2011 Streetsies: It Was the Worst of Times

(It’s Day 3 of our end of the year coverage.  Don’t forget to vote on Best of Times Streetsies posted yesterday and Worst of Times Streetsies below.  You’ll have a chance to tell me what I got wrong on “person of the year” tomorrow.)

Worst News from Sacramento: Governor Brown Thumbs His Nose at Bicyclists, Vetoes Safe Passing Law

Honorable Mention: Gov. Brown Champions Looser Environmental Review for Major ProjectS under CEQA, Gov.’s Budget Has Major Cuts for School Buses

Saddest Transit Story of the Year: Metro’s Bus Cuts Bummer

Honorable Mention: Recession Threatens 30/10, TAP!, Approved Funded and Popular Bus Projects on Hold for Years, Metro Deficient in 5 of 12 Civil Rights Categories

LADOT Goof of the Year: Oh, Wilbur

Honorable Mention: Not Creating Progressive Enough Plan for Main Street, City Sends Bike Projects off to Environmental Review, The Gold Card Scandal, Think Dutch Says LA’s Streets Wide Enough to Do a Lot,

NIMBY’s of the Year: Neighbors for Smart Rail

Not only have coalition of Westside homeowners and community advocates managed to snarl Phase II of the Expo Line in court for the better part of the year, they also managed to delay bike planning for the Phase II Bike Path. One group, two delays. Nice work.

Honorable Mention: Beverly Hills Unified School District, Beverly Hills Courier, Condo Canyon Residents, Brentwood Community Council

Worst Media Coverage: ABC 7 Nonsensically Talks Condoms and Alcohol While Bike Riders Are Carted Away in an Ambulance

Honorable Mention: Daily News Plays Up Bike v Car Conflicts, Patch Decides Diane Feinstein Is Against Westside Subway Funding, Media Mindlessly Repeats First Claims from Brookings Report Without Reading It, Beverly Hills Courier Just Makes Stuff Up About Westside Subway,

Story That Just Won’t Die: L.A. Considers Privatizing Parking Garages (Repeat Winner!)

Everyone Hates Red Light Cameras, AEG Talks Big on Stadium Transpo. Plan

Saddest Picture: Gehl Architects: A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words

Granted, it’s not their fault that this picture is horribly depressing.

Honorable Mention: Negligent Driver Takes a Trip on Expo, L.A.’s Bike Lanes Not Just for Bikes

Ad Nauseum: G.M.’s Confusing War on Bikes, Pedestrians and Buses

Honorable Mention: Pedestrians and Cyclists Get Out of the Way!