It was the final public comment of the evening when West Hollywood resident Kyle Brazael stepped up to speak before council. Many viewers at home had already tuned out, but Brazael stood firm—no desire for applause, just a compelling reminder of the ongoing Fountain Avenue streetscape battle. His words resonated as an affirmation that the fight over WeHo’s streets is far from over.
“I was unable to attend the last city council meeting where the Fountain Ave. project was discussed. I had hoped common sense would prevail but it did not.”
We saw the city council choose disingenuous performative arguments for a bike lane to be put into Fountain Ave. rather than considering actual studies. I think the city has failed to address the safety issues created by that project. For example, traffic getting directed into oncoming traffic as a result of one lane in each direction when garbage trucks are stuck, when Amazon deliveries are on the road. The city council members that voted for that proposal offered nothing about the safety issues created by the proposal. They have said nothing about the fact that more cyclists will be placed in driveways and in garage-ways. The safety concerns have just been completely ignored.
Mr. Erickson I’m troubled your phone call to me prior to the election where you told me this was a non-issue. – this wouldn’t happen for years, there would be no impact and now your a proponent of expediting this. I think your willingness to mislead voters prior to an election and then completely flip your position is troubling. I think it speaks a lot to your character.
Miss Byers, I think you spoke a lot about the need to educate the public on the matter. Yet, there were multiple situations where you could not state basic facts about this. For example, I don’t know that I agree, or that you don’t know how many bikers commute down Fountain Ave. Have you looked into that to discover that 1% of commuters are cyclists, or are you still unaware?
Mr. Hang, you talked about your partners collision which I am sorry for. But, I don’t think you explained how a bike lane prevents a collision for someone making a left hand turn. You all ignore the fact that the same type of solution implemented on Venice Blvd. actually resulted in more collisions, fewer cyclists, and continued deaths.
So again, I mainly speak to just say I get it that you think this is done. We will continue to fight. I hope common sense and compromise will prevail but I doubt it with this group.”
Wonderful article
FOUNTAIN, 3rd biggest issue in West Hollywood, 100%. 2nd biggest issue, BS MALL COPS, 1st BIGGEST ISSUE IS SAVING BUSINESS!!!!!
F the affordable housing. $700,000+ FOR A ONE BEDROOM WITH DISCOUNTED RENT OR FREE???? WTF
Kyle is fearless and informed and an inspired voice for the residents.
It will only be a matter of time before City insiders begin their middle school campaign of gossip and misinformation to discredit him. But I will always believe Kyle who has proven to be a formidable champion for the community. Keep up the excellent work!
Brazeal came equipped with receipts, facts, and quotes to back up the narrative that Erickson, Byers, and Hang are completely out of touch with reality. His contribution to public discourse must be celebrated for its authenticity in a world full of spin and lies (often the same thing). He’s a data professional, and it shows, and slays.
Whether there are protected bike lanes or not, the only common sense solution is to reduce Fountain Ave to 2 lanes. This would return Fountain to it’s original design as a 2 way residential street from Beverly Hills to East Hollywood, I have lived on Fountain for 15 years and the street racing shortcut has got to stop. Patrolling and radar flashing your speed have not put a dent in the high speed racing every night from 10 pm until sunrise, The sidewalks are not ADA compliant they need to be widened. So in my mind the streetscape must happen… Read more »
I want all intersections to turn into 4 way stops. That would actually solve the speed problem. I disagree about your parking analysis but appreciate hearing differing ideas since the city hasn’t solved this neighborhood safety concern
Obviously reducing the speed limit to 30 mph did nothing to reduce vehicular speeds
One thing that everyone seems to agree on is that Fountain is extremely dangerous, whether there are bike lanes or not. But as the speaker points out, if you are serious about making changes for the sake of safety, then MAKE SAFETY THE TOP PRIORITY. I wouldn’t be opposed to the whole bike lane thing if the issues above are actually studied and considered. There is no lie about the fact that garbage trucks, Door Dash drivers and delivery trucks will be stopping in the middle of these lanes, drastically increasing the potential for fatalities when people become impatient (or… Read more »
This little guy ignored the fact that 72% of residents along fountain wanted a bike lane on the last poll and does not represent the majority.
Please provide where 72 percent approve of this plan. Nobody is against bike lanes. We are against the blinders council has towards truly advocating for every human to be safe on any form they choose for mobility. This plan removes safety for many residences along Fountain Avenue
This is a consistent point of misinformation put out by the City.
The City did an on-line survey that was open to anyone who wanted to participate and the Bike Coalition and Streets for All made every effort to influence the results by mobilizing their members outside of West Hollywood. This was only one aspect of a manipulated effort on the part of staff but it was the most obvious and egregious.
This “little guy” that you demonize came armed with receipts. Where’s your receipt to back up your claim that 72% of residents along Fountain want this bike lane?
This little guy appreciates your comment. But we both know that stat is completely biased. Even when the city sent around the survey, they offered 3 options: two with a bike lane and one with nothing. If you actually cared what people along Fountain thought, you would have included a more robust survey with additional options. Surveys structured to get the answer you want are common. It’s not surprising the city staff chose to use that tactic here. I would love to know the real levels of support for this initiative and would gladly stop fighting if a majority of… Read more »
I watched the council meeting from home (I can no longer stomach being there in person). Kyle Brazael was excellent! I was cheering him from my sofa! And Erickson’s nasty, vile, holier than thou response in his comments were disgusting. (Erickson, I’m sure it was one of our many “unhoused” drug addicts or mentally ill that destroyed the memorial you spoke about and not one of the many that oppose your hyper ambitious, union backed Fountain redesign that you hurled the accusations against). We really need to speak to all our neighbors and friends that live in this city and… Read more »
I too watched at home and gave Kyle Brazael a standing ovation for his excellent defense of not changing Fountain. Accidents happen ..people don’t know how to drive and if they do they’re looking at their phone. No sane person would vandalize the ghost bike..I’m sure it was same crazy that vandalized Woody Harrelson horse at the Woods.