CALABASAS : Matching Funds in Doubt for Bike Path

The city of Calabasas may come up short in its effort to drum up regional support for a bike path that would parallel the Ventura Freeway from Thousand Oaks to Los Angeles.

In order to receive a $305,900 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to pay for the planning of the project, Calabasas must provide $85,000 in matching local funds.

Planners say the path would benefit all cities in the region by increasing safety for cyclists and encouraging both recreational and commuter cycling along the route.

But while the city and county of Los Angeles have agreed to chip in a combined $30,000 over two years to help pay for the path’s design, the city of Agoura Hills has declined to take part in the project, and Westlake Village may not either.

“The project has some merit,” said Raymond Taylor, the city manager of Westlake Village. “But the city already has a bike path, so we wouldn’t get a lot of benefit.”

He said the council’s decision to table the matter last week was an indication that there is not a lot of support for the project.

Project coordinator Mark Wessel, who also serves as traffic engineer for Calabasas, said it is up to the City Council to decide whether to move forward with plans for the bike path without additional financial support.

“We just have to evaluate where we stand now,” Wessel said. “We have to consider whether downsizing is an option . . . whether funding may be available elsewhere.”

The money will pay for a topographic survey, traffic analysis, environmental documentation and plans for the path. Funding for construction is not yet available.