Caltrain On Track To Make Cycling Priority As Traffic Worsens

SAN CARLOS, CA — If you're into two-wheeled and track transportation, here's where the rubber meets the road.

Caltrain is seeking people who live or work in San Mateo County to apply for its Bicycle Advisory Committee, which serves as the primary venue for the interests and perspectives of cyclists to be integrated into the Caltrain planning process.

One thing's for certain on the San Francisco Peninsula. The ease of traffic congestion is not improving.

Caltrain has anticipated in its annual report that ridership will triple in the coming years — "but not the space in our parking lots," spokesman Alex Eisenhart explained.

That's why the transit agency is placing so much emphasis in alternative forms of transportation, spending $3.5 million along the stations' corridor on cycling accessories. Most recently, e-lockers for bikes are being added.

"Biking is a huge component to that for a more sustainable system," Eisenhart told Patch.

The committee is comprised of nine volunteer members from San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. One member from each county represents a public agency staff member, a bicycle advocacy organization member and a Caltrain bike passenger from the general public who uses a bicycle or bike share.

Currently, the committee is seeking applications for the San Mateo County general public member and bike organization representative.

Applications are due by Oct. 18 and may be submitted through the Caltrain website or by calling 650-508-6391.

The BAC meets every other month at 5:45 p.m. in San Carlos one block from the San Carlos Caltrain Station. All meetings are open to the public.