To: City Council & The Complete Streets Commission of Menlo Park
We, the undersigned residents of Menlo Park, CA, petition the City Council / Complete Street Commission to investigate and implement traffic calming measures on Olive Street, particularly between Middle and Santa Cruz Avenues, to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Reasons for Action:
1. Unsafe Driving Conditions:
• Heavy Traffic & Speeding: Olive Street is a key connector and commuter route to Highway 280. The wide design of the street encourages excessive speeding.
• Drop Off Hazards: During school hours, cars dropping off students in unmarked areas creates dangerous cross-traffic situations with other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Many drivers appear distracted due to high volume of activity in area.
2. Pedestrian Safety Issues throughout Day:
• Student Safety: This street is heavily used by students commuting to Hillview and Oak Knoll Schools, with hundreds of children walking and biking daily.
• High Pedestrian Activity: Olive Street sees significant foot traffic from caregivers heading to Tinker Park, dog walkers, and other pedestrians throughout the day.
Proposed Actions: We request that the City of Menlo Park:
• Conduct a traffic study on Olive Street.
• Implement traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, bike lanes, enhanced signage, and designated drop-off zones.
• Consider lowering the speed limit, and establishing police presence during high volume times.
• Install "Your Speed" signs to raise awareness.
These measures will improve safety for all road users, especially our children. We urge the City Council/ Complete Streets Commission to take swift action on this important issue.
Respectfully submitted,
