Transportation Committee Unanimously Approves O’Farrell’s Motions to Improve Mobility, Implement Protected Bicycle Lanes on Major Corridors
O’Farrell’s motions call for transformational multimodal safety upgrades proposed for Sunset Boulevard and Riverside Drive, more than four miles in total
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee today unanimously approved two motions from Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell that aim to vastly improve safety and mobility on two major corridors in the 13th District (CD13), Sunset Boulevard and Riverside Drive. O’Farrell’s motions call for the implementation of protected bicycle lanes on both corridors, as well as better connectivity to Elysian Park, a beloved, 600-acre regional park.
“I’m grateful to the Transportation Committee for moving these important motions forward, and I look forward to voting on and approving them at the full City Council,” said Councilmember O’Farrell. “Mostly, I want to thank and acknowledge the ongoing hard work by some very dedicated activists and advocates in my district, particularly our partners at Sunset4All and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. These organizations have put in so much hard work to build consensus within the community, and I look forward to continuing our work together.”
O’Farrell’s first motion directs City departments to coordinate on and recommend improvements related to the “Sunset4All” concept, which calls for protected bicycle lanes, enhanced shade structures, bus shelters, and additional improvements on a three-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard through East Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Echo Park. Notable places in this area include the Santa Monica/Vermont Metro station, Sunset Junction, Micheltorena Street Elementary School, Edendale Library, and the popular Sunset Triangle Plaza, the City’s first “People Street,” a project completed in 2012 under the leadership of O’Farrell and in partnership with many area stakeholders. Since 2016, O’Farrell’s office has supported Sunset4All’s work to build community support for its vision of a safer, multimodal Sunset Boulevard, an effort that is supported by more than 1000 local stakeholders, as well as over 50 local businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations. Sunset Boulevard is located on the City’s High Injury Network.
O’Farrell’s second motion directs the installation of protected bicycle lanes on Riverside Drive, linking the existing bicycle lane northwest of Fletcher Drive and connecting directly to Elysian Park via Stadium Way. O’Farrell is also calling for the construction of a new, ADA-accessible sidewalk on Stadium Way, where no sidewalk currently exists, as well as the installation of a pedestrian-activated signalized crosswalk to allow pedestrians and cyclists a safe crossing from the Elysian Park Arboretum to the popular “City on the Hill” overlook at Angels Point.
The motions now head to the full City Council for a vote at a date to be determined.
