ADVOCACY

WEST CLIFF DRIVE - SAFE Access for All

5 Year Roadmap November 2024 update from Jessie Greenspan, Santa Cruz Local:

https://santacruzlocal.org/2024/11/20/5-year-west-cliff-plan/

5 Year Roadmap - Fall 2024 Update

Bike Santa Cruz County is monitoring and participating in the 50-year Community Vision for West Cliff Drive, and supports Safe Access for All.

For the next phase of this project, the City will work with the community and stakeholders to develop a 5-year Roadmap for West Cliff, aligning it with the 50-year Community Vision and existing City work. The final Roadmap will be presented to the Council by January 2025. 

Upcoming Meetings: Stay tuned for more meetings and feedback opportunities!

Project History

The City Approved that 50-Year Vision for West Cliff Drive at their April 9, 2024 meeting. Thank you to Bike Santa Cruz County supporters who wrote letters, attended meetings, and advocated with us to make that happen! The next steps are not scheduled, but will involve detailing the vision with timelines and project analysis.

Bike Santa Cruz County believes that creating a dedicated two-way bike path on West Cliff will increase ridership, improve the biking and walking experience on West Cliff, reduce user conflict, and increase enjoyment of our incredible natural resource.

In a city-sponsored survey, results consistently confirmed that pedestrian and bicycle access should be prioritized in the future design.  At a December community meeting, 95% of participants prioritized pedestrian and bicycle access, and only 39% prioritized a return to two-way traffic.  In a subsequent online and much larger survey, over 64% of respondents liked the idea of a protected bike path separated from vehicles along West Cliff Drive.

There is an opportunity to apply for funding to pilot a two-way separated bike lane and one lane for cars, along with neighborhood traffic calming to minimize impacts to neighborhood streets. We are asking Council members to support this grant application, and we will need your support at the April 9th Council meeting.

Here’s how you can help: