The trimming of grants for open streets events in L.A. County that ban automobile traffic to make way for bicyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized uses left most events with inadequate funding that could prevent events from happening, organizers said last week.
Grants approved by the LA Metro board on Thursday, Jan. 25 reduced funding by up to 20% for events set to take place within the next two years, requiring organizers to scramble to make up the funding gaps or cancel events.
Of the 16 events that received funds,12 were given 80% of the amount requested, making it nearly impossible to put on events when facing inflation of the cost for public safety, traffic control and insurance, organizers said. Metro did not fund 12 other events requested by cities and nonprofit groups.
“This means fewer than one event per month in a county of 10 million. Cities across the world host Ciclovias weekly. Surely a county of 10 million can realize a goal of at least one event per month,” said Wes Reutimann, deputy director and founder of ActiveSGV, a group that has staged six “open streets” or Ciclovia events since 2017, including ArroyoFest 2 that attracted nearly 50,000 people to walk and bike on a closed part of the 110 Freeway on Oct. 29, 2023.
Those not funded included two events planned for the San Fernando Valley, one on Ventura Boulevard for December and another in Northridge scheduled for May 2025. Events in Wilmington, Long Beach, Hawthorne, Lincoln Heights and MacArthur Park also were not funded.
The Metro board of directors approved spending just under $5.5 million for 16 open streets events for 2024-2025 without discussion. Chair and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass denied those who wanted to speak, saying they had their chance to make one-minute comments at the Metro Planning and Programming Committee on Jan. 17.
Since the cost of law enforcement coverage, insurance and street controls such as barricades and signs has risen, Reutimann expected a bump in…
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