CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

City Council to Vote on Bike Fund, Memorial Ride at Meeting Tonight

The Newport Beach City Council will vote tonight on whether to crate a Bike Safety Improvement Fund as well as to waive up to $10,000 in fees associated with a scheduled Oct. 28 Memorial Bike Ride.

City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle announced both items at a Sept. 25 Council meeting, explaining that the Bike Safety Improvement Fund would use city funds in a 3:1 ratio to match private donations up to $450,000. The total fund could reach $600,000.

According to a staff report for tonight’s meeting, community contributions must be made by Dec. 31, and the “City’s match may include competitive grant awards from sources such as Measure M.”

“The precise appropriation by fund will not be known until the fundraising efforts are complete and the projects have been prioritized and approved by Council,” the staff report states. The City Council also could direct Public Works staff to create a “resource plan” for bicycle safety improvement projects

The Oct. 28 Memorial Ride will honor two women who were killed while cycling in September. Sarah Leaf was struck and killed on Sept. 14 at East Coast Highway and Bayside Drive, and Catherine Campion-Ritz was killed the next day by a hit-and-run truck driver who struck her on Newport Coast Drive.

The Memorial Ride will take place at 8 a.m. near Fashion Island. The City Council will vote on waiving fees related to the ride, including city staff costs, insurance premiums and permit fees up to $10,000.

The ride also has a fundraising element, and according to the event’s webpage, $15,895 has been contributed to date.

The City Council will hear updates on bicycle safety improvements and efforts in the city since 2009, when a Citizens Task Force was formed. To see the staff report, which lists the projects and improvements, click here.

The City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall at 3300 Newport Blvd. The meeting also will be streamed live on the city’s website.