By Dave Schwab | SDUN Reporter
On Dec. 9, the City Council unanimously approved the San Diego Bicycle Master Plan Update, which will add 595 miles of bikeways citywide to connect neighborhoods, create regional corridors and make bicycling a more mainstream transportation mode in San Diego.
The council also the approved formation of a Bicycle Advisory Committee to help implement the comprehensive plan.
The new blueprint for bikeway development recommends filling gaps in the existing 510-mile network, as well as doubling the city’s bicycle network over the next 20 years.
In late September, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the region’s transportation planning agency, approved $200 million for bicycle projects countywide. The initiative, officially called the Regional Bike Plan Early Action Program, includes 42 projects totaling about 77 miles of bikeways.
The plan’s passage by the City Council was hailed by Uptown residents as a major step forward. Mission Hills resident Pam Amundson said it’s time for communities to support the plan now that it’s been approved.
“I’m hopeful our community can get behind a safe, effective and sustainable shared bicycle/pedestrian corridor that helps to link Uptown, Hillcrest, Mission Hills and Five Points to other areas of San Diego,” Amundson stated.
Normal Heights resident and bike enthusiast Jim Baross said the new bike plan is a win-win for everybody.
“I stated to councilmembers that the plan isn’t so much for bicyclists — most of us are already riding though the traffic environment that needs improvement — the goal of the plan is to make use of a bicycle for some trips more attractive [and] doable for people who are not bicyclists,” Baross stated. “Everyone can benefit when more choices for transportation mode are available … less traffic congestion, safer streets, reduced production of green house gases, a more active, fit, healthy population, etc.”
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC), a nonprofit advocating protection of the rights of bicyclists, applauded the city’s efforts to build a long-term bicycling vision.
“Today San Diego City Council approved its Bicycle Master Plan Update, citywide policy to guide the development and maintenance of San Diego’s bicycle network including roadways, support facilities and non-infrastructure programs through the next 20 years,” SDCBC executive director Andy Hanshaw stated in a press release. “Bicycling transforms our city and our communities, and we need safer routes to encourage more people to ride to their jobs, local business districts and for everyday travel. Interim Mayor Todd Gloria and [the] City Council continue to be strong advocates for bicycling in San Diego and I want to thank them for seeking the input of our members.”
Hanshaw noted San Diego’s current bicycle infrastructure includes approximately 500 miles of bike-friendly roads, routes and paths.
“The new plan includes an assessment of the existing infrastructure and recommends increased bicycle parking, improved bicycle signage, bicycle safety courses and approximately 878 miles of proposed bike lanes and bike routes throughout San Diego County,” Hanshaw said.
Noting projected improvements to the current bicycle infrastructure “provide anyone on a bicycle with better access to local businesses, transit centers, shopping districts, parks and other amenities for locals and tourists alike,” Hanshaw said approval of the bicycle master plan “ensures 20 years of bicycle advancements and that bicycle commuting is a trend that is growing, not going away.”
The price tag for building out the bicycling network, to be accomplished in segments over time as funding allows, was estimated at $312 million by city officials. Annual maintenance cost for the entire bike network is anticipated to be $4 million.
City officials also identified 40 high-priority bicycle projects in the new bike master plan, with a combined estimated cost of $35 million, including some in downtown and Mid-City neighborhoods.
