At 10:00 A.M. today, the City Council will meet to, amongst other things, vote on final passage of the Bike Plan.  Gone is the word “Master” as in Bike Master Plan.  Gone is the word “Draft” as in “Draft Bike Plan.” We’re so close to the finish line that even the Los Angeles Times is calling for a victory lap.

I expect that most of the commentary today will be positive, but there’s always a chance that the debate could revolve around whether or not to consider possibly allowing a review of the city’s rules regarding riding mountain bikes on trails in public parks.  As you may remember, the city’s horse riding community is dead set even the mention of a possibility that the city might one day consider holding a discussion about the possibility of one day allowing limited use of mountain bikes on trails.

At the Joint Transportation and Planning Committee Meeting on the plan, Council Member Tom LaBonge attempted to bring those representing mountain bikers and equestrians to a compromise position which is nigh impossible when one side refuses to budge an inch.  Nevertheless, the Councilman has drafted a motion clarifying that no change could occur to the current law, which bans mountain biking in parks, without the input of the city’s Parks Staff.

We’ll live tweet the meeting as it happens and post a story as soon as we can.  In the meantime, the text of LaBonge’s amendment can be found after the jump.

M O T I O N

I  MOVE that matter of mitigated negative declaration, transportation and planning and land use management committee’s report and resolution relative to an update of the City’s bicycle plan , item number #10 on today’s council agenda (CF# 10-2385-S2), BE AMENDED to adopt the following changes to Section 3.3.5. (Chapter 4, Page 103) of the 2010 Bike Plan:

Policy 3.3.5.

Continue the existing off-road bicycle trail and analyze and explore opportunities for additional off-road bicycle facilities and continue to abide by LAMC section 63.44 B16.  Any proposal to consider the use of mountain bikes on City park trails must first be thoroughly reviewed and analyzed by the Board of Recreation & Parks and its staff.

PRESENTED BY:  ___________________                              SECONDED BY:_____________________

TOM LABONGE                                                              ED P. REYES

Councilmember, 4^th District                                                  Councilmember, 1^st District