Want Safe Bike, Ped Lanes Near Pass Area Highways? Tell Caltrans

BANNING/BEAUMONT, CA — Imagine being able to bike ride or walk near Pass Area highways and freeways without the fear of death. The scenic stretch from the Pass Area to Hemet — or out to the desert — is an ideal ride, walk or run if it weren't so dangerous.

Arguably, it's failure of public policy that safe bike and/or pedestrian lanes were never properly constructed near the highways and freeways, but Caltrans District 8 is now looking for suggestions as part of its "Active Transportation Plan."

And it's not just the Ortega Highway. Caltrans District 8 is developing the Active Transportation Plan to identify bicycle and pedestrian improvements on and near the state highway system across all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The state highway system, generally owned and operated by Caltrans, is made up of urban freeways and rural highways. One of the goals of the district's Active Transportation Plan, according to Caltrans, is to improve conditions for all users, which includes cyclists and pedestrians.

Here's how you can participate: In May, a survey was launched by the district asking the public to weigh in on bike and pedestrian needs. Find the survey here.

There is no set survey deadline, but later this summer it's expected that the district will establish a schedule and determine the date when the survey results will be pulled, analyzed, and incorporated into a plan, according to Rena Tang, office chief for Caltrans District 8's modal planning programs.

The survey marks a first for District 8.

"This public map-based survey for bicycle and pedestrian needs has not been conducted in the past," Tang said.

Once the survey data has been digested, the info will directly inform the District 8 Caltrans Active Transportation Plan, according to Tang, but potential projects will also be based on many other factors, not the least of which is funding.

"There is no set budget or dollar amount at this time [for projects]," Tang explained. "However Caltrans (HQ) is working to establish Complete Streets Performance Targets & Funding to help address some of the bicycle and pedestrian needs through our State Highway Operations & Protection Program (SHOPP) funds.

"We acknowledge statewide that this funding amount will not be sufficient to fund all the needs and opportunities for active transportation improvements across our state highway systems in California," Tang continued. "However, it is a starting point and we are excited for that."

Safe bike/pedestrian lanes near Pass Area freeways and highways may seem like a pipe dream, but lack of public input is a surefire way to quell any hope.

Community comments are very important, according to Caltrans.

"Your feedback will help us complete the picture and understand why certain connections, locations, and corridors are important to the community and the opportunities and challenges associated with them," the agency said.

Take the 5-minute Caltrans District 8 survey here.