In 2009, the City of Long Beach was awarded funding from Caltrans to develop a Metro Blue Line Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Plan to assess and recommend infrastructure and safety improvements to increase bicycling and walking to all of the Metro Blue Line Stations serving Long Beach. The plan that is being developed is focusing on a half-mile radius surrounding each station. The streets and adjacent land uses surrounding each Metro Blue Line Station are being studied and specific plans are being developed to improve the safety and accessibility of the bicycling and walking environment. The result will be concept access plans of prioritized physical infrastructure and safety improvements designed to increase bicycling and walking to the stations.

The first step in this project was taken in Dec. 2009 when “Neighborhood Station Access Audits” were conducted with the help of dozens of volunteers.  Pedestrian and bicycle routes and opportunities in all directions were evaluated. Safety, lighting, intersection details, sidewalks, streetscapes and signage were analyzed on approaches to transit as well as conditions at the stations sites themselves.  Photos from the audits can be viewed here and here.  You can also read a volunteer & LB Post columnist's perspective on her experience conducting an audit here. 

Weren't able to make an audit?  Feel free to conduct a self-guided bike or walk audit by using the same materials that volunteers did in December 2009. 

Bike & Walk Audit Visual Toolkit - Review this prior to venturing out on your audit.
Bike & Walk Audit Route Maps - Capture your observations on the map as you walk or bike your route.
Bike Audit Worksheet - Complete this at the conclusion of your bike audit.
Walk Audit Worksheet - Complete this at the conclusion of your walk audit.

Throughout February and March 2010, representatives from the City attended multiple community meetings to share the results of the audits, prioritize the issues identified, and discuss potential solutions.  Not able to make a meeting?  Review a presentation of the findings here.

Now that final concept access plan maps have been completed, this summer (June - Aug. 2010), City representatives will be attending community meetings to discuss and acquire feedback on the final series of maps. To view the final series of maps by station, click on the following links:

Downtown Stations
Anaheim Station
Pacific Coast Highway Station
Willow Station
Wardlow Station
Del Amo Station

Have feedback? Email courtney.aguirre@longbeach.gov.

The only remaining step after these community meetings is a review of the Final Report. The entire project is intended to conclude at the end of 2010.