With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Los Angeles Finally Comes Up With A Serious Plan For People Who Don't Drive
Bike lane love (Photo by Gary Kavanagh via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
A new plan to make L.A. roads safer and offer more alternatives to driving was just approved by the City Council. The massive new transportation plan aims to add hundreds of miles of bike lanes, bus-only lanes and other major road redesigns across L.A over the next 20 years. Known by the snoozer-of-a-name Mobility Plan 2035 (.pdf), the longterm plan navigates a new approach to public streets that focuses on offering more alternatives to driving and ambitiously seeks to reduce fatalities from collisions to zero, reports the L.A. Times. In a city that has been so car-centric for so many decades, a plan that would encourage more motorists—even a small portion—to choose alternative transportation could have a significant impact on the overall miles driven around town.
Councilman Mike Bonin, who strongly supports the plan, tells the L.A. Times, "This is a document that helps us prioritize public safety, so that those who are walking and bicycling and trying to get around [without] a car don't get killed." Bonin sees the plan as a way to address the city's "legacy of shame" when it comes to auto collisions involving children and the elderly. By taking steps to reduce traffic speeds the plan would help to save lives he explains, "Right now, only 5% of those hit by a car going 20 miles per hour die. Over 80% of those who are hit by a car going 40 miles per hour die."
The council voted 12 to 2 to approve the plan to the pleasure of many business groups, transit advocates and groups seeking to increase bike lanes. But of course there were others who were not as stoked about the plan. Opponents, many of whom are on the Westside—ahem, Beverly Hills and Westwood—are preparing to sue, arguing that the city's own analysis shows that loss of roadways for cars will increase congestion and reduce response times for emergency vehicles.
To approve the plan, the council had to sign a legal declaration that says the benefits of the plan outweigh potential downsides. The city's Environmental Impact Report for Mobility Plan 2035 indicated that adverse impacts could include increased congestion, noise, cut-through traffic, and potentially reduced access for emergency vehicles. On the other hand, another part of the report says the plan will cut the number of vehicle trips by 1.7 million miles per day.
Support for LAist comes from
The council did delay for a month a decision on whether to drop some streets from the plans for bike lanes, including Westwood Boulevard, Lankershim Boulevard and Central Avenue.
The two opposing votes came from council members Paul Koretz and Gil Cedillo. Cedillo has had a history of opposing plans that reduce lanes for motorists in favor of bike lanes.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist