The City of San Mateo has undertaken the North Central Bike Lanes project, a significant initiative aimed at improving street infrastructure and promoting велосипед transportation throughout the city. A key focus of this project is Humboldt Street, which is set to receive dedicated bicycle lanes and traffic calming treatments to create a safer and more accessible environment for all road users.
This project, part of San Mateo’s Bicycle Master Plan, is designed to create “Complete Streets” that cater to various modes of transportation. For Humboldt Street, this translates to the introduction of Class II bike lanes stretching from Peninsula Avenue to 5th Avenue. These dedicated lanes will provide cyclists with a safer and more predictable route, separated from vehicle traffic, encouraging more residents to choose cycling for commuting and leisure.
Alongside the bicycle lanes, Humboldt Street will also benefit from traffic calming treatments. These measures are intended to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The combination of bike lanes and traffic calming on Humboldt Street aims to create a more balanced and user-friendly streetscape for the entire community.
However, the implementation of these improvements does necessitate some community adjustments, particularly concerning on-street parking. To accommodate the new north-south bike lanes, parking adjustments are required on Humboldt Street. Specifically, the west side of Humboldt Street from Peninsula Avenue to 5th Avenue will see an estimated removal of 170 parking spaces.
While parking adjustments are a necessary component of this project, they are crucial for achieving the long-term goals of improved bicycle infrastructure and enhanced street safety within San Mateo. The North Central Bike Lanes project, and the enhancements to Humboldt Street within it, represent a forward-thinking approach to urban mobility, prioritizing the safety and accessibility of all residents, whether they travel by car, bicycle, or on foot.
The project was approved in February 2022, with bike lane completion in Spring 2022, demonstrating the city’s commitment to rapid implementation and improvement of its transportation network. Notifications regarding the project were proactively distributed to residents in the affected areas starting in 2021 and continuing into 2022, ensuring community awareness of the upcoming changes.
