South Palo Alto bike map, showing roads and paths, with bicycle stress ratings based colors. See discussion below.

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Map philosophy discussion

Stress based route mapping

• Blue -- Paths. No auto traffic conflicts, but limited maximum speeds.
• Dark Green -- Low Stress. Suitable for novice cyclists and up.
  Roads: Low traffic speeds (< 25 MPH). Bike lanes, or low auto traffic volume.
  Intersections: Stop signs, stop lights, no wide/fast crossings, even at lights.
• Light Green -- Moderate Stress. Suitable for intermediate cyclists and up.
  Roads: Dedicated bike lane with adjacent high speed traffic (> 30 MPH) speed road, or sufficient lane width that a cyclist does not need to take the lane. On lower speed roads, cyclists must take the lane.
  Intersections: Consistent with roads, or, on a low stress road, crossing a wide, higher speed arterial with the aid of a light.
• Orange -- High Stress. May be Bikeable, but not comfortable for any cyclist.
  Roads: Higher (> 30 MPH) speed road. Frequently must take the lane with high speed traffic. occasional wide lane, which may be taken by parking. No bike lane.
  Intersections: Must share a lane with higher speed auto traffic.
• Yellow -- Extreme High Stress. Do not go here.
  Roads: Narrow and high speed. No choice except to take the lane in > 40 MPH traffic. In Palo Alto this is Alma and Oregon near the Alma underpass, and the San Antonio overpass.
  Intersections:Freeway interchange ramps, one lane only.
  I am not sure on color / marking. Do not want to make bad places eye catching on this map. Not using bright Red for this!

  Which Roads are worth marking?

  • Roads that cross barriers (Arterials, or train tracks), or make longer connections.
  • Assume: Neighborhood streets are Low Stress, unless marked higher.
  • Assume: Arterials are High Stress. and mark them if not(??)

  Supporting Documents

  Updates

  Send Updates to Robert Neff: robert@neffs.net