Nithya Raman favors $3.1B LA transit plan to cut car lanes for bikes

Key Points:

• Los Angeles Mayor-elect Nithya Raman plans to prioritize expanding protected bike lanes, bus-only corridors, and street redesigns, potentially reducing car lanes and parking on busy roads as part of a multibillion-dollar transportation overhaul.
• Raman is expected to aggressively enforce Measure HLA, a voter-approved law mandating bike lanes, bus lanes, and pedestrian improvements during major road repairs, supported by significant political and financial backing from advocacy groups and donors.
• Her transportation agenda includes adding concrete barriers between cyclists and cars, speed humps, redesigned intersections, automated speed and red-light cameras, and permanent bus lanes, with potential impacts on major streets like Lincoln, Santa Monica, and Venice boulevards.
• Raman will gain substantial influence over city and regional transportation agencies, including chairing the Metro board, allowing her to push for accelerated rail expansions and resolve delays in projects like the $3.3 billion automated people mover at LAX.
• The proposed changes face opposition from some city council members, neighborhood groups, and the firefighters’ union, who cite concerns about increased congestion, impacts on local businesses, emergency response delays, and loss of community input.