A broad coalition came to the L.A. Coliseum on today to support Measure M (photo by Move LA)
As you know, LACBC has endorsed Measure M in the November 8th election because Measure M will make L.A. County more bikeable, connected, and livable. We join a broad group of supporters that includes both partner organizations that we have been working with for years and organizations and groups that we are excited to work with for the first time. While Measure M may be referred to as “The Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan,” its benefits can be felt beyond transportation in the ways it will affect age-friendly communities, health, education, jobs, the economy, the environment, and more.
We’ve rounded up a few endorsements from organizations that are urging you to #VoteYesOnM on November 8th.
The Los Angeles Unified School District recognizes the importance of having safe and affordable travel to school. Says LAUSD Board Member Monica Garcia, who co-sponsored the support resolution with Board President Steve Zimmer:
“Tens of thousands of LAUSD students, faculty, and staff rely on Metro every day to get to and from school. Measure M will ensure that our students’ fares remain affordable and that members of our LAUSD family can safely travel to school, work, and home.”
AARP knows Measure M makes L.A. County more livable for everyone. Says Nancy McPherson, AARP California State Director:
“Measure M represents a rare and important opportunity to make all Los Angeles communities more livable and age-friendly. That’s why AARP is proud, for the first-time ever, to actively endorse and campaign for a local ballot initiative.”
The American Heart Association recognizes the health benefits from Measure M. Says Ravi Dave, MD, Board President of the American Heart Association Greater Los Angeles Division, and a Cardiologist at UCLA Health:
“The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association understand the strong connection between the built environment and public health. Sidewalks that connect to parks, public transportation and schools; roads that include designated and protected bike lanes; and streets that accommodate all people make it safe for people to share the road with cars and trucks.”
Move LA has been one of the earliest and strongest proponents for Measure M:
“Just gotta say it again: Traffic Relief! Measure M would dramatically improve our transportation system and redefine commutes for residents in every corner of LA County to get all of us where we want to go, when we want to get there, however we choose to travel—train, bus, car, bike or on foot.”
The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Planning Association supports Measure M:
“….Measure M as a whole would create a dramatically improved transportation system to improve communities and redefine commutes for residents in every corner of the County. APA’s national transportation vision includes empowering and improving metropolitan mobility; integrated planning for sustainable communities; investments that promote economic growth and competitiveness, location efficiency, safety, and accessibility for all users; and flexible, performance-driven funding options. Using our adopted national policies as a guide, APA Los Angeles affirms that the focused mobility investments offered by Measure M will help achieve this vision and are deserving of our support.”
The staff of Streetsblog LA stands behind Measure M:
“For all of the transit, mobility, walkability, bikeability benefits – not to mention health, environmental, and job benefits – across the region, Streetsblog Los Angeles endorses Measure M.”
The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board backed Measure M on September 29th:
“Measure M — a proposed sales tax increase on the November ballot to raise money for Metro — would finish the projects started by Measure R and, over the next 40 years, double the size of the region’s mass transit system, as well as fix highway bottlenecks, build bike paths and fill potholes. This is critical work, and voters should say yes.”
Bike SGV endorses Measure M for a number of reasons, including:
“Measure M reserves about $20 million per year for walking and biking programs and projects that will serve the whole county. This would provide a stable funding source for ongoing program costs currently subject to the uncertainty of grant funding, including Safe Routes to School, bike safety classes, public education campaigns, open streets, and bike share. Funding countywide walking and biking programs. Measure M reserves about $20 million per year for walking and biking programs and projects that will serve the whole county. This would provide a stable funding source for ongoing program costs currently subject to the uncertainty of grant funding, including Safe Routes to School, bike safety classes, public education campaigns, open streets, and bike share.”
Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce knows Measure M means jobs:
“The Chamber supported this measure because it is a pretty balanced, equitable approach, considering all the stakeholders that weighed in with differing priorities. The Chamber supported prior measures and has a history of championing infrastructure investments that create jobs and work to improve congestion.”
Investing in Place understands how Measure M can make L.A. County more connected:
“Measure M will invest in high-ridership corridors in every pocket of LA County. While the county is projected to add two million people in the next two decades, getting real improvements from Measure M on the ground quickly will help determine whether these new residents become solo drivers or transit riders. By focusing on improving service in corridors where people already take transit, Measure M will connect people to where they need to go and get them there faster.”
Climate Resolve notes the environmental benefits that Measure M will bring. Climate Resolve Executive Director Jonathan Parfrey writes:
“Measure M will create a comprehensive transportation system in Los Angeles. It will result in less traffic, cleaner air, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously endorsed Measure M. Says Councilmember Mike Bonin:
“Measure M is an amazing opportunity to reduce traffic by revolutionizing the transportation system in Los Angeles. From rail through the Sepulveda Pass, to the long overdue rail connection to LAX, to local street repair and improved service on rail and bus lines, Measure M makes game-changing transit projects possible.”
Learn more about Measure M and pledge to vote yes on M this November 8th at la-bike.org/MeasureM.