Council OKs New Bike Plan Committee

The Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved the formation of a Bicycle Master Plan Oversight Committee Tuesday to continue the city's focus on improving bike safety.

The committee takes the place of the Citizen's Bicycle Safety Committee which expired in January, and will help guide and promote public input for the city's development of its first Bicycle Master Plan. Councilman Tony Petros will serve as the committee's chairman and said the creation of the committee speaks to the city's commitment to bike safety.

"There is an interest in this issue and focus on this topic," Petros said in reference to the well-attended bike safety committee meetings.

Frank Peters, a former bike safety committee member, addressed the City Council and said the new committee comes at the right time with the six month anniversary of the cycling deaths of Sarah Leaf and Catherine "Kit" Campion-Ritz.

"I appreciate the effort to establish this new committee," Peters said.

City officials say the BMP, which would take about 12-18 months to develop, would promote cycling, improve bike facilities, create an education and outreach plan and balance the needs of all roadway users in Newport Beach.