Month: June 2019

In June a Community Advisory Committee was formed to provide input and support the development of a new plan to create an East/West multi-modal route across five cities: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, and Claremont. The effort is sponsored by Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and builds upon and incorporates the work from the “First Mile / Last Mile” plan recently developed by Metro. While the title includes “Arrow”, the plan will look at multiple alternatives to create the best East/West Route.
La Verne participants on the committee include representatives from city staff, University of La Verne, Damien High School, Bonita Unified School District, and the La Verne Bicycle Coalition. Additionally, each of the other cities is represented as well as the Fairplex and Cal Poly Pomona. The project timeline is aggressive and will include public workshops, online tools for input and a “Go Human” event to be held in San Dimas, modeling how the streets can be improved for all users. The target date for plan adoption is March 2020.
As Gold Line construction ramps up, so does the attention to creating better options for mobility across the region. La Verne is well positioned to participate and benefit from these efforts.

Wednesday, June 26, LVBC organized another Marshall Canyon Trail clean-up day, cleaning and improving the trail from Wheeler Avenue to Baseline. The focus was on creating a clear path free of hazards on the path between Wheeler and Baseline and gave the ramps/underpass below Foothill a good cleaning. With a good turnout, the crew was able to remove bags of debris, glass, nails, and litter leaving the path much safer and comfortable.
The next trail clean-up day is planned for September, more to come as the date draws closer.

La Verne continues to gain regional visibility as it ramps up efforts to become more bike and pedestrian friendly.  In the recent version of the SGV Connect podcast, La Verne City Council member Muir Davis is interviewed about the pending improvements, culture, future direction for active transportation in La Verne. The interview begins at approximately 25 minutes. However, the preceding interview is with the Metro representatives overseeing the first mile / last mile planning, which also will directly create improvement in La Verne.

https://la.streetsblog.org/2019/06/21/sgv-connect-43-first-milelast-mile-planning-for-the-gold-line-and-new-bike-infrastructure-in-la-verne/?fbclid=IwAR10uLTM61h7KmxqcsCbE0mJxlpKBfkQwBSUWpGuYznc4LOjgecRXXi8XU0

Through the last year, a group of consultants commissioned by the Gold Line Authority has been developing a “First Mile / Last Mile” plan for the areas surrounding the new Gold Line Stations. The intent is to develop plans and options that will encourage people to travel to/from the Gold Line stations comfortably, reducing the need for a vehicle. This reflects a much more evolved approach as some previous stations have opened without supporting plans and the cities are struggling to retrofit/encourage bicycling & pedestrian access to the stations.

Many members of the community (including La Verne Bicycle Coalition) provided input and review into the plan as it was developed. The final product provides a glimpse into how the Gold Line can dramatically change the City, including significant improvement for walking/biking. Some of the components are already in progress through the Bicycle Gap Closure Project (e.g. Bonita), and others will be integrated into the future Active Transportation Plan currently being developed by the City, projects and possible grants. The plan can be found here, (the La Verne section begins on Page 97): Gold Line Extension First Mile / Last Mile

La Verne continues to make progress as a City committed to active transportation. Several years ago the city conducted its first Active Transportation Workshop and subsequently formed an informal Active Transportation Advisory Group. In 2017, the city was one of the first in the region to adopt a Complete Streets Policy. In 2019, the city will implement approximately 14 miles of new bike lanes & pedestrian improvements as a result of a grant. Looking forward, the Gold Line will further encourage an environment that better balances mobility options.

On June 17, the city made active transportation a priority by approving the establishment of a new Active Transportation Committee. The committee will include two city staff (Public Works and LVPD), two City Council members, and five community members. Several members of the existing “advisory group” will be transitioned into the new committee (to ensure continuity), and the city will then seek interested members of the community to fill the balance of the positions.

La Verne has a long history of lagging other cities in the region for prioritizing active transportation. However, just as the region is changing La Verne is changing as well, possibly even faster. Step by step La Verne is moving to a leadership role within the region and forming one of the only dedicated active transportation committees in the region to assist with this change is another important step forward.

A summary of the Active Transportation scope and expectation can be found here: Active Transportation Committee Duties, Structure, and Membership