Building a Bicycle-Friendly Future for Gilroy’s Streets

While Gilroy did not receive a “Bicycle-Friendly City” designation this year from the Washington D.C.-based League of American Bicyclists, feedback on the application will be a useful tool in guiding the city’s approach to cycling infrastructure, said Don Dey, city transportation engineer.

Check out the full letter from the LAB, starting on Page 12 of the PDF attached with this article.

“What the commission was using it for was to see places where we can improve,” said Dey, who works closely with the city’s Bicycle Pedestrian Commission.

Members of the commission are expected to discuss the recommendations of the League of American Bicyclists at their meeting Tuesday.

The 28-page application, , covers everything from city demographics and community support to planned bike routes and pothole maintenance.

The city was pursuing the bronze, or the first level of the award. Oakland, Menlo Park and Santa Clara were newly awarded bronze communities in 2010, receiving signage that advertised the prestigious designation.

The league commended Gilroy on its Safe Routes to School program, cyclist diversion program, the city’s General Plan, the commission itself and the bicycle rodeo Safety City.

Top recommendations from the league included:

• Adopt a complete streets policy that would have streets accommodate all kinds of traffic.
• Offer regular bicycling skills classes.
• Implement encouragement efforts during bike month in May and organize Bike to Work Day pit stops for commuters.
• Fully implement a comprehensive bike plan.

The Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month in the council chambers at , 7351 Rosanna St.