July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica City Council Embraces Bike Action Plan:

Santa Monica Council member Terry O’Day said the “Angel is in the details” when contemplating how the well-intentioned the Bike Action Plan will ultimately be executed over the course of the next five years.

Indeed, City Hall certainly hopes its ambitiously plotted strategy to get more people out of their cars and onto bicycles will angelically serve as a model for other municipalities to follow.

The City’s Bike Action Plan hopes to establish Santa Monica as a world-class bicycling community and inspire more bicycle use throughout California. Council members had their first look at the Plan as part of a study session at its Aug. 23 meeting and provided input to staff.

Ultimately, the Bike Action Plan, through joint execution with the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), will help integrate bicycling into the City’s core infrastructure and, ideally, reduce the number of car trips made within Santa Monica.

Accordingly, the Plan will help achieve the LUCE’s greater vision of “no new net trips” despite new development and a growing population.

The 300-some page plan, which is available for the public to view at City Hall, has both a five-year and 20-year vision.

“The community-based vision calls for livable neighborhoods and complete streets, and a policy of No Net New Evening Peak Period Trips for automobiles,” a staff report to council members stated. “The draft Bike Action plan identifies specific ways to get more people on bikes by creating better bikeways and programs that will bring out the fun in bicycling and make bicycling convenient and comfortable.”

City Hall’s Community and Strategic Planning Manager Francie Stefan said the Bike Action Plan is ultimately a “policy-guiding document.”

“It’s a thoughtful document … we can easily turn into implementation,” she told council members. “It’s getting people on bikes. All the LUCE ideas are folded into this document. It’s a policy document that helps guide decision-making of the entire city family.”

Council member Kevin McKeown stressed the need to implement the Bike Action Plan to foster more efficient traffic circulation in Santa Monica.

“The future is pretty clear. We can no longer depend on building our community on the remise that more vehicles are the way for more people to get around,” McKeown said. “We have to make our city more walkable and bicycleable.”

Despite the enthusiasm of council members and staff, some residents, while supportive, were a little more tempered about the execution of the Bike Action Plan.

“(The plan) goes a long way to making the city safer. It’s a well-thought out plan … but, unfortunately, it does not go far enough,” Michael Brodsky said, adding there are several quality of life issues, such as increased traffic and fossil fuels, confronting Santa Monica today and in the near future. “What is planned for five years is need now. What is planned for 20 years is necessary in five.”

Gary Cavanaugh warned against complacency, observing many cities have drafted ambitious plans to increase bicycle use yet have struggled in implementation.

With the Council’s study session complete, the plan returns to staff for revisions. Shortly thereafter, the revised plan will be considered again by the Planning Commission before heading to the council to be considered for final approval.

For additional details of the Bike Action Plan, click here.

Follow The Mirror on Twitter: twitter.com/SMMirror

Follow The Mirror on Facebook: facebook.com/SMMirror

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...