LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The newest section of the Los Angeles River Bike Path was opened Thursday, running 1 1/2 miles from Owensmouth to Mason avenues in Canoga Park.

“The LA River is such an incredible resource and we must invest in projects like this so we can bring it to its full potential,” said Councilman Bob Blumenfield. “Thanks to organizations like LACBC and our city partners, including LADOT and StreetsLA, for joining together as we continue to make LA a city where Angelenos can bike and walk without fear.”

Blumenfield unveiled the $6 million stretch of the bike path during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The new section adds to other portions of the path that have been created with help from Blumenfield over the past few years.

The next section of the bike path being planned will go from Vanalden Avenue to Balboa Boulevard in the Sepulveda Basin.

“We think that the bicycle is a vehicle for progress that is healthy, sustainable, affordable, equitable and fun but the problem is that not a lot of us can ride bikes safely or feeling like we are supported — that’s why this infrastructure is so important,” said Eli Kaufman, executive director of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and chair of the LA City Bicycle Advisory Committee.

The newest section of the bike path was mostly funded through a grant from the California State Active Transportation Program.