County to Hold Bicycle Master Plan workshop in Castaic

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

Maria Gutzeit informed me of the happy news that Los Angeles County will host a bicycle master plan workshop in Castaic next week.

The bicycle master plan “seeks to encourage the use of bicycles as a general means of transportation, ensure the safety of bicycle users, and provide guidelines for the development, expansion, and implementation of the County’s bicycle infrastructure,” according to this website.

The meeting will be held February 23, 2010 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Castaic Regional Sports Complex. At the workshop, you’ll be able to hear what the plan is about and offer your own input about bicycling infrastructure in unincorporated Los Angeles County, which is all the yellow parts in the image below:

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I’m looking forward to this meeting. Having ridden all over this place we call home, I find the west side of town is more frightening than just about anywhere else. For starters, we only have two bike lanes in the area -one on Stevenson Ranch Parkway from Old Road to Pico Canyon, the other on Valencia Blvd into West Ridge- and the other streets in the area are very high traffic, narrow or poorly maintained.

It’s a testament to the City of Santa Clarita that riding is so good in much of the city, especially the east and north side of town. It may not enjoy full connectivity but it’s quite mature compared to the west side.

But this is a great first step for the County. Ultimately, I’d love to see Class II lanes lining north and southbound Old Road from Castaic to the Newhall Pass. That would go a long way to making the west side more rideable.

And if I’m really dreaming, it’d be so cool to have a bike path that runs from the mighty Pacific ocean along Highway 126 all the way to the City’s Class 1 path on Newhall Ranch Road.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

What about you? Do you live in Unincorporated SCV? What would it take for you to try bicycling to say, the market or the park, rather than drive your car?

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Comments (21)

BrianFebruary 18, 2010 at 4:09 pm

An ambulance to take me away after I pass out would be nice. Also a promise that nobody laughs at my 30+ year old 10 speed. It’s a Doi Torii Tourer from Japan.

cashFebruary 18, 2010 at 4:32 pm

Can’t afford to keep the roads paved. Spending money on bike lanes is absurd in this economy. City of LA announced today that 4000 employees will be laid off in July. Time to get real Jeff.

GeorgeFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:04 pm

Baving commuted by bicycle from time to time (Saugus-Copperhill/Haskell to Tourney Road and back) I know from experience we have a decent system of transportation for bicyclists. Although Bouquet Canyon is dicey in traffic between Newhall Ranch and Seco (Northbound), and from Seco all the way down southbound. The issue is mostly with elevations for the novice. Heading north in this town gives the leg muscles a workout.

GeorgeFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:04 pm

Oh, and that’s HAVING, not BAVING!!

justinp74February 18, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Cash, I dont understand how spending money on bike lanes is absurd given the cost is minimal. Sure there is some upfront cost to design and to stripe the road, but the upkeep is minimal after that. If it can be accomodated on an existing road and the road is being repaved anyway, why not accomodate bicyclists. The road is therefore being used for more than one purpose. Providing the bike lanes also increases safety for bicyclists who are more vulnerable to getting hit by vehicles without them. I think its absurd on the amount of money and maintenance spent on roads for just autos. The cost of accomodating bicycle lanes is negligble and much more cost effective than off-street bike paths.

cashFebruary 18, 2010 at 6:55 pm

74, we are broke, having more bike lanes is not something we can afford, minimal or not. We can’t even afford the basis necessities that government was intended to provide. I understand your point.

Jeff JohnsonFebruary 19, 2010 at 12:46 pm

Your right cash, much more cost effective to just have those that ride bikes potentially wiped out by an SUV. I sure as hell hope we aren’t “wasting” money on crosswalks either!

Jeff JohnsonFebruary 19, 2010 at 12:47 pm

Crap, should say “you’re” not “your” my bad.

Pauline HarteFebruary 19, 2010 at 2:23 pm

I would be totally afraid to ride a bike in this city. Because I was keeping back from a bike that would have been out of my way once the guy got accross the intersection, the lady behind me honked at me, and kept up the honking across the intersection! What was I supposed to do, pass the bike at an unsafe distance from him, or “better yet,” just run him down and keep going. What’s the big hurry, people blow up if they have to slow down for 30 fricken seconds, so it is too dangerous to ride a bike. This woman was just going to the market, she was behind me turning into Ralph’s. But she was damned mad that I slowed down so a bike could SAFELY share the road with cars.

Jeff JohnsonFebruary 19, 2010 at 2:31 pm

Hey Pauline! I can tell that those of us who bike appreciate those of you who do slow down to not kill us I’m sure part of the fact that you understand that courtesy is because you ride Motorcycles and appreciate the “share the road” message. It is a bit scary to ride around the city, our bike paths are great though compared to some areas, but we can still use more of them, mostly because so many drivers don’t bother to be safe.

GeorgeFebruary 19, 2010 at 4:12 pm

Well, according to one City Councilperson (who shall be nameless), the city isn’t broke and in fact is rather balanced for our time. I’m slightly paraphrasing this person but our fair city allegedly isn’t “broke”. Then again, I haven’t read any bank statements lately and I can’t balance a checkbook to save my life, so I have to go on this person’s word! Either way, in this economic climate I’m not sure proposing new bicycle-friendly streets in our unincorporated areas just to “try” and gain new bike commuters is the best use of dollars whether we actually have those dollars or not. Yes, we should DEFINITELY maintain what we have because for those of us who do bike, at least we feel a modicum of safety in getting from certain points A to points B. Could it be better? Perhaps. But before we spend a whole lot of money trying to reach potential converts, perhaps a less-expensive “bicycle rider awareness campaign” to raise safety issues for drivers with regard to bicyclists would be a good place to start WHILE we maintain our current paths and lanes until such time as the economic coffers strengthen across the board. I’m just sayin’…

spineflower2February 19, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Pretty tough to hold a week’s worth of groceries on my bike. Or a refilled propane tank. Or the clothes back form the cleaners. Or anything this weekend with the rain. Or myself for the 35 miles it takes to get to work. Without clustered or concentric city design, and nearby jobs commensurate with housing prices, bikes are a weekend recreational opportunity, not anything to actually live with.

Jeff JohnsonFebruary 20, 2010 at 9:25 am

Of course spineflower, and your situation is the only hallmark of whether or not this fits. Why if it doesn’t fit your specific circumstances (Which of course mimic those of everyone else) then it definitely shouldn’t be important, right?

GeorgeFebruary 20, 2010 at 10:43 am

I can see spineflower’s point though, Jeff (My doppelganger friend!). It takes energy, effort, a backpack with change of clothes and toiletries, and the willingness to brave the elements to become a bicycle commuter (Believe me, I know!). Bicycle safety awareness should be promoted as well as making sure our trails and pathways are properly maintained, but I feel it is naive to think that we can encourage bicycling as a mode of transportation for those who don’t already do so.

JeffFebruary 20, 2010 at 10:51 am

And yet, there is little to lose by painting two stripes along a road, right? That’s not much of an investment, and it might yield rewards.

GeorgeFebruary 20, 2010 at 12:24 pm

Where painting 2 lines is easy, sure. But where it requires widening roadways or enacting eminent domain, engineers, SCOPE lawsuits, City Council meetings (OY!), highway planning, etc. etc. and even more blogging is where it might get tricky. You know nothing is ever easy in this town! Slutty, yes! Easy, NEVER!

spineflower2February 20, 2010 at 1:19 pm

Don’t get your panties in a wad, Mr. Johnson. This thread was a poll, which is asking for personal replies. Get it? And besides, it is a fact that the average SoCal commuter spends half an hour or more driving, which is between 15 and 30 miles; it is more for a bedroom community like the SCV. I’m gonna go out on a limb here, and speculate that most people don’t want to ride a bike that far given our local weather which includes rain and 90 degree-plus days. Further stretching my speculative powers, I bet most people eat food, too; ergo the trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market. But if you think most SCV people work down the street from their home, and don’t eat, then I beg forgiveness.

Jeff JohnsonFebruary 20, 2010 at 4:22 pm

Boxer briefs actually… completely un-wadded BTW, and it seems that you apparently are the one that can’t take a little ribbing about an egocentric point of view. Again, I am firmly in favor of what Jeff is saying regarding painting bicycle lanes, I am not advocating millions for new widening, construction etc. I am saying that there is a usefulness to the bike lanes. Also Spineflower, I do ride my bike to pick up grocery items, I have a backpack I use to carry them. Do I do the months shopping this way? Nope. I never claimed that people would ditch their automobiles and only use their bikes for everything but how many times do people fire up the SUV to head to the store for half a dozen item that could be carried in a backpack?

Pauline HarteFebruary 22, 2010 at 2:44 pm

Jeff, yes, it can be hairy for motorcycles, too. It’s a jungle out there! Well, I will probably get totally trashed for suggesting this, but oh well. Maybe bikes can share the sidewalks with pedestrians? Sidewalks are so rarely used along busy streets, maybe bikes should be able to use them. I know, a goofy suggestion, but if anything is wasted in this city, it is sidewalks.

JeffFebruary 22, 2010 at 2:47 pm

You won’t get trashed Pauline For starters, along much of the Old Road and other parts of unincorporated SCV, there are no sidewalks. When there are sidewalks, they are largely narrow and have many obstacles like utility boxes, trees, etc. And yes, in some areas, people actually use them, like Stevenson Ranch & West Ridge. Besides, I think County law does not allow bikes on sidewalks. But thanks for the idea

Jeff JohnsonFebruary 22, 2010 at 3:51 pm

And I don’t discount the suggestion by George either that there could be more done to promote safe driving around bicyclists. That said I would definitely like to see some sort of bike friendly lane at least along the old road.

BrianFebruary 18, 2010 at 4:09 pm
An ambulance to take me away after I pass out would be nice. Also a promise that nobody laughs at my 30+ year old 10 speed. It’s a Doi Torii Tourer from Japan.
cashFebruary 18, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Can’t afford to keep the roads paved. Spending money on bike lanes is absurd in this economy. City of LA announced today that 4000 employees will be laid off in July. Time to get real Jeff.
GeorgeFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Baving commuted by bicycle from time to time (Saugus-Copperhill/Haskell to Tourney Road and back) I know from experience we have a decent system of transportation for bicyclists. Although Bouquet Canyon is dicey in traffic between Newhall Ranch and Seco (Northbound), and from Seco all the way down southbound. The issue is mostly with elevations for the novice. Heading north in this town gives the leg muscles a workout.
GeorgeFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Oh, and that’s HAVING, not BAVING!!
justinp74February 18, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Cash, I dont understand how spending money on bike lanes is absurd given the cost is minimal. Sure there is some upfront cost to design and to stripe the road, but the upkeep is minimal after that. If it can be accomodated on an existing road and the road is being repaved anyway, why not accomodate bicyclists. The road is therefore being used for more than one purpose. Providing the bike lanes also increases safety for bicyclists who are more vulnerable to getting hit by vehicles without them. I think its absurd on the amount of money and maintenance spent on roads for just autos. The cost of accomodating bicycle lanes is negligble and much more cost effective than off-street bike paths.
cashFebruary 18, 2010 at 6:55 pm
74, we are broke, having more bike lanes is not something we can afford, minimal or not. We can’t even afford the basis necessities that government was intended to provide. I understand your point.
Jeff JohnsonFebruary 19, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Your right cash, much more cost effective to just have those that ride bikes potentially wiped out by an SUV. I sure as hell hope we aren’t “wasting” money on crosswalks either!
Jeff JohnsonFebruary 19, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Crap, should say “you’re” not “your” my bad.
Pauline HarteFebruary 19, 2010 at 2:23 pm
I would be totally afraid to ride a bike in this city. Because I was keeping back from a bike that would have been out of my way once the guy got accross the intersection, the lady behind me honked at me, and kept up the honking across the intersection! What was I supposed to do, pass the bike at an unsafe distance from him, or “better yet,” just run him down and keep going. What’s the big hurry, people blow up if they have to slow down for 30 fricken seconds, so it is too dangerous to ride a bike. This woman was just going to the market, she was behind me turning into Ralph’s. But she was damned mad that I slowed down so a bike could SAFELY share the road with cars.
Jeff JohnsonFebruary 19, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Hey Pauline! I can tell that those of us who bike appreciate those of you who do slow down to not kill us I’m sure part of the fact that you understand that courtesy is because you ride Motorcycles and appreciate the “share the road” message. It is a bit scary to ride around the city, our bike paths are great though compared to some areas, but we can still use more of them, mostly because so many drivers don’t bother to be safe.
GeorgeFebruary 19, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Well, according to one City Councilperson (who shall be nameless), the city isn’t broke and in fact is rather balanced for our time. I’m slightly paraphrasing this person but our fair city allegedly isn’t “broke”. Then again, I haven’t read any bank statements lately and I can’t balance a checkbook to save my life, so I have to go on this person’s word! Either way, in this economic climate I’m not sure proposing new bicycle-friendly streets in our unincorporated areas just to “try” and gain new bike commuters is the best use of dollars whether we actually have those dollars or not. Yes, we should DEFINITELY maintain what we have because for those of us who do bike, at least we feel a modicum of safety in getting from certain points A to points B. Could it be better? Perhaps. But before we spend a whole lot of money trying to reach potential converts, perhaps a less-expensive “bicycle rider awareness campaign” to raise safety issues for drivers with regard to bicyclists would be a good place to start WHILE we maintain our current paths and lanes until such time as the economic coffers strengthen across the board. I’m just sayin’…
spineflower2February 19, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Pretty tough to hold a week’s worth of groceries on my bike. Or a refilled propane tank. Or the clothes back form the cleaners. Or anything this weekend with the rain. Or myself for the 35 miles it takes to get to work. Without clustered or concentric city design, and nearby jobs commensurate with housing prices, bikes are a weekend recreational opportunity, not anything to actually live with.
Jeff JohnsonFebruary 20, 2010 at 9:25 am
Of course spineflower, and your situation is the only hallmark of whether or not this fits. Why if it doesn’t fit your specific circumstances (Which of course mimic those of everyone else) then it definitely shouldn’t be important, right?
GeorgeFebruary 20, 2010 at 10:43 am
I can see spineflower’s point though, Jeff (My doppelganger friend!). It takes energy, effort, a backpack with change of clothes and toiletries, and the willingness to brave the elements to become a bicycle commuter (Believe me, I know!). Bicycle safety awareness should be promoted as well as making sure our trails and pathways are properly maintained, but I feel it is naive to think that we can encourage bicycling as a mode of transportation for those who don’t already do so.
JeffFebruary 20, 2010 at 10:51 am
And yet, there is little to lose by painting two stripes along a road, right? That’s not much of an investment, and it might yield rewards.
GeorgeFebruary 20, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Where painting 2 lines is easy, sure. But where it requires widening roadways or enacting eminent domain, engineers, SCOPE lawsuits, City Council meetings (OY!), highway planning, etc. etc. and even more blogging is where it might get tricky. You know nothing is ever easy in this town! Slutty, yes! Easy, NEVER!
spineflower2February 20, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Don’t get your panties in a wad, Mr. Johnson. This thread was a poll, which is asking for personal replies. Get it? And besides, it is a fact that the average SoCal commuter spends half an hour or more driving, which is between 15 and 30 miles; it is more for a bedroom community like the SCV. I’m gonna go out on a limb here, and speculate that most people don’t want to ride a bike that far given our local weather which includes rain and 90 degree-plus days. Further stretching my speculative powers, I bet most people eat food, too; ergo the trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market. But if you think most SCV people work down the street from their home, and don’t eat, then I beg forgiveness.
Jeff JohnsonFebruary 20, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Boxer briefs actually… completely un-wadded BTW, and it seems that you apparently are the one that can’t take a little ribbing about an egocentric point of view. Again, I am firmly in favor of what Jeff is saying regarding painting bicycle lanes, I am not advocating millions for new widening, construction etc. I am saying that there is a usefulness to the bike lanes. Also Spineflower, I do ride my bike to pick up grocery items, I have a backpack I use to carry them. Do I do the months shopping this way? Nope. I never claimed that people would ditch their automobiles and only use their bikes for everything but how many times do people fire up the SUV to head to the store for half a dozen item that could be carried in a backpack?
Pauline HarteFebruary 22, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Jeff, yes, it can be hairy for motorcycles, too. It’s a jungle out there! Well, I will probably get totally trashed for suggesting this, but oh well. Maybe bikes can share the sidewalks with pedestrians? Sidewalks are so rarely used along busy streets, maybe bikes should be able to use them. I know, a goofy suggestion, but if anything is wasted in this city, it is sidewalks.
JeffFebruary 22, 2010 at 2:47 pm
You won’t get trashed Pauline For starters, along much of the Old Road and other parts of unincorporated SCV, there are no sidewalks. When there are sidewalks, they are largely narrow and have many obstacles like utility boxes, trees, etc. And yes, in some areas, people actually use them, like Stevenson Ranch & West Ridge. Besides, I think County law does not allow bikes on sidewalks. But thanks for the idea
Jeff JohnsonFebruary 22, 2010 at 3:51 pm
And I don’t discount the suggestion by George either that there could be more done to promote safe driving around bicyclists. That said I would definitely like to see some sort of bike friendly lane at least along the old road.