L.A. County Bicycle Coalition Calls For Bikeway Along PCH

Following the death of a bicyclist in Malibu over the weekend, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition called for safety improvements, including a dedicated bikeway, along Pacific Coast Highway.

The nonprofit issued the statement Monday, two days after the death of a 36-year-old Cypress Park woman, whose name was being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. 

"Pacific Coast Highway is a notoriously dangerous street for all travelers, and particularly challenging for people on bicycles. Outdated road design, inconsistent shoulders, and high motor vehicle speeds are a perilous combination for people walking or riding along the highway," the statement read.

"PCH is Malibu’s main street, yet it was built to rural highway standards that provide first and foremost for the fast movement of vehicles over local access to residences, businesses, and beaches. Bicyclists face increased risks when navigating such a complex traffic environment."

LACBC has been working with the City of Malibu, Caltrans and other agencies since the 2005 death of Scott Bleifer and Stanislav Ionov on PCH.

"Education, enforcement, and engineering strategies must be used in concert to reduce collision rates," according to LACBC.

The nonprofit praised the City of Malibu's recent efforts, especially its Pacific Coast Highway Safety Study through a $375,000 grant from Caltrans. The City is also currently working toward the design of a bike lane project running two miles from Busch Drive to Trancas Canyon Road.

"The California coast is a shared treasure, with access guaranteed by the California Coastal Act and our State’s Constitution. LACBC calls on all jurisdictions to cooperate in providing a safe, continuous bikeway along the Pacific Coast Highway so that all people can enjoy its scenic beauty. We must work together to improve safety in the short term while moving toward a more balanced PCH that better serves residents and visitors in the future."