Southern California’s First Separated Bicycle Lanes Open in Long Beach

An inaugural ceremony was held on April 23 in Long Beach to celebrate the opening of bike lanes.  According to The Daily 49er—student publication of California State Long Beach—the new bike lanes will cover a three mile stretch downtown on Broadway and Third Street.

The ceremony celebrated the increase in local bicycle safety and gave local cyclists a chance to mingle and enjoy an inaugural ride-along.  Among the group was Long Beach’s oldest cyclist, Octavio Orduño, who at 103 years old rides his tricycle around the streets near his Long Beach condominium.

The new paths mark a milestone as they are the first separated bike lanes in Southern California.

“Long Beach is setting the pace for other urban built-out cities with its willingness to prioritize cyclists and pedestrians,” Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal told a Daily 49er reporter.

Other activities at the ceremony included a scavenger hunt in businesses along the new bike lanes and a film screening of “Riding Bikes with the Dutch” by Michael Bauch.