PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
1/26/2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # CM: 012617
Subject:
City of Long Beach Announces 2017 Mobility Challenge – #CountMeInLB
Contact:
Sean Crumby
Deputy Director of Public Works
562.570.6695
Sean.Crumby@longbeach.gov
Deputy Director of Public Works
562.570.6695
Sean.Crumby@longbeach.gov
The City is launching a Mobility Challenge, and encouraging residents to get out and be counted by the new Eco-Counter, located on the Shoreline Pedestrian/Bicycle Path just west of the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. The challenge is to reach a total count of 1,000,000 cyclists and/or pedestrians by the end of 2017. The goal is to encourage residents to take advantage of the many mobility options the City has to offer, and to utilize social media as a fun way to inspire others to get involved.
“Long Beach’s reputation for being one of the most bike friendly and walkable cities in the nation is in large part due to our residents,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This mobility challenge is an opportunity for everyone to get out and live up to our City’s reputation.”
Using the hashtag #CountMeInLB, residents are encouraged to post photos and videos of themselves on Social Media as they walk, run or bicycle past the Eco-Counter, or simply as they take advantage of the City’s numerous trails, parks, beaches, streets and sidewalks.
“Making Long Beach an even greater place to live for all of our residents is a top priority,” said City Manager Patrick H. West. “The investments we’ve made, and the recent livability initiatives, have helped to increase the quality of life for our residents. It is our hope that in 2017, visitors and residents in Long Beach spend more time taking advantage of the many mobility options that are available to them throughout the City.”
Installed in September 2016, the Eco-Counter uses special sensors to count and distinguish between bicyclists and pedestrians walking or jogging along the 3.1-mile side-by-side lanes. During peak times the path can be used by more than 200 bikes per hour, along with approximately 185 pedestrians per hour.
It’s easy to track usage, because the counter displays the number of pedestrians and bicyclists who use the path each day, and also year-to-date. The public can view in real-time how many people are bicycling and using the pedestrian path at www.longbeach.gov/PW.
Utilizing the City’s Bike Share program is another a great way to participate in the mobility challenge and be counted. Since launching in March of 2016, more than 6,500 members have biked 72,000 miles with Long Beach Bike Share. The network of 47 hubs and 360 bikes enable visitors and residents to conveniently reach key destinations in the City, including the system’s most popular hubs at Aquarium of the Pacific, Belmont Pier, and City Hall. The bike share network, which operates without cost to the City, will continue to expand in coming months with the addition of 140 additional bikes throughout the City – including hubs near California State University, Long Beach, and the Queen Mary.
“Bikeability” investments reaffirm the City’s commitment to making Long Beach the best place to live, work, and play. Long Beach will continue to promote its overall “Livability” initiatives, which also include “Swimability” and “Walkability,” to promote healthy active lifestyles so all residents and visitors can experience an increased quality of life.
“Long Beach’s reputation for being one of the most bike friendly and walkable cities in the nation is in large part due to our residents,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This mobility challenge is an opportunity for everyone to get out and live up to our City’s reputation.”
Using the hashtag #CountMeInLB, residents are encouraged to post photos and videos of themselves on Social Media as they walk, run or bicycle past the Eco-Counter, or simply as they take advantage of the City’s numerous trails, parks, beaches, streets and sidewalks.
“Making Long Beach an even greater place to live for all of our residents is a top priority,” said City Manager Patrick H. West. “The investments we’ve made, and the recent livability initiatives, have helped to increase the quality of life for our residents. It is our hope that in 2017, visitors and residents in Long Beach spend more time taking advantage of the many mobility options that are available to them throughout the City.”
Installed in September 2016, the Eco-Counter uses special sensors to count and distinguish between bicyclists and pedestrians walking or jogging along the 3.1-mile side-by-side lanes. During peak times the path can be used by more than 200 bikes per hour, along with approximately 185 pedestrians per hour.
It’s easy to track usage, because the counter displays the number of pedestrians and bicyclists who use the path each day, and also year-to-date. The public can view in real-time how many people are bicycling and using the pedestrian path at www.longbeach.gov/PW.
Utilizing the City’s Bike Share program is another a great way to participate in the mobility challenge and be counted. Since launching in March of 2016, more than 6,500 members have biked 72,000 miles with Long Beach Bike Share. The network of 47 hubs and 360 bikes enable visitors and residents to conveniently reach key destinations in the City, including the system’s most popular hubs at Aquarium of the Pacific, Belmont Pier, and City Hall. The bike share network, which operates without cost to the City, will continue to expand in coming months with the addition of 140 additional bikes throughout the City – including hubs near California State University, Long Beach, and the Queen Mary.
“Bikeability” investments reaffirm the City’s commitment to making Long Beach the best place to live, work, and play. Long Beach will continue to promote its overall “Livability” initiatives, which also include “Swimability” and “Walkability,” to promote healthy active lifestyles so all residents and visitors can experience an increased quality of life.