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Fountain Avenue bike lanes will go forward after tense West Hollywood City Council vote
The protected bike lanes are just one part of a longer-term project to increase mobility on Fountain Avenue, including sidewalk widening.
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Courtesy City of West Hollywood
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Topline:
The West Hollywood City Council has rejected an effort that could have delayed plans to add protected bike lanes to Fountain Avenue.
The vote: The motion failed in a 3-2 vote on Monday night. It would have directed staff to evaluate an alternative plan for the road that maintained street parking but didn’t include bike lanes. West Hollywood City Councilmembers Chelsea Byers and John Erickson and Vice Mayor Danny Hang voted to reject the motion. Mayor John Heilman and City Councilmember Lauren Meister, who introduced the motion, supported the effort.
What happens next: The first phase of the project is set to begin construction before the end of the year. The plan includes reducing traffic lanes, pedestrian improvements and protected bike lanes.
The motion: Meister’s motion, which critics said came at the last minute, aimed to avoid the loss of 60% of the street’s parking as a result of the roadway changes. Meister said on Monday her motion was an attempt to weigh the approved plan against an alternative that “might accomplish the same safety objectives while preserving parking.”
Reaction to the vote: Michael Schneider is the founder and CEO of Streets for All, a transportation advocacy group that mobilized bike lane supporters before Monday’s meeting. In a text to LAist, Schneider said “common sense prevailed” and that he looks forward to construction starting.
Watch the meeting: If you’re looking to hear impassioned public comment and West Hollywood City Council members trade jabs, the Fountain Avenue item begins at around 2:06:20 in the meeting recording.
Read more: LAist previewed last night’s meeting with additional context, which you can read here.
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