L.A. Councilmember Proposes Criminalizing On-Street Bike Repairs

Councilmember Krekorian's proposal to criminalize bike repairs and sales on public right-of-way has been sharply criticized as a cynical move that will unfairly target the unhoused.

2 minute read

February 13, 2022, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Metro Bikeshare

Miune / Shutterstock

A proposal from a Los Angeles city councilmember to criminalize people who repair or sell bicycles in the public right-of-way has drawn criticism from advocates from the unhoused, reports Sahra Sulaiman for Streetsblog Los Angeles. 

"The motion, part of what might best be described as Buscaino’s 'broken sidewalks' platform – the effort to position himself as The Reclaimer of Streets from Utter Lawlessness as he runs for mayor – was said to be necessary in order for law enforcement to be able to address the larger problem of bicycle theft." As Sulaiman points out, Councilmember Paul Krekorian's statement that "one hundred percent" of Metro bike share bikes had been stolen from North Hollywood is false, as the area's stations have been out of service while Metro switches out the fleet.

"The scrutiny people of color, and lower-income and unhoused people of color, in particular, face with regard to bikes more generally is already intense, disruptive, and sometimes fatal." As an example, Sulaiman describes the 2013 killing of Ricardo Díaz Zeferino by Gardena police officers. Several councilmembers raised objections to the proposed ordinance. "It’s very different when you have to think about the problems that will be created by – and the jeopardy that you’ll be put in by – a policy if you’re someone who might be targeted," said Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who called the proposal "absolutely outrageous and beyond the pale."

Wednesday, February 9, 2022 in Streetsblog Los Angeles

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Sign in front of building for seior services center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk

High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.

1 hour ago - WESH

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

3 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA