The purpose of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program is to fund specific projects to encourage and improve bicycling and walking conditions in San Mateo County. Funding can be used for non-infrastructure programs or infrastructure project development and construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities within San Mateo County.

As defined in the 2004 Transportation Expenditure Plan, Measure A provides the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program category with a three percent share of the sales tax revenues collected. Similarly, as defined in the 2018 Congestion Relief Plan, Measure W provides the Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Program category with a five percent share of the sales tax revenues collected. The SMCTA Strategic Plan 2025-2029 projected that Measure A and Measure W will generate approximately $10 million per year in available funding for this program.

Success for the Pedestrian and Bicycles Program is to improve roadway safety and access by connecting communities and neighborhoods with schools, transit and employment centers. Through filling gaps in the existing network and addressing cross barriers, SMCTA strives to make sure all people have the options they need to travel safely in San Mateo County.

What are Complete Streets elements that make conditions better for people walking and biking?

Complete Streets is a concept that balances the needs of all roadway users and identifies where priorities can be accommodated. Sometimes, all needs can be accommodated on the same street but occassionally parallel streets with a different priority are need to have a network that supports for access for all. 

At the start of 2022, SMCTA held a Complete Streets workshop and two technical trainings  with the following goals: (1) enhance safety conditions in San Mateo County; (2) work to promote a multimodal transportation network that serves all users in an equitable manner; (3) improve roadway comfort for people of all ages and abilities; and, (4) encourage competitive projects that can apply for TA funding. Links to the recordings can be found on SMCTA's YouTube channel here and the presentation slides can be found below.

Complete Streets Introductory Workshop 

City of Pacifica Esplanade & Palmetto Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements (Constructed)

The Esplanade & Palmetto Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement project includes installing new and improve existing Class 2 and Class 3  bike lanes along Palmetto Avenue and a portion of Esplanade Avenue, and installing new Class 3 bicycle boulevards along West Avalon Drive and portions of Esplanade Avenue where right of way and coastal public parking constraints exist. The entire route is part of nationally recognized U.S. Bicycle Route 95 and part of the California Coastal Trail network. The route will connect northern Pacifica with Pacifica’s historic downtown Sharp Park area where there are schools, a library, beach access, recreational hiking, shopping, the Pacifica Municipal Pier, and more.

City of San Mateo 19th Avenue and Fashion Island Boulevard Multimodal Improvements (in Design Phase)

19th Avenue and Fashion Island Boulevard are key routes serving San Mateo. This project will make the route safer and easier for everyone walking, biking, riding transit and driving the corridor. Protected bikeway and pedestrian crossing improvements will address the concerns that residents and commuters face using this route. The project will also improve the conditions at on- and off- ramps and fill in existing sidewalk and bike network gaps. The project is being led by the City of San Mateo, with funding and support from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

City of Redwood City US 101 Pedestrian and Bicycle Undercrossing (Constructed)

The project inlcudes construction of a joint-use path dedicated to bicycles and pedestrians under the US 101 freeway bridge next to Redwood Creek to connect the Bayfront and Downtown areas of the City of Redwood City. Project activities include constructing a 14-foot wide path with a battered tieback retaining wall with lighting, installing a creek-side retaining wall, installing a drainage system to capture and detain rain water as needed prior to out-falling into the creek, installing landscape retaining walls on both entrances to the path under US 101 and constructing a scenic overlook on the west side of Convention Way looking toward Redwood Creek.

San Mateo Countywide Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

The City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) is responsible for developing the San Mateo Countywide Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (CBPP) that combines the recommendations from all local bicycle and pedestrian plans. The CBPP also establishes some priority pedestrian areas for investment and a countywide backbone bikeway network to support travel between cities. 

To learn more about the CBPP, please visit: https://ccag.ca.gov/programs/transportation-programs/active-transportation/ 

Corridor Connect Program

As part of the 101 Corridor Connect iniative, SMCTA undertook the US 101 San Mateo County Crossings Improvement Implementation Plan (Active 101) to assess freeway crossing needs and parallel improvements to enhance conditions for people walking, biking, and accessing transit. The final plan for Active 101 establishes a priority network to improve conditions along and across the freeway that SMCTA can partner with local jurisdictions and Caltrans to move forward. Additionally, as part of future efforts related to Corridor Connect's other initiatives supporting El Camino Real and Highway 1, SMCTA will help establish continuous priority routes for those major corridors as well. 

To learn more about Active 101, please visit: https://www.smcta.com/SMCactive101 

Call for Projects Awards

This section will be updated as program funding is awarded. Please visit this page for more information on the Pedestrian and Bicycle program Call for Projects process.