City updating master plan for bicycle lanes, trails

TEMECULA: Bikeway and trails map getting an update

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10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, July 17, 2011

By JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterprise A map showing Temecula's bikeways and trails is about to get a makeover.
City staff are revising the map, which is available for free at City Hall and on the city's website, www.cityoftemecula.org.
Community Services Director Herman Parker compared the effort to updating a reference book.

Frank Bellino / The Press-Enterprise

Adam Craighead, 30, of Winchester, walks his dogs on the multipurpose trail that runs behind Chaparral High School along Santa Gertrudis Creek in Temecula. City officials are updating the trails and bikeways maps.

The 2008-09 version of the map shows the network of bike lanes on roads and dedicated trails for bicycles and pedestrians.
Temecula has roughly 97 miles of bike lanes and 22 miles of trails, according to the city website.
Besides updating the map -- the current version lists the now-completed Murrieta Creek Trail as expected to open in early 2009 -- Parker said the city hopes to identify some walking routes, some of which use sidewalks.
The goal is to encourage residents to get out and walk, Parker said.

Harveston's trail in Temecula is to be included in a map update. The city has about 97 miles of bike lanes and 22 miles of trails, its website says.

Temecula has a strategic plan showing areas where trails could go in the coming years. But local bicycling advocate Rick Peoples said the city's trail network is lacking.
"Most of the trails start in the middle of nowhere and go nowhere," he said. "They're not really connected."
Peoples said he'd like the city to do more to help cyclists, including adding more bike lanes.
He pointed out that vehicles blocked bike lanes leading to Temecula's Fourth of July festivities.
"There's a lot of other things (the city) could be doing," Peoples said.
Reach Jeff Horseman at 951-375-3727 or jhorseman@PE.com.