Commentary: Safety on local roads is responsibility of City

By Al Austin
Long Beach councilmember
Eighth district

The concept of bike lanes in our community is not new. City planners have been adding bike lane infrastructure to streets for decades.

Long Beach has sought to become the most bike-friendly city in the country. It has done so by identifying resources to provide infrastructure that connects residents across our city.

Even before I took office more than two years ago, this was a topic that was being discussed with residents in my district. A number of community meetings were held to discuss a safer bicycle route along Pacific Avenue and San Antonio Drive as part of a north-south network of bike lanes connecting downtown Long Beach to Uptown. Scores of community members have provided input on the issue over the last two years. In my view, it all boils down to creating safer and more sustainable neighborhoods.

We need to be forward-thinking. If we lay down the infrastructure, we will encourage people to use bikes instead of cars. This has a myriad of positive side effects. 

Safer access for kids to get to and from our local schools may lead to a reduction in the number of parents who feel it necessary to drive their children to school, which would in turn reduce traffic congestion around our schools, something that I hear regularly about from my constituents. Long Beach residents riding their bikes and walking instead of driving will reap the health benefits of a more active lifestyle, while also providing environmental benefits. 

The merits of this bike-lane project far outweigh the arguments that I have heard against it.

Our city’s traffic engineers have worked diligently on this plan for several years. It will calm traffic, reduce congestion and make getting around our neighborhoods safer.
The City of Long Beach has a responsibility to keeps its residents safe. That includes people in cars, people on bikes and people on foot. The proposed bike-lane project that includes Pacific Avenue and San Antonio Drive is a responsible and forward-thinking project.

Al Austin is the city councilmember representing the 8th district of Long Beach. His office can be reached at (562) 570-1326.