Pedestrian Facilities

Goal M-5: Provide a universally accessible, safe, convenient, and integrated pedestrian system that promotes walking.

The city is served by a network of pedestrian facilities that include sidewalks, paths, and recreational trails. Walking is the most basic form of transportation and is an important part of healthy and active lifestyles. In Hayward, with its temperate climate, extensive transit services, and many activity centers, walking is used for both transportation and recreation. However, the level of pedestrian activity is influenced by surrounding land use and urban design. People are more likely to walk in mixed-use communities with higher population densities, diverse land uses, and transit-friendly design. 

Policies in this section support the goal of making Hayward a more pedestrian-friendly city. Safe, walkable environments will be created through the provision of a continuous pedestrian network with sidewalks that are enjoyable places to walk. Residents will be encouraged to integrate walking into their daily activities to promote a healthier lifestyle and improve energy resource conservation goals.

The Public Facilities and Services Element and Community Health and Quality of Life Element include goals and policies related to the walking and the city’s trails and open space corridors. 

The City shall consider pedestrian needs, including appropriate improvements to crosswalks, signal timing, signage, and curb ramps, in long-range planning and street design.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall strive to create and maintain a continuous system of connected sidewalks, pedestrian paths, creekside walks, and utility greenways throughout the city that facilitates convenient and safe pedestrian travel, connects neighborhoods and centers, and is free of major impediments and obstacles.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall enhance and maintain sidewalk and other pedestrian improvements for access to key transit stops and stations for seniors and other persons with special needs.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall require that sidewalks, wherever possible, be developed at sufficient width to accommodate pedestrians including the disabled; a buffer separating pedestrians from the street and curbside parking; amenities; and allow for outdoor uses such as cafes.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall require that pedestrian-oriented streets be designed and maintained to provide a pleasant environment for walking including shade trees; plantings; well-designed benches, trash receptacles, and other furniture; pedestrian-scaled lighting fixtures; wayfinding signage; integrated transit shelters; public art; and other amenities.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall strive to improve pedestrian safety at intersections and mid-block locations by providing safe, well-marked pedestrian crossings, bulb-outs, or median refuges that reduce crossing widths, and/or audio sound warnings.

City Services and Operations (CSO)

The City shall develop safe and convenient pedestrian facilities that are universally accessible, adequately illuminated, and properly designed to reduce conflicts between motor vehicles and pedestrians.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall ensure that new automobile parking facilities are designed to facilitate safe and convenient pedestrian access, including clearly defined internal corridors and walkways connecting parking areas with buildings and adjacent sidewalks and transit stops and adequate lighting.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)