A stretch of Santa Fe Drive near San Dieguito Academy has become the center of a dispute between Encinitas and California. Now the City Council has authorized a legal challenge over who controls its protected bike lanes.

After an October 21 closed session, City Attorney Ajit Thind reported a 4–1 council vote to pursue litigation over Senate Bill 114. Councilmember Joy Lyndes dissented. Authorization does not establish that a court complaint has already been filed.

What the State Law Says

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 114 on September 18. Its Santa Fe Drive provision applies specifically to the separated bikeway built with state funding as part of the western roadway project.

For five years after the project's notice of completion, the law forbids Encinitas from removing or modifying that bikeway. For the next ten years, removal requires returning the full $3.09 million state allocation and demonstrating equal or greater safety, accessibility and mobility for people traveling without a car.

This is not a statewide ban on bike lane changes. It is a condition attached to a particular project and its state funding.

What Encinitas Wanted to Change

Completed in April 2025, the western Santa Fe Drive improvements introduced narrower vehicle lanes, back-in angled parking, sidewalks and barrier-separated cycling space. State funding covered $3.09 million of a project costing more than $4 million.

A council majority later backed a redesign to remove the south-side protected bicycle lane, replace back-in parking with parallel spaces and widen vehicle lanes from 10 to 11 feet. The north-side separated lane would remain. Reconstruction was estimated to cost more than $3 million.

These are design plans advanced in earlier votes, not changes already built. State law directly affects whether the bicycle-lane portion can proceed.

Two Views of Road Safety

Mayor Bruce Ehlers and other redesign supporters have raised concerns about turning traffic, access near school and church driveways, and emergency vehicle clearance. They believe the current layout has safety problems the city should be able to correct.

Supporters of the separated bikeway, including state Senator Catherine Blakespear, argue that physical barriers protect riders, particularly students near the high school. They question spending more public money to undo recently completed infrastructure.

A disagreement over the best street design is not the same as the legal question. Whatever the city prefers, SB 114 sets conditions for changing this particular bikeway.

What Happens Next

The October 21 closed-session agenda listed possible initiation of litigation. The regular meeting agenda provided for a report from closed session. The publicly reported 4–1 authorization is the confirmed action.

No judge ruled on the law at that meeting. Until a filing and court schedule are verified, the outcome remains uncertain. Residents can track updates in the city's meeting archive.

Questions You May Have About Santa Fe Drive

Did council vote to remove the bike lane on October 21?

No. October 21's confirmed action authorized litigation. Earlier council votes advanced the separate redesign.

Has Encinitas filed a lawsuit?

A 4–1 authorization was announced, but a court filing was not independently confirmed as of October 29.

How much state funding is involved?

SB 114 names a $3.09 million allocation for the Santa Fe Drive improvements.

Does the law block changes forever?

No. It restricts modification for five years after completion, then sets repayment and safety conditions for removal during the next ten years.