LACBC
Ride Westwood

Ride Westwood Feb 9, 2013
RideWestwood on February 9th 

RideWestwood Supporters,


Word on the street is that Councilmember Paul Koretz is reneging on his commitment to study bike lanes on Westwood Boulevard, connecting the future Expo Line Station to UCLA and Palms.  Earlier this year Koretz wrote, "I am an advocate of bike paths so long as we implement them intelligently and with the input of local stakeholders."  With that in mind, LACBC respected local opposition to the City's proposed bus-bike lanes and developed an alternative that still provides safety benefits without the traffic impact that upset some stakeholders. We then requested to work with the Councilmember to:


  1. Study alternatives for Westwood with less traffic impact

  2. Create an inclusive engagement process that is fact-based and respectful of divergent opinions


After agreeing to the above, Koretz stalled.  He did not set up an open and transparent process and instructed LADOT to stop the study.  Instead of seeking input from all stakeholders, he has listened to one small insular group of homeowners that have repeatedly put out inaccurate information to rally opposition to even studying the project.  At LACBC, we firmly believe that studying options is the first step in making decisions "intelligently."


Please join us in calling on Councilmember Koretz to keep his word and study all options for Westwood Boulevard.  (See sample email below.)


Come to our meeting TONIGHT at 6:30 p.m. to plan next steps for RideWestwood and find out about upcoming actions:


UCLA - Public Affairs Building - Faculty Lounge (Room 5391)

337 Charles E. Young Dr. East (near Wyton and Hilgard).


See you there!


Sincerely,

Alek Bartrosouf

Campaign and Policy Manager

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

alek@la-bike.org

(213) 629-2142


Sample email:

 

to: paul.koretz@lacity.org 

cc: joan.pelico@lacity.org, jay.greenstein@lacity.org 

bcc: info@la-bike.org 

subj: Study Westwood Bike Lanes


Dear Councilmember Koretz,


Westwood Boulevard is currently one of the most popular routes for people riding bikes in your district.  It is also one of the least safe.  You've said before that, "I do not vote for things that kill people."  I hope that you'll at least study how to fix a dangerous situation that has already killed and will likely again if it is not improved.  As a community leader, it's your responsibility to convene people with differing views, seek out accurate information and make informed decisions that respect all stakeholders.  I ask that you take this commitment seriously by studying alternatives for bike lanes along Westwood Boulevard and hosting an open and inclusive process to discuss the merits of the project.


Sincerely,

your name

your neighborhood 

 

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