By Jorge Casuso

June 5, 2025 -- Bicyclists in Santa Monica could soon be legally riding in several major bus lanes under a staff proposal the City Council will take up Tuesday.

The ordinance proposed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) would allow its director to designate five current stretches of transit-only lanes, and others in the future, to allow cyclists and "shared mobility device users."

Two of the designated stretches are on Lincoln Boulevard and three are in Downtown, according to staff's report to Council. The first to be designated would be the westbound transit-only lane on Broadway from 5th Street to Ocean Avenue.

"Staff believe giving cyclists and other device operators formal permission to ride in transit-only lanes can enhance safety and riding comfort," the report states.

The lanes "have lower traffic volumes, are used by trained transit vehicle operators, and afford easier turning movements," staff wrote.

"Owing to these preferable travel conditions, staff have observed cyclists and other device operators already using the transit-only lanes, particularly on Broadway."

Under general guidelines created by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), the operating speeds would be 20 mph or less "to reduce conflicts from overtaking maneuvers."

Travel lanes would be between 10 and 12 feet wide, and no more than 15 buses would use the lanes per hour, according to the staff report.

Four of the five proposed stretches, including Broadway, meet the guidelines -- Lincoln southbound between Pico Boulevard and Ozone Street and northbound between Grant Street and the Venice border, and Santa Monica Boulevard eastbound between Ocean Avenue and Fourth Street.

The remaining segment is a single half block of eastbound Santa Monica Boulevard, between 4th Street and 4th Court.

If the ordinance is approved, DOT staff would develop additional training for Big Blue Bus (BBB) drivers, some of whom already drive on shared lanes in Los Angeles. Staff also would educate local cyclists on the changes.

Bus drivers would be instructed "to not overtake cyclists and other operators within a transit-only lane" and cyclists would be instructed "to not attempt to overtake stopped buses within such lanes."

Before the program launches on Broadway "as soon as practicable," the City would install bike-bus signage and wayfinding signage, as well as pavement markings paid for from DOT's Mobility Division’s operating budget.

Transportation staff noted that accidents decreased after the City of Los Angeles implemented new shared bus-bike lanes in 2015 on Wilshire and Sunset Boulevards, “most likely the single busiest transit corridor in the county.”

According to the City of LA's consultant Fehr & Peers, during the two years studied, "crashes involving cyclists decreased by 10 percent and 30 percent, respectively, despite the number of cyclists increasing on both corridors."

The proposal comes as the number of Fatal and Severe Injury (FSI) crashes in Santa Monica soared in 2024, marking the fourth straight year the numbers have risen ("Crashes Resulting in Severe Injuries, Deaths Soar," February 14, 2025).

Of the 60 FSI crashes last year, 21 involved pedestrians, 9 involved bicyclists and 4 involved scooters, according to data from the City's Transportation Department. The other 26 involved only cars.

Five of the crashes were fatal, with three involving a pedestrian and two a bicyclist.