2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update

The 2021 City of Union City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was adopted on November 23, 2021. 

The City of Union City wants to support people of all ages and abilities who walk, bicycle, and roll in the Union City community. The City created this plan as a roadmap for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs. The Plan has recommendations for:

  • New bikeways and a citywide bicycle network
  • New connections to trails 
  • Improvements to streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and other places where people walk
  • Programs to support adults and children who want to walk, bicycle, and roll 

Plan Documents

The City has created the following new documents as a part of this plan:

Thanks!

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Thank you to everyone who was been involved in the planning process for providing valuable input. Your unique perspectives informed the development of this Plan and ensured that the project recommendations genuinely reflect the city’s diverse and unique community.  






Project Recap

The development of this plan happened over the past two years across the following three phases:

Project_Schedule_Graphic 2021-01-01

Phase 1: Information Gathering (January - June 2020)

During Phase 1, we heard from the community about where you like to walk and bike, what barriers to biking or walking exist in Union City, and what improvements should be made. We also gathered data about existing conditions, including learning more about how safe and comfortable walking and bicycling is throughout the city. 

Bart Walkway

Phase 2: Drafting the Recommendations (July 2020 - February 2021)

During Phase 2, we brought together the community's  comments and the data-driven analysis from Phase 1. We used this to develop draft recommendations for:

  • New bikeways and a citywide bicycle network
  • New connections to trails 
  • Improvements to places where people walk

We asked for input on these recommendations through an online map and focus group meetings.  

Plan Goals

The recommendations in the 2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan were guided by the Plan’s draft goals. These goals are based on what we heard from the community during the community engagement. The goals include:

Plan Goals

Proposed Bicycle Network

A major goal of the City and this Plan was to develop a well-connected, low-stress bicycle network that is comfortable and convenient for people of all ages and abilities. The Plan includes a proposed bicycle network that builds upon the existing bikeways, and proposes new bikeways throughout the city. The proposed bicycle network also proposes new connections to the existing trails.

To see the proposed bicycle network, click here.

You’ll see that the proposed bicycle network includes some bikeway types that are new to Union City. This includes separated bike lanes and bicycle boulevards. To learn more about the different bikeway types, click here. This proposed bicycle network aims to create safe, comfortable, and enjoyable ways for people to bicycle in Union City. 

Pedestrian Infrastructure Recommendations

Another major goal of the City and this Plan is to identify ways to make walking more comfortable. The City has a lot of “tools” in our toolbox to make changes that make it more enjoyable to walk and cross the street. To learn more about these tools, click here. 

Phase 3: Finalizing the Plan (July 2021-November 2021)

We pulled together all the community input, data, and recommendations to develop the 2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The Plan includes recommendations for:

  • Physical infrastructure: such as where new bicycle lanes or striped crosswalks should be located
  • Programs: such as a recommendation for partnering with schools for safe routes to schools programs 
  • Policies: such as a new City ordinance about the dimensions of bicycle lanes

Key Plan Documents

  • BPAC Meeting #1 (May 2020) – Purpose: An introduction to the Plan and review of work so far.
  • BPAC Meeting #2 (November 2020) – Purpose: Presentation on the proposed bicycle network, draft pedestrian improvements, and asking for ideas on new education and encouragement programs.
  • BPAC Meeting #3 (September 2021)
  • BPAC Meeting #4 (October 2021)
  • Planning Commission Meeting (October 7, 2021)
  • Planning Commission Meeting (November 4, 2021)
  • City Council Regular Meeting (November 23, 2021)

Relevant Plans and Studies

Building on what came beforeBart Terminal

This 2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is an update to the previous 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The 2012 Plan guided installation of almost seven miles of shared-use paths and 27 miles of bicycle lanes between 2012 and 2021, setting the stage for the many new bikeways and pedestrian facilities envisioned in the 2021 Plan. Expanding the bike network, improving pedestrian crossings, and closing gaps in the pedestrian network is also a priority goal in the City’s adopted 2040 General Plan.