LA’s Mobility Plan Implementation Faces Opposition

Los Angeles firefighters are opposing Measure HLA, a city ballot proposal that would add more dedicated bike and bus lanes to the city’s streets and direct the city to implement its 2015 mobility plan. According to an article by David Zahniser and Rachel Uranga in the Los Angeles Times, “Measure HLA would mandate the installation of 200 miles of bus lanes — some operating 24 hours a day, others running only during rush hour — and more than 600 miles of bicycle lanes.”

As the article explains, “Union President Freddy Escobar said his organization, which represents about 3,400 firefighters, is concerned that the measure will lead to slower emergency response times and put new pressure on a city budget already experiencing financial strain.”

Supporters of the measure say changes are urgently needed to stem the rising number of traffic deaths and make transit more reliable and efficient. “They also have sought to rebut the union’s claims, saying the city’s own environmental analysis found that access for emergency vehicles would remain the same or improve if new street improvements are completed.”