SAN MATEO
San Mateo’s North Central is a good case study for Richmond Street, because the neighborhood has a large older demographic. 200 Parking places were removed from Humboldt Street in favor of Class II separated bike lanes in 2022. Residents were not asked if they wanted this. Those who opposed it were not heard. San Mateo’s grant also did not stipulate Class II bike lanes—only to maintain the current Class III ones. This decision was overturned in February 2025 and San Mateo is in the process of reversing the project: Taking out the bike lanes and reinstating parking.
Below are excerpts from residents’ letters to the San Mateo City Council in January 2025, just before the San Mateo City Council voted on the reversal of the project, as well as an article by a resident of San Mateo on behalf of North Central residents. The excerpts and article have been edited for length, but their original content has been left intact.
Excerpts from resident letters to the San Mateo Council January 2025
“I am a resident of San Mateo/North Central District. I have seen this neighborhood really hurting and fighting one another due to a parking shortage. Before the parking was removed on Humboldt Street, there was already a parking problem here. The vote that was placed years ago by City Council Members was very unfair and many of the neighborhood felt that it was already a done deal, since that very next morning the workers were out there at 8am. The funds were given to help with the seniors in this low-income, high-density neighborhood. To add additional street lights and repair sidewalks and streets. Also, to MAINTAIN bike lanes, not install new bike lanes.”
“Since the bike lane has been installed, our seniors do not get out much. From COVID days we know that the effect on seniors was a lot worse. If seniors were not able to leave their houses early and could not return before 1:30-2.00 PM, they would stay home. This effect on seniors is devastating. After, going out for the day, as they would return home, much later, there was nowhere to park that was in reasonable area by their homes. Staying in their homes and not getting out is not good for seniors, especially ones that have walking disabilities. Please return the parking and place a shared bike lane.”
“I have lived in North Central/District 2, all my life, over 45 years. Since the Bike Lanes were installed, this has become a different neighborhood. I watch as parents are struggling to get their little children to school while they are trying to keep their other little ones safe, as they are walking to bus stops or to their cars, because their car is parked blocks away. It is so unfair these residents have to alter their lives 24/7, so a few people can ride (on bicycles) on Humboldt St. The Bottom line is the funds were MISAPPROPRIATED. Per CBDG funds were given to low- and moderate-income families, in a high-density area. To help with basic needs for seniors, to install new lights, repair sidewalks and streets. Then it is stated to repair or upgrade the bike lanes, not Install a bike lane. So, the bike lane installed, so no money to install new street lights or repair the sidewalks and streets. I am asking to correct this issue, that the cars be allowed to park on Humboldt St.”
“Ever since the parking was removed for the bicycle lanes, it has caused me more stress, worry and high conflict situations. I cannot park in my garage, because the car is too big for the garage that is attached to the building that was built long ago and I have no choice but to park on the street. Since parking is a rare commodity, I have had to stand outside every street cleaning day, so that I could keep my parking spot on the streets. The reduced parking spaces has led to competing with my neighbors for prime parking spots and also to some very unhappy experiences. I do not want to be at war with my neighbors over parking and we need more parking spaces on Humboldt St., so that I can look at my neighbors as kind friends and not competition for parking spaces. Hoping that San Mateo can make the right decision to bring back the parking.
You may think that only residents of Humboldt St. are affected by the Bike Lane, since they lost parking space in front of their homes. But the cars that park on the west side of Humboldt St, have to find a new place to park. Some are parking in their yards, but the rest are parking on the streets in the neighborhood. This is how it affects the whole neighborhood, say a Humboldt resident parks his car on a side street, like Tilton Ave., now a resident of Tilton resident can’t find parking in front of his home, so they park on Grant St, and it goes on and on. This is just one car, think about the number of parking spaces lost on Humboldt St. It’s like playing Musical Chairs, but instead of chairs it is parking spaces and instead of playing in a yard it is played in the North Central neighborhood.”
Letter to the editor by Taso Zografos Feb 14, 2025, San Mateo Daily Journal
“More than 200 curbside parking spaces were eliminated for these virtually unused bike lanes. This parking was essential for residents in this equity-priority community, many who rely on street parking due to limited off-street options. The impact is more severe for seniors and disabled residents, who now face greater challenges in finding accessible parking near their homes.
While the city justifies this move as part of its broader sustainability efforts to promote alternative transportation, the data tells a different story. These bike lanes remain largely unused, averaging fewer than three bike trips per day. This negligible use doesn’t justify sacrificing essential parking for hundreds of residents and confirms the bike lane experiment has failed to shift transportation habits.
Instead, the removal of parking spaces has created a domino effect of unintended consequences. Nearby residents now compete for fewer spaces. They circle the neighborhood, wasting time, burning fuel and increasing emissions at more than 50 tons of CO₂ annually, directly contradicting the city’s environmental goals and increasing health risks, particularly to children and seniors.
The loss of parking has also created an unfair financial burden. Historically, curbside parking in front of one’s home has been an implicit benefit factored into property values/tax assessments. When the city unilaterally eliminated these parking spaces, homeowners saw their property values decline without receiving any tax adjustment/compensation.
Black, Hispanic and Asian homeowners in North Central are disproportionately affected by the lack of equity and fairness. The city has stripped residents of a resource they previously relied on, offering no mitigation/relief in return.
Bike lane advocates claim bike lanes reduce collisions. While safer streets are always a priority, this must be achieved in a way that considers the needs of all residents and not just a few. Increased safety can be achieved with more traffic enforcement, lower speed limits, better signs and shared bike lane education. None require the removal of 200+ parking spaces, or infliction of disproportionate harm.
If the city truly values equity, sustainability and community well-being, it must remove the virtually unused bike lanes and restore parking to residents. Many cities have successfully implemented shared bike lanes without sacrificing essential parking. This is a balanced solution.
The General Plan 2040 must be implemented based on data, practicality and community impact. A policy that forces a neighborhood to sacrifice essential resources is not equitable/sustainable. The city must adopt a more balanced approach that respects the rights and needs of all transportation users, not just a few cyclists.
We cannot allow the policy demands of a small, vocal group to come at the expense of others, particularly those who lack the resources/influence to challenge and fight City Hall.”