News Bites from BikeLA Webinar: Gap, Parking, Cycle Tracks, Metrolink

Last night, the city of Los Angeles Departments of Transportation (LADOT) and City Planning (DCP) hosted a webinar to introduce L.A. cyclists to what are called the "second year study corridors" for the L.A. City Bicycle Plan. The webinar included a presentation and a question and answer session. The unscripted Q&A yielded a handful of newsworthy tidbits. SBLA will report these newsbites first, then, next week, review bike plan implementation, including the "first year" and "second year" batches.

The York Blvd Bike Lane Gap: Earlier this month, LADOT extended the York Boulevard bike lanes to the edge of South Pasadena. Though the extended York lanes connect with bike lanes on Avenue 66 and San Pascual Avenue, Flying Pigeon lamented the 528 foot gap between L.A.'s York lanes and immediately adjacent bike lanes on South Pasadena's Pasadena Avenue. LADOT's Tim Fremaux explained that L.A. had approached the city of South Pasadena and met with their Public Works Commission, which includes John Fisher, formerly of LADOT. According to Fremaux, Fisher "pushed for an aggressive road diet" which would have created a continuous bike lane, but this proposal ultimately voted down by South Pasadena, leaving the gap at the city border.

Bike Parking: LADOT's Michelle Mowery explained that, due to issues with a contractor bidding process, LADOT isn't installing their inverted-U bike racks right now. They expect to resume installations this summer. Mowery stated that there was a wait list of about 30 bike corrals awaiting installation. One of the next corrals to be installed will be in front of Laemmle's movie theater on Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood.

San Fernando Road Metrolink Double-Tracking Compatibility: Responding to a question about Metrolink's plan to double-track some of its rail lines, Fremaux explained that LADOT's San Fernando Road bike path is designed to fit just fine alongside future double-tracking. That path is being extended 2.8 miles south from the city of San Fernando to Branford Street. Though construction is not quite complete, the new path is already in use by the cycling public.

Cycle Track Interest: Many webinar participants expressed interest in cycle tracks or protected bike lanes. DOT and DCP staff, sounding somewhat tired from hearing this question repeatedly for years, responded that MyFigueroa will be L.A.'s first cycle track. DOT clarified that they don't plan to just move parking around, but are looking at full-featured cycle track projects including bicycle signalization, bus pads, and curbs separating cyclists from parked cars. Including these features in all future L.A. cycle tracks will likely mean projects will be expensive, and will likely extend shorter distances, and take many years to implement.

SBLA will have coverage of LADOT's "Year One" and "Year Two" Bike Plan Implementation, early next week.