Rancho Mirage Improves Bike Safety with New Lane Expansion Projects

As part of National Bicycle Safety Month, the City of Rancho Mirage is rolling out a series of new projects to improve street safety for cyclists and drivers alike. One of the most notable upgrades is a bike lane expansion near the intersection of Bob Hope Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive.

Project manager Charlie Nesbitt says the goal is to close a gap in the existing bike lane infrastructure by widening the road and restriping the lanes to ensure a continuous path for cyclists.

“We’ll be widening the lane and restriping so you have a continuous bike lane all the way down Frank Sinatra through the intersection and be able to make the right-hand turn onto Frank Sinatra,” Nesbitt said.

Cyclists in the area are welcoming the changes. Several told NBC Palm Springs the added space and buffer zones give them not only more room to ride, but also greater peace of mind.

“This kind of thing with a hashed buffer lane is absolutely fantastic,” said one cyclist. “Anything to make it a little safer for cyclists is a good thing.”

Nesbitt says this is just one of several bike lane improvement projects happening throughout Rancho Mirage. All are expected to wrap up by the summer and are part of the city’s broader efforts to improve traffic flow and protect cyclists in a community with a strong biking culture.

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