Viewpoint: The most dangerous intersection in San Mateo County?
Important correction from Atherton Police Chief Steven D. McCulley: In Kate Powers article, she indicates that a bicyclist was struck and killed by a hit and run driver on February 23, 2024, in Atherton, at the intersection of Middlefield Road and Glenwood Ave.
This collision occurred in the City of Palo Alto, and I clearly explained this to Ms. Powers when I met with her in person yesterday.
I am formally requesting that you publish a retraction, so the public has transparent and accurate information.
An Atherton cyclist died Saturday, February 23, in a hit-and-run accident on Middlefield and Glenwood Avenue in Atherton. Two weeks later, Sunday, March 10, another accident which caused bodily injury happened at the same crossing.
Cars slamming the breaks and tires screeching are heard every week from inside my house at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Middlefield opposite of the Lindenwood Gate. Often a couple of minutes later, police cars and firetrucks approaching fast from different directions.
This crossing is a nightmare for people in cars, pedestrians, cyclists and neighbors. In January, after four accidents in the same month, I requested a police report of all incidents, but have not received it, even after following up several times.
A couple of years ago Atherton City Council member Bill Widmer had successfully installed crossing lights. However, there is no curb on the other side so pedestrians can land safely. Another solution would be to make Glenwood Avenue a dead end road, allowing only cyclists to pass in both directions.
To increase safety right away I suggested no left turn signs on all sides of the crossing, or at a minimum for Middlefield going north on Glenwood Avenue. Bill explained to me that Atherton residents convenience for that left turn on Glenwood Avenue has so far outweighed safety concerns.
Will that change after another accident today?
Editor’s note: Kate Powers is meeting with Atherton Police Chief Steven D. McCulley and Atherton City Council member Bill Widmer on Tuesday.
Sally March 12, 2024 at 11:37 am
Is there any news report about the February 23 hit-and-run fatality at this location? Who was the victim? Has the killer been identified?
Linda Hubbard March 12, 2024 at 12:56 pm
That report was in error. The post has been updated as the hit and run occurred in Palo Alto, not Menlo Park.
Sally March 12, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Are the date and street also incorrect? As far as I know, there were no traffic fatalities in Palo Alto on Feb 23, 2024. Nor were there any fatalities on Middlefield Road in Palo Alto this year.
charles reilly March 12, 2024 at 8:56 pm
Here on the Mid-Peninsula, there has been a serious drop in the quantity and quality of Traffic Enforcement. I assume the Police and Sheriff’s Depts. are focused on more serious crimes. Frequently, people are now driving 40 mph on residential streets, not stopping at stop signs, and weaving in and out lanes – including Bike Lanes. Pedestrians and Cyclists beware !
Jacqui C. March 15, 2024 at 9:38 am
Totally agree with those observations. Yesterday afternoon, one of the 4 cars parked in the new bike lanes along Middle Ave. was actually parked ON the green paint. It’s not that they don’t know, it’s that they’ve decided their convenience outweighs the safety of other road users. I’m rather incensed at the lack of enforcement that significantly affects the safety of the steel-cage-less users of the roadways.