Will CV Link Increase Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety?

Jul 18,2017

The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is getting close to breaking ground on the CV Link, a path that proponents hope will help reduce pedestrian and bicycle accidents in the Coachella Valley.

The CV Link is a 50-mile path that will run throughout the Coachella Valley. The path will be open to bicycles, pedestrians and neighborhood electric vehicles. The planned route will provide access to schools, shopping, restaurants, community centers and more.

Friends of CV Link, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the CV Link and encouraging locals to pursue a healthy lifestyle, hopes the path will provide a safe alternative to valley roadways, which can be dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians. Gary Lueders, president of Friends of CV Link, says that with drivers who are distracted and in a rush, bike lanes alone are not safe enough. The CV Link will provide protection by isolating bicyclists and pedestrians from vehicles.

The numbers back up Lueders’ point. Since 2002, 37 bicyclists have died on Coachella Valley roadways. And last year, 29 people were killed after being struck by vehicles. Most were pedestrians, and several were bicyclists.

Where Will the CV Link Go?

The bulk of the path construction will take place in 2018. The path will begin at the Palm Springs Visitors Center. It will wind throughout the valley, providing scenic views of Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio, following the Whitewater River Wash and entering Cathedral City. It will then head through Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert to La Quinta. The path will then run alongside Highway 86 in Indio and into Thermal. Next it will intersect with Dillon Road and continue through Mecca all the way to Joshua Tree National Park. The initial pathway is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

The CVAG has estimated that by 2035, the path will facilitate more than 3 million bicycle and pedestrian trips each year.

“We look forward to seeing the safety improvements the CV Link will bring to the valley, as well as the increase in residents and tourists who will choose to walk or bike to their destination,” said Attorney Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.