The Orange County Transportation Authority and the City of Mission Viejo are moving forward with an idea many residents in Fullerton have been asking for years: safer, more connected streets designed for people, not just cars.

On Saturday, May 16, Mission Viejo will host the “Pedal La Paz Road” Bikeway Demonstration Event, temporarily converting part of La Paz Road into a protected bikeway experience between Marguerite Parkway and Veterans Way. Residents will be able to bike, scoot, and roll through the corridor while experiencing firsthand what safer street infrastructure could look like. (The first 50 youth riders will receive a FREE bike helmet while supplies last!)

The event is more than a recreational ride. It is a public demonstration of how cities can rethink wide arterial roads and prioritize safety, accessibility, and mobility for everyone — including families, children, and everyday cyclists.
The project is tied to OCTA’s Bikeways Connectivity Study, which is exploring Class IV protected bike lanes separated from vehicle traffic by barriers, curbs, or parking buffers. These types of lanes have become increasingly common in cities that view cycling as a legitimate transportation option rather than an afterthought.

Meanwhile, Fullerton continues to struggle with fragmented bike infrastructure, inconsistent lanes, and major corridors that can feel unsafe for cyclists, pedestrians, and people with mobility challenges. Streets such as Harbor Boulevard, Raymond Avenue, Bastanchury Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Euclid Avenue, Chapman Avenue, and portions of Associated and State College avenues remain heavily vehicle-oriented despite repeated conversations about active transportation and sustainability.

What makes Mission Viejo’s effort stand out is not simply the temporary bike lane — it is the willingness to test ideas publicly and invite community participation. The event includes youth bike-safety courses, free bicycle tune-ups, community booths, and opportunities for residents to provide direct feedback on the corridor’s future.
That kind of experimentation and outreach is something Fullerton could easily pursue if city leaders made it a priority.

Fullerton already has the ingredients for a stronger bike network: a major university, dense neighborhoods, a historic downtown, transit connections, and a growing number of residents seeking alternatives to driving short distances. But meaningful progress requires political will and long-term planning rather than isolated striping projects or symbolic gestures.

Cities across Orange County are increasingly recognizing that safer streets benefit more than cyclists alone. Protected bike lanes can calm traffic, improve pedestrian safety, encourage local business activity, and create more livable neighborhoods.

Mission Viejo’s demonstration event shows what can happen when agencies are willing to think creatively about how streets are used. The question for Fullerton is whether city leaders are prepared to bring that same level of vision and urgency to local roads before another opportunity passes by.

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