LaBonge Opposes Having Bike Lanes on Lankershim

While L.A. City Councilman Paul Krekorian's office gears up to launch a series of working groups to gather public feedback on proposed bike lanes through North Hollywood, fellow Councilman Tom LaBonge has already solidified his stance: no bike lanes on Lankershim Boulevard.

Cycling advocates are pushing for bike lanes on the major NoHo Arts District artery because they believe it would make it easier to get around town and help the neighborhood's growth into becoming a destination.

The L.A County Bicycle Coalition says removing the nortbound lane on Lankershim would make room for bike lanes on both sides of the street from the Universal City Red Line Station to Chandler Boulevard.

But Labonge recently told the Daily News that the Lankershim proposal is too dangerous.

"Lankershim is too narrow," he told the Daily News. "It is less safe. It would be tighter than a drum. There's no extra space for bike lanes. I strongly feel it would be unsafe in that area, as opposed to Vineland, which is a tremendous street."

Instead, LaBonge says he believes the wider Vineland Avenue one block over is a better option.

Click here to read more about what he had to say.

North Hollywood is just one of the many communities poised for 1,684 miles of bike lanes as outlined in the 2010 Bicycle Master Plan that was approved by the city council.

The governing body is expected to vote on the North Hollywood bike lane issue by the end of spring.