York Blvd Sidewalk By W Ave 42

York Blvd Sidewalk By W Ave 42, a photo by Walk Eagle Rock on Flickr.

What remains of the sidewalk. I find myself conflicted with sights like this. On one hand, I think “cool, the sidewalk is almost entirely covered in weeds and grass”. On the other, I think “must make getting through tough for strollers, wheelchairs, sidewalk cyclists. Also, it is perhaps a testament to how rarely people walk around the neighborhood.”

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From Eagle Rock Patch to Possibilities in Eagle Rock

There hasn’t been much activity here but I’d like to take a look briefly at Eagle Rock Patch‘s ‘The Future of Eagle Rock‘ series. It’s a recurring segment over at Patch that aims to ask voices in Eagle Rock what, well… they want Eagle Rock to look like, in the future. Three of the four of the responses in the series have been quite pleasant to see from a ‘Walk Eagle Rock’ perspective, allow me to share

Michael Larsen, president of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council:

“Part of the problem is that L.A. is such a car culture—kids can just as easily go to Silver Lake or Los Feliz to hang out. I’d like to lure them back by making walking and bike riding more pleasurable and safe. I’m encouraged by [TERA’s] Take Back The Boulevard campaign that just started, which will re-envision Colorado Boulevard to make it pedestrian- and bike-friendly. Slow it down, plant more trees, give space to bikes, create safe crosswalks.”

Mike Woodward, manager of the Eagle Rock Community Garden:

“What would make Eagle Rock Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard better would be more trees, easier bike access and more pedestrian amenities (you know, so you don’t die trying to cross the street). In other words, make our boulevards into Boulevards.”

Jennifer Morgan, co-owner of the neighborhood’s wine store:

“I’d love to see more bike lanes, particularly on Colorado Boulevard, which should be narrower, slower, safer, and more conducive to what makes any town’s center great—foot traffic.”

It’s great to see such support for safer streets that are pleasant to walk on. I’m visiting family in Sweden now and I am amazed at what the removal of one car lane can produce: shorter crossings for pedestrians, two-way bike path, buffer between pedestrians and cars– all in one! While we contemplate the future of Eagle Rock, here’s a look at the present of Malmö, Sweden

With the equivilent of one lane of cars, we could have this

Shorter crossing for pedestrians with bike path in foreground

There’s a lot that can be done by simply removing one lane of cars, or parking. We do not have to accept the car as the only viable means of transport in Eagle Rock. The safer walking and cycling facilities residents want don’t require heavy investment or massive construction, we just need to reallocate existing space on the road.

(If you would like to see greater bicycle infrastructure in Eagle Rock and safer streets, I will post when opportunities  arise to shape Eagle Rock’s piece of the LA Bike Plan. What Eagle Rock can get from The Plan will be influenced by the community’s input.)

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Visit to Malmö, Sweden: Teaser

I’ve been in Malmö, Sweden almost a week now and one of the things I love the most here is the high rate of bicycling. About 30% of trips are by bicycle here in Malmö and people of all ages, income, and ability are represented. I would like to touch on the types of infrastructure the city has implemented here to achieve such an impressive figure in the future, but for now here’s just a teaser– a typical scene in Malmlö

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