On Monday December 19th, 2011 the Long Beach Harbor Commission approved a revised Environmental Impact Report that gave final authorization to proceed with the replacement for the Gerald Desmond bridge…including a separated bike path. But this would not have happened without the voice of one person…Mark Bixby.

The Port of Long Beach looks set to approve the EIR with Bike and Ped Path for Gerald Desmond Bridge Another major milestone along the path to build a separated bicycle and pedestrian facility on the replacement for the Gerald Desmond Bridge will occur on December 19 when the Long Beach harbor commission meets to review [...]

From a cycling perspective there were two significant events at yesterday’s Long Beach Harbor Commission Meeting: The Mark Bixby Bike and Pedestrian Path: The commissioners unanimously recommended naming the bike and pedestrian path on the new bridge connecting downtown Long Beach with Terminal island “The Mark Bixby bike and pedestrian path.”  We would like to thank the [...]

The Port of Long Beach continues to show their leadership in being Green by including a bike and pedestrian path as a mandatory part of the new bridge that will connect downtown Long Beach and the Port. At a meeting held at the port on Thursday March 31, Dr Bob Kanter, Director of Environmental Planning for the port [...]

The BIKEable Communities team presented to the Harbor Commission on a Gerald Desmond Bridge discussion item put forth by Commission President Nick Sramek. Six bicycle advocates spoke and presented a “Prezi” slideshow to request mandatory inclusion of separated bicycle and pedestrian paths. A 30 minute long discussion between Commissioners and Port staff ensued. The Port [...]

Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal wrote to POLB Executive Director Richard Steinke emphasizing the importance of building a bridge for all users. And creating a public space with the public dollars that are being invested in the project. She called on the Commissioners and staff to consider the inclusion of observation areas from which tourists, visitors [...]

The March 14, 2011 letter from Coastal Commission Deputy Director John Ainsworth to Nick Sramek and Richard Steinke states in conclusion: “We request that the Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners take whatever action is necessary to make the Gerald Desmond Bridge accessible to cyclists and pedestrians by requiring that separated lanes be [...]

[youtube 2YvPT1Jc2aA nolink] Video footage and editing by Allan Crawford Note: This post was published here, posthumously, for Mark Bixby. It originally appeared on http://asthewheelturns.wordpress.com/  

California Coastal Commission, January 14, 2011, 9:25 am – 9:35 am, Long Beach, CA; Excerpts from Commissioner responses to public comment: “In response to the substantial public comment regarding bicycle and pedestrian access, I think they are absolutely spot-on. In tagging along with the comments from Director Peter Douglas… in signaling to Long Beach and the [...]

California Coastal Commission, January 14, 2011, 9:00 am – 9:35 am, Long Beach, CA, Excerpted from remarks made during public comment period: “As a small business representative in Long Beach, we support equal access to transportation facilities for pedestrians and cyclists on the Gerald Desmond Bridge. As an individual state and federal tax payer , I [...]