Citywide bike plan in the works

Adrianna DinolfoStaff Writer According to City Council member Kevin McKeown, the City Council is currently working to improve basic bike routes around the city, in order to make Santa Monica’s roads safer and more easily accessible to all bikers. In addition, the Council is also working on improving bicycle safety education, in accordince with LUCE (Land Use and Circulation Element), a city-wide plan intended to improve our neighborhoods, modify transportation, and increase the quality and quantity of housing in Santa Monica.LUCE went into effect in 2004, and has been a work in progress since then. Although the action plan is still in draft form, it works to improve basic routes around the city, in order to make the routes safer and more easily accessible to all bikers. In addition to this goal of physical improvement, City Council is also working on improving bicycle safety education."At the same time, we'll do bicycle and vehicle safety education.  To have safe, shared streets, bicyclists have to understand the rules, and motorists need to accept that bicyclists belong on the road," City Council member Kevin McKeown said.With a school community so active in improving the environment while simultaneously promoting bike safety and knowledge, sophmore Caitlin Kerwin believes that it is important Samo is aware of the changes and improvements being made directly in our community."In the times I've biked to school," Kerwin said, "I've come across problems with traffic and general congestion of the road. I believe a new bike plan will alleviate a lot of the issues between the bike community and drivers. I'm so excited!"The plans will be executed within the next 5 years, primarily beginning this summer.adinolfo@thesamohi.com