City transportation staff and consultants presented a conceptual plan on Feb. 20 to improve walking and bicycling access to Sunnyvale Caltrain Station, recommending changes to crossings, bike facilities and wayfinding that aim to improve safety and support grant applications.

The study area and purpose: Angela Wong, a transportation engineer for the city, said the study — funded through a Caltrain sustainable transportation planning grant — focuses on station access in the city right-of-way rather than modifications inside Caltrain’s own property. The consultants measured walking and biking “sheds” (10-minute walking and biking distances) to prioritize how investments would expand access to the station.

Key findings from outreach and data: Consultant Monica Tanner presented Caltrain onboard-survey data showing that nearly 30% of riders walk to the station and roughly 34% ride bikes to it (outbound ridership figures were similar). Tanner said the team found gaps in sidewalks close to the station, curb ramps that are not ADA compliant, missing wayfinding and instances of cyclists being exposed to conflicts with motor vehicles.

Collision history: Over the past five years the study-area crash review identified eight pedestrian collisions and eight bicycle collisions, including at least one documented pedestrian fatality and another recent fatality that occurred after compilation of the dataset. ‘‘We also saw locations where there are bicycle and auto conflicts and some places where there were no bike ramps,’’ Tanner said.

Recommended improvements: The study presents a set of on- and off-street improvements, grouped by north and south of the station:
- North of the station: extend an existing Class II bike lane on California Avenue; add pedestrian/bicycle ramps and an underpass connection near Matilda Avenue; consider traffic circles and a Class 3B bicycle boulevard on North Francis; add a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) paired with a crosswalk on California Avenue.
- South of the station: better connect the planned Evelyn Avenue multi-use trail to the station; improve lighting and wayfinding under Matilda Ave; add buffered Class II lanes on Evelyn; consider a pedestrian scramble at Francis & Evelyn and raised crosswalks across Evelyn and Murphy to shorten pedestrian crossings.

Parking and operations: The consultants recommended retaining most on-street parking, with selective removal at locations to create dedicated pick-up/drop-off zones and space for buffered bike lanes. For example, on North Francis between Francis Ave and Murphy Ave the plan recommends a pickup/drop-off zone to address current informal behavior.

Station amenities and coordination: The report documents riders’ requests for more shade on platforms, restroom and food options, additional lighting and improved platform amenities. Because the station and platforms sit in Caltrain’s right-of-way, staff said the city will share station-focused recommendations with Caltrain for their consideration.

Next steps: Staff said refined concept plans will go back to the public in spring outreach, then to City Council in a study session in June, and an official recommendation to the commission and council in the fall in preparation for potential implementation funding requests in December 2025. Angela Wong said the team aims to finish the study by winter 2026.

Ending: Officials said the study is designed to be a grant-ready blueprint — a prioritized menu of feasible measures that the city can fund and implement, and that can be used to apply for state and federal construction grants.