Facebook EIR Review Kicks off with Packed Bicycle Commission Meeting

Over 20 members of the public packed last night's Bicycle Commission meeting to voice concerns over poor bicycle infrastructure near Facebook's new headquarters at the former Sun Microsystems campus on Bayfront Exprwy.

Cyclists who commute to work to Facebook, Google, and other large companies complained that Facebook isn't doing enough to mitigate the traffic impacts that will result from 9,400 employees working in a location with worse transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access than the company's former locations in Palo Alto.

Attendees pointed to two trouble spots that discourage cycling - the Willow Rd & Highway 101 overpass, and the .

Robert Cronin, a former Bicycle Commissioner, said that Facebook should support a bicycle-friendly re-design on the interchange. Leah Scott, who commutes by bike to Newark and crosses Highway 101 on Willow Rd, said that adding bike lanes there would greatly encourage bicycling. Nathan Bronson, who lives in San Francisco, said the interchange is the scariest part of his commute.

The one-mile gap in the Bay Trail was of even greater concern. Chris Weeks, Google Transportation Coordinator, explained that many Google employee use the Bay Trail to get to work, and it's "a major component of Google's culture". But he said many employees don't bother cycling to work just because of this short gap in the Bay Trail. Brett Lider, who co-founded the SF2G Cycling Club, which embarks on the 42-mile journey from San Francisco to Google, emphasized that completing the Bay Trail is about increasing connectivity. "People who work at lots of tech companies ride with us - we're not just Google. Completing the Bay Trail here [in Menlo Park] would have an enormous benefit."

What benefit is that? Bicycle improvements are the easiest and cheapest mitigation measures, the cyclists claimed. The most impactful way to redue traffic congestion is to get on a bike. To make that happen, routes to Facebook need to be continuous.

The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) recommended that specific improvements near the Facebook campus be included in the EIR as traffic mitigation measures. These would create a network of continuous bike lanes on Willow Rd, University Ave, and Bay Rd, and would complete the one-mile Bay Trail Gap. Their proposal would allow Facebook to meet its ambitious goal to have less than 50% of employees drive to work, would iimprove employee productivity, health, and satisfaction, and would beneft local residents and businesses with a healthy, safe transportation option.

Public review of the Facebook Campus EIR continues with other Menlo Park and East Palo Alto meetings:

* December 13, East Palo Alto City Council, EPA City Hall, 2145 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, 7:30 pm

* December 14, Menlo Park Transportation Commission discussion, City Council Chambers, 701 Laurel Street, 7 pm

* December 15, Menlo Park Green Ribbon Citizen's Committee, Arrillaga Community Center, 600 Alma St, Elm Room, 6:3p pm 

* January 4, 2012 - Menlo Park Housing Commission, City Administration Building Fishbowl, 5:30 pm

* January 4, 2012 - Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commission, Arrillaga Recreation Center Elm Room, 6:30 pm

* January 4, 2012 - East Palo Alto Public Works and Transportation Commission, 2415 University Ave, East Palo Alto, 7:30 pm.

* January 9, 2012 - Menlo Park Planning Commission, City Council Chambers, 701 Laurel Street, 7pm

* January 31, 2012 - Menlo Park City Council study session, Council Chambers, 701 Laurel Street, 7 pm

* February 14, 2012 - Menlo Park City Council Development Agreement Negotiation Direction, Council Chambers, 7 pm

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