Bicycle improvement funds approved
About $138,000 is slated to pay for bicycle improvements in Glendale following a City Council vote this week, symbolizing a small step forward as officials try to implement an ambitious $5.8-million Bicycle Transportation Plan approved more than a year ago.
The funding, which comes from a Los Angeles County grant, is set to primarily cover markings and signage along six Glendale street segments including Broadway between San Fernando Road and the easterly city limits and Honolulu Avenue between Pennsylvania and Orangedale avenues.
This is not the first time the City Council had green-lighted projects from the Bicycle Transportation Plan, but it was one of the least controversial. In the past, the plan and its components — including a proposal to shrink driving lanes on a segment of street to design bike lanes, which is currently stalled, and a solid-colored bike lane like the bright green one in downtown Los Angeles — have been scrutinized by opponents.
But this round of funding was packaged with other routine items, which were approved with no comments by the City Council, including Mayor Dave Weaver, who has spoken against parts of the plan previously.
Another round of funding came in September when the council approved $100,000 for installing bike route signs and pavement markings.
Of the nearly $138,000, roughly $56,000 is set to go to Fremont-based Chrisp Co. for managing the construction work, according to a city report.
Although the plan was approved by the council, individual projects must still get the council’s blessing.
The bicycle plan came after two years of community outreach. It includes about 100 miles of bike lanes, paths and routes — roughly five times more than what currently exist. About $2 million has been spent since 2004 on bike lanes, racks and street improvements near schools, according to the plan.
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