City Approves Major Shift Away from Car-Centric Transportation

The Los Angeles City Council today approved a sweeping, 20-year mobility plan that encourages a move away from car-centric infrastructure toward more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly transportation options in the city.

The council voted 12-2 to approve the Mobility 2035 plan, which sets a goal of adding about 300 miles of protected bike lanes and increasing housing density, over complaints from some residents that the plan could worsen traffic congestion and hinder emergency response times.

Councilman Mike Bonin, who championed the plan, called it a “groundbreaking” document that updates the city’s planning guidelines from a “1950s mentality” to a more modern approach to transportation that includes more options for bicyclists, public transportation and pedestrians.

Councilman Joe Buscaino, citing his own two-hour public transit commute from San Pedro to City Hall downtown, said “we need a plan moving forward.”

Councilman Felipe Fuentes said the mobility plan needs to be in place so that the city can take advantage of public dollars that the state and federal government are expected to begin offering soon.

Councilman Bob Blumenfield said: “This is progress. It may not be perfect ... but it’s moving us in a direction that we need to move as a city. Collectively it changes the process.”

Praise was not unanimous, however. Some council members, including Gil Cedillo, expressed concern that not enough public input was gathered before the plan was presented to the City Council.

City News Service