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BPAC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discuss Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Along Ballona Creek Bike Path; and (2) Make Recommendations for Improvements.
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Meeting Date: September 25, 2025
Contact: Lieutenant Chris Caraballo, Police Department
Alicia Ide, Public Works Department
Phone: (310) 253-6251
(310) 253-5618
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: E-Mail via GovDelivery (09/22/2025): Meetings and Agendas - Mobility Subcommittee; Notify Me - Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures; Stay Informed - Bicycle & Pedestrian / Culver CityBus / Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer
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RECOMMENDATION
BPAC members will open a discussion regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety along the Ballona Creek Bike Path and consider making recommendations to staff or City Council regarding possible improvements. Police Department and Public Works staff will be available to discuss options and answer questions.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Ballona Bike Path currently has no posted speed limit and limited signage regarding bike class restrictions. Police patrol the pathway but are limited in their ability to enforce restriction of particular activities. Members made consider the practice of other jurisdictions and ideas to promote safety.
Violation codes to consider:
• CVC 22350 - Basic Speed Law (used when speed is unsafe for conditions; common for situations endangering bicyclists).
• CVC 22349 - Maximum speed (used when exceeding posted limits).
• CVC 21209 - Driving a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane (used for lane-use/parking violations in bike lanes).
• Local municipal code section - for posted bike-path speed limits varies by jurisdiction; citation is to the local municipal code).
o This would require the City to create a municipal code and post speed limit signs along the Ballona Creek Bike Path.
How enforcement works:
• On streets/roadways: bicycles are treated as vehicles under California Vehicle Code 21200, so if a rider’s speed/operation creates a traffic violation it can be enforced under Vehicle Code provisions and police can issue citations.
• Where cities/parks post their own limits for sidewalks, malls, trails, parks, those posted limits are enforced under the city municipal code regulations (municipal ordinance). These are the actual provisions cited when writing a ticket for “exceeding posted bicycle speed” or “operating a bicycle at an unreasonable speed” in a non-vehicular right-of-way.
ATTACHMENTS
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