A biker himself, City Council President Eric Garcetti today introduced two bike-friendly motions. First, he proposed a resolution that would have Metro repeal its ban on allowing cyclists to ride the Metro lines during rush hour (bikes are banned on the trains between 6:30 a.m-8:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. on weekdays). And he asked Metro to take out some seats to make room for bikers. Nice. Secondly, he introduced a motion that would implement "a pilot program to mark streets with “sharrows” - Caltrans-approved shared lane markings on the pavement between the parking lane and traffic."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2008
GARCETTI INTRODUCES INITIATIVES TO MAKE LOS ANGELES MORE
BICYCLE-FRIENDLY
LOS ANGELES - In an effort to reduce traffic congestion and air
pollution from vehicles, Los Angeles City Council President Eric
Garcetti today introduced two items that would make Los Angeles easier
and safer to navigate by bicycle.
“These efforts will make it easier and safer for people who want to
get out of their cars to move around Los Angeles by bicycle. Cycling is
a fun way to get around our city, and we want to make sure that it’s
safe and convenient for people whether they’re commuting to work,
going to school, making a quick trip to the store, or just enjoying the
ride,” said Council President Garcetti.
Garcetti introduced a resolution to urge the Los Angeles Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro) to repeal its ban on allowing cyclists
to ride the Metro lines during rush hour. Currently, bicycles are not
allowed on the trains between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. as
well as 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. Garcetti’s motion
requests that Metro also consider removing seats on some Metro line cars
to make the trains more comfortable for passengers traveling with or
without bicycles.
He also introduced a motion that would implement a pilot program to
mark streets with “sharrows” - Caltrans-approved shared lane
markings on the pavement between the parking lane and traffic. These
are different from bike lanes in that they direct the cyclist to travel
outside the car door zone to prevent accidents caused by parked cars.
The pilot program would install sharrows along Vermont Avenue between
Hollywood Boulevard and 4th Street as well as Fountain Avenue between
the 101 freeway and Hoover Street. Sharrows are currently used in San
Francisco.
Both motions were referred to appropriate City Council committees for
review.
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