Exciting times for Active Transportation in the SGV! Phase 1 of the SGV Regional Bicycle Master Plan Initiative, which includes the Cities of Monterey Park, Baldwin Park, El Monte, South El Monte, and San Gabriel, is well underway, with a first draft set to be released at the end of this month, and a final version by September 2014.

With funding for the first phase of the project set to sunset prematurely at the same time, BikeSGV organizers have been hard at work identifying potential sources to continue and expand regional active transportation planning and implementation efforts in the SGV. To that end, the BikeSGV Board identified the SGV Regional Waterways Project and Phase 2 Regional Bike Plan as organizational priorities for 2014.  

Realizing an SGV Active Transportation Superhighway

Imagine our region had long stretches of unused right-of-way that could, with relative ease, be transformed into separated, protected bicycle and pedestrian ways. Imagine that these rights-of-ways spread across the valley and linked to an existing network of protected bicycle paths. Imagine that over 100 miles of such corridors existed in the San Gabriel Valley. Fortunately for residents of the SGV, this is our reality, our opportunity, and our vision for a safe, active transportation superhighway by 2025! 

‍Regional Collaboration: SGVCOG, BikeSGV, and more!

On Wednesday, April 9, BikeSGV Program Director Javier Hernandez joined Marisa Creter and Caitlin Sims of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and Claremont Council Member and SGVCOG Transportation Vice-Chair Sam Pedroza to present the SGV Waterways Project and Regional Bike Plan proposal to LA N’ Sync. 

A broad-based coalition that brings together LA's diverse academic, civic, nonprofit, business, and philanthropic sectors to pursue and win major funding opportunities, LA N' Sync solicited presentations from 8 active transportation projects from around LA County to consider for technical and funding assistance.

On Thursday afternoon, LA N'Sync representatives informed SGVCOG officials that the regional proposal had been selected for funding! The award will allow project organizers to hire a professional consultant to write the formal application to the CA Active Transportation Planning (ATP) program by May 21st, as well as provide supplementary funding down the road. Although all the specifics of the ambitious regional proposal have yet to be finalized, key components include the development of Pedestrian and Bike Master Plans for SGV Cities that currently do not have them (SGV Regional Plan Phase 2), design planning for SGV waterway paths, and funding for selected infrastructure projects such as a multi-use path along the San Jose Creek in the City of Pomona. 

The regional scope of this proposal drew the attention of LA N’ Sync representatives, who noted that the SGVCOG's partnership with BikeSGV on the proposal was a model for the Council of Governments in the realm of regional active transportation efforts. 

Stay tuned for updates!