Cathedral City begins new bike lane project to improve cyclist safety
Luis Avila
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City is taking steps towards making its roads safer and more accessible for cyclists. Starting Thursday, city crews will begin construction on a new bike lane along Whispering Palms Trail — a key component of a broader effort to expand alternative transportation infrastructure.
The project is part of Cathedral City’s Active Transportation Plan, which aims to create a safer, more connected network for cyclists and pedestrians. The upcoming work will stretch along Whispering Palms Trail from Dinah Shore Drive to 30th Avenue.
“We’re really excited because the whole project involves two miles of Class III bike lane… What that is, is a bike lane that shares the whole entire road. There will be new striping and marking.”
John Corella, Cathedral City Public Works Director
For local cyclists, the improvements couldn’t come soon enough. James Colella, owner of Kings Rideshop in Cathedral City, says bike sales — especially e-bikes — have surged in recent years. But with that increase comes a growing concern for safety.
Many cyclists in the city are still forced to ride dangerously close to passing cars due to a lack of dedicated lanes. Colella warns that the risks are not only inconvenient — they’re serious.
“Almost everyone I know that has ridden road bikes… has been hit by a car or in some kind of accident so if they can make it safer for cyclists, just the safety will increase usage.”
James Colella, Kings Rideshop Owner
City officials say Whispering Palms was chosen for this phase because it offers a quieter, residential alternative to major thoroughfares.
“Whispering Palms is one of the corridors identified in our Active Transportation Plan that is a north-south corridor taking it off main roads and bringing it into residential roads. Obviously there’s slower speed limits so it’s more inviting for bicyclists to take those routes than on major thoroughfares where there’s a lot of traffic.”
John Corella, Cathedral City Public Works Director
The city sees this project as a stepping stone in its mission to enhance walkability and bike access citywide. Corella emphasized the long-term benefits of creating safer spaces for active transportation.
While infrastructure is improving, riders stress that safety also depends on awareness from drivers.
Construction is expected to last through next month.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.