Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
News

Gasoline Has Changed LA, But Will It Change Back?

9:09 AM PDT on September 11, 2008

streetsblog_pic

The Daily News printed a story today about some of the changes that Los Angeles has undergone as a result of high gas prices.  There's nothing surprising about their findings, more people are biking, taking transit, and buying fuel efficient cars.  The Daily News' article focuses on what steps will have to be taken to accomodate these changes if they continue to happen.

And yes, a fare hike is mentioned to help Metro deal with all of its new passengers.

But what if gas prices continue their recent trend, and fall back to $3 a gallon.  Up here in the Bay Area the local news is focusing on forecasters that are predicting gas prices to be between $3 and $3.25.

So here's the question I put to you: If gas prices fall and don't rise, what's going to happen to Los Angeles?  Have we learned our lesson?  If we return to an era of $3 gasoline, will we see people continue to pursue alternative transportation, or will the city breathe a deep sigh of relief and get back in their SUV's?

Photo: Sirigous/Flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Input Meetings Starting This Weekend for Ballona Creek “Finish the Creek” Extension Study

Learn more and give your ideas for extending the Ballona Creek bike/walk path upstream through Culver City and into Mid-City Los Angeles

September 21, 2023

Guest Opinion: Metro Should Treat Walk and Bike Projects with the Respect They Deserve

Prioritizing true first mile/last mile infrastructure isn’t somehow optional; it’s how your customers get to and from the transit stations.

September 21, 2023

Eyes on the Street: Slow Streets in South Pasadena

The city has a sampler platter of quick-build temporary traffic calming installations to experience for the rest of the year

September 20, 2023
See all posts