Until the beginning of 2024, Napa lacked any protected bike lanes, despite long-standing advocacy from the Napa County Bicycle Coalition (NCBC). Maintenance challenges had stalled progress, and although local officials recognized the need for enhanced bike safety, the hefty $200,000 price tag for a dedicated street sweeper posed a substantial obstacle.
The turning point came in January when Caltrans undertook the resurfacing of West Imola Avenue (SR 121), a crucial east-west route in Napa. The project introduced new flex post barriers to the existing painted bike lanes, significantly improving bike safety. However, maintaining the cleanliness of these lanes is essential to ensure they remain welcoming and safe for cyclists. Debris such as glass, gravel, and dirt can force cyclists into traffic lanes, escalating collision risks. Unfortunately, traditional street sweepers are too large to navigate these protected bikeways, leading to concerns that the protective posts might be removed.
To address this challenge, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition proposed to take on the maintenance of the protected bikeways on West Imola, a proposal Caltrans accepted. This arrangement adapted the Adopt-A-Highway program to fit the unique needs of this bike facility. Unable to afford the $200,000 price for a motorized bike lane sweeper, NCBC opted for a cost-effective solution: an innovative, pedal-powered street sweeper created by Californian inventor Pierre Lermant.
“Routine cleaning is often the most neglected aspect of maintaining protected bike lanes, as the budget for it is rarely included in initial plans,” Lermant notes. “The Napa Valley initiative illustrates how Eco Sweeper devices can address budgetary constraints and engage the community in maintaining bike lanes, which is crucial for promoting cycling.”
The Eco Sweeper, a battery-operated device that attaches to a bicycle via a Burley-style hitch, efficiently clears bike lanes and costs only $4,500, a mere fraction of the price of traditional sweepers. On May 21, 2024, NCBC launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund the purchase of the sweeper. Within a single day, the campaign surpassed its goal, thanks to the contributions of 50 donors, including a notable donation from coalition member Bill Tuikka.
On June 17, 2024, the sweeper’s inaugural run yielded nearly 36 gallons of debris, a substantial amount for a compact, bicycle-towed device. “We are grateful to Caltrans for their collaboration and for adapting their Adopt-A-Highway program to support our solution,” says Kara Vernor, Executive Director of the Napa County Bicycle Coalition. “Maintaining Napa County’s first protected bike lanes on our high-injury network was essential for enhancing safety and preventing their removal.”
This pedal-powered sweeper is not only a practical solution for Napa but also serves as a model for other cities, demonstrating how innovative approaches can improve urban planning and public safety. Napa’s embrace of creative solutions sets a new standard for fostering a safer, more bike-friendly environment.