Pasadena Eases Into Bikeshare, Complete Streets

Located northeast of downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena is a "destination city" of its own. A recent push to make its streets more bike-friendly coincides with the upcoming arrival of bikeshare.

2 minute read

August 31, 2016, 11:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Transit Oriented Development

Metro's Gold Line passes apartments in Pasadena. | Angel DiBilio / Shutterstock

Visitors to Pasadena will notice a new street feature: bright-green bike lanes along several thoroughfares. Jason Henry and Steve Scauzillo give a local perspective on the city's move to add bike lanes and trim away some road space for vehicles. 

The upcoming arrival (next year) of L.A. Metro bike-share is a big motivator. "Pasadena was chosen as the second Metro bikeshare city — of a possible 20 — because of its large student population. The city is also a destination city for employment, shopping, dining and entertainment with expensive parking [...] Next year, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will move ahead with a plan to bring 34 bike-share stations with 490 bikes to Pasadena."

The plans aren't without their critics. "Some residents were worried the changes will cause safety problems, with hard-to-see bicyclists riding past parking garages as drivers try to exit. Business owners close to Union Street were concerned about losing parking spaces."

Metro's Gold Line light rail serves Pasadena, with a recent expansion extending further into the San Gabriel Valley. But it can be difficult for some residents to reach the train. "'Only one of our Gold Line stations (in Pasadena) is serviced by a bike lane and that is the Sierra Madre Villa (station) and that just happened,' [local bike advocate Wes Reutimann] said. 'Pasadena has even more work to do than Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Long Beach.'"

Monday, August 22, 2016 in Pasadena Star-News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.