Comments on: Where Should the LADOT and Planning Do Workshops on Bike Plan? http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/25/where-should-the-ladot-and-planning-do-workshops-on-bike-plan/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:23:58 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: ubrayj02 http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/25/where-should-the-ladot-and-planning-do-workshops-on-bike-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7991 ubrayj02 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:07:50 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2661#comment-7991 I'm sorry to do the old double-comment thing, but I'd like to make it clear that I understand what it must be like to advocate for bicycles in the City of Los Angeles' multiple byzantine, heavily pro-car, bureaucracies. What I'm saying is, I'd like to help make that process easier, to bring the political support that "Staff" claim they need (though I sometimes doubt they want), to make things happen. I think that a lot of people in the cycling community feel similarly: we just want better streets for bicycling. I'm sorry to do the old double-comment thing, but I'd like to make it clear that I understand what it must be like to advocate for bicycles in the City of Los Angeles' multiple byzantine, heavily pro-car, bureaucracies.

What I'm saying is, I'd like to help make that process easier, to bring the political support that "Staff" claim they need (though I sometimes doubt they want), to make things happen. I think that a lot of people in the cycling community feel similarly: we just want better streets for bicycling.

]]> By: ubrayj02 http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/25/where-should-the-ladot-and-planning-do-workshops-on-bike-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7961 ubrayj02 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:32:41 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2661#comment-7961 It would be nice if the plan was open to comment PRIOR to sending the plan out to bid with a contractor. As it is, the "plan" was done behind closed doors. Then poorly executed hearings were done, and we're here complaining about a process that NEVER INVOLVED THE PUBLIC PROPERLY. The scope of work with Alta Planning (as revealed in Michelle Mowery's testimony) was always a baloney side-streets strategy, and never what the cycling community needed to make our rides safer, easier, and more likely to replace car trips. "Staff" routinely whines about not having the political direction to suggest making findings that would allow lane removal for bike facilities, and falls back on baloney CEQA lawsuit myths. What needs to happen is, political will needs to be cultivated by the Bike Coordinator (as it has been by friendly council offices) to allow enough lobbying to take place to give both the Bike Coordinator and bicycles the political force necessary to maketruly bike-friendly planning deisions and findings. We've been cut out of the process, then scolded for trying to insert ourselves (and our interests as cyclists) into it. We will fight for the political will, if "Staff" will work with us. This antagonism is pointless, and the "Blame the mob on Stephen Box" strategy is a lame tack to take for a public employee. It would be nice if the plan was open to comment PRIOR to sending the plan out to bid with a contractor.

As it is, the "plan" was done behind closed doors. Then poorly executed hearings were done, and we're here complaining about a process that NEVER INVOLVED THE PUBLIC PROPERLY.

The scope of work with Alta Planning (as revealed in Michelle Mowery's testimony) was always a baloney side-streets strategy, and never what the cycling community needed to make our rides safer, easier, and more likely to replace car trips.

"Staff" routinely whines about not having the political direction to suggest making findings that would allow lane removal for bike facilities, and falls back on baloney CEQA lawsuit myths. What needs to happen is, political will needs to be cultivated by the Bike Coordinator (as it has been by friendly council offices) to allow enough lobbying to take place to give both the Bike Coordinator and bicycles the political force necessary to maketruly bike-friendly planning deisions and findings.

We've been cut out of the process, then scolded for trying to insert ourselves (and our interests as cyclists) into it. We will fight for the political will, if "Staff" will work with us. This antagonism is pointless, and the "Blame the mob on Stephen Box" strategy is a lame tack to take for a public employee.

]]> By: Joe http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/25/where-should-the-ladot-and-planning-do-workshops-on-bike-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7851 Joe Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:12:09 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2661#comment-7851 My vote is that, in addition to the physical meetings, that the city should host a really good online "meeting"! Like Rhode Bloch testified, the city website should be helpful, clear... kinda twenty-first century... and a place where folks can weigh in on changes we want to see on the plan. My vote is that, in addition to the physical meetings, that the city should host a really good online "meeting"! Like Rhode Bloch testified, the city website should be helpful, clear... kinda twenty-first century... and a place where folks can weigh in on changes we want to see on the plan.

]]> By: ubrayj02 http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/25/where-should-the-ladot-and-planning-do-workshops-on-bike-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7831 ubrayj02 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:44:33 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2661#comment-7831 Yeah, have a meeting with no staff - they ignore whatever the public says for their pre-written plans anyway. Yeah, have a meeting with no staff - they ignore whatever the public says for their pre-written plans anyway.

]]> By: Mel http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/25/where-should-the-ladot-and-planning-do-workshops-on-bike-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7821 Mel Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:37:15 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2661#comment-7821 I second LA Valley resident's suggestions. We need workshops out herein the forgotten valley. East Valley location could be in Noho - the City has offices at the Academy complex. I second LA Valley resident's suggestions. We need workshops out herein the forgotten valley. East Valley location could be in Noho - the City has offices at the Academy complex.

]]> By: LA Valley resident http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/25/where-should-the-ladot-and-planning-do-workshops-on-bike-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7791 LA Valley resident Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:04:37 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2661#comment-7791 How about first asking (one email) the Neighborhood Councils to each hold there own bicycle workshops, and then decide where to hold the larger workshops based on responses. Neighborhood Council workshops wouldn't require any City or Alta staff or very little if anything. They would just need documents, media and materials sent by email (or mail). This would help drum up participation and get people thinking, talking, and planning in advance. Another two cents - There should be workshops in both the West Valley and East Valley, somewhere on the Orange Line. I propose the new restaurant in Reseda - Milanos, which is right up against the bus station, with great seating. (Are they on MTA property?) Don't know about the East Valley. How about first asking (one email) the Neighborhood Councils to each hold there own bicycle workshops, and then decide where to hold the larger workshops based on responses. Neighborhood Council workshops wouldn't require any City or Alta staff or very little if anything. They would just need documents, media and materials sent by email (or mail). This would help drum up participation and get people thinking, talking, and planning in advance.

Another two cents - There should be workshops in both the West Valley and East Valley, somewhere on the Orange Line. I propose the new restaurant in Reseda - Milanos, which is right up against the bus station, with great seating. (Are they on MTA property?) Don't know about the East Valley.

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