Month: November 2009
Streetsblog LA
LAPD Tackle Cyclists at Friday’s Critical Mass
Bike discussion sites have been abuzz since last Friday with news that things got ugly when Los Angeles Critical Mass breezed onto Los Angeles Street and ran into an LAPD Squad Car facing against traffic with its lights flashing. According to eye witnesses, the two officers tackled cyclists off their bikes at the front of the mass and were still trying to drag massers off their bikes at the tail of the mass. Witnesses claim that there was no announcement that riders should dismount nor any attempt to signal out riders that were lawbreakers, just an attempt to randomly grab cyclists and detain them. From at one poster at Midnight Ridazz:
November 30, 2009
LaHood to Congress: It’s Time to Talk About a Gas Tax Increase
As Congress maneuvers to end the political impasse over the next
long-term national transportation bill, lawmakers going to have to
debate an increase in the federal gas tax, Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood said today.
November 30, 2009
Maybe Metro Isn’t So Bad After All?
I spend a lot of time comparing Los Angeles to the great cities of the world when it comes to transportation planning, infrastructure and enforcement. I end up saying things such as, "Portland is the nation's bike capital," or "New York has painted over 200 miles of bike lanes" or even "Wow, it sure would be great to live in Long Beach." But maybe, just maybe, I sometimes can't see the forest for the trees.
November 30, 2009
In San Francisco: Judge Partially Lifts Ban on Bike Injunction
(Editor's note: Because the LADOT uses the lawsuit barring bicycle projects in San Francisco as reason to "go slow" on bike projects, I thought checking in on the status of that lawsuit with the folks at SF Streetsblog could be enlightening. Also, Michael Rhodes contributed significantly to this story.)
November 30, 2009
The Week in Livable Streets Events: Charity Rides, Alternative Critical Mass, and the Assembly Meets Downtown
After a somewhat slow week last week, maybe it had something to do with the holiday at the end, the Livable Streets Calendar is back with a vengeance. The week after Critical Mass in Downtown L.A. is traditionally home to two alternative masses. For the less political rider, there's a charity toy ride to kick off a series of rides where cyclists donate time and toys to the needy. And of course, there's those Assembly meetings in the Metro Board Room starting this afternoon and continuing throughout the week.
November 30, 2009
State Legislative Committees Hold Trio of Hearings Downtown
So, we are finally past that near relentless series of community meetings for corridors, bullet trains, etc. of the past few months. But don't think you can catch your breathe! We are about to have three legislative hearings on transportation topics, all being held at the Metro Board Room:
November 30, 2009
El Nino Toy Ride
Day: Sunday, December 6th, 2009Time: 1pm meet, 2pm ridePlace: Santa Monica Blvd. & Vermont Ave / Red Line Metro Station
November 30, 2009
SCAG Federal Certification Review Public Listening Session
SCAG's main power is that to apply for federal funding projects must be
included as part of the Regional Transportation Plan SCAG prepares on
what is currently a four year cycle. For about 6 years I sat on the
Plans and Programs Technical Advisory Committee, which provides
technical input to SCAG staff on the Plan as it is prepared. So I am
familiar with the process, which at times was beyond mind numbing in
its complexity.
November 30, 2009
Holiday of Lights “Bike Night”
This Thursday, December 3, 2009 the DWP Holiday Light Festival, held
annually in Griffith Park, will kick off with a preview bicycles-only
"Bike Night" from 5:00 until 10:00 p.m.
November 30, 2009
Without a Car in the World Public Program 5: Comedy Event with Kristina Wong
The fifth and final public program taking place in conjunction with
exhibition "Without a Car in the World: 100 Car-less Angelinos Tell
Stories of Living in Los Angeles" will feature an evening of comedy
with Kristina Wong
November 30, 2009