SR-303-001-02 (2)
f:\atty\muni\strpts\mjm\bikesinpalpark.doc
City Council Meeting 7-27-04 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.12.540 to
Prohibit Bicycle Riding in Palisades Park
Introduction
The attached, proposed ordinance would prohibit bicycling in Palisades Park. Bicyclists
can continue to use the bike lane on Ocean Avenue, which stretches along the whole
length of Palisades Park. The attached, proposed ordinance is presented to the City
Council for first reading.
Background
The pathways in Palisades Park are long and narrow and heavily used by walkers and
joggers. Indeed, they are at least as heavily used as nearby sidewalks. Allowing
bicyclists to use the pathways creates conflict with walkers and joggers and potential
safety hazards. The Community and Cultural Services Department reports that it has
received complaints about this from park users.
Discussion
The attached, proposed ordinance amends Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
3.12.540 to prohibit bicycling in Palisades Park. However, bicyclists are allowed and
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encouraged to use the bike lane on Ocean Avenue. Signage will be posted in the park
advising bicyclists of the new restriction.
Financial/Budget Impact
There are no financial or budget impacts anticipated with the passage of the proposed
ordinance
Recommendation
It is respectfully recommended that the accompanying ordinance be introduced for first
reading.
PREPARED BY: Barbara Stinchfield, Director of Community and Cultural
Services
Elaine Polachek, Open Space Manager
ATTACHMENT: Proposed Ordinance
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f:\atty\muni\laws\mjm\bikesinpalpark-1.doc
City Council Meeting 7-27-04 Santa Monica, California
ORDINANCE NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA AMENDING SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
3.12.540 TO PROHIBIT BICYCLE RIDING IN PALISADES PARK
WHEREAS, Palisades Park, which stretches along the top of the Santa Monica Bluffs,
is long and narrow; and
WHEREAS, the pathways of Palisades Park are heavily used by walkers and joggers
and cannot safely accommodate bicycle traffic; and
WHEREAS, a bike lane runs along Ocean Avenue adjacent to the whole length of the
park; and
WHEREAS, bicyclists may use the bike lane in lieu of the pathways in Palisades Park;
and
WHEREAS, to protect safety and the free flow of pedestrian traffic in the park, the City
Council wishes to prohibit bicycling in Palisades Park and encourage bicyclists to use
the bike lane on Ocean Avenue,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
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SECTION 1. Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.12.540 is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Section 3.12.540 Bicycle riding or coasting
restricted.
(a) It shall be unlawful to ride a bicycle or to coast in
any vehicle in Palisades Park or upon any public sidewalk,
except as provided for in Section 3.12.550. It shall be
unlawful to ride a bicycle or to coast in any vehicle in any
public parking structure.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, or
any other section of this Code, public safety personnel may
operate bicycles or roller skates at any place in the City in
the performance of their duties.
SECTION 2. Any provision of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices
thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such
inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary
to effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this
Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would
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have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause,
or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion
of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the
official newspaper within 15 days after its adoption. This Ordinance shall become
effective 30 days from its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE
City Attorney
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