Transportation Department to Report Updates to City’s Bicycle Transportation Action Plan

Pasadena’s Department of Transportation will provide an update of the city’s  Bicycle Transportation Action Plan (BTAP) during a meeting Tuesday of the City Council’s Municipal Services Committee. 

The plan, initiated in 2015 as part of the General Plan Update, is aimed at making Pasadena more bicycle-friendly and fostering sustainable transportation options.

One of the recent achievements, a preliminary report showed, is the recent opening of the Union Street Two-Way Protected Bikeway, a dedicated cycling lane stretching from Hill Avenue to Arroyo Parkway. In September, the city opened the Bikeway to provide a safe and accessible space for cyclists of all ages and abilities. The Transportation Department said the new Bikeway boosts access to local businesses and attractions throughout Pasadena.

The city has also completed Roseways, a network of roadways designed specifically for bicycle use due to their lower speeds and traffic volumes. The completed Rosways are Arroyo Blvd., Howard Street, Hammond Street, Claremont Street, Paloma Street, San Pasqual Street, Bellefontaine Street, Fillmore Street, Arden Road and Lombardy Road. Sign installations for these Roseways were wrapped up in 2020, making these routes safer for cyclists.

The Cordova Street Enhancement Project is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by December 2023. Cordova Street will be transformed into a “complete street” environment, according to the report, featuring buffered Class II bike lanes, bicycle detection, pedestrian ADA accessibility upgrades, and curb extensions to improve safety and accessibility.

Greenways, north-to-south streets in Pasadena where cyclists and motorists share the travel lane, have made progress too. The treatments chosen for Greenways include mini roundabouts, curb extensions, speed humps, speed tables, and traffic diversion techniques to enhance safety for all users. 

The Transportation Department said four north-south streets were recommended for Greenways: Craig Avenue, El Molino Avenue, Wilson Avenue, and Sierra Bonita Avenue, connecting the northern and southern parts of Pasadena.

To support these developments, the city secured $12 million of funding through the Metro Measure R Mobility Improvement Program. Additionally, Craig Avenue has secured state grant funding for a quick build traffic calming project and a permanent traffic signal at the Orange Grove/Craig intersection. 

For the Greenways project, the city anticipates executing funding agreements in Spring 2024, advertising and awarding design and outreach contracts in Summer 2024, and completing construction by FY 2028-2029.

These bicycle-friendly initiatives align with the All Ages and Abilities (AAA) design guidelines developed as a national and international best practice. The Transportation Department said it is implementing these guidelines where appropriate, plausible, and with community support, demonstrating the city’s commitment to fostering a bicycle-friendly environment.

Tuesday’s Municipal Services Committee meeting begins at 4 p.m. at the City Council Chamber at City Hall.