(File Photo – activeSGV)
Safe Streets for SGV has announced a community bike ride from Alhambra City Hall, around Fremont Elementary School and to South Pasadena.
By Michael Lawrence
Join a Bike Rally to raise awareness about crucial safety issues and connectivity challenges in our neighboring cities. Join your neighbors for an 11-mile bike ride on February 11th at 9:30 am* in front of Alhambra City Hall, 111 South 1st Street, Alhambra.
Alhambra does not have a bike network. Traveling to South Pasadena and Pasadena without a bike network is unsafe. There is some hope that will soon change.
A two-thirds majority of L.A. County voters approved the Measure R half-cent sales tax in 2008 to finance new transportation projects and programs, and accelerate those already in the pipeline.
Alhambra will soon approve a Bike and Pedestrian Plan that will use some Measure R funding. The plan has been applauded by members of the community but has come under criticism for not fully funding the plan for full implementation. Many speakers at the January 8, 2024, City Council meeting expressed doubt that depending on grant funding that is very competitive, the plan will be doomed and result in an incomplete network that does not make for safe mobility. They also voiced opposition for using the $100 million of Measure R funding to expand the offramps on Fremont. Many feared that expanding the Fremont offramps would increase the amount of vehicle traffic and pollution along the Fremont corridor. Fremont Elementary School is situated on the northbound offramp from the 10 Freeway.
Chart by Metro
Bringing more traffic and pollution to Alhambra makes no sense
For many residents, spending money to bring more traffic and pollution to Alhambra makes no sense. As one resident said at the hearing, “We can spend that $100 million to make our streets safer, improve our transit mobility and give pedestrians better options for walking.”
Pasadena had reallocated as much as $200 million of their Measure R funding from freeway and road projects to their safer street programs. In contrast, Alhambra has set aside only $14 million. It would require about $60 million to complete the proposed Bike and Pedestrian Plan.
The Alhambra City Council will need to approve the Bike and Pedestrian Plan and then consider reallocation of Measure R funding that is now set aside for freeway construction projects. It is a serious matter for the council to consider. Will the money be spent on car infrastructure or the safety of the residents? Councilman Jeff Maloney when addressing the question of reallocation of the Fremont funds said, “But absolutely all those funds are on the table.”
Community Bike Ride February 11, 2024* 9:30 am Location In front of Alhambra City Hall 111 S 1st St. Alhambra, CA 91801
*Due to the looming rainstorm, the ride has been rescheduled for Feb. 11 at 9:30 am.
Leave a Reply