Images courtesy of the City of Long Beach. 

Try out temporary, separated bike lanes during the Bixby Knolls First Fridays event on, you guessed it, Friday, July 1, from 6:30PM to 9:30PM. The two lanes, one on each side of Atlantic Avenue, will offer bicyclists a protected space to cruise up and down the art walk, as well as an opportunity to offer feedback on the experience as part of the city’s effort to update the Long Beach Bicycle Master Plan (Bike Plan).

“Long Beach continues to support alternative transportation and make our community more livable,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “This event provides a fun way for residents and visitors to kick off the summer and help shape an important initiative for our City.”

The separated bike lanes will run on Atlantic Avenue between Bixby Road and San Antonio Drive. Atlantic Avenue will remain open, with one lane closed in each direction, starting at noon this Friday, with all lanes to be reopened after the First Fridays event by midnight. The city urges those driving to the event to exercise caution as a high number of pedestrians and bicyclists are expected to participate.

“We are committed to improving our ‘Livability,’ which includes ‘Bikeability’ as well as ‘Swimability’ and ‘Walkability,’ to promote healthy active lifestyles and make Long Beach the best place to live, work, and play,” said City Manager Patrick West in a statement.

Bixby Knolls First Friday was chosen as the location for this demonstration project due to high attendance by residents from all over the city. According to the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA), it’s a unique opportunity to showcase the bicyclist-friendly treatment.

Below are the details for the evening, provided by the BKBIA:

• No parking will be allowed along the curbs, north- and south-bound lanes between San Antonio and Bixby Road from 10:00AM to midnight
• Temporary bike lane will be created by Public Works between noon and 4:00PM
• Parking IS allowed in lane #2 along the barrier line beginning at 4:00PM
• Traffic will flow north and south with one lane in each direction, one parking lane, and a temporary bike lane (near the curb).
• Electronic sign boards will be placed north and south of the pedestrian zone

A complimentary bike valet and free bike lights will be provided, while attendees will also be able to try out the new Long Beach Bike Share bicycles and sign up for memberships.

---

---

Separated bike lanes give a portion of a roadway exclusively to bicyclists by physically separating the lane from motor vehicle traffic, by a curb or another type of barrier. Friday participants are asked to comment on the ease of access, design and safety of the temporary installment.

The Bike Plan serves as the foundation for creating a more bicycle-friendly Long Beach and proposes an update to the 2001 document. The update includes new goals and objectives that implement added bike lanes, bike boulevards, bike facilities and new signage and bike racks throughout the city, according to the release. The planning process includes pop-up events, exhibits and workshops as a its outreach component.

For the latest news and more information on how to get involved with the Long Beach Bicycle Master Plan, visit the website here or Facebook page here. You can also follow the Bike Plan’s Twitter @BikeLongBeach. Take the Bike Plan survey here.