West side gate closure problem L.A.

[dirtmistress]

FYI,

Recently, some homeowners living near the bikepath gate on Ballona Creek just west of Sawtelle have requested that the gate be closed. They perceive that some burglaries in their neighborhood are encouraged by the gate being open so that the criminals can escape down the bikepath. (So then, close the street!)

Those of us, including you, who have been attacked or felt threatened on the bikepath, realize that we should have MORE opportunities to get off the bikepath in dangerous situations, not fewer. Every locked gate is potentially trapping someone on the bikepath.

A public meeting of the LA City Transportation Committee was held a few weeks ago, the situation was discussed (heatedly by the homeowners, calmly by the cyclists), and a decision was postponed pending more input. Another meeting will take place this coming Thursday evening, April 3, from 6-7:30 PM at the 11th Council district (Rosendahl) field office at 7166 W. Manchester Blvd, just east of Lincoln Blvd, south side of Manchester Blvd. Representatives of LAPD and the LA City Dept of Transportation will be there.

Attending the meeting in person is best, but if you can't come, please send an email to Nicole Velasquez (Rosendahl's field deputy) at nicole.velasquez@lacity.org and ask her to have it read aloud. Also encourage any of your cycling buddies to come. Rosendahl, who is one of the 5 councilmembers who are members of the Transportation Committee, supports the homeowners in their desire to close the gate. It will be important for the cycling community to be there speaking calmy to support leaving gates open.

Bobbi Gold
Volunteer Bikepath Safety Advisor
City of Culver City

[dubl_xl]

My friend commutes to work via Ballona Creek and I would hate to see his safety exits closed.

What makes the homeowners think that a criminal wouldn't still use the bike path as an escape route and just scale any fence along the way? (much in the same way the criminal scales their fence to gain entrance to their property to rip them off).

If the homeowners have crime issues along the bike path maybe they should ensure the security of their own property...lighting, motion detectors or a dog.