Irvine has made biking safer and more fun with the recent opening of a new Class IV Protected Bikeway – the first of its kind in the city.
This special type of bike path keeps cyclists separated from cars with grade separation, flexible posts and other physical barriers, providing a safer space for riders. The 1.25-mile path runs along Cadence between Radial and Chinon. Cyclists of all ages can ride on it, and electric bikes of all classes are welcome, too.
To keep the path clean, the city introduced its first electric street sweeper, known as “Evie,” which helps clear dirt and leaves off the bike paths at a top speed of 20 mph. Evie is expected to reduce as much carbon emissions as removing four gas-powered cars from the road.
The new path is part of Irvine’s ongoing efforts to make the city even more bike-friendly.
The city already has more than 100 miles of off-street bikeways, where cyclists don’t have to share the path with cars, and nearly 300 miles of bike lanes on streets. They connect neighborhoods, parks, shopping areas and offices, making it easy for people to ride bikes instead of driving.
The League of American Bicyclists and walkscore.com have given Irvine the highest ranking of any city in Orange County for its bike infrastructure.
