Tom LaBonge Claims He's 'Big on Bikes,' Declares Festival Bike-Free

LaBonge put on an all too common display of absurdity as he was peppered with requests to comply with State law and simply lift the ban on cyclists at the Light Festival. He explained that cyclists wouldn't be able to use the park because it is "one-way" during the light festival. By "one-way" he means two lanes north and one lane south. How that becomes "one-way" in LaBonge speak is a mystery but it is an argument that he has been repeating for so long that he's convinced that it's true.

LaBonge and the DWP used to attribute the ban on cyclists to the LADOT but Assistant General Manager John Fisher went on record earlier this month explaining "any thoughts that we have on traffic safety and security is strictly advisory and that DOT has no jurisdiction over streets within Griffith Park."

While the streets of Griffith Park are under the authority of the Department of Rec & Parks, they are still under the authority of State law which provides that if they are open to public motor vehicle, they're open to cyclists.

LaBonge then shifted his tack, explaining that cyclists will have their very own personal day of holiday celebration, this year on Monday, November 24, and not just until 8pm but until 10pm. Tom demonstrated that he has his elbow firmly on the pulse by acknowledging "I know you guys like to ride at night, kinda like that 'Knight Riders' group."

When it was pointed out that the issue is simply removing an illegal ban on cyclists, Tom again paused, stared and then moved on to another angry member of the community.

It should be pointed out that there were many representative voices in the meeting, not just cyclists, and all of them were flatly rejected as they asked for improvements and adjustments to the Festival of Lights.

Those seeking car-free nights closer to the holidays were disappointed to find that the "ped" nights would immediately follow Thanksgiving and from December 8th on would be dedicated to the motoring public with pedestrians allowed on the path farthest from the lights and separated by the gridlock (Cough Cough!)

Equestrians were represented but failed to elicit any accommodation in the presented plan other that to be acknowledged and informed that now is the time to start planning next year's Festival!

Those seeking a car-free Festival of Lights were flatly rejected as Tom explained "It's about the kids!" Somehow asking children to walk, breathe urban wilderness air and enjoy the outdoors is simply too much of a hardship for our children and the commitment to an auto-centric festival is all part of our commitment to the children.

Through it all, Tom and the DWP simply explained that it is too difficult to simply make changes, that these things take time and that change comes in little increments.

Bernadette Soter, chair of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Committee and a member of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, asked Tom and the DWP if they would simply concede to passing out fliers this year, informing the public that the Griffith Park Festival of Lights would be car-free in 2009.

"No! That would impede traffic!" was the response and just as fast Bernadette asked it instead of fliers, could the DWP put up a sign at the beginning of the festival announcing plans for a 2009 car-free festival.

Tom simply paused, stared, listened to the crickets chirping and the meeting was adjourned.

Read this letter and this one (both in pdf) submitted to Tom LaBonge articulating the error of his ways and offering legal support for the claim that the City of LA does not have the authority to restrict cyclists from the Festival.

And here is a letter (pdf) from the City of Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory committee advising the city that "bicycles are part of traffic and should be treated equally as such.