Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In

I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

Last March, only 377,881 people bothered to cast a ballot in the Los Angeles primary election. That's less than the 400,000 people LADOT estimated in the new bike plan rides a bike every month.

Think about that.

Only 21% of eligible voters actually voted last time around. Just 25% are expected to vote in today's election.

If every eligible bike rider were to get up and vote today — and vote their self-interests as cyclists — they would be the single most dominant and powerful voice in L.A. politics.

More than the unions, more than any political party or interest group.

A force strong enough to ensure the election of a bike friendly candidate in every race, from mayor through city council, city attorney and controller.

And that's just bicyclists.

Add to that a few hundred thousand daily transit users. As well as pedestrians — which includes all of us at one time or another.

Suddenly, you've got enough strength to wrest political power from other interests groups, and ensure the governmental support we need to fix the sidewalks and potholes, build out a better, faster bike plan and a world-class transit system.

It's not going to happen, though.

Because too many Angelenos are going to convince themselves that their votes don't matter, or that there's no difference between the candidates.

Or after an excruciatingly long campaign season that started with the presidential primaries over a year ago, they're just sick of the whole thing.

Which is a tragedy. Because that indifference is what ensures we will continue to have a government that doesn't reflect our interests, and doesn't take the steps that will transform L.A. transportation for the better.

It's up to you.

If you vote, you're part of the solution. And a vital stakeholder in demanding better, more responsive government.

If you don't, you — yes, you — are the problem.

Not the politicians others will select to represent you.

If you're one of the few who actually cares enough about L.A. transportation issues to cast a ballot, Damien Newton offered a good look at the L.A. mayoral race yesterday, while The Source explains why it matters. You can view videos of candidates for L.A. city council, city attorney and city controller from the L.A. Candidate Forum on the Environment, Transportation and the Economy.  And the LACBC provides the information you need to Bike the Vote.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

What’s Next for Measure HLA, in the Face of Metro Opposition?

This is probably something a judge would need to decide at some point

March 21, 2025

Metro Lawyers Up Against Measure HLA, Tells L.A. City that Metro Projects Don’t Require Planned Bus/Bike/Walk Improvements

Metro: "any attempt to enforce [Measure HLA] against Metro is beyond the City's legal authority, and Metro will challenge any such attempt."

March 19, 2025

Metro Tests Foothill A Line Extension, Authority Prepares to Construct Next Segment

Emergency drills are being practiced and vital systems double checked while a final price tag and start date are being worked out for Pomona to Montclair.

March 19, 2025
See all posts