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As Bicycle Sharing Plans Develop, LaBonge Would Rather See Bike Stations
Bicycle sharing as seen in Paris, France | Photo by slettvet via Flickr
Back in October 2008, then-Los Angeles City Councilmember Wendy Greuel asked the city to explore bicycle sharing, similar to what is seen in Paris, Washington D.C. and at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. A report on the progress of that request was finally made at yesterday's City Council Transportation Committee.
Michelle Mowery, the city's Senior Bicycle Coordinator, said they've identified three vendors they would like to talk more with in addition to approaching Metro, which is also exploring the bicycle sharing concept, possibly at the Wilshire/Vermont subway station.
The move however wasn't without opposition. "I don't think we should deal with this," Councilman Tom LaBonge said. "The most important thing we should do is get a bike station at very metro station. I'd rather work on sharrows, the river bikeway and bike stations rather than this gourmet thing. We've got to start big things." He spoke about how he envisioned one located at El Pueblo and hinted towards a motion that will be soon introduced.
LaBonge withstanding, Mowery's requests were approved by the committee with a request to report back in 90 days.
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