Blocked Bike Path Menlo Park/EPA

[Tom Purcell]

Hey SVBC,

I commute from Mountain View to Newark via the Baylands/Ravesnwood Preserve/Dumbarton Bridge. Since early December there has been an extremely hazardous situation at the corner of University Avenue and Bayfront Expressway (Highway84) in Menlo Park close to East Palo Alto. A knocked over light pole sits across the entire bike path, posing a real threat to unsuspecting pedestrians and cyclists. It is too heavy to move by one person, otherwise I would have dragged it off to the side ages ago. This is a primary route for cyclists who commute between northern Santa Clara County (Palo Alto/Mountain View/Los Altos/Sunnyvale) and Facebook or the Dumbarton bridge.

I'm at a bit of a loss, I have contacted Menlo Park via their 311 web interface and they said it was a Caltrans issue. Caltrans said they alerted their dispatch and closed the ticket on December 23rd, but as you can see from the pictures I took last night it's still very much an issue.

I'm wondering if there's anything else to do or anyone to contact. I'm sure if this pole was 1 inch into the vehicle lane on University they'd have someone there within minutes (although probably just to drag it back across the bike path). Anyone have any insight on how to elevate an issue for Caltrans? Otherwise maybe I can recruit a few strong backs to meet up and drag the pole a few feet so that it doesn't block the way--I'm open to suggestions and pretty sick of tripping over this thing or riding in the mud to get around it.

Tom

Menlo Park 311:

https://seeclickfix.com/issues/20640243

Closed Associate Transportation Engineer-PV (Verified Official)

This is a Caltrans pole. Can you please report the issue to Caltrans directly through the link below? Thank you.

https://csr.dot.ca.gov/.

 

Caltrans email:

Customer Service Request - Ticket #: 1139658 - Closed

 

Your concern as submitted in the Customer Service Request has been addressed, and your ticket has been closed. For more information regarding your CSR, please see the “Additional Closing Message” in this email. Thank you for using the Caltrans web site to notify us of your concern. At Caltrans we're here to get you there. If you have any questions, please call our District Office at (510) 286-6173.

Message from Customer Service Liaison:	This matter was escalated directly to dispatch for an assessment by maintenance, who has confirmed receipt of this CSR ticket; therefore, this ticket will be closed. Thank you again for your interest in the safety and operation of California's highways. ***Please visit our D4 Customer Service Request (CSR) Response Dashboard to view current CSR ticket counts (you may have to cut & paste the link into your web browser). https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-programs/d4-public-affairs/d4-pace ***
CSR Ticket Number:	1139658
Date Submitted:	2025-12-22 08:52:34
Date Completed:	2025-12-23 00:00:00
California County:	San Mateo
State Highway Route:	84
Nearest Town or City:	Menlo Park
Nearest Cross Street:	University Avenue
Mode of Transportation:	Bicycle
Direction of Travel:	Both
Date & Time Situation Noticed:	2025-12-04   8 am - 9 am
Type of Situation:	Curb and Sidewalk - Cracked or Broken
Description of Situation:	There is a downed light pole sitting across the pedestrian and bike path at the intersection of Bayfront Expressway (Highway 84) and University Avenue. This occurred sometime between December 1st and December 4th. It is extremely hazardous and it will cause an injury if it hasn't already.
Geographic Location of Situation:	The eastern corner of Bayfront Expressway (Highway 84) and University Avenue, Menlo Park CA

[Tim ZeroW.org]

Thanks for highlighting this. I've had to detour around this pole a couple of times now and it does need to be fixed much more quickly.

If we dragged it into the car lanes it would be fixed likety split :-)

Tim Oey
Executive Director, ZeroW.org
League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor #6033
Cell: (408) 781-1094
T...@ZeroW.org

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[Kevin Wang]

I like to point out that these are lawsuits waiting to happen, and things get fixed real fast. of course I usually use nicer words like "trip hazard" (raised cement) or "fall hazard" (potholes, open cable vaults in the sidewalk).

I was super surprised with sunnyvale and/or santa clara fixed a bunch of "1-inch out-of-place drain grates" in a week or two. it wasn't a huge hazard, but they didn't just fix the grate, they jackhammered the whole thing out and poured new cement with a new grate.

   - Kevin

On Thu, Jan 8, 2026 at 3:02 PM Tom Purcell <doll...@gmail.com> wrote:

--

[Tim ZeroW.org]

Let's all call these things in. Squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Tim Oey
Executive Director, ZeroW.org
League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor #6033
Cell: (408) 781-1094
T...@ZeroW.org

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/bikesiliconvalley.org/d/msgid/mountainviewlosaltos/CAGw5MrbTZVhjzz_6vv3RRodgk8Px_Maw34OxeVbn6DA6hSCFHw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Terry Barton]

What times do you ride through the intersection?  Have you called 911 to report to Menlo Park police as a blocked road?  Next go to city council members if police don't know how to escalate. State assembly member and senate would also be contacts. How many people would it take to move it?  Can we turn it into a sign to remind drivers about the pole increase?

Let's plan a next step and timeline for others to participate and provide them with instructions on who to call and when

You can call me 

650 704 9563

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/bikesiliconvalley.org/d/msgid/mountainviewlosaltos/CAC5QRxS4tj9B7Q-HTAwm_V0L%3DNNLD3Cj01hxtBDdoMFDXyeNGA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Arthur Korn]

To be fair it's not really a hazard to cyclists because it's at a clearly marked stop ;)

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/bikesiliconvalley.org/d/msgid/mountainviewlosaltos/CAF1tmaMAOP4PHHzb2i-Mr7YGR7Kk-n051PTieOxi1q971Q_xOw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Tim ZeroW.org]

Here is the ticket I just submitted for this. I told them that if it is not moved in a week, we may pick it up and sell it for scrap. Let's see if that gets some action. I'd love the challenge of moving that thing by bike trailer to a scrap yard :-)

------------------

Customer Service Request - Customer Confirmation
This is your Customer Service Request Confirmation and Ticket Number. Please retain this information for future reference. A copy of this confirmation has been sent to the email address that you provided. Customer Service Requests ( CSR´s ) are handled Monday through Friday, 8AM to 4PM.

Thank You for being a concerned citizen and reporting this maintenance issue.

REMINDER: This Customer Service Request process should NOT be used to report any kind of highway emergency. Report highway emergencies to 911 or the California Highway Patrol immediately.

CSR Ticket Number: 1143001
Date Submitted: 2026-01-08 18:06:25

California County: San Mateo
State Highway Route: 84
Nearest Town or City: Menlo Park

Nearest Cross Street: University/109

Mode of Transportation:   Bicycle
Direction of Travel: Both

Date & Time Situation Noticed: 2025-12-05   3 pm - 4 pm
Type of Situation: Signs - Missing, Broken, Blocked or Down
Describe Nature of Situation: There is a very large metal pole lying across the bikeway at 84 & University blocking the bike way. If it is an abandoned pole, can we haul it away and sell it for scrap metal? It has been there a very long time. Please let me know ASAP. If it is still blocking the bike path in a week, we may cut it up and haul it away ourselves as it has been blocking this path a very long time.
Geographic Location of Situation: Eastern corner of 84 and University near the Dumbarton Bridge.
Customer´s Email: T...@ZeroW.org
Customer´s Name: Tim Oey

Tim Oey
Executive Director, ZeroW.org
League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor #6033
Cell: (408) 781-1094
T...@ZeroW.org

[lil....@yahoo.com]

That looks kind of heavy. I've heard that if the pole is still a hazard on Jan 15, someone might cut a bike path wide section out with their fun-size angle grinder.

https://groups.google.com/a/bikesiliconvalley.org/d/msgid/mountainviewlosaltos/CAC5QRxR-BF0B6rSS8aBTk%3Dw8jyPDgqTW8iofnSyFBgsSwhD7zg%40mail.gmail.com

.

[Serge Bonte]

Just a suggestion, when creating the Caltrans ticket. Since this is (I think) a multi use path, flag is an ADA issue, there is no way someone in a wheelchair could pass this obstacle...and there is no alternative path.

Serge

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/bikesiliconvalley.org/d/msgid/mountainviewlosaltos/1645733598.9102616.1767945837376%40mail.yahoo.com.

[lil....@yahoo.com]

This is an amazing obsevation.

Cyclists are not a protected class, and afforded few legal protections. Wheelchair users are a protected class.

The 25x25 rule that requires accessibility and safety for 25 inch wheels and 25 inch width is a feared mandate that empowers all wheeled pedestrians.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/bikesiliconvalley.org/d/msgid/mountainviewlosaltos/CAKj%2B2Wz1zWhRTKfS8HdVraFqOXF%2BzpA_%2BJtuLgXJEiO-BwinfQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Tom Purcell]

At least one other person in my office has also submitted a ticket that has been marked "Closed" before the actual issue was resolved. It's clear from their Customer Service Request Dashboard that their incentive is only to move a ticket to "resolved," not actually fixing the underlying problem. If you're a fan of The Wire, but this is a classic case of a government agency juking the stats as they say in the Baltimore Police Department. 

For persons with ADA access issues, or those who represent them, here is the link for reporting an ADA issue:

https://adapt.dot.ca.gov/grievance/newRequest

I don't think I personally have standing to submit a request but perhaps there is someone on this list or someone they know who would be unable to access this state funded resource because of the neglectful lack of action

[Terry Barton]

I alerted Helen in Assemblyman Marc Berman's office and included the photo.  She has some direct contacts with Caltrans and is folliowing up.  .I also pointed out it is an ADA issue.

Terry

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/bikesiliconvalley.org/d/msgid/mountainviewlosaltos/CAB7zhPTgSBkuQUeKzfbdPou%3DUcKKXJSt086SR05jo5o85cFtUw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Tom Purcell]

Happy to report that the post has been removed. Thank you to everyone who reported this, see you on the bike paths!

On Jan 8, 2026, at 3:02 PM, Tom Purcell <doll...@gmail.com> wrote:



Hey SVBC,

I commute from Mountain View to Newark via the Baylands/Ravesnwood Preserve/Dumbarton Bridge. Since early December there has been an extremely hazardous situation at the corner of University Avenue and Bayfront Expressway (Highway84) in Menlo Park close to East Palo Alto. A knocked over light pole sits across the entire bike path, posing a real threat to unsuspecting pedestrians and cyclists. It is too heavy to move by one person, otherwise I would have dragged it off to the side ages ago. This is a primary route for cyclists who commute between northern Santa Clara County (Palo Alto/Mountain View/Los Altos/Sunnyvale) and Facebook or the Dumbarton bridge.

I'm at a bit of a loss, I have contacted Menlo Park via their 311 web interface and they said it was a Caltrans issue. Caltrans said they alerted their dispatch and closed the ticket on December 23rd, but as you can see from the pictures I took last night it's still very much an issue.

I'm wondering if there's anything else to do or anyone to contact. I'm sure if this pole was 1 inch into the vehicle lane on University they'd have someone there within minutes (although probably just to drag it back across the bike path). Anyone have any insight on how to elevate an issue for Caltrans? Otherwise maybe I can recruit a few strong backs to meet up and drag the pole a few feet so that it doesn't block the way--I'm open to suggestions and pretty sick of tripping over this thing or riding in the mud to get around it.

Tom

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