Bicycles And Motorcycles Banned In Palos Verdes Landslide Area

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — Due to safety concerns, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council has temporarily prohibited bicycles, motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles on Palos Verdes Drive South.

A recent crash on the road that resulted in an injury and a claim against the city inspired the city to evaluate bicycle usage on the road, according to Public Works Director Ramzi Awwad. The City Council unanimously voted at Tuesday's meeting to prohibit two-wheeled vehicles on Palos Verdes Drive South.

"We really need to protect the people who are using this. None of us really want to prohibit travel by bicycle because it's a beautiful area to go cycling ... but right now the safe thing to do is to prohibit the bikes," Councilmember Barbara Ferraro said.

At the meeting, the city council was met with disapproval from the local community, who acknowledged the need for additional safety measures along the road but pointed out that the prohibition is potentially illegal.

Despite the concern of legality, City Attorney Elena Gerli said the temporary prohibition may be allowed due to the city's emergency proclamation.

"Respectfully, you really should deploy traffic calming measures first and post specific danger signs before you jump to the drastic step of a prohibition," said Mario Obejas, Vice President of the Beach Cities Cycling Club, South Bay. "I don't want to have to fight to get a so-called temporary prohibition lifted someday."

The City Council will revisit the prohibition within 180 days to evaluate whether the road is safe enough for bicyclists to return.