Managers Mobility Partnership
What are we doing?
The Managers Mobility Partnership is a partnership between the managers of four Silicon Valley cities (Palo Alto, Mountain View, Redwood City and Menlo Park) and Stanford University. The five parties agreed in May 2016 to work jointly to address transportation challenges facing their communities (read their signed compact). Joint Venture convenes the five entities and provides staffing and administrative support.
Thus far the group is working on bicycle infrastructure across their communities, by (1) exploring bike sharing programs, and the possibility of providing those services as a unified collation of cities; (2) filling the gaps in their north-south bike corridors, and improving the connections between their communities, so that there will be an interconnected regional network.
The group is also engaging Stanford students in the public policy and engineering programs, who are providing research and policy analysis.
Why are we doing it?
Because of population growth and the prodigious expansion of the Silicon Valley economy, the mobility challenges facing these communities are significant, even during the pandemic. Nor are they confined to a single community, because people’s travel and commute patterns typically cross multiple jurisdictions. For this reason, the senior managers and planners of these communities have agreed they cannot tackle their transportation issues in isolation. Instead, the communities are working in a framework of collaboration and cooperation.
Who's involved?
The Managers Mobility Partnership is carried out by the city managers in the four cities, and the senior associate vice president of Stanford University:
- Ed Shikada, City of Palo Alto
- Melissa Stevenson Diaz, City of Redwood City
- Kimbra McCarthy, City of Mountain View
- Starla Jerome-Robinson, City of Menlo Park
- Lesley Lowe, Stanford University
The group also encompasses the senior transportation and planning officials of each locality.
What are the latest developments?
- The group explored a common approach toward joining the Ford GoBike program, but it was not viable without significant subsidies. The Partnership members are continuing to explore a variety of bike-share ideas and issues, including developing a standard regulatory framework.
- In 2018 the group introduced an “interim” bikeway which connects the four cities by using existing bike lanes and connecting them and closing gaps. The interim route has been equipped with identifying signage and wayfinding.
- In 2020 and 2021 the group has advocated enhanced service on Caltrain after the pandemic subsides, including greater frequencies, and capacity upgrades.
What are the next steps?
- The group envisions a permanent, high-quality north-south Peninsula bikeway that is suitable for riders of every age and ability. They also intend the route to be suitable for the growing use of e-bikes.
- In 2021 the group selected three corridors for a detailed feasibility assessment, carried out by Alta Planning & Design. One of those corridors (El Camino Real) was recommended as the most workable, cohesive and connected.
- On January 14, 2022 Joint Venture and the Manager’s Mobility Partnership are hosting a learning session (via zoom) for city officials, their planners, and interested members of the public. The participants will be briefed on the route alternatives and they will discuss whether and how to embark on the next steps.
Where do I find out more?
To learn more about the Managers Mobility Partnership initiative or request a briefing, please contact:
