City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
March 9, 2026
To: City Council
From: Public Works Department
Ron Fuchiwaki, Public Works Director
Subject: Adopt a resolution approving the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-05 (Attachment A) to approve the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan (Executive Summary, Attachment B). The full plan is available on the City's website.
Background
The 2025 Bicycle Master Plan (Plan) updates previous plans and is intended to guide the development of bicycle use and supporting facilities, and assist in the solicitation and receipt of grants. The City's first Plan, adopted in 2002, was developed to encourage bicycle use and proposed the implementation of off-street bicycle paths, on-street bicycle lanes, and designated bicycle routes into a comprehensive system providing for both recreational a nd commuter use. The Plan was subsequently updated in 2008 to incorporate facilities constructed since the original adoption in 2002, including 39 miles of Class II bike lanes and 10 miles of Class III bike routes.
Discussion
On June 24, 2024, t he City awarded a professional services contract to Chen Ryan Associates to prepare the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan, CP60000038, RFP No. PW 24 -06.
State funding of $250,000 was approved for this project under the Active Transportation Program, with no local match required.
This 2025 Plan update reaffirms the goals and objectives of the 2002 and 2008 Plans , while addressing regulatory and environmental changes since the last Plan was adopted.
The regulatory changes include new bicycle facility types, new intersection treatments, and incorporating changes to comply with new laws passed by the State of California.
Environmental changes include population growth, origin -destination patterns, and new technologies, including those challenges associated with increasing use of electric bicycles.
Agenda Item No.
9A
The four main goals of the Plan are:
• Goal 1: Establish a bicycle network that is well connected to schools, parks , and recreational spaces, workplaces, shopping areas, and other community resources. • Goal 2: Evaluate t ransportation infrastructure and behaviors that support safe bicycle travel.
• Goal 3: Create an accessible and comfortable bicycle network for riders of all ages and abilities.
• Goal 4: Incorporate b icycling as a viable and integrated travel option of the transportation system, reinforced by dedicated infrastructure and programs.
To accomplish these goals, the 2025 Plan incorporates:
• An updated map of existing and proposed bicycle facilities, including connections to adjacent jurisdictions.
• Recommendations for future bike paths (Class I), bike lanes (Class II), bike routes (Class III), and new cycle tracks (Class IV).
• Add treatments for intersections where bike lanes become discontinuous. • A list of short- and long-term projects prioritized by various criteria, including merit for grant funding, ease of implementation, and public desire.
At every stage of the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan development, the project team solicited feedback from the community and various stakeholders to shape the Plan 2 recommendations. Stakeholders included the City of Simi Valley P olice Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Transportation Commission , Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District , and Caltrans. The Simi Valley Unified School District was contacted but declined to participate.
A robust outreach program included: three community workshops at City Hall; ten community events, including meetings with all four Neighborhood Councils, a meeting with the Simi Valley Youth Council, and pop -up events at local Farmers Markets and Arroyo Simi Greenway Trailheads; in addition to web and social media presence. The consultant also developed an interactive website, simivalleybikeplan.com, where residents were able to suggest new facilities and improvements to existing facilities. All feedback received has been incorporated into the Plan being presented.
Based on the feedback received from the community , the Plan utilized the following elements for establishing a project priority list:
• Biking to places I want to go
• Street crossings and intersection safety
• Biking along off-street bike paths
• Biking along on-street bikeways
• Parking my bike at places I want to go
• Education
Using the above criteria, the ten projects ranked highest in the plan include:
1. Tapo Street (South), Alamo Street to Ish Drive, Class IV facility ( Also included in the Envision Simi Specific Plan, and would require a reduction of lanes)
2. Stow Street, Barnard Street to Katherine Street, Class II
3. Stearns Street, Barnard Street to Cochran Street, Class II
4. Los Angeles Avenue (east), Tapo Street to Kuehner Drive, Class IV
5. Tapo Canyon Road (south), Avenida Simi to Royal Avenue, Class IV
6. Hidden Ranch Drive, Los Angeles Avenue to Arroyo Simi Greenway, Class II
7. Los Angeles Avenue (central), Erringer Road to Tapo Street, Class IV
8. Sequoia Avenue, Copperfield Street to Los Angeles Avenue, Class II (this would require a reduction of lanes)
9. Sycamore Drive, Arroyo Simi Greenway to Fitzgerald Road, Class II ( this would require a reduction of lanes)
10. Los Angeles Avenue (west), City Limit to Erringer Road, Class IV (Also, included in the Envision Simi Specific Plan, and would require a reduction of lanes)
3 There is currently no timeline to construct the projects. The plan neither obligates the City to construct the recommendations nor commits funding for the purposes of constructing the recommendations. The plan represents an ideal, comprehensive bicycle network enabling north-south and east-west connections through the City that are responsive to the feedback received from stakeholders and members of the public. The final draft plan has been posted on the City’s website since December 1, 2025.
Financial Impact
There are currently no financial impacts associated with the Plan.
City Council Priority
This item supports the Thriving Community Pillar of Excellence, to promote a high quality of life through housing -inclusive programs, vibrant public spaces , and opportunities for community connection and services.
Suggested Motion
I move that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 202 6-05 to approve the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan.
4 Summary
The 2025 Bicycle Master Plan update s previous plans and is intended to guide the development of bicycle use and supporting facilities , and assist in the solicitation and receipt of grants. The City's first Plan, adopted in 2002, was developed to encourage bicycle use and proposed the implementation of off-street bicycle paths, on-street bicycle lanes, and designated bicycle routes into a comprehensive system providing for both recreational a nd commuter use. Th e Plan was subsequently updated in 2008 to incorporate facilities constructed since the original adoption in 2002, including 39 miles of Class II bike lanes and 10 miles of Class III bike routes. It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution to approve the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan.
Prepared by: Justin Link, Principal Engineer
Attachments:
Attachment A – Resolution No. 2026-05
Attachment B – 2025 Bicycle Master Plan, Executive Summary (full report on the City website)
5 Attachment A
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY ADOPTING THE 2025 CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
BICYCLE MASTER PLAN
WHEREAS, the State Legislature encourages the establishment of bicycle transportation systems and authorizes cities to prepare their own Bicycle Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, adoption of a Bicycle Master Plan will assist the City in meeting the needs of commuter and recreational bicycle users, and will assist the City in efforts to obtain local, state and federal funds for bicycle facilities; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 update to the Bicycle Master Plan has been prepared to incorporate new laws, regulations and technologies since adoption of the original Plan in 2002, and
WHERAS, the City Council supports programs which will promote and improve bicycle safety and promote increased bicycle commuting and recreation.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1 . The City Council of the City of Simi Valley does hereby approve the City of Simi Valley 2025 Bicycle Master Plan.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 9th day of March 2026.
Attest:
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
6 Simi Valley
Bicycle Master Plan
DRAFT ◆ February 2026
7 Attachment B
Executive Summary
What is the Bicycle Master Plan?
The Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) is a planning tool that includes recommendations for implementation of expanded and improved bicycle facilities and programs. The BMP does not commit any financial resources to the recommendations but rather lays the foundation for future bicycle infrastructure and programmatic improvements should funding sources be identified.
This update builds on the City’s previous planning efforts by providing a modernized set of goals, bicycle network, list of prioritized projects, and potential funding sources. The intent is to enhance Simi Valley bicycle infrastructure to be more comfortable and inviting for people of all ages and abilities who bike or walk on existing and future facilities. 2 8
How This Plan Will
Be Used
The Simi Valley BMP provides the City with
a framework to implement bicycle-oriented
improvements during street resurfacing,
restriping, or while conducting other Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) projects. It
further unifies the goals, policies, and
recommendations with local and regional
plans and overarching legislative direction.
The BMP documents the current and
anticipated bicycle-related needs of Simi
Valley residents, employees, and visitors,
while positioning the City to competitively
pursue grant funding. The plan provides a
snapshot that community members can use
to determine where existing bicycle facilities
are located, as well as planned facilities and
priority projects. This record can also be used
to measure changes over time, such as shifts
in safety and collision history.
The information in the Plan can support
future grant applications, such as the State
of California Active Transportation Program,
a significant bi-annual grant funding
pool dedicated specifically to bicycle and
pedestrian-oriented projects.
3 Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan ◆ Draft
9 Plan Development Process
The BMP development process, graphically depicted as Figure ES.1, was multi-faceted, involving several parallel activities. It combined public engagement and agency stakeholder input with a research-driven methodology focused on assessment and refinement. This process was further informed by the local expertise of City staff.
The process included research and data collection to establish a snapshot of the existing conditions, developing goals and recommendations based on the previous BMP (2008) and other City plans, then refining the goals and recommendations based on community and City staff input. Infrastructure recommendations were prioritized to serve as a guide for implementation. Conceptual designs and cost estimates were developed for the highest ranking projects. Funding sources, maintenance information, and design guidelines were also documented to aid Simi Valley in developing and maintaining bicycle infrastructure. The findings and outcomes of this process were then compiled into this Plan.
Figure ES.1 Plan Development Process
Research & Data
Collection 1
2 3
4 5
6 Existing Conditions
Recommendation
Development
Project
Prioritization
Implementation
Strategies
Simi Valley
Bicycle Master Plan
Cost Estimates
Safety
Quality
Demand
Connectivity
Feasibility
Proximity to Key Destinations
Active Transportation Propensity
Design Concepts
Funding Opportunities
Infrastructure
Demographics
Land Uses
Previous Plans
Goals & Policies
Bicycle Network
Supporting Programs
Design Guidelines
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
4Executive Summary
10 Plan Organization
The BMP documents the lifecycle of the plan development, starting with an overview of the legislative and policy context and summary of the community engagement activities. Community needs were identified through demographic, land use, and infrastructure related assessments. Proposed recommendations were identified and prioritized. Information relevant to project implementation was developed for the ten highest priority projects. Funding opportunities and maintenance considerations were summarized. Following the Executive Summary, the BMP is organized into the following seven chapters and supporting appendices:
◆ Chapter 1: Introduction
◆ Chapter 2: Demographics & Community Profile
◆ Chapter 3: Needs Analysis
◆ Chapter 4: Recommendations
◆ Chapter 5: Prioritization & Implementation
◆ Chapter 6: Funding Opportunities
◆ Chapter 7: Bicycle Facility Maintenance
Appendices expand on the information presented in the BMP , including a more exhaustive list of guiding legislation (Appendix A), the complete Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix B), documentation of the prioritization scoring inputs (Appendix C), cost estimate backup (Appendix D), specific design guidelines and applicable resources for reference (Appendix E), and a comprehensive table of current grant funding opportunities (Appendix F).
Existing Bicycle
Facilities, Needs, and
Opportunities
The existing bikeway network forms
the foundation for how people travel by
bicycle in Simi Valley today with the Arroyo
Simi Greenway acting as the City’s active
transportation backbone. Figure ES.2
displays the standard design classifications
for bicycle facilities in California, including
Class I (bike paths), Class II (bike lanes), Class
III (bike routes), and Class IV (cycle tracks).
Figure ES.3 displays the existing bicycle
facilities currently in Simi Valley at the time of
this plan preparation. The existing network
consists of Class I, II, and III facilities, while
Class IV cycle tracks are not currently present.
Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan ◆ Draft5 Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan ◆ Draft 11 Figure ES.2 Bicycle Facility Design Classifications
CLASS I BIKE PATHCLASS I BIKE PATH
CLASS II BIKE LANECLASS II BIKE LANE
CLASS III BIKE ROUTECLASS III BIKE ROUTE
VERTICAL SIGNAGEVERTICAL SIGNAGE
CLASS IV SEPARATED BIKEWAYCLASS IV SEPARATED BIKEWAY
Class I, Bike Path
Also referred to as shared-use or
multi-use paths, Class I facilities
provide a completely separated
right-of-way designed for the
exclusive use of bicycles and
pedestrians with crossflows by
motorists minimized. Multi-use
paths can provide connections
where roadways are non-
existent or unable to support
bicycle travel. The minimum
paved width for a two-way path
is considered to be eight-feet
(ten-feet preferred), with a two-
foot-wide graded area adjacent
to each side of the pavement.
Class II, Bike Lane
Provides a striped lane
designated for the exclusive
or semi-exclusive use of
bicycles with through travel by
motor vehicles or pedestrians
prohibited. Bike lanes are
one-way facilities located
on either side of a roadway.
Pedestrian and motorist
crossflows are permitted.
Additional enhancements such
as painted buffers, green paint,
and signage may be applied.
The minimum bike lane width is
five-feet when adjacent to on-
street parking, or six-feet when
posted speeds are greater than
40 miles per hour.
Class III, Bike Route
Provides shared use of traffic
lanes with bicyclists and motor
vehicles, identified by signage
and/or street markings such
as “sharrows”. Bike routes are
best suited for low-speed, low-
volume roadways. Bike routes
provide network continuity
or designate preferred routes
through corridors with high
demand.
Class IV, Cycle Track
Also referred to as a separated
or protected bikeway, cycle
tracks provide a right-of-way
designated exclusively for
bicycle travel within the roadway
and physically protected from
vehicular traffic. Cycle tracks
can provide one-way or two-
way travel. Types of separation
include, but are not limited to,
grade separation, flexible posts,
or on-street parking.
6Executive Summary
12 Overcoming Barriers to Bicycle Connectivity:
Simi Valley’s bikeway network primarily consists of Class II bike lanes and Class III bike routes along major corridors, resulting in conditions that may discourage bicycle use. Physical barriers like SR-118, the rail corridor, and flood channels, along with dropped bike lanes at intersections, further interrupt safe and continuous travel.
Challenges to Safety for Bicyclists and Pedestrians:
Over a five-year period, 116 bicycle-involved collisions were reported, with key corridors including Cochran Street, Los Angeles Avenue, First Street, and Erringer Road. A significant share resulted in severe or fatal injuries, and many collisions were linked to improper bicycling behaviors such as riding against traffic.
High Active Transportation Activity Areas:
Central Simi Valley shows high potential for active transportation, particularly along Los Angeles Avenue and Cochran Street. While demand is evident, many high-propensity areas lack comfortable infrastructure.
The Arroyo Simi Greenway:
Spanning roughly 12 miles east to west, the Arroyo Simi Greenway is the city’s most comfortable bicycle facility. Recent upgrades and planning efforts under the Arroyo Simi Greenway Specific Plan (2018) support its role as a regional connector and recreational amenity, with additional segments still planned for completion. However, challenges exist related to speed differentials between pedestrians and bicyclists (especially E-bicyclists) and at-grade street crossing locations. Access and user comfort along the Arroyo Simi Greenway can be enhanced through additional connections, educational signage, and improved street crossings, encouraging more Simi Valley residents to utilize this community asset.
The existing conditions assessment and initial
community engagement activities helped
build an understanding of current needs and
opportunities related to network connectivity,
demand potential, safety conditions, and
the quality of experience. Some of the key
findings and major themes include:
7 Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan ◆ Draft
13 ²
0 21 Miles
Fitzgerald Rd
·}118
·}23
Royal Av
Los Angeles Av
E Cochran St
Alamo St
Avenida Simi
Township Av
Stearns St
Yosemite Av
Kuehner Dr
Sinaloa Rd
Madera Rd
Tierra Rejada Rd
Easy St
First St
Long Canyon
Rd
SequoiaAv
Tapo St
Wood Ranch Pkwy
Thousand Oaks
Los
Angeles
ErringerRd
SycamoreDr
Tapo
Canyon
Rd
Moorpark
Unincorporated
Ventura County
Unincorporated
Ventura County
Lost Canyon Dr
Class III - Bike Route
Class II - Bike Lane
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Existing Bicycle Network
Figure ES.3 Simi Valley’s Existing Bikeways
Executive Summary
8 14
Recommendations
Recommendation development was based
on findings from the existing conditions
analysis, public and stakeholder input,
and a review of current and planned
improvements. Together, they form a
comprehensive approach to improving
bicycling in Simi Valley.
Recommendations are organized within the
following framework:
◆ Goals and Policies provide the
overarching direction for the plan
recommendations, prioritization, and
implementation.
◆ Network Recommendations identify
corridors and connections that will enhance
local and regional bicycle mobility.
◆ Specific Recommendations outline
infrastructure upgrades and design
strategies for particular conditions to
improve safety and comfort across the
network, such as intersection approaches,
Arroyo Simi Greenway access improvements,
and connecting across SR-118.
◆ Treatments include infrastructure
elements, such as bicycle parking and
signage, and measures to address e-bikes
and scooters.
◆ Programs support bicycling through
measures such as education and
encouragement programs to facilitate
everyday bicycle use.
9 Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan ◆ Draft
15 Goals provide a long-term vision of the plan.
They are broad statements of the desired end
state, defining the plan’s overall direction
while providing context for more specific
policies and recommendations discussed in
the BMP . Policies provide a bridge between
goals and actual implementation measures,
shaping recommendation development
while offering direction.
The resulting framework includes four goals,
each with supporting policies:
◆ Goal 1: A bicycle network that is well
connected to schools, parks and
recreational spaces, workplaces, shopping,
and other community resources.
◆ Goal 2: Transportation infrastructure and
behaviors that support safe bicycle travel.
◆ Goal 3: An accessible and comfortable
bicycle network for riders of all ages
and abilities.
◆ Goal 4: Bicycling as a viable and
integrated travel option of the
transportation system, reinforced by
dedicated infrastructure and programs.
10Executive Summary
16 The recommended bicycle facilities are
intended to create a network that can serve
recreational and everyday travel needs. The
facilities were selected to be context sensitive
and respond to voiced community desires while
considering the realities of the environment. The
intended outcome is a connected network that
serves the needs of users of varying skills, ages,
and abilities. The proposed network is displayed
in Figure ES.4, including Class I bike paths, Class
II bike lanes, Class III bike routes, and Class IV
cycle tracks.
11 Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan ◆ Draft
17 Figure ES.4 Planned Bicycle Network
²
0 21 Miles
Fitzgerald Rd
Royal Av
Los Angeles Av
E Cochran St
Alamo St
Avenida Simi
Township Av
Stearns St
Yosemite Av
Kuehner Dr
Sinaloa Rd
Madera Rd
Tierra Rejada Rd
Easy St
First St
Long Canyon
Rd
SequoiaAv
Tapo St
Wood Ranch Pkwy
Thousand Oaks
Los
Angeles
ErringerRd
SycamoreDr
Tapo
Canyon
Rd
Moorpark
Unincorporated
Ventura County
Unincorporated
Ventura County
Lost Canyon Dr
·}118
·}23
Class IV - Cycle Track
Class II - Buffered Bike Lane
Class III - Bike Route
Class II - Bike Lane
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Bicycle Facilities
Existing Planned
Martha
Morrison
Dr
Circle
Knoll Dr
Alexander St
Larch St
Arcane St
Hudspeth
Av
Corto
St
Indian
Hills Dr
Evening SkyDr
Flanagan
Dr
Big
Springs
Dr
Stow St
Simi Town
Center Way
Madera Rd
Leeds St
Blackstock
Av
Tracy
Av
Heywood
St
Executive Summary
12 18
Prioritization & Implementation
A prioritization process was developed to inform implementation of BMP infrastructure recommendations. Proposed inputs were developed to help emphasize projects anticipated to provide the greatest benefit to bicyclists as well as variables that align with competitive grant funding applications, including criteria related to network connections, adjacent land uses, active transportation demand, and safety.
In addition to the prioritization inputs and scoring values, the determination of project limits or extents also influenced the results. A combination of approaches or considerations were used to define project limits, such as:
◆ Using the full length of a single proposed facility
◆ Breaking or segmenting a single proposed facility to reflect changes in the facility/ environment or to reduce the length to create a more manageable project size ◆ Grouping multiple small projects together (considering facility type, location, and/or potential cost)
The prioritization results, depicted in Figure ES.5, represent a snapshot in time, reflecting the most current data available during the development of the BMP . While the prioritization results are intended to help guide selection of which projects to implement, the actual determination of which project(s) to bring through design and construction will also be influenced by several other factors, including, but not limited to, new data (e.g., collisions), available budget, grant schedules and scoring criteria, direction from City Council, and consistency or alignment with other projects (e.g., roadway resurfacing).
Project sheets were developed for the ten highest scoring projects, consisting of a brief project narrative, map depicting project location within the City, plan view image, cross-section image, and cost estimate. The information presented in the project sheets is intended to serve as inspiration and reference for potential design options. Should implementation be pursued, specific features will be determined at the project level and may require subsequent study. For example, conducting traffic analyses of anticipated future conditions that account for foreseeable future development projects will provide the best understanding of forecast roadway and intersection operational needs. Additionally, project specific public engagement should be considered to ensure community members are informed and have the opportunity to provide input on design aspects. Conducting project level analysis and engagement will aid in the development of improvements that maintain vehicular operations, improve multimodal mobility, and have the support of the community.
13 Simi Valley Bicycle Master Plan ◆ Draft
19 Figure ES.5 Prioritization Results
²
0 21 Miles
Fitzgerald Rd
·}118
·}23
Royal Av
Los Angeles Av
E Cochran St
Alamo St
Avenida Simi
Township Av
Stearns St
Yosemite Av
Kuehner Dr
Sinaloa Rd
Madera Rd
Tierra Rejada Rd
Easy St
First St
Long Canyon
Rd
SequoiaAv
Tapo St
Wood Ranch Pkwy
Thousand Oaks
Los
Angeles
ErringerRd
SycamoreDr
Tapo
Canyon
Rd
Moorpark
Unincorporated
Ventura County
Unincorporated
Ventura County
Lost Canyon Dr
Bike Project
Prioritization Results
28 - 35
23 - 27
17 - 22
12 - 16
5 - 11
Executive Summary
14 20
21