This post’s by Damien Newton of Streetsblog LA, who catches you up on the latest local de-car-ing news:
Transit Friendliness: Over at Streetsblog I’m running a contest for people to say why their community is the most transit-friendly and easy to live in for the car-free. So far we have submissions for Mid-Wilshire, Downtown L.A. and Claremont. Yes, Claremont.
Crashes: Back in April there a crash occurred between a cyclist and a hummer. While details of the crash may be up to debate (not to me, but to someone), cyclists were shocked to hear that they only charges that may be brought in the case would be because of damage to the hummer. Streetsblog, WestSide BikeSIDE and LAist all take a look at the hearing and LAPD’s statements.
Racks, Lockers and Sharrows: New bike facilities are popping up all over town. The City of L.A. is converting parking meters made obsolete by “meterless pay parking” into bike racks and Metro is installing new lockers along the Orange Line. But the prize for best new facilities has to go to Long Beach, who painted a travel lane green and covered it with sharrows to make clear…this lane is for everyone.
Federal Spending: We’ve got a classic good news/bad news item out of Washington D.C. The good news is that the first draft of legislation that would reform federal transportation spending has been released in the House of Representatives. Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), Chair of the House Transportation Committee, is leading a bi-partisan effort to get the bill done quickly. The bad news? His Senate counterpart, Barbara Boxer, is parroting the Obama administration and wants to put the reforms on hold for eighteen months.
Opposite of de-car-ing: Our “friends” at Pioneer have released a three minute advertisement celebrating noise pollution and thuggery. Watch the ad. I’m not exaggerating.
For all the L.A. de-car-ing news that’s fit to blog, visit Damien at Streetsblog LA.
Photo: Russ Roca Photography
Great article.
But what about this nice photo? (with Sharrows and green-paved bike lane) Where is this taken? is this in LA County??
Comment by a — June 27, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Yup. That is the new shared lane markings in Long Beach. Was just officially unveiled today.
Comment by Damien — June 27, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
Damien,
thanks for clarifying on the Photo.
I’m actually quite surprised; I never thought the day would come when in LA (County) the bike paths would be paved in other colors!! (like it’s done in other countries).
This is awesome!
It even seems as if it’s a Class II Bike Lane (the way it’s colored), but – my guess is, is it Class III route?… (meaning, shared with cars)
But in any case – I’m glad things are improving as far as Bicycling conditions.
Comment by Alek F — June 28, 2009 @ 9:24 am
By the way,
here is a photo of a
colored Class II Bike lane in Vancouver, BC
http://la.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/vancouver.jpg
(notice an electric trolleybus in the background)
Comment by Alek F — June 28, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Nice photo! Red’s my fave color :)
Comment by Siel — July 3, 2009 @ 6:01 pm