SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica has begun to develop a bike action plan with goals and strategies to ensure bicycle usage, safety and awareness.

Earlier this year, city officials also drafted a policy for bicycle usage in the City’s Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), where it is stressed that “ifSanta Monica motorists took the bus, rode their bikes or worked at home just two days a month, we do away with [traffic] congestion.” The bike action plan drafted next year will include the goals and policies from LUCE.

The City of Santa Monica has also launched a section in its website where it urges people to use bicycles as a means of transportation and exercise. Equipped with a map showing the bike routes in the city, the website also lists several “biking rules, etiquette and safety” guidelines for cyclists.

A bicycle action plan community meeting will take place Monday, December 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium’s East Wing. A wide range of topics will be discussed, from school access, education programs, bike parking facilities and beach access. Public survey and input from the meeting will be taken into consideration when drafting a bike action plan early next year.

The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium’s East Wing is located at 1855 Main St. Additional bike parking will be available, according to the official flyer. For questions, people are urged to contact Michelle Glickert at 310- 458-2204begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              310- 458-2204      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

People interested in voicing out their opinions on the matter can visit smgov.net/bikesm in the near future for the survey on bicycle safety and improvements.