Bike Safety Upgrades Advance On Bryant Street, Lincoln Avenue

PALO ALTO, CA — The Palo Alto City Council advanced plans Monday to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along Bryant Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Council members directed staff to design traffic circles, upgraded crosswalks and other measures to reduce speeding and cut-through traffic, according to the city's transportation department.

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Proposed improvements include:

• Traffic circles at four intersections, including Bryant Street and Lincoln Avenue.
• Curb extensions at Bryant Street's intersections with Channing and Homer avenues.
• High-visibility crosswalks and additional pavement markings along Bryant Street.
• Turn restrictions tested through a pilot program prohibiting eastbound drivers on Embarcadero Road from turning left onto northbound Bryant Street.
• Short-term parking outside the Palo Alto Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center.

Council members also asked staff to explore additional speed-control measures, including raised crosswalks or speed tables, and improved signage along the bicycle boulevard.

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The project follows concerns about vehicle speeds and traffic volumes in the neighborhood. Residents provided feedback during a September meeting, prompting officials to revise several proposed improvements.

One notable change replaces a previously proposed traffic diverter at Bryant Street and Lincoln Avenue with a traffic circle to address concerns about neighborhood access.

The city plans to implement improvements in phases, beginning with traffic circles, crosswalks, pavement markings and the proposed turn-restriction pilot.

Staff is expected to return to the City Council with a construction bid package in 2027. No construction start date has been announced.