New Year’s Predictions 2012

Just like the last week of the year is a great time to look back, the first week of the New Year is a great week to look forward.  Without further adieu, here are the things we expect to happen in the next 362 days.  As always, we break it down month-by-month.

January - Metro places the final environmental documents for the regional connector out for public comment.  Eli Broad does not submit any comments.

February - Nearing LASB's 4th Birthday, we launch our first expansion project.  Readership doubles in the first month and triples by the end of the year.

March - In an effort to reach the Mayor's promise of 40 miles of new bike projects in the 2011 fiscal year, the LADOT buys the rights to several miles of protected bike lanes already on the ground in Long Beach.

April - Due to an April Fool's Joke gone awry, Stephen Box replaces Jose Huizar on the Metro Board of Directors for a month.

May - Responding to criticism that "Metro Board Members don't ride Metro transit service," Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky answers that, "I've been taking the Expo Line downtown for six weeks."  This serves as the first credible announcement of when the Expo Line opens.

June - The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition sets records at the River Ride after announcing Richard Hammond will serve as ride marshal.

July - Carmageddon II turns out to be as big a bust as Carmageddon I with two major differences.  This time there's some corporate sponsorship of a "Flight V Bike" race and  I don't get to go on television and be right right right.

August -  The Los Angeles Dodgers finally get a new owner who immediately ponies up money for free regular bus service to Dodger games and a study of building a separated bike and bus lane with direct access to the stadium.

September - After a spectacular crash at the intersection of Wilbur and Myra Avenue in the Valley, the City closes Wilbur Avenue to car traffic in Northridge.  Residents of Porter Ranch begin the drive for construction of a flyover.

October - In an effort to outshine Los Angeles on the day of CicLAvia VI, the City of Santa Monica closes its entire city to cars for an entire day.

November - Governor Jerry Brown decides to go for a bike ride and after he looses control of his bicycle because of a car passing him to closely begins a campaign for mandatory helmet wearing for cyclists of all ages.

December - The Obama "Transition Team" selects Antonio Villaraigosa to replace Ray LaHood as Secretary of Transportation.  The outgoing Mayor takes Jaime De La Vega and Borja Leon with him.  Interim Mayor Herb Wesson promotes John Fisher to serve as General Manager of LADOT.