San Rafael plans safer routes for walking and biking

The San Rafael City Council adopted the Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 2026 Update on October 19, 2026. The plan lays out improvements to make walking, biking and using mobility devices safer for people of all ages and abilities. It focuses on the routes people use every day to reach schools, parks, businesses and public transit.

Why the plan matters

A missing sidewalk, a difficult crossing or a gap between bike lanes can make a short trip challenging. The City's plan identifies where improvements can help and sets priorities for funding the work. Its recommendations address connectivity, safety, and accessibility for all people who rely on walking, biking, mobility devices, or public transit to get around.

Updating the plan also helps San Rafael compete for grants to pay for the identified improvements. Since the previous update in 2018, the City has been awarded approximately $46.9 million in grants for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

What the update includes

The plan recommends 122 projects, including 31 intersection improvements, more than eight miles of sidewalk and shared path improvements, and approximately 30 miles of bikeways.

Of those, 23 are identified as top priorities. They include improvements along Manuel T. Freitas Parkway, Fourth Street, Bellam Boulevard, and Canal Street. Proposed work ranges from protected bike routes and shared pathways to better intersection lighting and accessibility improvements.

Projects were ranked using factors such as crash history, community feedback, connections to destinations, and opportunities to secure grant funding. The plan also considers how improvements can close gaps between existing routes and serve communities with greater transportation needs.

How residents shaped the plan

The update reflects two phases of community outreach, including workshops, online surveys, conversations at community events. Informational materials were available in English and Spanish.

City advisory committees also reviewed the proposals, including the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the ADA Access Advisory Committee. Public feedback helped refine the project list and highlight priorities before the plan was submitted for City Council consideration.

What happens next

Implementation will move forward project by project as funding is secured and proposals are developed. Project details and scope may be adjusted as staff evaluates individual locations and funding availability. Specific projects will return to the City Council for consideration,

The City is already pursuing grants for projects along Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Merrydale Road, as well as the proposed Canal Crossing. Residents can review the plan in detail on the Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan webpage.