City Slows Path Users Near Pier

Laura Schmuck, who rides her bike along the beach three or four times a week, concedes that the city’s new speed limit on the pathway near the pier may be inconvenient sometimes, but she’s generally in favor of it.

“I’ve almost been run over by faster bikes,” said Schmuck, 47, of Huntington Beach. “There are a lot of fast bicyclists, and on weekends you have beach-goers, and it’s difficult to dodge them.”

An ordinance adopted by the City Council this week allows officials to enforce a speed limit of 2.5 mph--a leisurely walking pace--when the area near the pier is crowded. The rule applies to cyclists, skaters, skateboarders, even runners.

Marine Safety Capt. Steve Seim said the flashing yellow lights already in place between Huntington and 6th streets will be turned on to notify beach-goers when the speed limit is in force, and new signs will be posted to spell out the rules.

Seim said the new speed limit will be applied on busy beach days and during special events such as a surfing contest.

“The idea is to slow everyone down,” Seim said. “When you have people on wheels going 15 mph, you’re asking for accidents, and that’s what we’re trying to prevent.”

In 1995, there were 38 bicycle-related accidents along the pathway, officials said, and there have been three so far this year.

When the lights are not flashing, Seim said, wheeled traffic will be allowed to travel 10 mph when no pedestrians are out and 5 mph when people are strolling.

Though cyclists will have to get off their bikes and skaters will have to put on the brakes when the warning lights are flashing, many of them say they support the policy.

Wearing a pair of new in-line skates, Fullerton resident Joe Duncan, 28, said Thursday, “I’m for safety first. There are too many crazies down here.”

People who violate the 2.5-mph speed limit risk getting a citation, though officers will first “attempt to get voluntary compliance,” Police Lt. Jon Arnold said.

Don Boop, 32, said he isn’t too keen about the new law. “It’s going to make it a hassle,” said the Huntington Beach resident, who frequently bikes along the pathway.

“But I guess I’ll have to slow down and watch for tickets.”