Pedestrianizing Hollywood Blvd

Hollywood Boulevard is a global tourist destination, with hundreds of thousands of visitors daily. It's also on the “High Injury Network,” with among the city's highest rates of pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities. In this episode, Adriane Hoff says the new nonprofit org Safe Streets For All wants to "pedestrianize" Hollywood Boulevard from Labrea to Highland Ave. Alexander Totz, LA County Bicycle Coalition's Bike Ambassador to Hollywood, calls Adriane's ask "idealistic, not realistic," but also says closing the street is "only part" of Council Member Mitch O'Farrell's "Heart of Hollywood" initiative (23:17). Adriane says the idea to ban cars from the most crowded parts of Hollywood Boulevard gets overwhelming support from stakeholders, including the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Culver City’s Pro-Complete Streets Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells weighs in as favoring pedestrianizing Hollywood Blvd, as does Maureen Persico, originator of "people protected bike lanes." Maureen credits her direct action as at least partly responsible for giving SF a carfree Market Street(Maureen starts at 55:00). Moderated by Midnight Ridazz original group rider and bike infrastructure advocate Don "Roadblock" Ward, with Bike Talk producer/cohost Nick Richert.