The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission meeting held on July 17, 2025, in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County, focused on critical discussions surrounding road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns about crash statistics and the effectiveness of current safety measures.

The session began with a public comment from a concerned resident who expressed fear for their safety while biking home. They noted that despite the city adopting the Vision Zero plan six years ago, crash statistics have not improved. The speaker made three recommendations to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). First, they urged DPS to prioritize enforcing driver behavior over that of cyclists and pedestrians, arguing that vulnerable road users are more likely to self-regulate their safety. They emphasized that stricter enforcement on drivers is necessary, as they pose a greater risk of severe injuries in crashes.

The resident also pointed out the need for DPS to suggest engineering improvements to the Department of Public Works (DPW) consistently. They criticized DPS for focusing primarily on emergency response times rather than road safety, citing a recent study on Tasman Avenue that proposed no changes to improve bike and pedestrian safety. The speaker argued that maintaining the status quo is dangerous and called for a holistic approach to safety that minimizes crashes.

Lastly, the resident highlighted the importance of tracking crash statistics, particularly in relation to dooring incidents, as more bike lanes are introduced. They stressed that understanding these statistics is crucial for making informed decisions in the future.

Following this, Daniel Karpelovich addressed the commission, echoing the need for a focus on engineering, education, and enforcement. He suggested that with limited enforcement resources, the city should create self-enforcing streets that discourage speeding and illegal parking in bike lanes. Karpelovich proposed the idea of deploying officers on bicycles to monitor and enforce safety in real-time, particularly in areas lacking bike lanes.

The meeting concluded with a clear call for action from community members, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians in Sunnyvale. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges in achieving road safety and the importance of collaborative efforts between residents, DPS, and DPW to create a safer environment for all road users.