With the end of 2023 fast approaching, it's a good time for us to review everything walking and biking this year! See below for a year end recap, an update on an accident-prone intersection near Cupertino High, and a great walk/bike trail connecting Palo Alto to Los Altos. We'll also look forward: the CEO of a company tells us about innovative automatic transmissions for bikes, and a recently passed CA bill allows communities to lower speed limits. Read on to learn more!

The past year for Cupertino and its surrounding communities has seen some major changes as we continue to emerge from the pandemic.



Locally in Cupertino, there have been some serious issues which have taken attention away from quality of life improvements such as biking and walking infrastructure. These included contending with implementing the Civil Grand Jury report results, revamping the failed and overdue Housing Element, and contending with an enormous budget shortfall compared to previous years.

This doesn’t mean that progress has not been made, however. Below are some updates on achievements in the past year in Cupertino and its close communities–and what we hope will happen in the coming years to make local walking and biking safer and easier. Read all the updates...

Thank you to everyone who emailed, spoke at Council meetings, came to Bike/Ped Commission or infrastructure meetings, signed petitions, and/or supported walking and biking improvements locally!

Together, we are making a difference.

Walk-Bike Cupertino Board member and Vice-Chair of the Cupertino Bike Ped Commission Hervé Marcy met with Simon Faneco, CEO of ratioX. ratioX makes touchless automatic bike transmissions, a unique innovation designed to increase the enjoyment of bike and ebike riding.

Tell us a bit about ratioX.

ratioX applies a CVT (constantly variable transmission) for the first time to a bicycle. This gives an autonomous, smooth and unrecognizable gear change, such as you find on a Motor Scooter or a Snowmobile. ratioX is currently pre-revenue, with a small team and we have just completed Product Development and are in integration phase with a few early customers now.

What are the challenges of making it? What are the challenges of introducing it to the market?

Ha! Where can I even start? Developing a very complex product where all the formulae needed to be created from scratch? Finding funding for a capital intensive, long lead-time technology, that is either said to be impossible by experts, or not needed by bicycle geeks? Finding experts to support the company in various ways on no/low payments and with only a chance of future success? There are many. This company is like many startups, but the long development lead-time, and no ability to sell early and generate revenues really hurts. For market introduction, the main concern we have is managing after-sales. Typically this is managed by the component producer for bikes, unlike most other things, such as cars.

The CVT (continuously variable transmission) made by ratioX can be integrated into the bottom bracket of all types of frames and requires no wires. It is also completely sealed.

How did you think of the idea of automatic transmissions for bikes?

The family friendly story is that the idea for ratioX came when I was cycling to work at Toyota one day and my derailleur broke. This was at 7 in the morning and in the pouring rain. I was late for a meeting, had greasy hands, and thought there is no way Toyota would release a product that gives this experience to the consumer. I thought, why don’t I develop something? 

That is a true story, but the real lightbulb moment came when I was backpacking through India, which I later learnt is also where and how Steve Jobs found his lightbulb moment. At that point it became a mission, rather than just an idea.

(read more....)

Calle de Barcelona and Finch intersection in the afternoon.

However, a safer intersection is possible. Over 225 parents have already signed a petition to add 3-way stop signs at this intersection. The CHS school PTSA and school staff are supportive of this proposal as are many students.

Advocacy for changes begins

In April 2023, several CHS students began in-person advocacy at the Cupertino Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, along with WBC. The students shared their firsthand experiences using the Calle de Barcelona and Finch Avenue intersection, explaining the dangers they faced each day. While the Commissioners were unanimously concerned and supportive, City Staff did not wish to make any infrastructure changes.

City Staff response

Instead, the City of Cupertino staff moved one of the two crossing guards previously assigned to Stevens Creek Boulevard to this intersection. When the crossing guard is in attendance, the guard has proven to be effective in stopping cars before they speed through the intersection and crosswalk. Students are safer for that period of time. It is clear when they should cross the intersection and when they should wait, and cars are respectful of the crossing guard. Students have responded that this change has helped during regular school commute times.

Monta Vista High School students benefit every day from the same proposed solutions.

CHS students should enjoy the same safety features on their commutes, including 3-way stop signs and speed tables. (Read more...)

This autumn, we discovered a wonderful multi-use off-street path: Palo Alto–Los Altos Bike and Pedestrian Path, also known as Hetch Hetchy Trail. It is about 0.5 mile long, located right next to Henry M. Gunn High School (Gunn High), connecting from Los Altos Avenue to Arastradero Road.

After crossing to the high school, we continued on a path along the east side of the campus for 0.5 mile to reach another off-street path: Bol Park Bike Path, about one mile on the west side of the campus, where we encountered Barron Park Donkeys. It’s so interesting to learn about the local history and explore several parks along the way, including Terman Park and Bol Park. 

This pathway is included in Gunn High’s Walk and Roll to School Suggested Routes, with many local residents using this path to exercise and relax. We highly recommend you to try out this path and pay a visit to these adorable creatures, as one of them was the model for the donkey in the 2001 movie Shrek.

The trail is clean and well-maintained with clear signs and beautiful surroundings. It even has a mini library that was converted from an old phone booth!

The trail is wide and great for both walking and biking. The City Council and walk-bike advocates worked together in the 1970's to make it happen.

Terman Park

The park is located along the north side of the Hetch Hetchy Trail, providing 7.7 acres of open space for soccer and softball and several courts for tennis and basketball. Read more about Terman Park, the Donkeys, and Bol Park here...

Aptos Student creates Bikes4All, receives four year scholarship to college of his choice

https://lookout.co/aptos-high-student-iman-moshari-gets-full-ride-scholarship-to-any-college-for-bikes4all-initiative/

We'd love to hear YOUR voice!

Do you know a great walk, ride, run or hike? Want to share an issue about walking, biking, city planning, or interesting idea?



Walk-Bike Cupertino would love to spotlight it in our newsletter and on our website! Articles should be 400 words or less, and should include a picture. All submissions are subject to approval and editing, and can be used by Walk-Bike Cupertino in future publications. Contact us here.