StreetsLA Inspected Pavement Condition of the City’s 1,100 Bike Lane Miles
Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilmembers Paul Krekorian (District 2) and Bob Blumenfield (District 3) and Board of Public Works Vice President Teresa Villegas joined StreetsLA (Bureau of Street Services) yesterday in North Hollywood to announce the completion of a pilot program of inspecting the pavement condition of the City’s bike lane network by using electric bikes.
Utilizing four Cake-brand electric mopeds loaned to the city by manufacturer, StreetsLA staff has inspected the entire 1,100 mile on-street bike lane network over the course of the past three months. The concept of inspecting bike lane pavement condition on two wheels originated with Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.
This innovative zero-emissions inspection program took place on weekends, and an average of 18 asphalt repairs were identified each weekend; those asphalt repairs were completed the following week via the StreetsLA pothole repair program. Having the inspections take place using two wheeled vehicles enabled inspectors to identify the pavement defects that would be most relevant for cyclists.
The Cake electric mopeds were deployed from the North Hollywood Yard which was designated as the StreetsLA Center for Green Innovation by the Mayor last February. This program is a component of StreetsLA’s larger initiative called the “Path to Zero Emissions Fleet,” in which the agency tests emerging zero-emissions options that could be relevant for the agency’s large and complex fleet of more than 1,000 light, medium and heavy duty vehicles.
“If we want Angelenos to get out of their cars, we need to give them real alternatives to driving – and that starts with improving the quality of our streets and services,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This program from StreetsLA showed us exactly where our bike network needs attention — paving the path to higher quality lanes, greater accessibility, and future programs that can use this pilot as a blueprint for success.”
“This year we’ve invested $4 million in resurfacing bike lanes — equivalent to 21 bike lane miles — and we’ll be making that investment again in the coming fiscal year,” said Councilmember Krekorian. “Using electric bikes to inspect our bike lanes gives us a more accurate assessment of where resurfacing is needed. This serves our goal of providing Angelenos with a safe, sustainable mobility option while honoring our commitment to a zero-emissions target for City vehicles.”
This was another opportunity for StreetsLA to utilize zero emission vehicles to conduct this program as part of a City directive to develop a “Path to Zero Emissions” which is included in Mayor Garcetti’s Green New Deal for Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, StreetsLA announced five innovation themes to enhance and green its operations and services:
- Path to Zero-Emissions Fleet
- Sustainable Streetscape
- Greening Our Facilities
- Digital Everywhere
- Circular Economy
“As a cyclist I understand the modes of transportation are changing in our City, and because there are many more of us on our roads, it is important to enhance the safety throughout Los Angeles,” said Board of Public Works Vice President Teresa Villegas. “Using gas free vehicles to do this inventory shows our commitment in moving toward zero emissions in multiple facets.”
“As the lead City agency in maintaining the safety of our street network, including the hundreds of bike lane miles, this data is critical in identifying and determining where maintenance is needed to make it safer for bicyclists,” said StreetsLA Executive Director Keith Mozee.
“We’re grateful to Cake for deploying their electric vehicles in service of LA’s cycling community, and to our staff who volunteered for this unique and innovative assignment,” said StreetsLA Executive Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer Greg Spotts.
“It’s been great working with StreetsLA on their Bike Lane Pilot program, contributing to more dynamic and sustainable urban transportation, and being part of the city’s initiative of being fully electrified by 2030. The feedback from riders included better ability to inspect bike lanes and easier time assessing risks to cyclists,” said Eric Asmussen, Managing Director North America at CAKE.
The Department of Public Works is comprised of five bureaus: Contract Administration, Engineering, Sanitation, Street Lighting, and Street Services, as well as the Offices of the Board, including the Offices of Community Beautification, Filming and Petroleum Administration. More than 5,500 employees are responsible for design, construction, renovation and operation of public projects ranging from bridges to wastewater treatment plants and libraries; curbside collection and graffiti removal; and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, sewers, streetlights and street trees.
The Department is governed by the Board of Public Works (BPW), a five-member full-time executive team that is committed to delivering projects and programs that enhance quality of life, economic growth, public health and the environment to all Angelenos.
For more information, please visit http://bpw.lacity.org.
