Local cyclists are voicing concerns over the San Mateo City Council’s recent vote to redesign the North Humboldt Street bike lanes, a plan that could remove sections and redirect riders to nearby streets, where a center-street “bike boulevard” would begin.
A federal grant aimed at citywide bicycle safety improvements provided at least $1.5 million in funding for the lanes, which were installed in 2022.
The bike lanes have become a focal point of community debate. Some residents have argued they negatively impact parking, while others have stressed their vital role in creating a safer environment — especially for children. The council is currently weighing the concerns.
“The primary factor influencing the decision to revisit the Humboldt Street bike lanes was continuous feedback from residents about the loss of parking following installation of the bike lanes,” Matt Fabry, San Mateo director of public works, told this news organization. “The project had resulted in a loss of approximately 170 parking spaces adjacent to the southbound lanes on Humboldt Street between Peninsula Ave and 5th Avenue, and a loss of approximately 40 parking spaces on Poplar Street.”
The council-backed plan would eliminate the Humboldt Street bike lanes between 2nd and Indian avenues to restore parking spaces, redirecting cyclists to an alternative route where a center-street “bike boulevard” would begin. Some residents argue the change would lengthen travel times for school commutes from downtown San Mateo.
Colin Madere and Seema Patel, who both regularly use the lanes, are worried about the possible changes.
“When I heard the council was considering reversing the bike lane installation, I felt fear and disappointment,” said Patel, a tech firm employee and San Mateo planning commissioner speaking in her personal capacity. “I felt fear primarily because those lanes directly serve schools. I’m deeply concerned about the safety of my children and other kids who will no longer have a safe way to bike to school.”
The debate over the lanes has taken place amid growing efforts by the cycling community to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the Bay Area. According to data from UC Berkeley, there were 154 crashes involving vehicles and bicycles from 2018-2023, resulting in one fatality. During the same period, 236 pedestrians reported being struck by cars, with six fatalities.
The bike lanes along North Humboldt Street were initially installed to address a series of accidents, including a fatal crash in 2021 in which a 68-year-old cyclist was killed. Last November, a pedestrian was struck by a car on Hillsdale Boulevard in San Mateo, and in the same month, Stanford researcher Andrea Vallebueno was killed while biking on a dangerous overpass in nearby San Carlos.
“Before the bike lanes were installed, I wouldn’t even ride in that area,” said Madere, who used to frequently bike to work in Foster City and has long advocated for safer cycling conditions in San Mateo County.
Madere, now a full-time dad, said he uses the lanes to bike his two elementary-aged children to school and noted that the removal of the lanes would force him to take alternate, potentially longer routes.
City staff estimates the first phase of the project, which includes partially removing bike lanes and restoring parking, will cost $620,000. A parallel pilot bike boulevard project could add up to $300,000, bringing the total phase one cost to up to $920,000. The second phase includes a connectivity study with an estimated cost of $60,000 and a full bike boulevard implementation projected to cost $1 million.
“Nearly everyone who says they don’t bike cites safety concerns,” Madere said. “They don’t feel safe on the roads, and the infrastructure isn’t there to make them feel secure enough to ride or to bike with their kids.”
Bike safety advocate Mike Swire, chair of the San Mateo County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, argued for maintaining and improving the existing bike lanes. He emphasized their importance for pedestrian and cyclist safety, particularly for residents with limited transportation options.
“A large number of people cannot afford automobiles, so they rely on bikes,” he said.
An online petition to save the bike lanes has garnered more than 500 signatures so far.
“We need to make our streets safer to prevent further tragedies and reduce auto congestion around schools,” Swire added.
At a city council meeting earlier this month, the majority of the at least 70 community members who spoke urged the council to retain the bike lanes.
Matt Jones, of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, which advocates for improved road safety across the Peninsula, called for cities to adopt a “Vision Zero” plan when designing its roads, similar to initiatives in San Jose and South San Francisco.
“People who bike should not be an afterthought in street design,” Jones said. “We’re often relegated to a sharrow or a narrow bike lane when so much public space is used for wide vehicle lanes and parking. By prioritizing safe streets and low-stress bike networks, along with programs and incentives, we can help people see the value in walking, biking, and taking transit.”
Patel and Madere agreed.
“I 100% believe more people would bike or walk if it were safer,” Patel said. “We hear neighbors talk about how they would do it if it were safer.”
Following this month’s meeting, the city council will conduct community outreach and develop a funding plan.
“It is important to note that no formal decision or budget appropriation has been made by council, so staff are continuing to keep various options on the table as we gather additional community feedback and further vet alternatives,” Fabry said. “Staff will be bringing the findings from the community engagement to council at a future date for further deliberation.”
However, Madere remains skeptical about the council’s decision to support the removal of the bike lanes.
“I think public opinion is not what’s being considered,” Madere said. “What I would urge is that they think about what’s best for our future, for the next 10 or 20 years, and for the children, not just what’s temporarily beneficial for a small group of people. That’s short-sighted.”