TITLE:
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ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRETT ATENCIO THOMAS, ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR, (714) 754-5275
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file the 2025 Active Transportation Committee Annual Report.
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BACKGROUND:
In January 2015, the City Council established the Active Transportation Committee (ATC) to continually evaluate the status of the City’s bikeway & pedestrian access while also promoting biking and walkability throughout the City. The composition of the committee is nine (9) members appointed by the City Council to serve two (2) year terms.
Since its formation, the ATC has played a pivotal role in the development of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the City, along with the execution of the City’s 2018 ATC and 2024 Pedestrian Master Plan.
ANALYSIS:
Throughout 2025, the Committee actively engaged in various activities, including the development of Committee Goals and Objectives, assistance in community events, and providing feedback on projects that enhance mobility within the City.
During the last year, the ATC has received presentations from City staff related to the following projects and has supported various accomplishments shown in Attachment 1 that improve mobility and safety for people walking and bicycling:
1. Safe Routes to School Action Plan
2. Placentia Avenue/Center Street Circulation and Mobility Improvements Project
3. Fairview Road (Fair Drive to Adams Avenue) Design Concept
4. Let’s Go Costa Mesa On-Demand Transit Update
5. Newport Boulevard/Fair Drive Intersection Improvements
The ATC recognizes the completion of the Adams Avenue and Pinecreek Drive intersection improvement project, which received awards from the following organizations:
1. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Orange County Chapter
2. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Los Angeles Section
3. Association of California Cities Orange County Chapter
The ATC is pleased to see the culture of cycling occur within the City through community-led events and recognition by the National League of American Bicyclists where the City was awarded the Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community. Community efforts to continue the culture of cycling within the City are demonstrated by the following activities:
1. ATC staff participated in community events such as Earth Day, SoCalCross Cyclocross race, City-led Bicycle Safety Rodeos, and the November World Day of Remembrance Bicycle Ride.
2. Creation of the College Park Elementary School Bike Bus in Fall 2025 by parents and youth.
3. Lillordag community bike rides that occur weekly on Wednesday nights originating at Lions Park.
4. Bicycle stores and businesses that host bike rides such as the “Inconvenience Store” rides.
Committee Goals and Objectives for 2026:
In October 2025, the ATC developed the following goals and objectives to guide future activities by the Committee over the next year:
1. Provide active transportation education and advocacy to stakeholders (Caltrans, OCTA, NMUSD), City, County, etc.). This will need identification of specific targets and a list or matrix of activities to be conducted.
2. Develop a process for tracking progress of and updating the Active Transportation Plan within the Circulation Element. The outcome would be a list of activities, list of deliverables (e.g., recommendations to City Council) and a complementary schedule.
3. Work with staff to develop a frequency and content of reporting on pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle involved collisions (e.g., raw numbers) that will be included in the Annual Report to Council.
The ATC met in March and identified the following challenges to improving safety for people walking and cycling:
1. Increased use of Multi-modal Transportation - placed a higher demand for more active transportation infrastructure, enforcement, staff and public awareness of municipal code.
2. Pace of Progress - increased efforts are needed to achieve the ATP goals of 10% bicycling and 20% walking mode split within the existing budget constraints.
3. Project Management - existing transportation staff are assigned to various duties and additional project management staff could help reduce the backlog of projects.
4. Vehicles & Road Hazards - excessive speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence remain hazards that create risk for people walking and bicycling.
The ATC will continue to pursue the outlined goals and objectives for 2026 and work with City Council, staff and community partners to address the identified challenges.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is administrative in nature.
FISCAL REVIEW:
Funding for Active Transportation Committee activities is currently supported in the Public Works Transportation Services Division and has no fiscal impact on the FY 2025-26 budget.
LEGAL REVIEW:
There is no legal review required for this report.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goals:
• Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life.
• Maintain and enhance the City’s facilities, equipment, and technology.
• Advance environmental sustainability and climate resiliency.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file the Active Transportation Committee Annual Report.