TO: TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
FROM: MARIA B. TIPPING, CITY ENGINEER
DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
CITY OF CLAREMONT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN PREPARATION UPDATE
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SUMMARY
The City of Claremont places value on supporting and encouraging alternative modes of transportation. Over the past few years, plans have been prepared to develop solutions to improve safety and accessibility through walking, bicycling and transit.
The Claremont Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP), adopted by the City Council on November 27, 2007, provided the framework to implement the vision of a bicycle friendly community. This plan was used to apply for and obtain several competitive grants, allowing the city to construct millions of dollars in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. In 2015, the Claremont Bicycle Plan was revised and updated to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive document through the preparation of an Active Transportation Plan (ATP). At the time, this updated ATP document could not be adopted due to lack of resources.
During the preparation of the 2024-26 Budget, the City Council identified, as a priority, the need to revisit the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) guidelines and prepare an ATP that the city could use for consideration when applying for grant funding and while implementing subsequent capital improvement projects.
At their March 11, 2025 meeting, the City Council awarded the contract for the design and preparation of the City’s Active Transportation Plan to Alta Planning+Design for their knowledge of the community and their expertise on the preparation of this type of plan.
For the past few months, staff has been working with Alta Planning on the early phases of the preparation of the ATP, which includes activities such as project website design and public engagement. At tonight’s meeting, Alta Planning will be conducting a presentation detailing the ATP’s current status, timeline of planned activities and the next steps to complete the plan.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Traffic and Transportation Commission review the Active Transportation Plan Update staff report, provide feedback on the Alta Planning presentation, gather public feedback, and to receive and file the report.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
The City Council awarded the contract to Alta Planning for the design and preparation of the Claremont Active Transportation Plan in the amount $482,919 at their March 11, 2025 meeting.
The costs associated with the preparation of this report are estimated at $888 and are included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
The Claremont Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) was originally adopted by the City Council on November 27, 2007, to provide the framework to implement the vision of a bicycle friendly community. The BTP was used to apply for a number of successful competitive grants that supported the construction of many citywide bicycle improvements.
In 2015, Birge Engineering revised and updated the 2007 BTP, to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive document to be made available through the preparation of an Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The purpose of the ATP was to provide a more inclusive framework to address bicycle, pedestrian and accessibility needs, improve connectivity and create eligibility to apply for competitive grant funds. Unfortunately, the lack of dedicated funding and limited staff resources precluded this plan from being adopted by the City Council.
Using the framework set forth by these planning documents, the city was able to construct bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, included but not limited to the projects described below. In grant funding alone, Claremont has received over $20 million for the implementation of several bicycle and pedestrian projects. A list of completed projects is included below:
• Implementation of the Bicycle Priority Zone as designated by the General Plan
• Construction of the Claremont portion of the Citrus Regional Bikeway
• Implementation of custom designed bicycle racks for convenient bicycle parking
• Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Educational Pilot Program
• Arrow Highway Accessibility and Lighting Project
• Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign
• Safe Routes to School Infrastructure projects:
o El Roble Intermediate School;
o Sycamore Elementary School;
o Vista del Valle Elementary School; and
o Sumner Danbury Elementary School
• Foothill Boulevard Master Plan Improvements
• Towne Avenue at 210 Freeway Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
• Towne Avenue Complete Streets Project
During the preparation of the 2024-26 Budget, the City Council identified, as a priority, the need to revisit the ATP guidelines and prepare a new ATP that the city could use for consideration when implementing subsequent capital improvement projects and when applying for competitive grants.
With the funds authorized in the 2024-26 Budget, staff was able to work with Alta Planning and Design to prepare a scope of work that provides for a robust process for the development of the plan, to include extensive public outreach, and to consider existing City planning documents such as, but not limited to, the Local Road Safety Plan, Complete Streets Policy, Green Streets Policy, and the First/Last Mile plan to develop and enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, while providing programs to educate and encourage active transportation options.
The ATP will guide the planning and design of existing and future bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the City, including the evaluation of feasible routes for a Citywide protected bike lane network and prioritization of active modes of transportation. As part of the City’s commitment to Complete Streets, which provide for equitable, safe, and effective use of all roadways by all roadway users, the purpose of the ATP will be to promote more cycling and walking through the creation of a safe, connected, and convenient network.
Staff understand that comprehensive active transportation planning goes beyond facilities and infrastructure. Education and enforcement will be considered, as well as potential programs. In addition, the best plans are community driven, with collaborative efforts involving the city, its residents, local agencies and stakeholders. Developing an effective outreach plan depends on their input, to achieve a workable network, along with associated policies and programs.
In keeping with strategy set forth by the 2007 Bicycle Transportation Plan and the 2015 draft ATP, the new ATP will be developed to build up and expand on existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to support a safe active transportation network, with the goal to continue to encourage and promote alternative modes of transportation, and in keeping with the City’s sustainability goals.
With the City Council's authorization, a professional services agreement was executed with Alta Planning+Design, which is currently under the early development phase.
At tonight’s meeting, Alta Planning will be presenting an overview of the ATP’s current status, the timeline of planned activities and the next steps to complete the plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact Commission Secretary, Nadia Ramirez at nramirez@claremontca.gov.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Maria B. Tipping, P.E. Vincent Ramos
City Engineer Associate Engineer