City to Hold Meeting on Bicycle Master Plan

The following is a press release from the City of South Pasadena. All questions should be directed to Sergio Gonzalez at 626.403.7214.

South Pasadena is starting to work on more than 24 miles of connecting bikeways that will link neighborhoods to popular destinations throughout the City and beyond.

This multi-faceted and regionally significant series of projects will begin with construction of a bike lane on El Centro Street near .

A “Cycle South Pasadena” community event to announce the start of work will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at South Pasadena Courtyard 1414 Mission Street South Pasadena, CA 91030.

Officials will discuss details of the City’s newly completed Bicycle Master Plan and announce how South Pasadena youth, who need a bike helmet can obtain one from the City’s police department throughout the month of October.

The Bicycle Master Plan, , includes: Innovative pavement markings for added visibility; citywide way-finding signage to make navigation easier; bicycle racks and lockers; and safety, education and awareness programs. Bike valet options at special events will help alleviate traffic.

“South Pasadena’s comprehensive and carefully thought-out Bicycle Plan demonstrates our City’s steadfast commitment to the health and safety of our community and our environment,” said South Pasadena Councilmember David Sifuentes, who was also instrumental in spearheading ordinances to protect residents from second-hand smoke.

“This bikeway system connects our neighborhood to schools, the library, parks, shops, public venues, and the Gold Line, making it easier for people to choose alternative forms of transportation for a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

When completed, the plan will enable residents to cycle along designated bike routes, lanes and paths to almost any destination within the city, reducing traffic and promoting cleaner air. Bikeways will also lead to Metro bus stops and the bikeways of neighboring cities, making it possible for people to travel even farther without relying on a car.

“This really shows the City of South Pasadena’s commitment to improving mobility options on a local and regional level,” said South Pasadena Transportation Manager Dennis Woods.

“People will not only be able to bike to the grocery store, but they will also be able to travel all the way to the beach with the help of Metro trains and buses.”

Anthony Jusay, Transportation Planning Manager for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), agrees.

“South Pasadena is a crucial part of building the overall bicycle network in Los Angeles County,” said Jusay. “It has the Mission Gold Line stop, which is an important transit location, and Huntington Drive, a significant street connecting the region.”

“South Pasadena definitely has a vital role in encouraging other cities to become more bike-friendly as well,” Jusay added.

Fewer than 30 of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County currently have a bicycle plan, according to Alexis Lantz, planning and policy director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.

South Pasadena’s intent to install a “green lane” with sharrow markings in the popular Mission District of the city is particularly noteworthy. Green lanes with shared roadway markings, or sharrows, enhance the visibility of bicyclists and bicycle routes.

“There are no cities in the San Gabriel Valley that have this yet,” said Wesley Reutimann, a founding member of the West San Gabriel Valley Bike Coalition.

On various high-traffic streets, South Pasadena also plans to install green bicycle boxes, an intersection design that creates a designated area for bicyclists to position themselves in front of cars at signalized intersections. “Very few communities in Southern California have done this,” Reutimann added.

State and federal funds, as well as grants, will pay for this multi-year project. Bikeways will be completed on a priority basis. First done will be those providing increased public safety and numerous connections to community activities, schools, public venues, other bikeways and transportation options. Public input was an important part of this process.