The following is a press release from the City of Santa Monica.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, the city will celebrate the completion of the newest addition to its protected bike network with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a morning full of free, family-friendly activities.
The celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. and goes until noon at the 17th St./SMC Metro E Line parking lot at 1610 Colorado Ave.
By improving bike and pedestrian safety and promoting sustainability to combat climate change, the completion of the Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project marks a crucial step towards advancing the city’s key strategic priority of fostering a Sustainable & Connected Community.
In line with this priority, the project builds upon foundational city initiatives rooted in deep community engagement and feedback including the adopted Bike Action Plan Amendment, Pedestrian Action Plan, the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo) Plan, and the city’s Land Use and Circulation Element.
“I’m thrilled to see such a robust, thoughtful and important multi-modal project come to completion,” Mayor Gleam Davis said. “By increasing separation from moving traffic and connecting neighborhoods, this project helps make walking and biking easier, encouraging sustainable practices that lead to healthier communities.”
The Dec. 2 event will feature music, performances and workshops, including:
- Santa Monica High School marching band
- LA Jugglers performing with vintage bicycles
- Academia de Danza Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo
- Guided bike rides
- Free bike repair and tune ups from Santa Monica College Bike Maintenance Class
- Helmet decorating with Santa Monica Spoke
- Bike basket and accessories workshop with reDiscover Center
- Remarks from Mayor Gleam Davis, Police Chief Ramon Batista, and Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta
- Remarks from Cynthia Rose of Santa Monica Spoke
- Free donuts, coffee and hot cocoa
An event schedule is available here.
In addition to promoting sustainability and multi-modal transportation, Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue advances the City’s commitment to a Clean and Safe Santa Monica, including the Vision Zero initiative, which is the goal of eliminating severe traffic injuries and deaths on city streets.
Project elements that promote safety include:
- A concrete curb protected bikeway
- Increased lighting to better illuminate sidewalks and bike lanes
- Curb extensions and upgraded accessible curb ramps
- Freshly painted crossings to better define space for bicyclists and pedestrians and increase yielding compliance
- Protected intersections to reduce crossing distances, slow vehicles and turns, and facilitate left turns for bikes and scooters without needing to merge into traffic
- Curb extensions and new curb ramps at 14th and 15th Streets
- Mini traffic circles on 16th and 18th Streets, bringing a calm and predictable flow with landscaping and new trees
- Signal timing adjustments to give pedestrians a head start when crossing the street
- Additional projects upcoming and underway within the Sustainable & Connected Community priority include bike and pedestrian improvements on Stewart Street, 20th Street and Wilshire Boulevard.
“I want to thank our community for their patience during construction of these critical upgrades. Projects such as this make our streets safer and more inviting for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike, while fighting climate change by encouraging more people to bike, walk, and connect to transit,” Gupta said. “I look forward to continuing to advance the City Council’s ambitious agenda and working closely with community members to improve safety and the overall experience of getting around our vibrant city.”
