Letters to the Editor: Angelenos want safer options for cyclists and pedestrians. But they point out the need for better mass transit and thinking creatively and holistically before L.A. goes 'nuclear.'
Angelenos sometimes oppose bike lanes and slow streets in isolation because they don’t see how it benefits drivers.
But when you add car-free affordable housing to the mix, the combination can convert skeptics. L.A. is planning to add millions of new homes in the coming years to address our housing crisis. This could compound our traffic nightmare. But if you build housing on walkable streets near transit, jobs and amenities, you create a 15-minute community, where people can meet most of their weekly needs without having to drive.
Removing parking makes housing more affordable, and building above local businesses on streets with safe bike and bus lanes makes it possible to live car-free even in the ultimate car city. This leads to less traffic and a healthier climate. Who doesn’t want that? We need to think holistically about transportation and housing.Traffic is so terrible — shutting down or removing lanes on roads is not a realistic answer. But protecting cyclists and pedestrians is imperative.
This would keep streets and lanes open to traffic, create safety zones for bikes and the revenue from metered garages could waylay at least some of the costs.