NEWPORT BEACH : Council Puts Off Boardwalk Ruling

The City Council has delayed a decision on a resolution that would ban all skateboards, roller skates and bicycles from the popular Balboa Peninsula boardwalk on weekends, holidays and during the summer months.

After listening to protests against the resolution from some of the two dozen opponents in attendance Monday night, the council decided to form an ad hoc committee to once again review the plan and consider new alternatives. City officials have been pondering ways to renovate the boardwalk area and have estimated it would cost $1.5 million to create separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians, among other safety renovations.

The current plan would allow only foot traffic along Oceanfront Walk, between F and 36th streets. Skateboards, roller skates and bicycles would be banned from the area. Skaters and bicyclists would be allowed to use the walkway on weekdays during the off-season.

Some residents and Councilman John Hedges criticized the resolution as a “bandage” measure resulting from litigation involving a pedestrian who was hit by a bicyclist on the boardwalk.

The city was ordered last month to pay a $277,000 settlement to the pedestrian after an Orange County Superior Court jury deemed the area dangerous, because it was too narrow to handle the amount of traffic generated during peak hours.

Hedges, along with Mayor Phil Sansone, Councilwoman Ruthelyn Plummer and city staff representatives from the police, city attorney, city manager, public works and planning departments will make up the ad hoc committee that will study the problem and suggest solutions. They are expected to report back to the public at a council meeting in October.

David Underwood and other protesters said they will use the time until the next meeting to better organize a fight against the resolution. Underwood, president of the Orange County Bicycle Coalition and a five-year resident of Newport Beach, said he plans to organize cyclists who frequently use the boardwalk.

The resolution “is just a way for the city to cover its behind,” Underwood told the council. “But this will deprive the merchants (in the Balboa area) of year-round revenue from people who frequent the area on bikes and skates.”

Protesters, some carrying signs saying “Yes on Bikes on the Boardwalk,” argued that if bicyclists and skaters are pushed off the boardwalk, they will be forced to use busy Balboa Boulevard, increasing the potential for future litigation from automobiles colliding with the cyclists or skaters.

They also argued that the congested streets in the area would become worse if residents and visitors must limit their use of non-vehicular transportation.

Hedges, who conceded there was a problem, said it only involved a small group. “We’re legislating for 1% to 5% of the people, and I think that’s a real sad comment on this body.”

But Councilwoman Jean H. Watt sided with the few proponents at the meeting who complained that the bicycles, roller skates and skateboards are a hazard to pedestrians.

“I feel people need a place where they can live without the hassle,” Watt said.