Note: This writer used the bike lane this week for the first time and loved it. Saw maybe five bikes on it between south part of Venice and Ocean Park. Wondered how many cars would have been allowed to move in the lane eliminated, if one was. Santa Monica congestion is relentless
In an historic City Council vote that will help reduce traffic by giving people transportation options other than their cars.
Councilmembers Mike Bonin and José Huizar led efforts to adopt a 20-year mobility plan Tuesday. The plan puts an emphasis on safety, while encouraging and supporting increased pedestrian, public transit and bicycle use in the City of Los Angeles.
As chairmen of the City’s Transportation and Planning & Land Use Management committees, Bonin and Huizar worked with the City’s Transportation and Planning departments to develop and advocate for the 193 page report, which creates a Citywide planning and transportation plan that connects neighborhoods and thoroughfares utilizing a Complete Streets approach to safety improvements.
Councilmembers Bonin and Huizar are widely considered the City’s two biggest proponents of the type of Complete Streets solutions Mobility Plan 2035 proposes.
“When it comes to transportation planning for the City of Los Angeles’ future, Mobility Plan 2035 represents a bold step forward that builds on the work we’ve been doing in recent years where we prioritize multimodal options beyond cars utilizing Complete Streets planning,” said Councilmember Huizar. “While the automobile remains a vital part of our transportation future, so too is our goal to make our roads safer, more efficient and accessible with increased public transportation, pedestrian and bike-focused options. Mobility Plan 2035 does just that.”
“This plan is about giving people safe and convenient transportation options so they aren’t forced to use their cars for every trip they take,” said Bonin. “The more options we give people beyond their cars, the less traffic we are going to have in our neighborhoods. Mobility 2035 is a forward thinking vision for our city that will make Los Angeles a better place to live and work and enjoy.”
The Plan is the first comprehensive update of Los Angeles’ transportation policies since the 1990s and in addition to providing a policy framework for how the city will build streets in the future, the plan will be used to procure grants to help pay for improvements. The Plan went through a thorough public review process, which included interactive workshops, engagement with Neighborhood Councils and online town halls. Each specific project and street enhancement will additionally have its own public participation and approval process.
According to the plan, nearly half (47%) of all trips taken in Los Angeles are less than three miles, but 84% of those trips are taken by car. The Mobility Plan 2035 proposes developing a network of bike lanes, transit lines and pedestrian-friendly streets to help encourage more people to choose to walk, bike or take public transit, taking cars off the road in LA neighborhoods.
“Mobility Plan 2035 aims to give people choices,” said Seleta Reynolds, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. “It delivers a 21st century playbook for street design, establishes safety as our highest priority, and sets in motion a thoughtful community-based process to build the healthiest, most efficient, and beautiful streets we can. At its core, this plan is about strengthening our neighborhoods and local businesses, and keeping us on track to be the most sustainable, resilient city we can be.”
“The City of Los Angeles is leading the way in providing safe and cutting edge transportation options for our citizens,” said Michael LoGrande, General Manager of the City Planning Department. “The adoption of the Mobility Plan today by the City Council is a monumental step forward for LA.”
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