The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, in partnership with BikeSD, Circulate San Diego, and other safe streets advocates, is proud to announce that the 30th Street Protected Bike Lanes have seen a fourth straight year of increased ridership. 

The once-controversial project is now an accepted part of the neighborhood streetscape in both North Park and South Park. 30th Street has been revitalized and is now safer for all modes of transportation, encouraging walking and cycling in some of San Diego’s densest communities. 

Behind the Numbers 

Before 2022, cyclists shared the road with cars and buses on the busy 30th Street commercial corridor. As a result, the roadway’s annual bike travel counts were about 50,000 trips according to SANDAG’s State of the Commute. 

After the installation of the protected bike lanes in 2021, the corridor saw a massive increase in ridership and total rides. According to the bike counter installed by the City of San Diego in January 2022, rides on 30th Street rose to 114,682, a 120.6% increase from the previous year.* In the following years, ride counts have continued to climb, growing 1.7% in 2023, 5.7% in 2024, and 6.9% in 2025. 

A Story of Government Efficiency and Foresight 

The cycle tracks for the 30th Street Protected Bike Lanes were completed in 2021 following a long-awaited City replacement of century-old pipelines underneath the road.  

The resurfaced street allowed mobility improvements that aligned with City goals, creating a “complete street” that meets the mobility needs of all modes of transportation. 

The 30th Street path is a critical route in San Diego's active transportation network, as it connects some of the city’s densest neighborhoods surrounding Balboa Park. This project is one piece of a larger bicycle network that will safely connect more people to more places. It will see growing ridership and yield a strong return on investment for municipalities seeking to meet their climate goals and make their communities more livable. 

Quotes

“We’re thrilled to see the noteworthy increase in cycling along the 30th Street corridor since the installation of protective infrastructure in 2021. “People really do enjoy biking when they feel comfortable, and our goal is to make bike-friendly streets the norm throughout San Diego County.” -Chloé Lauer, Executive Director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

“The 30th Street bike lanes provide a comfortable connection between major residential, economic, and recreational hubs on the Central Mesa. It not only allows nearby residents to commute and run day to day errands but also encourages visitors to choose alternative forms of transportation, rather than continuing to add to car traffic.” -Anar Salayev, Executive Director of BikeSD, 

"The success of the 30th Street bike lane project demonstrates that more people choose to ride their bikes when they feel safe. "This is further proof that bike lanes are critical infrastructure that make our communities safer, more vibrant, and healthier." -Aria Grossman, Policy Manager at Circulate San Diego 

“North Park is growing rapidly, and we’ve reached a point where driving is often no longer the most practical way to get around the neighborhood. “The 30th Street Bikeway has played an important role in supporting that shift, providing a safe and comfortable north–south connection that encourages more people to bike for everyday trips.” -Jason Vance, chair of North Park Community Planning Group. 

About the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition 

The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition acts as a voice for bicyclists in the region, advocating for safer streets and hundreds of miles of bike paths, lanes, and trails. We lead education programs, raise awareness of cycling and transportation issues, review infrastructure plans, and represent bicyclists to elected officials and decision-makers across the County. We promote cycling as a mainstream, safe, and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation, guided by our values of mobility justice, sustainability, community, and service. For more information check out our website at sdbikecoalition.org.