Newport Beach is adjacent to Irvine, CA but it has nowhere near the organization that Irvine has. Sure, they have extremely rich (insanely rich) residents but all those people do is accumulate their wealth and finance further development of dwindling Orange County/California land. They don't give a damn about the city's residents as long as they don't cramp their rich and famous lifestyles. Irvine however, and to some extent other cities around them (mine included), do care about their whole city and the residents.

The Irvine bicycle paths I rode in were all super clean, smoothly paved, with clearly posted signs for any hazards along the way. I could see some access gates could be locked if there were any dangers to riders. In my experience in living out here, they have the best bike paths around.

My city and other adjacent cities also have bicycle lanes on every major artery. But there are few bicycle paths, if any. Riding a bicycle lane is most definitely better than not having it. Don't get me wrong, I'm very appreciative of what I have in my city. But sucking on exhaust fumes and hearing all the loud exhausts get old after riding really good bicycle paths.

In any case, I will trust my eyes and look ahead no matter where I'm riding.