This is a call to action for road improvements to El Camino Real!
Join us for the 2024 El Camino Real ride in the South Bay. We will cycle at a relaxed pace through Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Palo Alto and stop for free refreshments along the way.
At this fun and safe ride, we will take over the right-most travel lane as a group, cars politely go around us using the other lanes, and we follow all traffic laws. Our ride is a rare and safe opportunity to experience riding safely on this convenient and direct route, El Camino Real, on which normally nobody rides. Note: This ride is not like San Francisco's Critical Mass, which does not yield right-of-way to car traffic. We will ride as vehicular traffic and yield and stop at traffic lights as such.
El Camino Real is a major thoroughfare connecting the hearts of cities from San Jose to San Francisco and beyond. Many businesses and future residences will come to be on El Camino Real. Unfortunately, this road is made for cars -- multiple car lanes but no bike lane. The injury and fatality statistics associated with the route are alarming and unacceptable. Some cities have plans to install bike lanes. We advocate for safe bikeways and the need to have them done soon.
The route we will ride is 14 miles long, starting from the Santa Clara Caltrain station and ending at Palo Alto's California Avenue Caltrain station. We will be riding on El Camino Real the entire way except for a short detour to a rest stop.
Arrive at the Santa Clara Caltrain station between 10:00-10:30 AM to check-in and receive some instruction. We will roll out at 10:30 AM. If you're taking Caltrain, here's the Caltrain schedule. If you're driving to the Santa Clara Caltrain station, you may park several blocks away for free at nearby streets like Benton, but allot extra time to find parking.
In Sunnyvale and Mountain View, we will have a 20 minute rest stop at which there will be bathrooms, time for you to eat a lunch you provide and some free refreshments we provide, and hear from elected officials about plans for bike lanes on El Camino Real.
Instead of starting at the Santa Clara Caltrain station, you have the option to start the ride from the Sunnyvale stop or Mountain View stop. Look for an SVBC Greeter at each location.
- Sunnyvale stop: Baraka Halal Market, 101 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale. Meet at 11:10 AM.
- Mountain View stop: Eagle Park, corner of High School Way and Oak St. Meet at 12:05 PM.
At the end of the ride, you are on your own, but we will announce groups heading in various directions so you can join a group if you want. Some groups we will announce are: Caltrain riders SB and NB, people cycling SB and NB, people going to local restaurants on California Ave. for a late lunch.
This ride is open to all ages, but children under 12 must be able to ride without training wheels or sit on a seat that's attached to an adult's bike (e.g., bike seat, tandem bike, trail-a-bike, bike trailer). Please bring a helmet, water, and, if desired, a light lunch.
If you sign up to be a ride support, please arrive at the Santa Clara Caltrain station at 9:30 AM, so that you can get brief instructions.
By patronizing businesses along our ride, we are sending out the important message that bikes bring local customers to local businesses!
This volunteer-led, non-profit event is brought to you by the collaborative efforts of a group of approximately 10 SVBC local team members based in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. This event, as part of our organizing for power-building and community improvements, is made possible with support from El Camino Healthcare District.
For any questions, reach out to eleni@bikesiliconvalley.org
