Leo Politi students and families walking along pop-up safety improvements on today’s National Walk to School Day. Photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A. except where credited otherwise
Today is National Walk to School Day. In Los Angeles, there are a handful of related events hosted by local agencies, elected officials, and nonprofits. Streetsblog L.A. visited the L.A. City Department of Transportation (LADOT) Safe Routes to School Program's (SRTS) pop-up traffic calming demonstration at Leo Politi Elementary School in Pico Union.
The safety demonstration was located along 11th Street between Westmoreland and Magnolia Avenues. It included a temporary traffic circle, painted curb extensions, and crosswalks. LADOT Safe Routes to School Director Margot Ocañas described the temporary improvements as part of a longer process of engaging the community. Ocañas hopes that the city can secure state funding to install permanent traffic calming features.
Map of 11th Street/Leo Politi School pop-up traffic calming - via LADOTMap of 11th Street/Leo Politi School pop-up traffic calming - via LADOT
These Leo Politi students led the walk from the nearby LAPD stationThese Leo Politi students led the walk from the nearby LAPD station
Even with the walkers escorted by police on foot, these drivers impatiently honked at families walking in the crosswalk at the temporary traffic circle at 11th Street and Westmoreland AvenueEven with Police escort on foot, these drivers honked at families as they walked across xxx
LADOT used temporary materials - tires, hay bales - to test the pop-up traffic circle at WestmorelandHigh visibility crosswalk and traffic circle at Westmoreland
Temporary curb extensions at Elden AvenueTemporary curb extensions at xxx
LADOT also hosted an event with city and school district leaders and elected officials walking with students to Menlo Avenue Elementary School in South Los Angeles.
For National Walk to School Day, Mayor Eric Garcetti walked with families to Menlo Avenue Elementary School this morning - Photo via office of Mayor GarcettiMayor Eric Garcetti walking xxx
L.A. City Councilmember Curren Price, LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, and Mayor Eric Garcetti visited a Menlo Avenue School classroom - photo via office of Mayor Garcettixxx
Other L.A. Walk to School Day events included Los Angeles Walks' People vs. Streets events where superheros helped students walk to two central L.A. schools. Los Angeles Walks provided the images below.
L.A. Walk People vs. Streets National Walk to School Day flierL.A. Walk People vs. Streets flier
Safety superheroes at Vista Charter Middle School - photo via L.A. Walksxxx
Superheroes walking safely across Temple Street - photo via L.A. WalksSuperheroes walking safely across Temple Street - photo via L.A. Walks
Pedestrian heroes at Franklin Avenue Elementary School - photo via L.A. WalksPedestrian heroes at xxx
To prevent future deaths, LADOT needs to go beyond temporary improvements like today (and earlier) and needs to fast-track permanent traffic-calming. Lives are depending on this.
Foothill Transit CEO Doran Barnes credits their successes to a "commitment to community," a "spirit of innovation," and fruitful collaborations with numerous partners
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