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Council backs Avenida Pico bike-lane concepts, including behind-McDonald’s option; staff to pursue grants
Summary
Council approved staff’s recommendation to pursue conceptual bicycle improvements for Avenida Pico, including an option to route a Class I separated path behind commercial lots (McDonald’s/Starbucks) and to seek grants such as SCAG and STBG for design and construction.
The City Council on May 20 reviewed conceptual designs for closing a key bike-network gap on Avenida Pico between I‑5 and Calle Frontera/Presidio. Staff presented three alternatives: an on-street Class II facility, and two alignments that route a separated Class I path behind commercial properties on the south side of Pico (behind McDonald’s/Starbucks and adjacent properties) using greenbelt or right-of-way along the flood channel.
Councilmembers supported the staff-preferred option that includes an alternate Class I behind the south-side businesses, but asked staff to study slope/stability, utility conflicts and access so the corridor can be built without compromising onsite drive-thru operations. Staff said the project would need right-of-way work, and recommended working with the Marblehead Inland HOA for access to the north-side greenbelt and pursuing grant funding; the city has already applied for a SCAG grant to support design.
Council voted unanimously to accept staff’s conceptual recommendations and to pursue funding and further design work. Council members urged pedestrian/bicycle safety treatments at the freeway-onramp crossing (large green hatching, flashing alerts and other standard Caltrans treatments) and noted the importance of minimizing conflict at vehicle driveways and restoring safe crossing points for school routes.
