Comments on LA Draft Bicycle Plan Map – Central / West Side

Comments on LA Draft Bicycle Plan Map – Central / West Side

By ASNC Working Group 

Background: 

The Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council has formed working group to focus on bicycle circulation in the Arroyo Seco Corridor. This working group has been formed in the last few months given the impetus of recent meeting on the Arroyo Seco Bikeway by the Los Angeles County. Although much of the discussions in the County’s meetings on the Arroyo Seco Bikeway focused on the question of a main stem bike path within or along side the Arroyo Channel it is clearly evident that we need to address the entire network of bike paths, lanes and routes within this corridor to meet the needs of all bicyclist, including bike commuters and those who use bicycles for alternative transportation and recreation within our communities. 

Also, it has become evident that there are needs for multiple users, including pedestrians, and equestrians to travel along the Arroyo Seco channel in what we envision as the Arroyo Seco Green Way. We recognize that this vision for a Greenway will require significant funds and time to implement. Also, a continuous bike path within this Greenway is part of our vision. And recognizing the significant funding and time to implement the bike path in this corridor we would like to support a comprehensive bike and trail network in this corridor. The goals of this network should include:

• Making it easier and safer to ride within and between the neighborhoods of the Arroyo Seco
• Creating a secure, well-lit, year-round bike route for commuters
• Making it safer and easier to ride local parks, museums, libraries, and recreation centers
• Making it safer and easier for youth to ride to and from school and local youth and recreation centers
• Making it safer and easier to bicycle to run errands and shop at local businesses
• Making it safer and easier fro bicyclist to access the Gold Line
• Connecting the Arroyo Seco with other distant locations such as Griffith Park, the Valley and Downtown LA and beyond.

 

We have chosen to limit our comments to the area within the Arroyo Seco Corridor, however many comments may also apply to other areas on the plan. Our comments are based on the on site use and familiarity with the many streets and facilities within our community. We have also reviewed and integrated the results of two major studies on bicycle circulation needs. These two studies include the NE Linkages Study conducted Huit-Zollars for First Council District, Councilmember Ed P. Reyes conducted in 2004 – 2005, and Connecting Communities: Improving Cycling with the Arroyo Seco Corridor report by Marcus Renner and Claudine Chen, June 2005. Copies of these reports had limited distribution. If you or your staff should require we can provide you with digital copies

 

General Comments on the Bikeway Network Map

• The map would be more informative to users if locations other potential destinations including museums, theatres, art galleries, or other cultural destinations would be added
• Also include symbols and locations for post offices and libraries
• It would be helpful to identify the name of large regional parks
• Show entry/ access locations for off street Bike Paths
• Assure continuity of the bikeways – connect gaps between ends of all bike paths, lanes, and routes.
• At a minimum, there should be bike routes (shared routes) connecting ends of bike paths and lanes
• Bicycle Lanes indicated as “Proposed But Currently Infeasible” should either be indicated as Proposed Bike Routes or have dual notation. These PCI routes are needed for connectivity and continuity.

 
 

Specific Comments:

• Add new public parks not shown on map:
• Rio de Los Angeles Park (formerly Taylor Yard)
• Los Angeles State Historic Park (formerly Corn Fields Rail yard)
• Show entry locations to access large (regional) scale parklands, including:
• Ernest E. Debs (Debs) Regional Park
• Rio de Los Angeles (formerly Taylor Yard)
• Los Angeles State Historic Park (formerly Corn Fields Rail yard)
• Elysian Park
• Griffith Park
• Add these significant destinations in the Arroyo Corridor
• Southwest Museum
• Lummis Home
• Heritage Square Museum
• Los Angeles River Center and Gardens

 

Map Omissions, Errors 

• Pasadena Freeway is indicated as US 101 should be SR 110
• Show new Parklands
• Rio de Los Angeles Park (formerly Taylor Yard)
• Los Angeles State Historic Park (formerly Corn Fields Rail yard)
• Los Angeles River Center & Gardens
• Show both the existing and proposed Arroyo Seco Bike Paths in proper location – should be on east side of channel (this is critical since all access is from east.)
• Show northern terminus of Existing Arroyo Seco Bike Path (in channel) as being south of York Blvd/Pasadena Ave. Access is through parking area in Arroyo Park west of Arroyo Verde (in South Pasadena)
• Show southern terminus of exiting Arroyo Seco Bike Path (along channel) as extending southerly to the parking area at the south end of the Montecito Hills Recreation Center
• Show existing bridges over Arroyo Seco channel
• York Blvd.
• Ave 60
• Ave 57
• Ave 52
• Pedestrian Bridge to Sycamore Grove Park
• Ave 43
• Pedestrian Bridge linking Ave 33 to Cypress Ave
• Ave 26
• San Fernando Road
• Ave 19
• Show proposed new or upgraded bridges over Arroyo Seco channel with a the Proposed Bridge symbol
• New pedestrian/ bicycle bridge to better link Sycamore Grove Park, Ramona Hall and Southwest Museum to the Montecito Recreation and Senior Centers and Debs Park/Audubon Center entrance. This bridges is located southerly of the existing pedestrian bridge and is shown in the Huit- Zollars, NE Linkages Study
• Upgrade of existing pedestrian bridge to a pedestrian and bikeway bridge connecting Cypress Ave 33 and Ave 33. Also shown in the Huit- Zollars, NE Linkages Study
• Proposed new or upgraded bridges over Los Angeles River should be shown with the Proposed Bridge symbol
• New bridge leading to Rio de Los Angeles Park (formerly Taylor Yard)
• Upgrade of Riverside Drive Bridge (current bridge is not biking friendly)
• Upgrade of Spring Street Bridge (current bridge is not biking friendly)

Los Angeles River to Ave 35 / Pasadena Avenue / Marmion Way:

 

Improve connections between Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, and Cypress Park as follows:

• Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route (shared roadway) along Figueroa St. from Cypress Ave to Marmion Way
• Presently shown as Proposed but Currently Infeasible
• This is vital to connect existing bike lanes on Cypress Ave. to Figueroa Street and Marmion Way corridors.
• Needed to connect southerly to proposed bike route to connect to L A River Bike Path and proposed bike lanes in Ave 19
• Add Proposed Bike Route (shared roadway) on Figueroa St. from Cypress Ave. to Ave 19.
• Needed to connect southerly to proposed bike route to connect to L A River Bike Path and proposed bike lanes in Ave 19
• Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route along Marmion Way from Figueroa St northerly to Ave 45
• Needed to connect to existing bike route on Marmion Way northerly of Ave 45.
• Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route along Pasadena Ave. from Figueroa St to Arroyo/ Heritage Square Gold Line Station
• Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
• Needed to connect to proposed bike routes on Marmion Way and Figueroa St.
• Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route on Marmion Way from Figueroa St northerly to Ave 45
• Needed for connectivity/ continuity
• Extend Proposed Bike Route along Humboldt St. from Ave 26 northerly to Ave 33 and continue Bike Route to link to Proposed Bike Route along Pasadena Ave
• Needed to allow cyclist to avoid traffic congestion on Pasadena Ave near the Five Points area (Ave 26)
• Consistent with draft Corn Fields / Arroyo Seco Specific Plan, which designates Ave 33 and Humboldt St. as Shared Street Spaces on Local Modified Streets
• Need to add At-Grade Crossing Improvement at intersection of Ave 26 and Humboldt St.

 

Griffin Avenue Corridor: 

• Extend Bike Route or Bike Lanes along Griffin Ave and Ave 52 northerly of Ave 43
• Provides access to Audubon Center at Debs Park and Debs Park
• Provides connectivity to existing Bike Paths along and in Arroyo Seco Channel
• Provides connectivity via existing pedestrian and future bridge to Sycamore Grove Park, Southwest Museum, and Gold Line Southwest Museum Station
• Provides access to Highland Park
• Add Bike Route along Ave 52 to Longfellow St, along Longfellow St. to Ave 54, and along Ave 54 to Figueroa Street
• Provides access to Highland Park community, businesses, library, post office, recreation center

Monterey Road Corridor:

 

• Add Proposed Bike Route (Shared Roadway) northerly along Monterey Road from existing Proposed Bike Route to Ave 60
• Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
• Needed for connectivity on north-south access
• Provides access to Debs Park main entrance
• Provides connectivity to routes extending to Cities of South Pasadena and Pasadena
• Add Proposed Bike Route (Shared Roadway) along Ave 60 from Monterey Rd to Figueroa St. and from Monterey Rd to Collis Ave.
• Needed for East West connectivity
• Connects to Proposed Bike Lanes along Collis Ave. (there should be no disconnect at city boundaries)

 

Mission Street Corridor:

• Continue Bike Lanes or Route along N. Mission St. south of Huntington Dr.
• Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
• Needed to connect North Broadway Bike Route to Bike Lanes proposed on Huntington Dr. South.

 

Figueroa St. Corridor:

• Continue Bike Lanes or Route (Shared Roadway) along Figueroa St. north of Marmion Way for the entire corridor to Eagle Rock Community Center
• Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
• Needed for connectivity
• Provides access to local business districts and schools

 

York Blvd. Corridor:

• Continue Bike Lanes or Route (Shared Roadway) along York Blvd. East of Figueroa St to Pasadena Ave.
• Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
• Needed for connectivity
• Provides access to Arroyo Seco Bike Path
• Provides access to bike routes in Cities of South Pasadena and Pasadena.
• Continue Bike Lanes or Route along San Pasqual Ave to Arroyo Blvd (in South Pasadena)
• Needed for connectivity
• Provides access to bike routes in Cities of South Pasadena and Pasadena

 

Cypress Avenue Corridor: 

• Add Proposed Bike Route along either Macon or Future St. to connect with Entrance to Rio de Los Angeles Park

 

Division St. Corridor: 

• Add Proposed Bike Route along El Paso Dr. from Cleland Ave to Ave 50
• Needed for connectivity

 

 

Our community stakeholders appreciate the openness of this planning process and look forward to the additional public hearings and workshops in working towards the entire Bicycle Plan. Thank you for allowing us to submit these comments and for their inclusion in your planning process. 

If additional information is needed, please contact me at jerryspe9@sbcglobal.net . 

Sincerely, 
 
 

Jerry Schneider, Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council Board member, Environment