LA Pushes For Stronger Bike Lane Barriers That Don’t Crumple On Impact

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday instructed the Department of Transportation to report on what resources it would require for the installation of new, durable bike lane barriers in-house.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved a motion introduced by Councilwoman Heather Hutt, who is hoping to bolster L.A.'s 90.7 miles of protected bike lanes with stronger bollards. The majority of these lanes are currently protected by plastic K71 bollards, which Hutt described as a "temporary treatment."

"K71 bollards are designed to be a quick build and easily bend or crumble should a vehicle come into contact with them. They neither protect cyclists nor last long; the average K71 bollard has to be replaced every 7 months, wasting city resources and time," Hutt's motion says.

The LADOT has been experimenting with so-called Toronto-style barriers, a modular concrete barrier that is bolted to the ground.

"This is a durable alternative to cast in place concrete curbing, suitable for use on busy streets that would ensure buffers between the bike lane and travel lane," the motion stated.

City officials conducted successful pilot programs with the Toronto- style barriers on Third Street in downtown and on Imperial Highway near Dockweiler Beach. Further installations are planned on Ohio Avenue, Chandler Boulevard and Spring Street/Alameda Street.

"LADOT is unable to install Toronto-style barriers themselves, and must rely on the Bureau of Street Services for the heavy equipment required to move and locate the barrier for installation," the motion added. "LADOT should be able to have this capacity in-house, without having to rely on resources from other departments."

City News Service