The path to a bikeway system in La Habra received a boost when the City Council recently approved forming a committee to give input on what the city’s Bikeway Master Plan should look like.

The 10-member committee will have two council members, five residents nominated by a council member and three commissioners.

The committee is expected to last for one year, meet up to five times and hold workshops to get feedback from residents on locations for potential lanes and trails.

“We will look at the various streets throughout the city and take maps to these meetings we’re going to have and get the public’s input,” City Engineer Chris Johansen said.

The plan calls for making bicycle transportation a viable alternative to automobiles.

City leaders are looking at possibly putting a bike trail beside the Union Pacific Railroad route near Guadalupe and Terraza parks. The city is in negotiations with Union Pacific for a 15-foot-wide easement.

“The railroad comes through the city, but it’s very limited to just two trains a week,” Johansen said.

La Habra is one of several cities that have recently begun looking to improve bikeway systems since the Orange County Transportation Authority adopted its 2009 bikeway plan.

“We’ve been talking with Whittier and also with Brea about their desire to improve their bike routes and how they connect with La Habra,” Johansen said.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3794 or lcasiano@ocregister.com