One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Metro approves $4.14 million for more open streets events like CicLAvia
File: Riders climb Wilshire Boulevard in downtown L.A. during the seventh CicLAvia event on June 23, 2013.
(
Todd Johnson/KPCC
)
Every couple of weeks, cars that usually clog the streets of Southern California are replaced with residents on bikes — and now, folks will have more chances to participate. Metro announced Monday that it's setting aside over $4 million to fund 17 open streets events, like CicLAvia, across Los Angeles County.
The purpose is to get people out of their cars and onto another form of transportation, Metro spokesman Dave Sotero told KPCC.
"They may be riding these streets for the very first time. Because unless there's a bike lane on a particular street, these streets are taken up by automobiles on a daily basis," he said.
Metro already funds the biggest open streets program in the country, he added. This would be the second round of events that they've backed. The first round funded 10 events that covered a total 68 miles.
While giving Angelenos an opportunity to see the city through a new lens, Sotero said, the decision to provide these funds also tries to address some of the congestion and pollution that the city faces.
Whether the increase in these events tangibly alleviates pollution numbers is unknown — but it does boost ridership on local light rail trains and buses.
During previous open streets events, ridership has increased an average of 10 percent, according to Sotero. They’ve also seen a slight surge in the sales of single and 30-day passes when the streets are car-free.
Sponsored message
"We do see a tangible benefit from introducing open streets that connect well with the transit system within the county,” he said.
The new events are set to happen by December 2018 in West Hollywood, Glendale, Whittier, San Pedro and other communities. Here's a map of all the planned events:
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
