HUNTINGTON BEACH : Bicyclists Complain About Road Hazards

Mayor Jim Silva on Tuesday said that at the request of the Orange County Bicycle Coalition, he is looking into ways to make Bolsa Chica Road safer for bike riders.

Coalition chairman Michael R. Mott recently wrote to Silva and the City Council, warning that part of Bolsa Chica Road near the McDonnell Douglas space plant is “very dangerous.” Mott said at least one bicycle rider has been killed because of the dangerous conditions there.

Silva said he is asking the city staff to investigate and report back to the City Council at its Dec. 7 meeting. “I’d like to see a bike trail created there, or some other way of making it safer,” he said.

In his letter to the council, Mott said: “Several cyclists commuting along this stretch (of Bolsa Chica Road) have mentioned this (safety) problem to the Orange County Bicycle Coalition. . . . The curb lane on both sides becomes quite narrow along this stretch. Motorists travel at a high rate of speed. In addition, there is an S-shaped curve.”

Mott said the coalition believes the city needs to place a caution sign on Bolsa Chica Road near Ranch Road. Mott said the city should also consider lowering the speed limit in that area and widening the outside curb lanes.

“We urge the city of Huntington Beach to improve the safety of Bolsa Chica Road in this area before another cyclist is seriously or fatally injured,” Mott wrote.

McDonnell Douglas is one of the city’s major employers, and Mott noted that many employees commute to and from work by bicycle.