SAFE Blog
We need your feedback on Autonomous Taxis!
Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) is teaming up with a research professor from the Department of Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington to gather information on a super cool project about the future of transportation. Together, we're hoping to explore the impact of automated vehicles on different communities, especially those traditionally underserved.
LA River Bike Path Rehab Completed Near Ferraro Fields
Thanks to speedy repairs, cyclists can safely pedal ahead on the LA River Bike Path near the Ferraro soccer fields. The repairs began in late January and were made possible by advocacy efforts from Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), Pasadena Athletic Association, the local cycling community, and Councilwoman Nithya Raman and District 4, who pushed the project forward.
Measure HLA Passes With Overwhelming Support!!
In a landmark victory for the people of Los Angeles, Measure HLA has passed with resounding support, marking a pivotal moment in the city's transportation future. With an impressive 63.05% (as of March 6th) of the vote, Measure HLA triumphed in a landslide win on Tuesday, March 5th.
Street Racing Town Hall Recap
On Saturday, February 24th, Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) was honored to participate in District 2 Governing Board Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s first interactive community workshop on ways to stop illegal street racing and takeovers. Over 130 SD2 community members attended the event, which took place at the beautiful Magic Johnson Community Center in South LA.
Calling All Walking, Cycling, Beach, and Park Enthusiasts!
Join us in attending a Zoom on the proposed “Potrero Canyon Pedestrian/Cycling Bridge Project on Thursday, March 14th.
Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) is excited to learn more about the “Potrero Canyon Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge Project” at a community Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 14th, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The new bridge will span the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), connecting the city’s newest park, George Wolfberg Park, to Will Rogers Beach.
Hundreds Protest on City Hall Steps, Demanding Safer Roads
On Saturday, January 27th, people young and old, elected officials and advocates – over 125 individuals total – gathered on the west steps of Los Angeles City Hall loudly chanting, “What do we want? Safe Streets!! When do we want it? NOW!!!” and “Safe Streets Save Lives!” among other things. Everyone then laid down on the cold, hard steps for 3 minutes and 36 seconds. This poignant act served to both honor and protest the 336 victims who tragically lost their lives due to preventable traffic incidents in Los Angeles in 2023. The unified message resounded loudly: we refuse to accept the sluggish pace of safety improvements on our streets and the normalization of traffic-related tragedies.
Update on Implementation of AB 645 — Speed Camera Bill
After years of advocating for speed cameras as a non-police method of enforcing speed laws, Streets Are For Everyone was thrilled this past October when Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 645, allowing Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, San Francisco, and Oakland to pilot a speed camera safety pilot…
Finally, a Bit of Good News About PCH
I have some good news related to the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Okay, admittedly, I’m not ecstatic, jumping up and down for joy, but it’s at least something tangible that will help, to a degree, to save lives and make roads safer on PCH through Malibu.
Mighty and Getting Mightier, SAFE Year in Review 2023
SAFE's accomplishments in 2023 are best summed up by a comment made by a legislative staffer, "You guys are everywhere. I thought for sure you were a huge organization. You might be small, but you punch way above your weight."
By the Numbers
Our team is very proud of what we produced in 2023. Let's look at our accomplishments by the numbers and some of our highlights.
Traffic Violence in Los Angeles
Why Los Angeles Gets an “F” Grade for 2023
I am starting this report with a question that anyone reading this must think about:
How many more Angelenos need to die before we, as a collective city, start treating traffic violence with the urgency it deserves?
Streets Are For Everyone Supports Measure HLA, and You Should Too
In March, Angelenos will get a chance to vote for Measure HLA, which will speed up the implementation of the 2015 Mobility Plan to reduce transportation-related fatalities to Zero by 2035. The 2015 Mobility Plan proposed hundreds of miles of new bus-only lanes, protected bike lanes, and sidewalk/streetscape enhancements in pedestrian-heavy neighborhoods…
Safety and Mobility Improvements on Hollywood Boulevard are Planned!
Good news! The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) is continuing its safety and mobility improvements on Hollywood Blvd with additional work planned on the section of road between Gower St and Fountain Ave. LADOT will continue its engagement with the community regarding safety for those who walk, bike, and use public transit.
Dying-In LA 2024: We Need to Take Action.
2023 was a rough year for Los Angeles. 330 victims died from traffic violence in the city, marking a 9% increase over 2022 and a 14% increase since 2021. This is the highest number of traffic fatalities in over 20 years.
Join us for a crucial call to action as we unite in this collective effort. Real change only occurs when we amplify our voices and make them resoundingly heard.
Kids Deserve Safer Roads Too! Join Us at the MLK Day Parade
Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) and Faith For Safer Streets are excited to participate in this year’s Kingdom Day parade on January 15th from 9 am to 2 pm.
Ghost Tire Placed for Trina Newman-Townsend, Killed by Hit and Run Driver in South LA
On December 31st, Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) placed a ghost tire for Trina Newman-Townsend, who tragically lost her life on December 24th, 2022, when a driver hit her as she was getting into her car on Broadway Ave at 88th Street.
Save Cyclist And Pedestrian Lives And Practice “Robert’s Reach” When Exiting Your Parked Car
Dooring is the #1 fear of urban cyclists, yet it can be prevented by a simple practice called the “Dutch Reach” or “Robert’s Reach,” as Robert’s wife Yasmine Nasser Diaz would like it to be known here in Los Angeles.
Another Fatality on Pacific Coast Highway on Christmas Eve
The latest fatality happened shortly after a show put on by California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and other state transportation officials in a press conference about safety enhancements for the 21-mile highway weaving through Malibu.
At this press conference on Monday, 18 December, officials announced the green light for a (paltry) $4.2 million contract, enabling Caltrans to move forward with a roster of 30 upgrades.
Ghost Tire Placed to Honor the Life of 15-Year-Old Killed by a Speeding, Distracted Driver
Streets Are For Everyone, family members who have lost loved ones due to traffic violence, and the family of 15-year-old Felipe Manuell Infante-Avolos, affectionately known as Pipé, gathered this past Sunday, December 17th, to place a Ghost Tire Memorial on the corner of 110th and Main streets where Pipé was hit on October 27th. He died 12 days later, on November 8th.
SAFE Helps the Bahati Foundation Give Away 170 Bicycles to Underserved Kids
This last Saturday, the Bahati Foundation held its 6th Annual "Motion Equals Healthy" Bike Giveaway. Streets Are For Everyone was proud to be a partner with the Bahati Foundation in helping to produce this event – helping to give 170 bicycles and helmets to underserved kids from around Los Angeles County. Kids were also taught basic cycling skills as part of a bicycle rodeo led by the Topanga Howlers. Every kid who finished received a beautiful medal from SAFE.
LA River Bike Path Rehab Funding Approved
Cyclists will soon have smooth pedaling ahead on the LA River Bike Path near the Ferraro soccer fields. Once the Department of Recreation and Parks approves the laydown area permit, contractors will begin repairs on hazardous sections of the bike path sometime this winter.