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The City of Irvine took an important step in expanding opportunities for cycling with the opening of its first Class IV Protected Bikeway Tuesday, November 19.
City leaders, staff, and community members came together to celebrate the opening, which included the first official ride on the 1.25-mile bikeway on Cadence between Radial and Chinon. Led by Tony Cruz, an Assistant Transportation Analyst in the City’s Public Works & Sustainability Department who is also a former pro cyclist and Olympian, the celebratory ride included City leaders, Cadence Park School student and Irvine Youth Action Team member Shivraj Chudasama, and residents.
Irvine has an extensive bike network with 113.24 miles of off-street bikeway trails and 286.42 lane miles of on-street bikeways. With a physical barrier separating drivers and cyclists, the Class IV Protected Bikeway will enhance the network by providing a safe option for getting around on a bike.
“This protected bikeway is an important step in our commitment to maintaining a livable, safe, balanced community while working to achieve our sustainability goals,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “I am looking forward to seeing this bikeway connect our community, making it easier for children and families to get to school, parks, and as we continue building the Great Park, enjoy all that it has to offer — without needing a car.”
All bicycle types are allowed to ride in the Class IV bikeway, including e-bikes of all classes. At the event, the City also unveiled its first electric street sweeper, a 2024 Dulevo D-Zero Plus sweeper known as “Evie.” This innovative addition to the fleet will keep the bikeway clean and well-maintained, while preserving the environment.
With a top speed of 20 mph, Evie will predominantly be used to sweep trails. As the City builds more Class IV bikeways, it is estimated that the electric sweeper will save approximately 18 metric tons of carbon emissions over a year — the equivalent of taking 4.2 gas-powered vehicles off City streets.
Together, the Class IV protected bikeway and the electric street sweeper create a more bike-friendly community and help the City achieve its ambitious emissions reduction goals outlined in its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
To learn more about the Class IV protected bikeway, visit cityofirvine.org/protectedbikeway. For more information about Irvine’s efforts to become a climate-smart City, visit cityofirvine.org/caap.
