To: PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
From: Department of Public Works
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF REDONDO BEACH’S SECTION OF THE COASTAL BIKE PATH AS PART OF US BIKE ROUTE 95
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Discuss and provide direction to staff to forward to the City Council regarding the letter of support to include Redondo Beach’s section of the existing Pacific Coast Bike Route as a designated part of USBR 95
The City has been contacted by representatives of the Adventure Cyclists Association (ACA) who are an organization of avid bicycling enthusiasts working with agencies throughout the nation to help coordinate development of the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBR). As part of the designation process, the states’ departments of transportation (DOTs) must compile support from local jurisdictions which are then submitted to AASHTO for consideration. City staff was contacted to assist in efforts to include Harbor Drive and Torrance Boulevard within the City limits, as part of the existing USBR, namely the Pacific Coast Bike Route (USBR 95). As part of the effort, Staff will be seeking Council authorization to submit a letter of support to Caltrans on behalf of the City.
BACKGROUND
The United States Bicycle Route System (USBRS) was established in 1978 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for the purpose of "facilitating travel between the states over routes which have been identified as being more suitable than others for cycling." The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) manages volunteers nationally, establishing local support through local state DOTs to pursue the USBRS route-designation process nationally for AASHTO. To date, nearly 14,000 miles of the USBR have been established in 29 states and Washington D.C. There will be over 50,000 miles of designated routes when completed. For the most part, these routes utilize existing right-of-way to connect urban, suburban, and rural areas using roads, trails, and other facilities appropriate for bicycle travel.
The ACA is working with Caltrans to designate five major bike routes in California. As the AASHTO-designated lead for the state of California, Caltrans leadership and involvement are necessary for official USBR route-designation in California. The proposed USBR 95 is an update and enhancement of the existing Pacific Coast Bike Route, running in California from border to border. This would include the Redondo Beach section of the route as part of the designation. The Redondo Beach section begins on Harbor Drive, from the northern City boundary at Herondo Avenue, continues southerly through the pier parking structure’s bicycle facility, transitions at the Torrance Circle and continues easterly on Torrance Boulevard to the City boundary, just east of Prospect Avenue. This designation connects the bike route between the neighboring Cities of Hermosa Beach and Torrance.
Several neighboring jurisdictions have provided letters of support including the cities of Torrance, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Carson, El Segundo, and the County of Los Angeles. The City of Hermosa Beach recently prepared a letter of support and Manhattan Beach’s section of the route was included within Los Angeles County’s letter for the USBRS.
Designation would likely benefit Redondo Beach and the region by increasing visibility and awareness of bicycle travel, encouraging ridership, and providing a wayfinding resource to facilitate bicycle tourism both between and within communities. Additionally, there are no financial nor additional capital improvement obligations resulting from the USBR 95 designation. The letter of support would reflect the City’s support for the designation and request Caltrans and AASHTO for final federal designation of the completed USBR.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Draft Letter of Support