A 75-mile bike ride may seem like too much to endure, but for Andrew Goldfarb, it’s a ride in the park.

Goldfarb set out a few months ago with about 60 cyclists and rode from Tustin to San Clemente and back. The only drawback was the group had to navigate congested streets and unpaved roads, making for a risky ride.

He’d tackle a long ride again if the logistics weren’t so difficult. Now, transportation officials are working to make such rides easier.

In hopes of promoting more bicycling countywide – whether it’s for commuting to work or exercising – transportation officials are helping cities finance and build bikeways.

The biggest project planned for the coming year by the Orange County Transportation Authority is to begin filling five gaps in a 74-mile loop in north and central county, from Huntington Beach to Anaheim hills.

“The majority of people I talk to say they would bike to work, or at least (bike) more, if there were more bike trails,” said Goldfarb, 19, a Tustin bike-shop employee.

“Long rides are great for mentality because you have to keep focus and be properly prepared. It’s a big challenge.”

BIKE LOOP

OCTA officials plan to eventually connect the long trails that exist along the Santa Ana riverbed, the San Gabriel River and Pacific Coast Highway to create a 74-mile loop.

Carolyn Mamaradlo, an OCTA analyst, said the agency is focusing on off-road bikeways – like the loop – because bicyclists are concerned about the dangers of road riding. And statistics say they have every right to be. In Orange County, an average of one bicyclist per month dies from a traffic accident.

Mamaradlo said that the OCTA is finding that the easiest and most efficient areas to create off-road bikeways are along flood channels, abandoned rail right-of-ways and utility corridors.

Eric Nicoll, Brea’s interim public works director, said his city has been working with OCTA to improve and connect existing bikeways on Brea’s portion of the proposed loop. When completed, bikeways will connect the city with La Habra, Whittier, Fullerton and Yorba Linda.

“The idea that Brea is a compact community that people can access without a car … is a goal,” he said.

Fourth District Supervisor Shawn Nelson, OCTA board chairman and former Fullerton mayor, said the benefit that comes from people interacting out in the community is another motivation for building more bikeways.

Nelson offered that Fullerton has become one of the most bike-friendly cities in the county, with more than 37 miles of bike paths and a recently launched bike-share program.

He said that the more people are out in their neighborhoods, experiencing the community and exercising, the more people will appreciate their quality of life.

“We have the weather, we’re generally flat (land), everything’s here,” Nelson said. “We just needed to make it easier for the person tempted to ride to work or the person who wants to go out on a Saturday.”

FOR FAMILIES AND SPORT CYCLISTS

Amber Smith-Stanco, of San Clemente, said that her family uses off-road bike paths to stay active and enjoy the community.

She likes to take her young family out on walks, but is concerned about cars whizzing by with drivers texting and talking on cellphones.

“We use the beach trail in San Clemente all the time,” she said. “My son takes his bike, my daughter her scooter; I jog it with the stroller or walk with the little one. With a toddler who can take off in any direction at any moment, I never let her walk on sidewalks where cars go by. It’s just not safe.”

Mamaradlo said Smith-Stanco is not alone, and that’s why the OCTA is focusing on off-road paths. OCTA cites a study conducted in Portland, Ore., where 60 percent of cyclists said they’re interested in more and better bike routes but concerned about safety.

OCTA officials have budgeted to create 5.42 miles of off-road bikeways this fiscal year.

“If the objective is to provide more transportation options, it is important to begin looking for ways to make bicycling more appealing to those ‘interested but concerned’ folks,” she said. “One way to appeal to the 60 percent would be to consider protected bikeways.”

Still, officials are planning to appeal to all riders. Accordingly, they’re also adding 4.25 miles of paved bike lanes this fiscal year.

Bill Sellin, founder of the Bicycle Club of Irvine, applauded the efforts. “It’s a good thing to have more connectivity,” he said. “Bike lane to bike lane is just as important as bike trail to bike trail.”

Whether it’s off-road biking or paved cycling, transpiration officials want to get people out of their cars and on two wheels.

“The OCTA master plan is wonderful for cyclists,” Sellin said. “It gives people more access to Orange County and it will definitely get people out biking for the heck of it.”

Contact the writer: 714-704-3764 or aduranty@ocregister.com