A petition launched this week demands the resignation of West Hollywood City Councilmember Lauren Meister, accusing her of obstructing safety enhancements on Fountain Avenue, where a fatal hit-and-run claimed the life of 27-year-old attorney Blake Ackerman on July 10, 2025. The cyclist was struck near Fountain Avenue and Gardner Street by a driver who fled, with no arrests reported.
Titled “Safer Fountain Avenue Now,” the petition, started by Darryl Weiss of the LGBT Parents Group, claims Meister has consistently opposed protected bike lanes despite robust community backing and data supporting their need. “Deadly and disfiguring crashes on Fountain Avenue have become a regular part of life in West Hollywood,” the petition reads. “Without [Meister’s] continued efforts to block and delay safety improvements, Fountain Avenue would likely already have protected bike lanes.”
Meister has issued the following written response:
The recent accident is a terrible tragedy, made even more devastating by the fact that it was a hit-and-run. My heart goes out to Blake Ackerman’s family and friends.
To be clear: I, along with all of my colleagues, fully support critical safety improvements in our city. However, the conversation around how best to improve safety on Fountain Avenue is not so simple. I have consistently expressed concerns about implementing a protected bike lane on Fountain Avenue due to its high number of driveways, the impact on parking, and other practical considerations. That’s why I have strongly advocated for a comprehensive streetscape plan — one that takes these factors into account and allows us to holistically evaluate Fountain Avenue, including pedestrian safety, ADA-compliant sidewalks, parking needs, and green space. The City Council majority ultimately chose to move forward with expediting a bike lane project, without a streetscape plan in place.
As this process moves forward, my hope is that all of the stakeholders are provided an opportunity for meaningful input. Importantly, I believe our public safety professionals, the people who are first to respond in emergencies, deserve a formal role in shaping these decisions, as do city contractors that provide essential city services, like trash collection.
