South Pasadena Approves Protected Bike Lane for Fremont Avenue

A significant step forward for active transportation in South Pasadena has been taken, as the City Council unanimously approved design concepts for a protected bike lane along the entire length of Fremont Avenue. This decision solidifies the city’s commitment to its Complete Streets initiative, following a similar approval for Huntington Drive.

The approved plan, Concept 2A, will see the removal of the northbound parking lane on Fremont Avenue, which will be replaced by a protected two-way cycle track. A central turn lane will be maintained along most of the street, with modifications only in the northernmost segment. This unanimous vote comes after council members had previously expressed concerns about the impact of parking removal on residents along Fremont Avenue.

Key Facts

Parking and Environmental Considerations

The approved design will result in the removal of 97 of the 258 on-street parking spaces along Fremont Avenue. Additionally, 57 trees and 32 palms will need to be replanted as part of the project. While staff had presented an alternative concept (Concept 5) that would have added parking spaces in a specific segment, the council ultimately favored the uniform application of Concept 2A across the entire street.

Public Feedback and Concerns

During the council meeting, public comments revealed a range of perspectives. Oliver McIrwin, a Fremont resident, voiced concerns about the loss of parking, particularly for residents with elderly parents who have mobility needs. He indicated that exploring options for driveways might be necessary if parking is entirely removed from his section of the street.

Katie Bird, another resident on segment 3 of Fremont, expressed support for the project but echoed concerns about parking availability, especially during events at local schools and churches, noting that parking can become challenging even without the proposed changes.

However, not all residents focused on parking. Diego Zavala, a project supporter and frequent commenter, highlighted potential safety issues arising from mixed-use paths. He emphasized that the primary users of the bike lane would likely be young people, including those participating in the town’s popular bike bus. Zavala worried about the interaction between cyclists and pedestrians, particularly those with mobility challenges, in multi-use areas, suggesting that a unified protected lane would be safer for all.

Wes Reutimann, deputy director of Active SGV, a mobility non-profit, added a technical point about the potential for increased speed differentials between walkers and cyclists, especially on sloped sections of the street, which could exacerbate safety concerns. Casey Law, also from South Pas Active, raised the issue of Class Three e-bikes, which can reach speeds of up to 28 mph, and their potential incompatibility with shared-use paths, suggesting this could lead to legal liabilities for the city.

Council’s Decision and Next Steps

Despite ongoing discussions about parking, the council ultimately agreed that Concept 2A, as a unified design for Fremont Avenue, was the most effective approach to ensure consistent safety and usability for all modes of transport. The unanimous approval signifies a clear direction for the implementation of enhanced cycling infrastructure. Mayor Sheila Rossi did suggest exploring permit-only parking on some side streets as a potential mitigation for lost parking.

The approval of the Fremont Avenue design marks another milestone in South Pasadena’s commitment to creating a more integrated and safe transportation network, prioritizing active mobility alongside existing street uses.

Source: Streetsblog LA (https://la.streetsblog.org/2026/06/05/south-pasadena-approves-protected-bike-lane-for-entirety-of-fremont-ave)