LA City Council OKs Proposal To Add Miles Of Bike, Bus Lanes
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — In a city known for its gridlock, a new plan approved Tuesday promises to improve traffic and safety for pedestrians, buses and bicycles.
"Sometimes, the cars kinda pass kinda close to the curb, and so they get you nervous," said David Dixon, a cyclist, who explains that he's forced to ride on the sidewalk in Van Nuys because it's too dangerous on the street.
The Mobility 2035 plan approved by the Los Angeles City Council was spearheaded by Councilman Mike Bonin and hopes to encourage a less car-dependent environment within the next 20 years.
"It's about not forcing people into their cars and giving them an option other than that," Bonin said.
The plan would add 300 miles of protected bike lanes, 117 miles of bus-only lanes, and 120 miles of bus-only lanes during rush-hour.
And all that could mean fewer lanes for cars.
The plan also includes many city streets, but the largest are Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Way, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Lankershim Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard.
But not everyone is on board.
Councilman Paul Koretz voted "no."
"In the areas that several of us have identified in our own districts where I think it would really be too much, I think we should have included that in the plan and not move forward," Koretz said.
Some drivers worry about trading car lanes for bike and bus lanes.
"That'll cause more problems, delays from work, schools, and all that," said Heidi Terkazaryan, a driver.
But Dixon says he looks forward to the changes.
"It'll hopefully encourage more people to get on their bikes and maybe leave their cars maybe one day a week or something like that," he said.
Even though Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti supports the deal, it isn't done yet. The proposal must still go through a community input process.
The cost of the project is not yet known; however, the city will be eligible for state and federal grants.
