Appendix B

Millbrae Station Table B-3: Bicycle profile Total rack spaces 28 Key features Occupied rack spaces 17 Total locker spaces 53 The Millbrae Station is owned and operated by the Bay Rented lockers 16 Area Rapid Transit District and is served by and BART, which connects to AM passenger boardings, northbound (NB) 308 International Airport. The station has three tracks: two AM passenger boardings, southbound (SB) 643 used by Caltrain, and one by BART. Most passengers AM passenger boardings with bikes, NB 11 traveling on both systems must go through the AM passenger boardings with bikes, SB 15 elevated concourse level to descend to their train Observed bumps (number, time, direction) 3, AM, SB platform.

Recent station history Bicycle access to station The Millbrae intermodal station opened in 2003 when BART to SFO service commenced. Approaching the Millbrae station from the west/El Camino Real is very challenging. El Camino Real is intimidating for all but the most experienced cyclists. Station plans Serra Avenue, Linden Avenue, Avenue and Neither BART nor Caltrain has plans to modify the Murchison Drive have less traffic, but provide a more Millbrae station. The City of Millbrae’s 1998 Millbrae circuitous biking route to the station. These streets also Station Area Specific Plan calls for redeveloping 116 lack bicycle‐oriented way‐finding signs. acres around the BART/Caltrain Station over a 25 year horizon. The Plan envisions redeveloping the west There are no vehicular left turns or crosswalks on side surface parking lots to mixed‐use, transit‐oriented southbound El Camino Real between Victoria and development, including a civic plaza and open space, Millbrae avenues. The Millbrae Avenue overcrossing as well as upgrading El Camino Real to an “urban of the tracks has no bicycle lanes. boulevard.” Millbrae station is one of the regional hub stations identified in MTC’s Transit Connectivity Plan. Bicycle parking “Coat hanger” Bicycle rack There are five distinct bicycle parking areas at the Bicyclist data Millbrae Caltrain/BART station. There are eight “coat The Millbrae station has the smallest number and hanger” bicycle rack spaces under the Millbrae Avenue proportion of passengers boarding with a bicycle of the overcrossing, which are outdated and poorly lit. ten stations profiled in this chapter.

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There are four sets of modified inverted U‐racks (with Recommendations a wider arch), whose design is unique to this station, which are located south of the escalators on the east Near-term Caltrain responsibility side of the station and in three southbound Caltrain • Upgrade 46 keyed lockers to electronic lockers and platform locations: two sets north of the lockers (one of relocate bicycle racks from the southbound platform which is hidden from view by the lockers) and one set closer to the existing racks that are located in the near the main ticket vending/validators machines. middle of the southbound platform near the base of the stairs When bicycle parking was surveyed, half of the rack • Replace “coat hanger” bike racks under the Millbrae spaces near the escalator and the more visible of the Avenue overcrossing with inverted U racks. Hidden bicycle racks two near the lockers were occupied. The racks with the • Post rental information at all blocks of bicycle highest visibility—across from the BART fare gates— lockers. were fully occupied; and there were no bicycles parked at the racks hidden by the lockers. No bicycles were Multi-agency responsibility locked to other fixtures at this station. • Work with Caltrans and the City of Millbrae to Caltrain and BART each administer bike lockers at the install bicycle way‐finding signage between El Millbrae station. Most are located on the west side of Camino Real and the station via Serra and Linden the tracks. Some blocks of lockers lack rental contact avenues and California and Murchison drives. information. (Short‐term) • Work with Caltrans and the City of Millbrae to develop pedestrian crossings of El Camino at Bicycle access to platforms Victoria Avenue, Chadbourne Avenue and/or Isabel All Caltrain passengers, except those heading Alley to facilitate bicycle and pedestrian access from southbound from the west side of the station and those the west. (Long‐term) transferring from northbound Caltrain to BART, must • Work with the City of Millbrae and the San Mateo go up to the station concourse before descending to the County chapter of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Caltrain platforms. There are elevators between each Coalition when the Millbrae Station Area Specific platform and the concourse, but elevator destinations Plan is implemented to ensure construction of are poorly marked. Stairways are not equipped with bikeways from El Camino Real to the station. Define bike channels and bicycles may not be carried on an alignment for a short path on the west side of the escalators. Station signage is confusing to Caltrain and Caltrain tracks between Linden Avenue and BART passengers with and without bicycles alike. Hillcrest Boulevard to eliminate the need to ride on El Camino Real north of Millbrae Avenue.

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 55 Appendix B

• Work with BART to install stairway channels to provide an alternative to elevator access for passengers with bicycles. • Work with BART to develop a clear, unified signage program throughout the Millbrae station based on MTC regional hub way finding signage guidelines, especially maps inside the station to bicycle parking and the bicycle train car. All passengers would benefit from better signage of both systems’ platforms, each platform’s direction and destinations, ticket vending machines, and buses and shuttles that serve the station. • Work with BART to post rental information at all blocks of bicycle lockers.

56 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

See following pages for illustrations of issues and recommendations

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 57 Appendix B

58 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 59 Appendix B

San Mateo Station to the station by bicyclists and pedestrians traveling along Railroad Avenue from surrounding neighborhoods. Although there is a pathway on the Key features other side of the fence leading to the nearby is located in downtown San Mateo, neighborhoods, there is no opening in the fence to an active and vibrant district. There is an underground connect the path to the platform. parking garage beneath the station. The northbound platform is very narrow and access is constrained. Table B-4: Bicycle profile San Mateo station Signage at the station is clear, plentiful and attractively Total rack spaces 6 designed. Occupied rack spaces 3 Total locker spaces 24 Recent station history Rented lockers 15 No recent improvements have been made to the station AM passenger boardings, northbound (NB) 327 since 2002, when it was renovated to include a pedestrian plaza and underground parking. AM passenger boardings, southbound (SB) 362 AM passenger boardings with bikes, NB 20 Station plans AM passenger boardings with bikes, SB 26 Observed bumps (number, time, direction) 3, AM, SB In 2008, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) plans to conduct a study to identify alternative grade separation options for the Bicycle parking Way‐finding sign existing at‐grade highway‐rail crossings near the The bicycle lockers at this station are administered by station. the City of San Mateo.

Bicyclist data The station’s only bicycle racks—inverted‐U racks constructed in the surface parking lot—were installed Passengers with bicycles boarding in the morning peak too close to the wall to allow adequate access. period are evenly split between the two directions. Additionally, these racks were installed in the incorrect direction; in order for each rack to accommodate its full Bicycle access to station potential of two bicycles they must be installed parallel to one another, rather than in a line (see Appendix D). Primary access to the San Mateo station is from First Street, at the opposite end of the station as the bicycle There are no racks for bumped bicycles on either car. There is a continuous fence along the outside edge Existing inverted‐U bicycle racks platform. of the northbound platform, which blocks direct access

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Bicycle access to platforms Long-term Caltrain responsibility Way‐finding and informational signage at the San • Provide a connection (ramp or stairs) through the Mateo Caltrain station is ample and attractive. fence leading from the north end of the northbound platform to Railroad Avenue, which would benefit There are elevators and stairways (with stair channels all passengers, and discourage cyclists from riding for bicycles) from each platform to the underground on the platform. parking garage. The garage provides a grade‐separated platform crossing at this station; passengers may also Multi-agency responsibility cross the tracks along First Street. Bicyclists exiting the • Work with the City of San Mateo to take over elevators on either platform are reported to have management of the bicycle lockers, as the City unintended conflicts with passing pedestrians. wishes to relinquish responsibility.

Passengers with bicycles headed for northbound trains have to walk a long way to the north end of the northbound platform, which is very narrow and constrained. Bicyclists can ride through the surface See following pages for illustrations of issues parking lot to get closer to the north end of the and recommendations Stairway channel southbound platform before dismounting to walk on the platform. The northern end of the southbound platform—where the bicycle car lands—is the narrowest portion of the platform.

Recommendations

Near-term Caltrain responsibility • Convert 18 existing keyed lockers to electronic lockers, install 18 new electronic lockers, and move two bicycle rack spaces to be available for bumped bicycles. • Pave part of the existing unpaved area adjacent to Fence at north end of northbound the north end of the southbound platform for two platform bike rack spaces for bumped bikes. • Relocate existing bicycle racks to the station plaza area for better convenience and visibility.

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 61 Appendix B

62 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 63 Appendix B

Hillsdale Station Table B-5: Bicycle profile Hillsdale station Total rack spaces 12 Key features Occupied rack spaces 3 Total locker spaces 22 The Hillsdale station has especially long, narrow platforms that are elevated between 15 and 20 feet Rented lockers 11 above street level, the result of a recent reconstruction AM passenger boardings, northbound (NB) 745 project. AM passenger boardings, southbound (SB) 300 AM passenger boardings with bikes, NB 36 Recent station history AM passenger boardings with bikes, SB 14 In 2005, the Hillsdale Station platforms were extended Observed bumps (number, time, direction) 3, PM, NB to the north to their current location. Bicycle access to station Station plans From the east: The City of San Mateo has recently The San Mateo County Transportation Authority is constructed a multi‐use trail, known as the Franklin performing a study to examine alternatives to grade Path, from the Bay Meadows Phase I development that separate the existing at‐grade highway‐rail crossings at ends at Pacific Avenue at the southern edge of the east 25th Avenue and either 28th or 31st Avenue. Some of parking lot of the Hillsdale Station. There are no the alternatives being studied require the station to be bicycle lanes on Pacific Avenue, but the City of San relocated to the north. A grade separation project Mateo is awaiting the completion of the nearby Bay could begin construction as early as 2011 if it does not Meadows Phase II project before making roadway impact railroad operations or relocate the station. configuration changes in the area.

The City of San Mateo is reviewing the proposed Bay Passengers who access the station by bike from the Meadows Phase II project, which could include multi‐ north can travel through the east Bay story office buildings alongside the northbound tracks, Meadows/Caltrain parking lot. However, when the as part of a larger mixed‐use transit‐oriented gate is closed, cyclists are forced to weave between development. Under this plan, Delaware Street could parked cars and onto a walkway. be extended to Pacific Boulevard. There are no bicycle lanes on Hillsdale Boulevard, the primary east/west roadway near the station, where it goes under the tracks. The Hillsdale Boulevard Route through Bay Meadows when overcrossing/intersection of El Camino Real, and El gate is closed

64 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

Camino Real itself, are intimidating for all but the most The stairway to the southbound platform from the experienced bicyclists. south parking lot on the west side of the tracks (at the south‐west corner of El Camino Real and Hillsdale Bicycle parking Avenue) does not have a stairway channel. Neither is there an ADA‐accessible ramp. Using this stairway There is no bicycle parking on the east side of the allows cyclists to avoid crossing busy East Hillsdale station. Two ribbon racks and twenty‐two lockers are Boulevard. installed near the station building in the west‐side parking lot on asphalt, which has settled and is no Passengers report that the at‐grade crossing arm gates longer level. As a result, four of the lockers are at this station malfunction more frequently than at inoperable. Cyclists report that calls to the posted other stations (usually coming down in the absence of locker rental number at the City of San Mateo, which trains). Some cyclists suggest widening the at‐grade manages the lockers, are not returned. crossings; however FRA, PUC and Caltrain safety regulations and standards that govern the design and Bicycle access to platforms operation of these crossings prevent widening. Track‐crossing gate arm Access from the street and station parking lots to either platform at the Hillsdale station is via stairs (none of Recommendations which have stairway channels) and ADA ramps (on Near-term Caltrain responsibility which bicyclists can walk their bikes). Since stairs and • Convert eight existing keyed lockers to electronic ramps land at the center and south end of the platform, lockers, and retain two keyed lockers by the station the location of these facilities adds a slight detour for building in the west parking lot. passengers with bicycles destined for the north bicycle cars. There are at‐grade crossings between platforms at • Install two‐to‐six bicycle rack spaces in the east and the north and south ends of the platforms; however the west parking lots for bumped bicycles, as close to relative distance of these crossings from the stairs and the stairways as possible. ADA ramps tempts some cyclists to ride on the • Install 20 electronic and two keyed bicycle lockers in platform between the stairs/ramps and the at‐grade the east parking, some of which can be relocated crossings. Some cyclists report also using the at‐grade and upgraded from existing lockers in the west crossings to avoid riding on Hillsdale Avenue to cross parking lot. the tracks on through‐trips (i.e. from west San Mateo to • Reinstall west parking lot bicycle lockers on a level Bay Meadows.) This is an especially important concrete pad. situation to address at this station because both platforms are relatively narrow. Mini‐highs (to Long-term Caltrain responsibility facilitate boarding Bombardier trains) are located on • Install stairway channels on the stairway from the both platforms at this station. south‐west parking lot to the southbound platform.

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 65 Appendix B

Multi-agency responsibility • Work with the City of San Mateo to take over management of the bicycle lockers, as the City wishes to relinquish responsibility. • Work with Bay Meadows to provide an opening in the fence (separate from the walkway opening) along the Bay Meadows/east parking lot to allow cyclists to conveniently travel north‐south. (Short‐ term.) • Work with the City of San Mateo, Caltrans, and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to install bicycle lanes on Hillsdale Boulevard and El Camino Real. (Long‐term.) • Work with the City of San Mateo to ensure installation of bicycle lanes on Pacific Avenue as part of the Bay Meadows Phase II project. • Work with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to ensure that all grade separation projects include bicycle lanes.

66 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

See following pages for illustrations of issues and recommendations

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 67 Appendix B

68 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 69 Appendix B

Redwood City Station crossing between platforms. There are also two pedestrian entrances directly from Winslow Street and Middlefield Road to the northbound platform. Key features Sequoia Station shopping center and its expansive The Redwood City Caltrain station serves as the timed‐ parking lot extend from El Camino Real and Jefferson transfer station for passengers changing to/from Street to the Caltrain station, with direct pedestrian limited‐stop trains. The station is in revitalized access to the southbound platform. downtown Redwood City, which is becoming a vibrant and active district, and is immediately adjacent to and Access to the southbound platform from the SamTrans accessible from Sequoia Station shopping center. parking lot by the bus bays is very visible. From the southbound platform looking north, the Broadway Recent station history station exit through the City plaza is difficult to see. The ADA ramp from Sequoia Station to the Hardscape and landscape design also narrows access southbound platform was rebuilt in 2007. through the City plaza.

Station plans Table B-6: Bicycle profile The San Mateo County Transportation Authority will be conducting a footprint study for potential grade Total rack spaces 20 separations of the railroad tracks near the station. As a Occupied rack spaces 20 result, the station could be shifted north or south in the Total locker spaces 52 long‐term. Rented lockers 52 AM passenger boardings, northbound (NB) 545 The City of Redwood City’s Downtown Precise Plan was adopted in 2007 as a blueprint for redevelopment of the AM passenger boardings, southbound (SB) 235 area. AM passenger boardings with bikes, NB 45 AM passenger boardings with bikes, SB 23 Bicycle access to station Observed bumps (number, time, direction) 5, PM, NB Redwood City ordinance No. 320, § 2 makes it “unlawful to ride or propel any bicycle upon any Bicycle parking Ribbon racks along platform sidewalk of any street within the City.” There are ribbon racks adjacent to the southbound platform, which are full much of the time, in part due Broadway and Marshall Street provide access to the to their convenient and secure location within sight of north end of the Redwood City station, including the

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many passers‐by. There is no bicycle parking on the directly to the Middlefield Road sidewalk to avoid the northbound side of the station. longer ADA route. There is an at‐grade crossing between the platforms near this south ramp entrance There are coat hanger and inverted‐U racks located in within the station. the City plaza adjacent to the southbound platform. These racks were improperly installed too close to the The southbound platform is much wider than the platform fence to be usable. northbound platform. The southern stretch of the platform near Sequoia Station shopping center is Bicycle lockers on elevated concrete pads are located in bordered by a sloped, paved median. Cyclists have the parking lot across Broadway from the station. To been observed riding along the west side of median, reach the lockers from the station requires a circuitous which is the delivery access path to some Sequoia Inverted‐U bicycle racks in plaza walk up Perry Street in order to cross Broadway Station businesses. legally. This area is dimly lit at night. There are no bicycle lockers on the east (northbound) side of the There is a set of stairs and an ADA ramp from the station. Sequoia Station courtyard leading to the southbound platform near the at‐grade platform crossing. Bicycle access to platforms The northbound platform is very narrow and Recommendations constrained. The fence that runs along the northbound platform limits access to the station to three narrow Near-term Caltrain responsibility pedestrian access points: ADA ramps at the north and • Relocate the 52 lockers from the north Broadway south ends, and a small set of stairs at the center of the parking lot and install 26 lockers to the Caltrain platform. The grade differential between the platform surface parking lot adjacent to the southbound and the street level is less than three feet. platform (parking spaces # 311‐ 316). Upgrade 22 of the 26 lockers to electronic day‐use lockers Fence along northbound platform There is no at‐grade crossing within the station at the • Create another opening in the southern end of the north end; passengers must exit the station and cross fence at Winslow/Middlefield Road for stair access the tracks along Broadway. to the southbound platform, near the existing ramp. • Provide way‐finding signage to bicycle parking. The central stairs leading from the northbound platform to the east are somewhat obscured by shelters and newspaper racks. Long-term Caltrain responsibility • Consider installing two bicycle rack spaces on the The south entrance is a dog‐leg ADA ramp with sloped strip between the southbound platform and handrails; able‐bodied passengers have been observed the shopping center. This would require building hopping over the fence at the at‐grade crossing to get up strip to allow level parking.

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 71 Appendix B

Multi-agency responsibility • Work with the City of Redwood City to install bicycle racks at street level near the Winslow Street entrance to the northbound platform. • Work with the City of Redwood City to install eight keyed and 53 electronic bicycle lockers east of the station, possibly in the northern tip of the southeastern parking lot, between the white storage shed and the tracks, and a rack at the base of the stairs at the end of Winslow Street. Some of these lockers may be relocated and upgraded from the existing lockers in the north Broadway parking lot. • Work with the City of Redwood City to widen the Choke point in plaza access landscaped choke point at the northern end of the southbound platform to facilitate access to plaza.

Fence that separates northbound platform from Winslow Street/ Middlefield Road

72 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

See following pages for illustrations of issues and recommendations

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 73 Appendix B

74 | Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan Station Details

Caltrain Bicycle Parking and Access Plan | 75