City of Palmdale Awarded $283,000 Grant for Master Bike Plan

PALMDALE, CA — The City of Palmdale has been awarded $283,000 through the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program to develop the City’s Master Bike Plan, a comprehensive planning effort focused on improving bicycle transportation, trail and bike lane corridors, complete streets, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and safe routes to school components throughout Palmdale.

The Master Bike Plan will establish a Citywide framework for a safer, more connected and more accessible bicycle network serving residents, workers and visitors. The plan will identify gaps in the existing network, prioritize projects that improve connectivity to schools, transit, employment centers, neighborhoods, parks and community resources, and develop implementation strategies for future bicycle and trail improvements across the City.

“This grant is an important investment in Palmdale’s future,” said Mayor Eric Ohlsen. “The Master Bike Plan will help us create safer, more connected transportation options for residents while supporting healthier neighborhoods, improved access to transit and meaningful progress toward sustainability goals.”

Palmdale’s large geographic footprint and roadway network present unique challenges for people traveling without a car. The City’s grant application identified limited active transportation facilities, gaps in sidewalks and bike lanes, and the need for safer, more reliable bicycle connections across the community. The plan will help address these challenges by developing an integrated network of bike lanes and trails, with an emphasis on safety, accessibility, community destinations and connections to transit.

The planning process will include robust community engagement, with outreach designed to reach residents throughout Palmdale, including under-resourced communities. Outreach methods are expected to include workshops, surveys, pop-up events, stakeholder gatherings, informational materials, social media, website announcements and other opportunities for public input. The City also plans to provide English and Spanish materials, ADA-accessible outreach locations and flexible participation options.

“This plan is about meeting residents where they are and building a transportation network that reflects the needs of our community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Austin Bishop. “By prioritizing safety, equity and connectivity, Palmdale can create practical bicycle routes that help people get to schools, jobs, transit, parks and essential services.”

The Master Bike Plan will include analysis of existing conditions, bicycle safety data, proposed facilities, project costs, prioritization, funding and implementation strategies, and GIS-based mapping compatible with the City’s systems. The final plan is expected to include a user-friendly bike trails and bikeways map, proposed project lists, and next steps to support future funding and project delivery.

Once complete, the Master Bike Plan will guide future investments in bicycle infrastructure and support the City’s broader goals related to active transportation, safe routes to school, multimodal connectivity, public health, social equity and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.