The South Bay Bike Coalition (SBBC) has awarded Manhattan Beach with its first-ever "Bike Friendly City" designation for its outstanding individual achievement in support of safer, more accessible biking.  

Manhattan Beach was honored along with Redondo Beach and Lawndale. Each of the cities is connected by the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan that was created by the SBBC in 2010 to link the cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Lawndale, and Gardena with bike routes that allow for safer and easier cycling and commuting in the South Bay. Lawndale, Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach were singled out for their proactive progress in the last 12 months at implementing key elements of the Bicycle Master Plan.

“The South Bay is an amazing place to live. The weather is perfect for cycling all year round,” said SBBC Board Member Charlene Dipaola. “We are very excited to recognize these first three cities who each made significant progress in starting to transform our streets into safer places for all cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.”

Manhattan Beach City Council and staff moved quickly to add significant new bike lanes on Manhattan Avenue and Rosecrans - the first-ever bike lanes in the Manhattan Beach history, according to SBBC. The new bike lanes represent the largest addition of new bikeways - by mileage - in the entire South Bay in 2014.

The Bike Friendly City awards will be presented at the South Bay Bike Night event being held on February 28 at Shade Hotel. All the funds raised at the event will be used to pay for the SBBC’s bike helmets for kids program; bike education classes for elementary school students and adults; and advocacy for safe biking practices, infrastructure and enforcement. Tickets are available online or by emailing [email protected] for more information.