Cyclists' secrets Cyclists' secrets (May 20, 2005)

By Jon Wiener

In honor of Bike to Work Day, the Voice sought out the best shortcuts, cut-throughs, pathways and secret passages in the town, or at the least those in the public right-of-way. E. Dana at Moorpark to Foxborough

Years ago, local residents pressured the city council not to place signs near this connector path on the east side of Highway 237. Dana is the easiest way to navigate across both 85 and 237 on a bike, and thanks to this little path it is the fastest route between downtown Mountain View and Sunnyvale Town & Country. Easy Street to Central Avenue via Stevens Creek Trail @text This route can zip you from the Whisman school area to the Downtown Caltrain platform faster than in a car, and that's without counting the three stoplights you miss or the time spent waiting for parking. Jackson Street to Shoreline Boulevard

One day, it could be part of Mountain View's first bicycle boulevard. For now, it's a nice link between Jackson Park and the path that runs along Shoreline underneath Central Expressway and the Caltrain tracks. McKelvey Park to El Monte Road

Unlike some of the other paths featured, cars can take this route through Dennis and Ernestine Streets as well. But the speed bumps and yield signs make this is an ideal bike route from downtown Mountain View to Los Altos for those who would prefer to avoid the three-lane merge on El Camino. Mountain Shadows to Ormande @text A convenient, if relatively minor, time-saver for those traveling between Bailey Park Shopping Center and the back entrances to Stevenson Park and Theuerkauf Elementary.

E-mail Jon Wiener at jwiener@mv-voice.com

E-mail a friend a link to this story.