NEWPORT BEACH : City to Study Speeds on Back Bay Drive

The city will study how fast bicyclists and motorists travel on Back Bay Drive as a step toward reducing the speed limit on the popular roadway.

Councilman John Hedges has proposed setting a 15-to-20-m.p.h. speed limit on Back Bay Drive, particularly to slow down bicyclists. The maximum is now 25 m.p.h. on the nearly three-mile-long road.

Frank Robinson, who is credited with opening up the bay for public enjoyment, has for several years advocated reducing the speed limit as a way to control what he describes as “reckless bicyclists.”

Some cyclists reach speeds of 30 m.p.h or more as they come down the road, according to Robinson. Such speeds are unsafe for the narrow roadway that also accommodates joggers, walkers and cars, Robinson said.

An estimated 1 million to 3 million people visit the bay annually, Robinson said. Visitors have overloaded “this tiny little road” that was originally used about 90 years ago by horse-drawn buggies traveling from Santa Ana to Corona del Mar, Robinson added.

When the city made the drive a one-way road for motorists about a decade ago, it helped ease the congestion, but the 25-m.p.h. speed limit hasn’t curbed speeders, Robinson said.

A city study a few years ago revealed that accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians on Back Bay Drive far outnumbered those involving motor vehicles, according to Jim Brahler, associate civil engineer for the city.

Even competitive bicyclist Fran Farrar of Newport Beach agreed that some cyclists exceed the speed limit, causing hazards for the many pedestrians and children on the road. “It is a recreational area, and it’s for everyone to enjoy, not to use as a practice race course,” Farrar said.

“I think they should lower the speed to 15 m.p.h.,” she said. “It would have a nice effect on cars as well because I think cars go too fast, too. There’s no reason to go 25 m.p.h. down there.”

Robinson hopes that if the speed limit is lowered, the city will post plenty of yellow caution signs along the road as reminders to slow down.

The city’s Traffic Affairs Committee will take public comments on the issue at a future meeting before the city begins speed surveys, Public Works Director Ben Nolan said.