Long Beach Briefs: Mark Bixby Pathway Opens, Hahn Wants Accounting of Blue Line Incident and Sidewalk Vending Update

Long Beach Celebrates Opening of Port’s Mark Bixby Pathway

The new Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle-Pedestrian Path and Ocean Boulevard Connector opened to the public May 20, offering a unique recreational experience at the Port of Long Beach while also honoring the memory of a prominent cycling advocate.

Hundreds of cyclists and walkers joined Bixby family members and federal, state, local and port officials who gathered at the Long Beach Civic Center Plaza for a grand opening ceremony, bicycle procession to the new paths, and a ribbon cutting and inaugural crossing for the two connected bike-walk paths at the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge.

At its crest, the Bixby Path reaches a height of 205 feet above the water. The pathway is equipped with three overlooks, each with informational signage and benches. The Ocean Boulevard Connector includes a viewing area with a timeline of the Port and other architectural features.

The Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle-Pedestrian Path and the Ocean Boulevard Connector are accessible from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Cyclists and walkers will start from the southwest corner of Ocean Boulevard and Golden Shore and proceed west on the Ocean Boulevard Connector and then the Bixby Path. Just after the Bixby Path’s third overlook, everyone will turn around and head back over the bridge to downtown Long Beach.

Hahn Calls for Full Accounting from Metro after Woman is Beaten Up on Blue Line

LONG BEACH — Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Metro director Janice Hahn May 22 is calling for a full accounting of where Metro’s contracted law enforcement, security, and transit ambassadors were when a woman was beaten up on the Blue Line last week.

The alleged attack occurred May 17, on a northbound Blue Line train. The 53-year-old victim, who shared her story with ABC7 but did not share her name, was beaten up by a woman who also used racial slurs. ABC7’s reported the victim was on the phone with police while trying to get the conductor to stop the train for 11 minutes. When the train stopped at the Artesia station, the suspects involved in the incident fled the scene.

Supervisor Hahn will also ask Metro to explain the protocol of what happens if a rider needs to ask a train operator to stop the train and whether that protocol was followed in this incident.

Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Update

LONG BEACH— On May 16, Long Beach City Council provided feedback on staff recommendations and voted unanimously to request the city attorney to develop a draft ordinance to regulate sidewalk vendors. The draft ordinance will go to the planning commission prior to returning to city council for first and second readings. Prior to adoption, existing regulations, such as requiring a city health permit, can still be enforced. Please continue to report sidewalk vending questions or concerns to Daniel.Ramirez@longbeach.gov. The presentation is dated May 9 because the agenda item was postponed one week. 

Details: View the presentation at: https://tinyurl.com/LB-sidewalk-vending