G Line Bikeway
| Company type | Public infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation, Recreation |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles |
| Products | Bike path, cycling infrastructure |
G Line Bikeway
The G Line Bikeway extends for 17.9 miles (28.8 km) across Los Angeles, beginning in Chatsworth and continuing through the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area to reach Valley Glen. It runs adjacent to the G Line bus rapid transit corridor, occupying a dedicated right-of-way.[1]
Between Chatsworth station and just past Valley College station, the bikeway functions as a Class I off-street cycling path. Meanwhile, the segment from between Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Fulton Avenue to North Hollywood station along Chandler Boulevard is designated as a Class II on-street bike lane.[2]
Due to frequent stops at intersections, the route is mainly designed for leisure cycling rather than long-distance endurance rides.[3]
At its western terminus, the bikeway connects with the Browns Creek Bike Path at Chatsworth station and integrates with trails within the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area. Its extensive network has led to it being praised as both a “San Fernando Valley commuter corridor” and “the crown jewel of San Fernando Valley bike infrastructure.”[4]
The bikeway formerly ran alongside Van Nuys station until its closure on February 21, 2025. This closure resulted in shutting down 1.36 miles (2.19 km) of the path between Sepulveda Boulevard and Tyrone Avenue. Plans are underway to reconstruct the bikeway alongside a new elevated viaduct for Van Nuys station, though final design details remain pending.
During Phase A of the reconstruction, cyclists are detoured via Erwin Avenue, Delano Street, Calvert Street, and short stretches on Noble and Sylmar Avenues starting at Sepulveda station. Phase B will shorten this detour by reconnecting riders at Kester Avenue. The completion of the new elevated Van Nuys station along with the restored bikeway segment is anticipated by December 2027.[5]
History
Originally inaugurated in 2005, the pathway connected Warner Center with North Hollywood. In 2012, the county expanded it further by extending from Canoga station to Chatsworth train station.
The construction process incorporated bioswales to mitigate water pollution caused by urban runoff, while crushed debris from the 405 expansion project was repurposed as a sub-base material beneath the path.
Access
County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has noted that most sections of this broad asphalt trail have distinct lanes separating bicyclists from pedestrians, although some areas are shared as “multiuse” paths. Enhanced curb ramps provide improved accessibility, especially during periods of heavy foot traffic.
Typically, G (Orange) Line buses accommodate three bicycles; however, racks tend to fill rapidly, making it advisable for cyclists to board at terminal stations such as North Hollywood or Chatsworth.
A 2015 analysis of G Line cycling commuters revealed several insights: (1) stranded cyclists occur more frequently on weekday evenings near college campuses and weekend mornings; (2) expanded evening service since 2013 has reduced these incidents; (3) when bike racks reach approximately two-thirds capacity, about 20% of buses leave at least one cyclist behind.
Dedicated park-and-ride facilities are available at , , , , , , and stations.
Every G Line stop provides bike racks, with bike lockers also available for rental.
Hazards
At the eastern terminus of the Canoga Avenue station, riders should be aware of a hazardous blind curve. Occasionally, the route may be partially blocked due to transient encampments or dense vegetation.
See also
External links
- Bike Travel in the SFV — The Orange Line Bike Path
- labikepaths.com Orange Line Bike Path
- Biking in LA: Orange Line bike path tag archive
- Urbanize LA: Orange Line
VIDEOS
- STREETFILMS: L.A.’s Orange Line bus rapid transit plus bike path!
- Orange Line Bike Path Warner Center to Chatsworth (17 min)
- Metro Orange bike path westbound (14 min)
MAPS
- Los Angeles Bikeway Map (Metro.net) - HTML
- Los Angeles Bikeway Map (Metro.net) - PDF hosted on Dropbox
References
- Articles with short description
- Bike paths in Los Angeles
- G Line (Los Angeles Metro)
- Rail trails in California
- Parks in Los Angeles
- Parks in the San Fernando Valley
- Transportation in the San Fernando Valley
- Canoga Park, Los Angeles
- Lake Balboa, Los Angeles
- North Hollywood, Los Angeles
- Tarzana, Los Angeles
- Van Nuys, Los Angeles
- Winnetka, Los Angeles