safe streets
Streetsblog LA
Listening to the Streets in Order to Make Them More Livable: Part III in a Series
This is the third (and long overdue) piece in a series re-examining the way we think about Livable Streets. The first two articles (here and here) detail the history of a wonderful young man named Fidel who ran with a crew just north of USC. His experience mirrors that of many of the teens I know in South Central and, as such, offers insight into what "livability" means in areas where streets are contested.
August 9, 2012
Walking in (South) L.A.: It’s Hard Out Here for a Pedestrian, Part I
"Only a nobody walks in L.A." blared at me as I strolled into the grocery store.
July 18, 2012
Bikes, Health, Activism, and Gardening Galore Await You in South LA this Weekend
Summer is officially here and South L.A. is celebrating in style.
June 29, 2012
Los Ryderz Take a Spin Through the Neighborhood
When I rolled up to YO! Watts just after 10 a.m. on Saturday, I was ecstatic to see girls on bikes. Lots of them.
June 12, 2012
South L.A. Happenings: Expanding CicLAvia, Raising Chickens, Riding for Solidarity, Health, and Fun, and Fighting Fracking
As always, there is much happening in the streets of South L.A. this weekend.
June 8, 2012
A Day in the Life of A Safety Ambassador on the Expo Line
"Ooh -- careful!" I gestured to James McDuffie, a safety ambassador for the Expo Line, as a bicyclist came riding up quickly behind him on the sidewalk.
May 31, 2012
We Want Dancing Stop Signs: My Daily Moment of Zen
Last Friday, Safe Moves, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children on traffic safety, held a Bike-to-School-Day event at New Designs Charter School (at 23rd St. and Figueroa Ave.) to close out Metro's Bike Week.
May 22, 2012
Observations from Yesterday’s Gun Buyback and a Conversation with a Street Vendor of Bikes
THIS PAST FINE AND SUNNY Saturday, I headed to South L.A. to see how the Anonymous Gun Buyback was going. In an effort to get firearms off the streets, the city had set up six sites around town where people could drop off their weapons -- no questions asked -- in return for gift cards. You could get up to $100 for handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and up to $200 for assault weapons.
May 14, 2012
The Challenge of Encouraging Recreational Riding in Watts: A Chat with the Owner of Watts Cyclery
No, no voy lejos, said José. Mi madre no me deja.
May 9, 2012
Are You Ready to Rumble?: Streetfights Take More Violent Turns
This article is second in a series about how gang activity impacts the livability of streets. The issue is explored through the eyes and experiences of Fidel, a 19 year old Business Administration student who began running with crews in elementary school. The first part of his story can be found here, along with a link to the story he wrote about his decision to leave his crew. The final installment can be found here.
April 27, 2012