Pedestrians

The City Council voted Tuesday to explore ways to connect Top of the World and Arch Beach Heights by a pathway — but it won't go through the gated community of Sommet du Monde. A road in the gated community would have provided access from TOW to the fire road between the two hilltop neighborhoods for the use of bicyclists, hikers, moms with strollers and school children. However the proposal didn't sit well with six Sommet du Monde property owners, who made it clear that they would not open their private road to the public without a battle.

The City Council cleared the way Tuesday for two pedestrian pathways, one at the top of town and one in Laguna Canyon. Stantec will be paid $155,500 for design services related to a pedestrian pathway that would connect Alta Laguna Boulevard to the road between Top of the World and Arch Beach Heights and for services related to the creation of a path between the Laguna College of Art + Design and the ACT V parking lot. The Top of the World pathway...

Laguna Beach may be one of the "happiest seaside towns," but when bringing up issues like traffic, biking and public parking, the smiles on people's faces just might sour a bit. "Parking and traffic have been a problem in Laguna since the beginning of time," Mayor Jane Egly said with a slight laugh. According to the 2012 Citizen Survey, only 22% of respondents rated the city "excellent" or "good" in ease of car travel; 32% gave good marks for ease of bike travel; 21% were OK with traffic flow on major streets; and 28% were positive about the amount of public parking.

Two Orange County men riding in a stolen car allegedly hit parked cars and a street pole at Pearl Street and South Coast Highway Sunday afternoon. Laguna Beach Police responded to the scene at 1:55 p.m. Eddie Reyes Martinez, 19, from Mission Viejo, and Jonathan Jesus Cordova, 18, from Laguna Woods ran from the scene, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Louise Callus wrote in an email. Citizens in the area of Bluebird Beach and Coast Highway detained the men until officers arrived. Both men were injured and taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, police said.

These injury accidents occurred on or about the Fourth of July weekend: On July 2, a bicyclist fell while riding the unimproved Moulton Meadows connector trail at Top of the World and required an air rescue. Unrelated to the bicyclist, an Edison truck driver mistook this same trail as a shortcut to Arch Beach Heights and plowed his vehicle into a ravine. This connector is the same trail the city has been considering for capital improvement for more than two years. On July 4, a 17-year-old pedestrian was clipped by a suspected drunk driver on Coast Highway.

Vista Aliso senior claims harassment An outspoken Laguna Beach senior claims she has been harassed by young people since she spoke about limiting skateboarding in Laguna Beach. Vista Aliso resident Margaret Butt, who has voiced her concerns about skateboarders at City Council meetings, said she is now concerned about her personal safety and the sanctity of her home. "They have sprayed my clothes and entered my place," Butt told the City Council at its Oct. 18 meeting.

Skateboarders may have won a significant victory Sept. 23. The Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee eliminated from a proposed ordinance a ban on skateboarding on steep hillside streets such as Park Avenue. The committee's recommendations will be reviewed by the city attorney and the Police Department before going to the City Council for a final decision. The council is tentatively scheduled to decide on the issue Nov. 16, said Jim Beres, civilian supervisor for the Police Department.

Are they "welcome" mats? Or bathmats? The mystery of the rubber mats that have appeared at some pedestrian corners in downtown Laguna Beach has puzzled many. Some locals received e-mails recently claiming city officials installed the mats so visitors and residents can wipe their feet -- presumably to keep sidewalks clean -- and that anyone who doesn't act politely will be fined $8. The e-mailer claims that some European cities require pedestrians to wipe their feet on such mats to keep sidewalks clean.

While teaching at UC Davis, I've enjoyed walking the streets of that quaint university town. I like Davis: the energy of the young reaching for knowledge, the weekly family picnic at the farmers' market adorned with colorful veggies from local fields, the train whistling into the station, and myriad shops that display a bustling village life. I find it remarkable to discover how many folks ride bikes. Not just students. Everyone. Everywhere. Davis is a bicycling enclave. Stoplights even have an additional signal reserved for cyclists.