This post’s by Damien Newton of Streetsblog LA, who catches you up on the latest local de-car-ing news:
Federal Government: A fight is breaking out in Washington, D.C. over the future of the federal transportation trust fund. Ray LaHood, the Secretary of Transportation, wants to put off changing the law that governs how the feds. give out transportation dollars believing they can get a better bill with more time. Jim Oberstar, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, thinks that there’s no time like the present and is outlining his own principals for reathorization. Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, seems to want to sit this argument out.
Bikes: For the third time in six weeks, an organized army of cyclists descended on a City Council meeting, although this time there was bicycle related stuff all over the agenda of the City Council Transportation Committee. The Council Members present weren’t happy with city staff after cyclist after cyclist slammed the outreach efforts on the Bike Master Plan. The meeting was covered by a lot of outlets, Steetsblog, LAist, City Watch and even the Daily News.
Taxis: The City of Los Angeles is expanding its pilot program for Hail-A-Cab from Downtown into Hollywood. For at least the next six and a half months, Angelenos will be able to step off the curb and get a cab in either area, just like residents of the other great cities in the world.
Pedicabs: The LADOT recently went in front of the Transportation Commission with a series of regulations purporting to bring pedicabs back to Los Angeles. However, the wording of the regulations has many thinking the rules are really to keep pedicabs out, or at least off streets where people might actually ride them. Are you afraid of Hawaiian shirts? The LADOT is.
Bonus: In all the coverage that the Lakers’ victory parade garnered around the country, few noticed that the 250k people lining the streets of Los Angeles were part of L.A.’s largest car-free vent in the modern era. Regardless of your feelings of the Purple and Gold, and I am not a fan, it was awesome to be along the parade route, partying with that many people on L.A. streets. Note to the city: We need more car-free parties!
For all the L.A. de-car-ing news that’s fit to blog, visit Damien at Streetsblog LA.
Photo by Ingrid Peterson/Flickr
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