Council candidates debate bike lanes, scooters and public safety

Five candidates for West Hollywood City Council — Danny Hang, George Nickle, Jordan Cockeram, Mayor John M. Erickson and Larry Block — discussed pressing issues surrounding mobility, safety and sustainability in the city during a virtual debate last week hosted by Streets For All.

The candidates discussed their positions on transportation, pedestrian safety, and environmental concerns, along with how West Hollywood can better adapt to these challenges.

The event opened with a detailed presentation highlighting the current state of mobility in Los Angeles and West Hollywood. Among the significant points raised was the alleged $1.19 billion economic loss annually due to traffic congestion. The health impacts of pollution were also emphasized, noting that air quality in the region is so poor that it equates to smoking up to four cigarettes a day just by breathing. Los Angeles ranks worst in the nation for year-round ozone emissions and fifth worst for particle pollution, with a high rate of childhood asthma directly linked to this issue. The slow average speed of public transportation, which falls below 11 miles per hour, was highlighted as a key issue that needs addressing to encourage more multimodal transit options.

In his opening statement, Hang, a social worker, called for safer and more equitable transportation options for West Hollywood residents, particularly for those who use wheelchairs, strollers or rely on public transit. 

“Less cars on the road equals less carbon emissions and less pollution, and it’ll keep our planet alive for many future generations to come,” Hang said. 

Nickle, a longtime East Side resident and co-captain of the area’s neighborhood watch group, emphasized the need for mobility infrastructure that prioritizes safety. Cockeram, who has lived in West Hollywood for over a decade, highlighted the importance of community-driven leadership.

Erickson emphasized the city’s achievements under his leadership as mayor, including budget surpluses and investments in public spaces. 

Larry Block, a partially sighted local business owner and publisher of this news site, connected the discussion to his personal experiences with pedestrian safety. As the founder of Cross Safe WeHo, Block reflected on his efforts to improve Santa Monica Boulevard, noting that fatalities were much more frequent before safety upgrades were implemented. 

BIKE LANES

One of the central issues raised was the delay in implementing protected bike lanes on Fountain Avenue, approved nearly two years ago. The candidates also discussed the possibility of protected bike lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard, even at the expense of car lanes. 

Nickle and Cockeram both voiced concerns over reducing Fountain Avenue to one car lane.

“People don’t want it,” Nickle said. “And one of the reasons why it didn’t move forward as a pilot program when it was brought before Council and became a streetscape study is because it wasn’t really detailed. Staff couldn’t even say how many driveways were along Fountain Avenue.”

“Every resident I’ve spoken to on Fountain Avenue is also not in favor of this,” Cockeram said. “They don’t want to lose their parking spaces; it will be a huge burden to them.”

Nickle pointed out that many residents were against the move and raised concerns about how reducing parking would impact businesses along Santa Monica Boulevard. Cockeram proposed a temporary pilot program to test the efficacy of bike lanes before making any permanent changes. Block said he believes bike lanes belong on major thoroughfares like Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard, not Fountain Avenue. 

Erickson , however, expressed strong support for the bike lanes, citing safety concerns and reminding listeners of the unanimous City Council decision.

“As the only candidate who actually lives on Fountain Avenue, I can tell you that everyone I talk to says we need change, and we don’t need any more deaths,” Ericksons said. 

Hang, too, took a firm stance in favor of adding bike lanes to both Fountain Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, noting the need for ADA-compliant sidewalks and improved pedestrian safety. He described Fountain Avenue as a “freeway” that leaves pedestrians and cyclists unsafe.

BUS LANES & K LINE

The debate also explored the topic of peak-hour bus lanes on La Cienega, Santa Monica and Sunset boulevards. Erickson and Hang voiced strong support for these lanes. Hang emphasized that these lanes would promote equity by providing transportation options for those without cars. Nickle and Block raised concerns about safety on the buses, especially for late-night riders.

Erickson supported the Willoughby, Kings, and Vista-Gardner project, calling for efforts to prevent pass-through traffic from turning residential streets into dangerous thoroughfares. Block and Nickle, however, had reservations, particularly regarding the potential loss of parking spaces for residents.

“Taking away 56% of parking spaces along Gardner is a non-starter for me,” Nickle said. 

Throughout the debate, candidates repeatedly discussed their visions for balancing the needs of cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers in the city. All five candidates voiced support for the ambitious Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths by 2025. Erickson pointed to the existing scramble crosswalks in West Hollywood and advocated for expanding them, while Nickle proposed lobbying for red light and speed cameras to enforce traffic laws and improve safety.

Candidates unanimously supported the Metro K Line northern extension into West Hollywood. Hang highlighted the potential of the project to reduce car dependence and carbon emissions while connecting West Hollywood to the greater Los Angeles area.

“It will also meet Mayor Karen Bass’s goal to make the 2028 Olympics car-less by that time,” Hang said. 

Erickson emphasized the city’s active involvement in securing funding for the project, mentioning his recent testimony at a Metro public hearing.

SAFETY

Nickle and Cockeram both said residents are increasingly hesitant to walk around the city at night due to rising crime rates.

“One of the reasons my husband and I moved here 20 years ago was because it was walkable, but we no longer go out at night,” Nickle said. “(Now) we won’t walk half a mile to Whole Foods after dark.”

Hang also worried about walking, but for a different reason. 

“I don’t feel safe walking down Fountain Boulevard (sic),” Hang said. “I don’t feel safe parking my car on Fountain Boulevard. If there’s no safe infrastructure, I’m not going to feel safe walking down Fountain Boulevard at all. So, it all starts with infrastructure.”

Block reiterated the need for more comprehensive public safety measures.

“If we offer incentives to move people out of their vehicles and into something else, we can make a difference,” Block said. “I don’t believe you can force everyone onto a bus or a scooter, especially elderly people or those 40 years old and above who are driving to work.”

Erickson, defending his work as mayor, dismissed fears over the loss of parking and general safety on city streets as overhyped. 

“Scaring people and telling them it’s unsafe doesn’t help,” Erickson said. “It’s troubling that some people are scaring residents about parking loss. Our staff works with data and has to give maximums and minimums because they’re working from facts. If you listen to the staff meetings and look at how parking could be mitigated, it’s likely to be a lot less than predicted. I sometimes park on Gardner, and I can tell you it’s available.”

“I was just in Paris — say what you want about that — but they had parking lanes, bike lanes, and buses coexisting,” he continued. “We can do this too, and we’ve been working on it. “