Coronado City Council Sets Date to Vote on Beach Bike Path Study

Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningFestivalsNews

Residents express their opinions on the proposed beach bike path at Coronado.

News Summary

The Coronado City Council will vote on a study evaluating a proposed beach bike path. With a budget of $100,000, the initiative has faced scrutiny from residents. Councilmembers are questioning its benefits, while local opposition is mobilizing to advocate against the project. Residents are encouraged to voice their opinions ahead of the meeting, as the outcome of the vote could significantly affect beach access and local traffic patterns.

Coronado City Council to Vote on Beach Bike Path Study

Coronado, CA — The Coronado City Council is set to vote on September 1 regarding the future of a contentious study aimed at evaluating a proposed beach bike path. The study, which has a budget of up to $100,000, is facing scrutiny from community members who are opposed to the initiative.

Residents who wish to express their concerns about the beach bike path are encouraged to contact the Mayor and Councilmembers via email or letters ahead of the meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. at City Hall. Several residents have already voiced opposition, and these efforts reflect the growing unease regarding the bike path proposal.

Councilmembers Question Merits of Bike Path

During recent discussions, Councilmembers Bailey and Downey have openly questioned the benefits of the proposed bike path. Their stance appears to resonate with many residents who share their concerns about the project’s implications. Despite the pushback, the city has begun using part of the allocated $100,000 for the study, indicating an ongoing commitment to the initiative.

Study Progress and Data Collection

City engineer Jim Newton has been actively promoting the study in meetings held by the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC). However, some residents perceive this as a potential conflict of interest due to his role in the project. As part of the study, a consulting firm has been engaged to document vehicle, bike, and pedestrian counts along Ocean Avenue. This data collection, taking place throughout August, aims to highlight “safety challenges” in peak tourist periods, often referred to as “worst-case scenarios.”

The findings from this data will be presented to the California Coastal Commission, which traditionally supports public access projects. This raises concerns among some community voices that, should the Commission endorse the bike path, halting the project could become increasingly difficult.

Opposition Unites Against the Proposal

In response to the proposed bike path study, those advocating for the “Save Our Beach” initiative are actively forming networks and organizing efforts to counterbalance the study’s pro-bike path sentiment. A letter has circulatively urged residents to advocate against the continuation of the study and to press for a “no” vote from the City Council.

Next Steps for Residents

Residents interested in joining the “Save Our Beach” movement have been provided with contact information in the organized efforts to oppose the bike path initiative. As the September 1 meeting approaches, community members are mobilizing to make their voices heard in a matter that could significantly impact Coronado’s beach access and local traffic patterns.

The vote by the City Council will play a critical role in determining the future of the beach bike path study, as it becomes a pivotal moment for the differing viewpoints within the Coronado community. With a budget already in place and ongoing data collection, this initiative remains at the forefront of public discourse.