Pedestrian Safety
Streetsblog LA
Safe Streets Coalition: How About a Stimulus for Bike/Ped Projects?
As part of its share of the federal stimulus package, Caltrans was allocated $28 million for "Transportation Enhancements," a federal funding category that is home to bicycle, pedestrian, beautification and other road projects that aren't widening or fix-it projects. However, according to the National Safe Routes to Schools Partnership, Caltrans is having trouble spending those funds. From a letter from the partnership to Caltrans:
April 15, 2009
Family of Slain USC Student: Fix L.A. Intersections!
Last weekend, the lives of a family were changed forever, when a distracted driver decided that shaving a couple of seconds of off the trip home for his family was more important than making sure he protected other users of the road. He plowed through the intersection of Jefferson and Hoover, killing USC freshman Adriana Bachan and maiming her companion.
April 9, 2009
As Pedestrian Crashes and Fatalities Mount, What is L.A.’s Plan?
Two weeks ago, the Daily News reported that the number of pedestrians killed in the valley had increased by 230% as compared to the same time last year. This somewhat horrifiying stat passed through the public consciousness with barely a ripple.
April 1, 2009
CPUC Decision: Ped. Bridge for Farmdale but not for Foshay
Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) finally released its twice delayed, two-years in the making, decision regarding whether or not to allow Phase I of the Expo Line be constructed at grade past Dorsey High School and the Foshay Learning Center. The ruling clears the way for Phase I of the Expo project to be completed by 2010.
February 20, 2009
LADOT Opens Westwood Crosswalks to Pedestrians
On Monday, I re-posted a story that first appeared on the excellent blog bikinginla about a Westwood crosswalk that was posted as closed to pedestrians. On Tuesday, I decided to do the responsible thing and actually let LADOT know about the offending signage. To its credit, the DOT replied via email within minutes and within hours had removed the offending signage. They were even able to tell me which crosswalk was the offending one based on the picture after I told them I wasn't sure.
February 11, 2009
From Biking in LA: The Pedestrian Free Crosswalk
Via BikinginLA, the above image captures so much of what is wrong with pedestrian planning in Los Angeles:
February 9, 2009
Bringing Back Broadway Wants Your Help with Streetscape Plan
As part of their efforts to revitalize the commercial corridor along Broadway, Bringing Back Broadway wants our help to tell them what streetscaping and pedestrian amenities are needed to spruce up this iconic boulevard. While Broadway is still a place teaming with pedestrian life, Broadway itself is one of those mis-designed Los Angeles streets that place a premium on moving cars and not creating a safe and enjoyable place for people to walk, talk, and, not least of all, buy things.
February 4, 2009
No Bail Reduction for Hip-Hop Artist Who Ran Down Ped. Activist
A judge rejected a request for lower bail in the case of Swedish Rapper David Moses Jassy, a Swedish rapper who beat, ran over and killed a pedestrian activist after the activist hit his SUV with his hands according to the police. Thus far, Jassy hasn't denied killing pianist John Osnes during the altercation last November, but sought lower bail because Osnes played a far more aggressive role in the fight than prosecutors have said.
January 26, 2009