Cycling cities for Los Angeles

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t create Los Angeles’ mobility inequities-it exposed them in stark relief. For decades, the city’s streets have favored cars, leaving those without access to a private vehicle stranded, facing unsafe journeys, or cut off from opportunity. Today, congestion, pollution, and traffic collisions touch every Angeleno, but the burden falls hardest on those in underserved neighborhoods.

Yet, the story of cycling in Los Angeles is also one of resilience and possibility. People from every background already ride bikes across the city, and surveys show many more would join them-if only they had safe, connected routes. Instead, too many face a patchwork of unprotected lanes, dangerous intersections, and streets where a simple bike ride can feel like a risk.

Now, local groups like the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition, Streets for All, and Streets are for Everyone are joining global partners to push for lasting change. As part of the Cycling Cities campaign, they’re calling for 25 million more people worldwide to live near safe cycle lanes by 2025-and they believe Los Angeles can lead the way. The vision is clear: invest in local neighborhoods, redesign streets with protected bike lanes, and adopt policies that put people before cars.

This is more than infrastructure-it’s about justice, health, and the future of Los Angeles. By making cycling safe and accessible, the city can unlock new possibilities for mobility, reduce its carbon footprint, and build a city where everyone has the freedom to move. The time to act is now.

source:

https://itdp.org/publication/cycling-cities-for-los-angeles/