Fwd: Closing the LA River Bike Path gap is about safety

[Jim Baross]

LA area path concerns.

Jim Baross

CABO President

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Damian Kevitt <damian...@streetsareforeveryone.org>
Date: Sat, Jan 17, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Subject: Closing the LA River Bike Path gap is about safety
To: <jimb...@gmail.com>

What’s stalled, what works — and why we’re going to City Hall on January 24. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ Good morning Jim, We have a lot happening in the weeks ahead — and real consequences tied to every decision that is and isn’t being made. Our latest blog and webinar recap breaks down why closing the LA River Bike Path gap matters — a long-funded, long-planned County and Metro project that still depends on City leadership and follow-through to become a safe, continuous route instead of a broken promise. At the same time, LA City Hall still isn’t using the tools at its disposal to make LA safer: from completing this key path to actually deploying the speed camera pilot that was approved to slow speeds and save lives. Automated speed enforcement — proven to significantly reduce speeding and dangerous driving where it’s been used — is coming, but it won’t do us any good if it sits on a shelf. That’s exactly why on January 24th we’re taking our message to the steps of LA City Hall — for the Dying-In LA 2026 die-in and the release of SAFE’s Annual Report on the state of LA City roads & recommendations. We’ll point directly at where progress is happening — and where it’s stalled — and demand that LA treat every life on our streets as if it matters. (Because it does.) And if you’re reading this early Saturday morning — I’ll see you in Long Beach on the Clean Ride Crew with Car-Lite Long Beach and Walk Bike Long Beach! We’re rolling up our sleeves with Sweeping Beaty and Clean Mary bike lane sweepers — together for the first time — and showing what it looks like when communities take care of our streets. 🙌🚴‍♂️ Let’s get into the updates that matter most — With gratitude and resolve, Damian Kevitt Executive Director and Founder Ongoing Advocacy Efforts The LA River Bike Path Mon, Jan 12 Community Comes Together to Advance the LA River Bike Path Brett Slaughenhaupt Last week, SAFE and Festival Trail co-hosted a Finish the LA River Bike Path by 2028" webinar. This event brought together advocates and community members who all share a common goal: pushing Metro to  Read More  Die-In Protest  Get all the Details  Walk-ups welcome, RSVP appreciated. Transform LA: Small Steps, Big Impact! Submit Comments to the LA River Bike Path Draft Environmental Impact Report Metro is accepting public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for their LA River Bike Path project through February 2. Voice your opinion to help push this important project forward at this link here. Share Feedback on your Travel Along PCH from Lomita to Long Beach Pacific Coast Highway is currently being evaluated for potential improvements, and your input is essential in shaping the future of this corridor. This survey aims to gather community feedback on existing conditions, key concerns, and opportunities for enhancement. Take the survey. Shape LA’s Transportation Future Share what would make it safer and easier to get around. Your input will help shape how transportation projects are prioritized citywide. Take the Mobility Action Plan survey. Help Influence the Next 20 Years of the LA Parks System The 2025 City of Los Angeles Park Needs Assessment (PNA) will act as a guide for the LA Parks system for the next generation. Lend your voice to help improve the over 500 parks. Complete a Short Survey for LADOT’s South Broadway Safety and Mobility Project LADOT and Metro are planning safety and mobility upgrades along a 3.5-mile stretch of Broadway in South LA to make traveling safer and more comfortable. Complete the survey to give your input on the project. Volunteer Opportunities There are many ways to support SAFE right now—whether you want to show up, help amplify our message, or lend a hand at community events. ✊ 4th Annual Die-In at LA City Hall This powerful action is featured above as an Advocacy Activity, and we encourage everyone who can to attend. If you’re able to provide light volunteer support (helping direct people, sharing materials, being an extra set of hands), that support is welcome. 🗓 Saturday, January 24th 2026 📍 City Hall steps 🕒 Set-up Time: 8:30-10 AM 🕒 Press Conference & Die-In protest: 10 AM to 11 AM 🕒 Breakdown Time: 11 AM to 12 PM  More Info and RSVP  🚴‍♀️🏃 Promote Finish The Ride & Finish The Run Finish The Ride and Finish The Run are more than events—they are how SAFE reaches people who may not yet see traffic violence as a preventable public-health crisis. These events build community, change hearts and minds, and fund a large portion of SAFE’s annual work advocating for safer streets. Volunteers can help by placing flyers or sharing promotional materials at local athletic events, gyms, running stores, and coffee shops across Los Angeles County. Flexible commitment (about 6 hours total, spread out as needed) Track your time in our volunteer system Volunteers who complete 6 hours earn free entry to a future Finish The Ride or Finish The Run (any distance) Interested? Email Hunter at volu...@streetsareforeveryone.org 🎪 Community Event & Outreach Support These opportunities help SAFE reach new audiences, build visibility, and invite people into meaningful action. Tour de Palm Springs (SAFE Booth) 📅 Friday, Feb 6 (12–8 PM) & Saturday, Feb 7 (8 AM–5 PM), 2026 📍 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs Tour de Palm Springs is a major two-day cycling event in the Coachella Valley with up to 8,000 participants. It’s an energetic, inspiring environment—and a great place to talk with people who care deeply about safety, mobility, and community. For volunteers traveling in to support the booth, SAFE will provide shared Airbnb accommodations for the duration of the event.  Come with us to Tour de Palm Springs!  Outreach at Running Events (Flyer Distribution) These events do not involve booths. Volunteers help by handing out flyers directly to participants to promote Finish The Run, one of SAFE’s largest awareness and fundraising events of the year. This outreach is extremely impactful and directly supports our ability to continue advocacy, education, and victim support. Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K 📅 Sunday, Jan 18, 2026 | ⏰ Starting at 7 AM 📍 Pasadena: Rose Bowl Stadium 👉 Sign up here:  Rose Bowl Half Marathon Flyering  Hollywood Sign Trail Run 📅 Sunday, Jan 25, 2026 | ⏰ Starting at 8 AM 📍 Griffith Park 👉Sign up here:  Hollywood Sign Trail Run Flyering  SAFE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.   Federal EIN 47-3036490 All donations are tax-deductible. Want a steady way to support safer streets year-round? Learn more about the SAFE Streets Collective → streetsareforeveryone.org/membership You’re receiving The Word on SAFE Streets as you signed up to get policy, legislation, and advocacy updates or news on Volunteer Opportunities. If you’d like to change how you hear from us, please shoot us an email. Streets Are For Everyone, 1110 N Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United States Unsubscribe