BEACH PATH REVIEW

RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON A RIDE ALONG THE BEACH PATH FROM BEACH BLVD TO SEAPOINT.

On Thursday, May 17^th, I took a little tour down our Huntington Beach multiuse beach path with a couple of other bicycle advocates.  We noticed several things that need fixing.  Below are my recommendations for improved safety for all users, both pedestrians, bicyclists, handicapped, elderly etc.  What are your thoughts on this subject?

1)    For improved safety for all users, Center stripe the entire HB beach path (south of the pier) and side stripe 100% of the path.

2)    For improved safety, stencil a “stop” in the asphalt in all entrance/exits for pedestrians/bicyclists to and from the path from parking lots.

3)    For improved safety, widen the beach path from the current minimum 8’ to 12’ to better accommodate the heavy weekend summertime users: bicyclists, walkers with dogs and baby carriages, roller bladers, skateboarders and peddle carts and handicapped walkers.

4)    For improved safety, minimize landscaped water from pooling on the path by lowering the grade of the grass abutting the path to allow for drainage. Pooling makes many riders and walkers detour into the opposite lane of traffic.

5)    For improved safety, add ‘missing’ berms adjacent to existing asphalt/ wooden berms to prevent erosion of sand onto the path. Like pooling, sand/debris makes many users cross into oncoming traffic.

6)    For improved safety of all users, widen the constricted ‘S’ turns on the path and stripe to better accommodate the heavy flow of weekend users

7)    Install straight stairway next to ADA ramp at intersection of Seapoint and the beach path to minimize walkers and surfers from using steep trail that is a source of heavy erosion of sand on the path.

8)    Stencil yield signs in lieu of stop stencils, where appropriate, at select intersections of the path.

Daniel Hazard,  Huntington Beach Bicycle Advocates