Mayor of San Jose Struck by Driver While Biking, Hospitalized

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, an "avid biker," spent Tuesday night in the hospital after the driver of an automobile struck him as he biked through the city.

1 minute read

January 2, 2019, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Biking Mayor

Mayor Sam Liccardo, left, rides his bike on Park Street in San Jose in 2016. | Richard Masoner / Flickr

Matt Hamilton reports that "San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was hit by a car on New Year’s Day while riding his bicycle in the city, and he remained in the hospital Tuesday night."

"The 48-year-old suffered unspecified 'minor fractures' and was expected to remain at Regional Medical Center in San Jose for up to two more days with injuries that 'are not considered overly serious,'" adds Hamilton.

The collision recalls a similar episode with former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was struck by the driver of a taxi while biking, shattering the mayor's elbow and inspiring a series of bike infrastructure improvements in that city.

Liccardo is already considered a champion of biking infrastructure in the mostly auto-oriented city. Streetsblog SF reported in 2012 that Liccardo, then a councilmember, rode his bike to work three times a week. "As part of his successful 2018 reelection campaign, he noted his efforts to add 'buffered and colored bike lanes … for San Jose’s rapidly-growing cycling community,'" adds Hamilton.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 in Los Angeles Times

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

Bird's eye view of empty asphalt parking lot with one blue car.

Parking Reform Can Boost Homebuilding 40 to 70 Percent

More evidence that parking flexibility is key to housing abundance.

December 13 - Sightline

Close-up of "Shared Use Path" sign for pedestrians and cyclists on post in urban setting.

California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines

The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.

December 13 - Streetsblog California

Aerial view of downtown Omaha, Nebraska with holiday lights at sunset.

Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds

The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.

December 13 - KMTV 3 News Now

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.