Bikers rejoice at a new pilot program in Griffith Park. City officials temporarily closed a stretch of Griffith Park Drive. This is to promote safety for cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians. The closure will continue through July, and city officials will consider making the closure permanent. With an increase in injuries and deaths to pedestrians and cyclists in recent years, the closures could help the community. Bikers are already benefiting from the rollout and couldn’t be happier. However, the benefits of the closure won’t be conclusive until they conduct more studies. This will determine if traffic congestion and community concern share the benefits that the bikers see. Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country and many say it’s no place for cars.

Los Angeles isn’t the only city that has decided to do this. San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and New York have all rolled out similar programs. Back in 2012, one road was closed to motorists turning into the Sunset Triangle Plaza. By all accounts, each closure has been a success. Cars reroute, and traffic congestion and commute times rarely increase in a significant way. In the past few years, Los Angeles has added more than a hundred miles of bike lanes, but closing down an entire road is still unusual.

Griffith Park and Los Angeles is Safer without Cars

Griffith Park sees more than 8,500 cars per day. Most of these cars cut through the park to avoid traffic on the 5 and 134 freeways. To many, saving a minute or two on your drive time is not worth losing your park. Additionally, there is already talk of closing Crystal Springs Drive between the 5 freeway and Los Feliz. In a city that relies on its cars, adjusting the mindset of Angelenos could do more than just open up public parks. Los Angeles is known for its constant smog and pollution. Cutting traffic and promoting more alternative modes of transportation could significantly help the city. Not to mention, bikes and alternative modes of transport are much safer than cars.

City-wide, deaths and severe injuries are up on our city roads. In the first 6 months of 2022, collisions are up 12.4%. 76 pedestrians and 7 cyclists were fatally injured by motorists. Another 240 pedestrians and 60 cyclists were seriously injured. This is a problem that city officials want to fix.

After the pilot program ends, city officials will have a lot to discuss. If they do close the road, there are discussions to include more public transportation options. This will depend on the nearby stakeholders, like the LA Zoo and the Autry Museum. However, pivoting Los Angeles away from the automobile is something that many wish was a present reality.