Federal Level
Legislation To Stop California’s Gas-Powered Vehicle Ban Advances To House Floor
A federal bill to block California from banning the sale of new, internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 was passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee and will next be considered by the entire U.S. House of Representatives.
H.R.1435, introduced by Reps. John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Bob Latta (OH-05) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), would amend federal law to block attempts to eliminate the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines. Further, this legislation would restrict the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing any waivers that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines. The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act was introduced in response to the California Air Resource Board’s decision to effectively ban the sale of new, internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, in an effort to force automakers to cease the development and production of new gas-powered motor vehicles.
General LA
City Council Approves $60M Contract To Expand LA River Bike Path
The City Council approved a $60 million contract with Metro for the design and construction of the Los Angeles River Valley Bike Path Project, including the development of approximately 15 miles of a new bike path and greenway. The project would fill in gaps in the path between Vanalden Avenue to the west and Forest Lawn Drive/Zoo Drive to the east, spanning Council Districts 2, 3, 4 and 6.
Advocates Urge Metro To Fix Botched Regional Connector Bike/Walk Facilities
Livability advocates submitted a letter to Metro and L.A. City leadership urging Metro to promptly add several bike/walk facilities left out of Metro Regional Connector construction. The letter was signed by leaders of five community groups: BikeLA, Climate Resolve, MoveLA, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Streets For All
Metro Approves Additional $143M For Rail Line Extension
Metro’s Board of Directors approved an additional $134 million for its Purple (D Line) Extension Transit Project while expressing some concern on how the costs might impact other transportation projects.
Metro officials said they needed more funding for the second section of the project — which is the construction and development of the Wilshire/Rodeo and Century City/Constellation stations. The Purple (D Line) Extension Transit Project began construction in 2019, and will add seven new subway stations, connecting downtown L.A. to the Westside.
Riders Call On LA City To Fix Treacherous Bump Along LA River Bike Path
Bicyclists spoke with CBSLA about a treacherous crack along the Los Angeles River Bike Path near Griffith Park, where multiple cyclists have gotten injured over the last few years. L.A. officials put up a bump sign several months ago and someone has spray painted the pavement in an attempt to warn riders but many said the sign offers little help. Additionally, the sign sits in a shaded portion of the path.
BikeLA was told by LADOT that construction will begin once a final contract is approved by the Board of Public Works, and is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2023.
Antelope Valley
Lancaster Announces “Walk N Roll” Fest
Lancaster’ Walk N Roll Fest will take place on Saturday, September 16, with eight open blocks of Lancaster Streets taken over for music, information booths, entertainment, food, family fun and much more. The festival is made possible with funding from the city’s community partner, Metro, organizers said in a news release.
Gateway Cities
Whittier Union High School District Renews Program That Brings Free Public Transportation To Students
Whittier Union High School District has renewed the GoPass program for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.
The program offers students consistent and reliable transportation to school by providing unlimited rides – at no cost – on the Metro bus and rail.
The pass allows each student unlimited rides on Metro bus and rail, as well as bus lines including Norwalk Transit, Montebello Bus, City of Commerce, LADOT Dash, Culver City Bus, and the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus.
South Los Angeles
11th Avenue Park Set For Upgrades
The 11th Avenue Park in Hyde Park, just east of Crenshaw Boulevard, is set for upgrades. The proposed renovation of the .27-acre space located at 6116 S. 11th Avenue, is detailed in a new presentation to the Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners. Existing improvements, limited to a play structure and a spartan seating area, would be removed and replaced with a new playground, exercise equipment, seating and benches, a shaded picnic area, a small amphitheater, and new landscaping.
Westside
Bike Lanes Added On Doheny Drive In Beverly Hills
New bike lanes were installed in Beverly Hills on Doheny Drive between Burton Way and Whitworth Drive. The new bike lanes will not replace existing parking spaces, Carpenter added. The lanes will connect to other bike lanes in the city on Clifton Way, Charleville Boulevard and Gregory Way.