OCEANSIDE - Imagine a system of paths that would give cyclists traffic-free routes to transit centers, business districts, and recreational facilities.

The paths, similar to the San Luis Rey River Trail, would parallel major roads such as Oceanside Boulevard, El Camino Real, and North Santa Fe Avenue. There could be bicycle lockers, for example, at stations serving the Sprinter light rail line, where cyclists could lock up their bikes and hop on the train. There might even be showers.

The concept is part of becoming a "bicycle friendly community," a designation which cities apply for and which is granted by the League of American Bicyclists. The award recognizes cities for "providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging its residents to bike for transportation and recreation," according to the League's website.

On Wednesday, the City Council will consider awarding a $129,407 contract to the IBI Group and KTU+A of San Diego to update the city's Bicycle Master Plan, a move that is key to achieving the designation .

"We're trying to elevate awareness in the community of the bicycle lifestyle and how it can help our city," said Howard LaGrange, an avid cyclist and chair of the Oceanside Bicycle Committee. "We're trying to make the community one that has a well-rounded quality of life."

The money comes from a $145,000 grant the city received from the San Diego Association of Governments in June 2006. The city will be updating its circulation element at the same time because planning future bicycle paths factors into many roadway planning issues, said John Amberson, city project manager for the circulation update.

The council in March directed staff members to pursue the designation, which is held by cities such as Davis, Palo Alto, and Chicago.

LaGrange, who is also a member of the city's Economic Development Commission and a business owner, said the bike paths dovetail with the city's economic development.

"How do you attract the right type of business for your community?" he asked. "You can say we have land, space, etc. But another approach is to have a community that companies want to come to. You want to develop a community that attracts the right type of companies."

The process of developing the update, which will expand on the city's 1996 recreational trails plan, will include public meetings and is expected to be finished in about six months, said Nathan Mertz, the city's park development coordinator.

"One thing I think a lot of people would love to see is expanded Class 1 trails," he said, describing such trails as exclusive rights of way for bicycles and pedestrians - a road unto itself that has no interaction with cars.

"Right now the city's very well off with designated bike lanes on the streets, but when you have large scale roads and speed limits are 50 mph, a lot of people would like an off-street trail," he said.

Included in the update will be a more detailed plan for extending the San Luis Rey River trail 1.7 miles to the east, evaluation of the Sprinter corridor, and on the coast, looking at bike facilities downtown in a little more detail, Mertz said.

Regional bike plans created by the association of governments call for the San Luis Rey River trail to eventually extend all the way to Interstate 15. The trail would link up with the county's 6,000-acre river park project expected to run from East Vista Way to Interstate 15.

Councilman Rocky Chavez said the development of a bicycle-friendly city is good for recreation and as an alternate means of transportation.

"We're a society that needs to exercise more," he said. "As far as work, I lived in Washington, D.C., and a lot of people rode their bikes to work."

- Contact Staff Writer Marga Kellogg at (760) 901-4067 or mkellogg@nctimes.com.