OC Loops Bikeway Study

OCTA and its member agencies have made a conscious effort to implement the remaining segments of the OC North Loop since 2012. When completed, the North Loop will create a 66-mile bikeway route in northern Orange County. Recognizing the success of this effort, OCTA wanted to develop additional regional bikeway facilities for the remainder of Orange County.

Marl Thomas developed the OC Loops Study, which builds off the success of the northern Loop and regional bikeway studies to identify three new regional bikeway routes. These included the OC Central Loop connecting the Santa Ana River Trail and SR 1 to central county communities and the foothills, the OC South Loop connecting Laguna Canyon Road and SR 1 to Rancho Santa Margarita and Antonio Parkway, and OC Connect providing a north-south spine along an old railroad corridor, adjacent an active rail corridor and Oso Creek.

Our recommended bikeway solutions focus on serving the needs and abilities of cyclists of all ages and backgrounds. High quality off-street or barrier-separated bikeways were considered to retrofit the transportation network for a strong regional bikeway that draws increased activity and serves growing electric bicycle travel. The final report included bikeway concepts and cost estimates to complete unfinished loop segments and position regional and local agencies to secure competitive grant funding. The analysis included a displacement analysis to determine where the bikeway investments can have unintended equity impacts on communities along the corridors.

Mark Thomas provided significant community and stakeholder engagement efforts. This involved focused discussions with the local jurisdictions along the routes to understand their existing plans and needs. We engaged directly with the community, residents along the proposed routes, and bikeway users, through virtual and in-person meetings to gain input and buy-in. We utilized public input to demonstrate support for high-quality bikeways and to refine project recommendations.