Mobility & Clean Transportation

Transport land use whiteWhether you walk, bike, bus, or drive, transportation is an integral part of everyone’s day. La Mesa is committed to creating safer streets for bikers and pedestrians, and working with agencies across the region to reduce emissions.


Resources

Are you looking for healthier ways to travel while saving money? Here are a few resources to get you started.

  • Bike – With an average temperature of 71 degrees, the San Diego region is one of the best places in the country to travel on two wheels. Plan your bike route, find places to park your bike, and learn more about regional biking infrastructure improvements coming to La Mesa. Be sure to check out San Diego Bike Coalition for classes, tips, and other great resources to make you a biking professional. Finally, check out La Mesa’s Bike Guide for tips on safe biking practices.
  • Walk  La Mesa strives to make streets safe and friendly for pedestrians, no matter your route. Check out La Mesa’s Walkability Guide before your next urban walking adventure. You can also explore the City’s Urban Trails or join the City for an urban walking adventure – guided La Mesa Walks! tours are offered every Wednesday.
  • Trolley  La Mesa has five trolley stations that connect the city to key destinations like Petco Park, Mission Valley, and San Ysidro. Leave your car at home and plan your route today. You can also download the Pronto app to pay trolley and bus fares as well as plan out trips with accurate and live schedules to get to destinations on time.
  • Bus  Seven bus routes connect La Mesa to key areas across San Diego County. Plan your route and check current bus fare prices. 
  • Carpool iCommute is a great resource for your carpool and alternative transportation needs. Are you interested in starting a Vanpool in your neighborhood? iCommute staff can help!

Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Program (CORE) for Small Landscaping Businesses

Get 70% off the cost of zero-emission landscaping with this new state program! $27 million is now available to help professional landscape services operated by small businesses or sole proprietors.  Starting on November 7th, 2022, point of sale vouchers are available through the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) CORE program. Types of eligible zero-emission professional landscaping equipment include:

  • Edgers
  • Hedgers
  • String trimmers
  • Chainsaws
  • Pole saws
  • Vacuums
  • Handheld leaf blowers
  • Backpack leaf blowers
  • Walk-behind mowers
  • Ride-on/Stand-ride mowers
  • Batteries/Charging equipment


CORE's website features both a list of approved zero-emission landscape service equipment manufacturers and a list of approved dealers throughout California and other states. This program does not require you to turn in or destroy your old equipment. For more information, please visit CORE's website here.

CORE supports AB 1346 which requires the CARB to adopt regulations to prohibit the engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from the sale of new small off-road engines on or after January 1, 2024.  

Community Bicycle Repair Station

The City of La Mesa has installed a new bicycle repair station to provide basic bicycle repair and maintenance tools to community bicyclists.  The bicycle repair area is located on Allison Ave in between City Hall and Fire Station 11, just outside of the La Mesa Branch Library at 8074 Allison Ave.  This self-serve station contains tools needed to perform do-it yourself bicycle repairs and maintenance such as changing a flat tire to adjusting brakes, and includes screwdrivers, wrenches, and hex tools.  The repair station also features a heavy duty bicycle tire air pump.  Users can scan a QR code to access detailed instructions for various repairs.  This supports the City’s Climate Action Plan transportation measures to expand bicycle infrastructure and was funded through the 2022 SANDAG GO by BIKE grant.

Electric Vehicles

Not only are electric vehicles cheaper to run and maintain, they are better for the environment. Electric vehicles have zero exhaust emissions, renewable energy charging options to completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, and many newer models are beginning to be manufactured with recycled material.

Businesses: For more information about electric vehicles for fleet, funding opportunities, charging infrastructure, and to request technical assistance visit the San Diego Regional Clean Cities Coalition, Plug-In San Diego,  or CalEVIP to learn more about the San Diego County Incentive Project.

Residents: Learn about the benefits of driving an electric car.  Administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy for the California Air Resources Board, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) offers up to $7,000 in electric vehicle rebates for the purchase or lease of new, eligible zero-emissions and plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicles.  

There are public EV charging stations in La Mesa in community and shopping centers, with more on the way!  To view available charging stations open to the public, check out the map, provided by plugshare.com.

Compressed Natural Gas

CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) fueling is now available 24/7 at EDCO’s La Mesa CNG Public Station located at 8173 Commercial Street, across from EDCO Station.

City Efforts

The City is continually working to make La Mesa streets safer for pedestrians and more bike-friendly. Since 2007, the City has invested more than $22 million dollars in grants for planning, infrastructure, education, and outreach to encourage and improve the City’s walkability and bikeability. A few efforts that guide this vision include:81-Village Event-HoffmanPhotoVideo

Urban Trails Mobility Action Plan (2016) – this comprehensive strategy helps connect La Mesa’s urban trails (sidewalks) between neighborhoods and key community destinations like parks, recreation hot spots, hospitals, and local retail. The plan identifies pedestrian improvements and implementation strategies based on community input. Implementation of this plan is ongoing and supports City efforts to promote walking, biking, and transit use.

Bicycle Facilities and Alternative Transportation Plan (2012) - the City strives to create a safe, convenient and efficient environment for bicycle and pedestrian travel that encourages the use of public streets, off-street facilities and public transit. They City used a comprehensive approach to identify bicycle and pedestrian needs throughout the City, review current conditions, examine optional improvements and prioritize implementation strategies with viable funding sources. The plan addresses opportunities to connect and integrate existing and proposed facilities and is used to inform grant solicitations and prioritize project implementation.

Complete Streets Plan (2012 General Plan) - There are more than 12.8 miles of existing on-street designated bike and striped bike lanes (Class II bike routes) in La Mesa, with an additional 12.8 miles planned for future installation. The Complete Streets component of the General Plan establishes goals and policies for a complete transportation system, incorporating all travel modes, including motor vehicle, transit, walking and cycling.

Freeway Crossing Plan (2008) - La Mesa is crisscrossed by three freeways, which provide excellent access to the region, but restrict travel between different parts of the City. The Freeway Crossing Plan creates a path to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and motor vehicle connections across the two major freeways that divide the City.

Walkability Plan (2006) - This Plan creates a broad, community-based vision and action plan to make La Mesa a safer and more walkable community. The  Plan  sets  the  stage  for  achieving  the General Plan vision of creating a community in  which  residents  can  get  around  the  City without a motor vehicle.

Regional Collaborations

SANDAG Regional Planning Committee - the committee provides oversight for the implementation of San Diesandag-logo-rgb-highresgo Forward: The Regional Plan, which merges the Regional Comprehensive Plan, the Regional Transportation Plan, and the Sustainable Communities Strategy.

SANDAG Regional Planning Technical Working Group - The Regional Planning Technical Working Group consists of the planning and/or community development director from each member agency and provides advice to the Regional Planning Committee and the SANDAG Board of Directors on the implementation of San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan. The working group also provides coordination on regional growth management issues among member agencies.