Pedestrian Safety
Streetsblog LA
City Can Fix the Sidewalks Now, or Wait for the Court Orders
In today's edition of the Los Angeles Times, Ari Bloomekatz updates the state of the myriad of lawsuits against the City of Los Angeles for the poor state of its sidewalks. Last year, the city settled a pair of lawsuits complaining that the city was not in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act when it came to street crossings. The settlement will cost the city $85 million and will build access ramps at thousands of intersections.
January 31, 2012
Dear Media Lemmings: Headphones Don’t Kill People, Drivers Do
There's a University of Maryland study making the rounds today that links pedestrian fatalities with the wearing of headphones -- a three-fold increase over the last seven years. Judging from the breathless headlines, the causation is clear. "Study Shows Sharp Rise in Accidents Involving Tuned-Out Pedestrians," reads the Chicago Tribune. "Fatal Distraction," says MSNBC. "Music to Die For," sneers the Post.
January 18, 2012
LADOT: Finally Getting Serious About Safe Routes to School?
For years the LADOT's applications for state and federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding have been an object of ridicule among transportation advocates. But over the last year, there are signs that the city is taking the funding and designing of safe school routes more seriously.
January 4, 2012
How Can L.A. Fix Its Sidewalks?
Councliman Bernard Parks has been making news recently for his proposal to hand over the maintenance costs, and liability issues, for the city's crumbling sidewalks to the people owning the house adjacent to the sidewalk. Simply, people that own a house are responsible for the repair of the sidewalk in front of their house. If someone trips and is hurt it is the home owner's liability.
October 28, 2011
Model Street Manual: A Generic Road Map to Sustainable Transportation Planning
Over the past few months, we've checked in on the efforts of five communities in Los Angeles County to create more livable, walkable, bikeable and healthier communities through better transportation planning through the Los Angeles PLACE Grants. However, Los Angeles County is home to 11 million residents, and less than 750,000 live in PLACE communities.
October 7, 2011
Long Beach’s Leap Towards Livabilty IV: Leaping Forward?
You can view the full map at GeoCommons.
August 22, 2011
Game Changer: Disabled Angelenos Win Major Concessions from City
Crumbling sidewalks and intersections without curb cuts are a common problem in L.A., but they're a lot more noticeable when you're moving with wheels. Whether it's pushing a baby stroller, or doing some sidewalk bicycle riding, the lack of curb cuts is suddenly a major issue. While its a minor inconvenience to someone who is healthy and pushing wheels by choice, people who suffer from some physical ailment can find the lack of a curb cut to be as daunting a barrier as a moat filled with crocodiles.
July 28, 2011
In Wake of Infant Death, Are Changes Coming to Art Walk?
At last week's Art Walk, the monthly event where downtown art galleries open their doors to the public for free, thousands of people gathered to walk through the Downtown. The event is changing the way people view Downtown Los Angeles, but last week, tragedy struck.
July 19, 2011