110 Freeway Closed to Cars Today

What-if, nobody walks in LA?   

What people said:

"Is this LA"?

"Feels like a Dream"

"When's the next one going to happen"?

"I heard birds chirping, bike bells ringing, kids squealing with laughter."

This was ArroyoFest (LA DOT Hosted) a free event ... six miles of the historic parkway was closed to cars from 7 a.m. to about 11 a.m.

The word got out today, Twitter (X) post:

Credit: LA DOT and Thank you.

-LS

 

Viola Brand

 Think you can ride a bike?

-LS

Zoning Laws are a Choice

"The most safe, walkable neighborhoods are often the most expensive to live in. Why? Because demand is high, but supply is low. Local zoning laws restrict housing development within these places, and simultaneously prevent other places from becoming more like them. "   -Strong Towns

Photo: Re-thinking The Future dot com

That's right, Laguna would rather covet an empty 1932 Sewer Digester and rusting tool-sheds than build a sense of PLACE for community space and multi-use affordable housing.  When will Laguna abandon symbolic, historical metaphorical elements and return to fulfill basic resident and visitor needs, like the Promenade did?

-LS

Why Car-Centric Suburbia Needs Subsidy

When does urban density subsidize car-centric suburbia? When you do the math, mixed-use walkable downtown places outperform car-centric suburbia financially every single time.

In these studies older poorer neighborhoods subsidize newer car-centric suburbanites typically nation wide. Then why does Laguna Beach plan to build 9 spanking new parking structures with the illusion of new city revenue? Density is destiny, unless bankruptcy is your game.

-LS

Cyclist Fatality Glenneyre and Oak Street 7 October 2023

 RIP

Photo Credit LA Tmes.

Photo Credit Nixle Alerts

This is a 4-way stop, the mountain bike is mangled and the preliminary accident investigation reveals:

"one of the parties might not have stopped completely."

Just think about that a while. 

 https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/losangeles/news/bicyclist-killed-small-terrier-injured-in-laguna-beach-crash/

-LS

 

San Diego Plans for Walkable Communities

Fueled by faster, riskier drivers, bigger vehicles and less police enforcement of traffic laws, pedestrian deaths nationwide rose 77 percent to 7,624 deaths from 2010 to 2021, according to federal data. -NYT

In 2013 Phase 4 of San Diego's Pedestrian Master Plan was completed, now a push to include walkable infrastructure ensures the "best possible planning of walkable communities" for new and existing developments. The emphasis seeks to make the city more walkable.

As examples, the 5th Avenue Slow Street and the Normal Street Promenade should be replicated in other parts of the city. Streetscape elements such as street trees, trash cans, bicycle racks, park benches, public bathrooms are anticipated as part of the updated plans to make walking a more enjoyable experience.  

The plans are endorsed by San Diego City CouncilmemberRaul Campillo (@CMRaulCampillo on Twitter)  who proposed funding for pedestrian promenades like the Gaslamp Quarter and the upcoming Normal Street Promenade to be replicated in other parts of the City.  

In 2008 the Laguna Beach Complete Streets Task Force proposed, wrote and delivered a Pedestrian and Bicycle Masterplan to the LB City Council, no action was taken to adopt, approve or read the submitted master plan. At present the city of Laguna Beach produced a PARKING Master Plan but no Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan and no Councilmember to endorse one.

-LS