Bikeside LA

Nearly three years ago the newly formed Bike Writers Collective gathered in West LA to hear what Alta Planning and LADOT had to say about making Los Angeles bike friendly.  What we heard was “there’s no time for questions” and “there’s no room for bicyclists.”  That was the beginning of the bike plan update process, [...]

The public hearings during which the draft 2010 Los Angeles Bicycle Plan will be discussed are almost here!  The series of four hearings and one webinar begins on Saturday September 25 in Hollywood and concludes on October 2 in Van Nuys (specific dates, times, and locations are listed at the end of this post).  Each [...]

Many received an email today announcing that the draft proposed LA Bike Plan will be available for download at the end of the day today.  I’m stoked to see it.  I had a couple opportunities to see it during the drafting and I’m pleased that it’s a 180 degree reversal from the first proposal, thanks [...]

Waaaay back on December 9th, Councilman (CD11) Bill Rosendahl asked 12 tough questions of city staff – Michelle Mowery, Jordann Turner, and Jane Blumenfeld (who is E-RIPping) – about the proposed LA Bike Plan.  I think the responses to the these questions are telling, so I clipped out the section and you can listen to [...]

“Take this plan and shove it.  Who needs it?  Not us.” That’s been a common refrain in backroom discussions about the proposed LA Bike Plan.  When the plan first came out there was outrage at the lateness, and frustration with the narrow comment period.  Then, as people began to dissect the plan, dismay at how [...]

Michelle Mowery said that LA did not get the same robust Bike Plan process as Portland in part because Portland is “very white” and LA is “a very diverse, disjointed city.”  Mowery, LA DOT’s Bicycle Coordinator, made her assertion Wednesday in LA City Council Transportation Committee.  Here’s the transcript with Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s question and [...]

Jeremy Grant, who writes This Is Not A Bike Blog, took the Bike Plan Challenge I issued to write the introduction to LA’s Best Bike Plan, the bike plan authored by cyclists, for cyclists.  I loved this paragraph: The Best Bicycle Plan is a proactive vision that will offer success for the whole community; a [...]

David Pura took my challenge to write the introduction to LA’s Best Bike Plan, the bike plan written for cyclists, by cyclists: Bicyclists can, and will, ride on every city street; California law allows as much. Bicyclists, pedestrians, social vehicles and private vehicles will equally share the privileges and responsibilities of the public realm; these [...]

WIN!  Jane Blumenfeld, who I recently criticized, wrote activists today to tell us the public comment period has been reinstated and extended to January 8th: City staff will take comments on the draft Bicycle Plan (which can be read on line at labikeplan.org) until January 8th, 2010. YEEEHAWWW!  Thank you Jane for doing the right [...]

“If you read the actual list of facilities and add up all the miles, then you’d be aware that the plan only calls for *28 new miles* of bike lanes.” – Joe Linton. Just 28 miles.