Bike and ocean / Cali Herman via Flickr

Some of the most beautiful places in the region are in unincorporated L.A. County — think mountains and beach. And, of course, we have some of the best weather on the planet. So it’s good news that the L.A. County Regional Planning commission is far enough along with the county’s first bicycle plan since 1975 that it will soon conduct a public hearing on the matter.

The ambitious Bicycle Master Plan calls for creation of more than 800 miles of new bikeways over the next two decades for unincorporated L.A. County, including 19 miles of rider-friendly bicycle boulevards, nearly 265 miles of new bikeways (dedicated bicycle paths and lanes) and about 460 miles of bicycle routes, which are thoroughfares marked by signs and often paint on the pavement.

The plan also recommends end-of-trip facilities, such as short- and long-term bike parking, showers and changing facilities; encouraging enforcement of traffic laws to enhance bicyclist and pedestrian safety; determining where bike parking facilities are needed and establishment of a bicycle parking policy. All in all it’s a plan that speaks to the growing profile of bicycling in our county, as we grow to reflect 21st century concerns for clean air and mobility.

Anyone interested will be given a chance to testify or submit written comments on the final plan, as well as the draft environmental impact report, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16 in the Hall of Records, Room 150, 320 West Temple Street in downtown L.A. If you want to take a look at the plan and draft EIR in advance, they’re available for public review here.

It’s good to see the county is in the game, too, when it comes to bike improvements. Many of the 88 cities in the county are in the process of implementing their own bike plans, too, and it’s important in the future that these improvements form some type of network for future bike commuters.