and North San José - a safe, stress-free bicycle route that connects you to where you want to go. Over the next year, they’ll be conducting workshops and meetings to understand what challenges you face while bicycling, where you want to go, what features would make you feel safe, comfortable, and joyful while riding.
Join the Central Bikeway’s first Virtual Community Meeting to learn more about the project and provide input, either on Oct. 28 from 12 to 1:30 pm or Oct. 29 from 6 to 7:30 pm. RSVP here: CentralBikeway.VTA.org
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Free Bike Repair Event
Is your bike in need of a repair or tune-up? Bring it to a Free Bike Repair and Safety Check in Sunnyvale on November 7th!
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Volunteer mechanics will be there to perform basic maintenance and repairs to your bike. Then they will teach you how to verify that your bike is safe to ride using the ABC Quick Check method. You will also get a new 2020 county bike map of the best biking routes!
Date: Saturday, November 7th
Time: 11am - 3pm
Location: The parking lot across from Walt's Cycle in downtown Sunnyvale
Click here for a map to the bike repair location. Masks will be required at the event and there will be proper social distancing at all times.
Volunteers are also needed! We need bike mechanics and greeters.
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The Mary Bridge Loop Ride
by Wil Fluewelling, WBC Advisory Board Member
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Looking for a comfortable bike ride with your family members of all ages? Why not give the Mary Bridge Loop Ride a try? My son William is not comfortable riding solo yet, so we enjoy rides with a trailer bike hitched to the seat post of my mountain bike. It took us half an hour to complete this 5-mile loop ride. read more....
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If you enjoyed this newsletter,
please encourage your friends or family to sign up too!
Walk-Bike Cupertino never shares or sells any personal information.
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We'd love to hear YOUR voice!
Do you know a great walk, ride, run or hike? Want to share an issue about walking, biking, city planning, or interesting idea?
Walk-Bike Cupertino would love to spotlight it in our newsletter and on our website! Articles should be 500 words or less, and should include a picture (at least 3 pictures for hikes). All submissions are subject to approval & editing, and can be used by Walk-Bike Cupertino in future publications. Contact us here.
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Happy Walking and Biking,
Your friends at Walk-Bike Cupertino
Find much more, including maps, safety data, and information on all the city projects at: walkbikecupertino.org
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