A Bike Lane Blunder in Los Angeles

In a city known for its film industry, bike-friendly weather, and historic downtown, an editorial in the Los Angeles Times asks why they all can't just get along.

1 minute read

February 15, 2012, 1:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


It seems that a new green-painted bike lane along Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles, the most filmed stretch of street in town, has created an inconvenience for the city's filmmakers.

Now that early mistakes in the application of the paint seem to have been corrected, the current problem results from the color of the paint which has been mandated by the federal government. It seems that the painted lane ruins Spring Street's use as a stand-in for historic Anytown, USA, and is not "digitally erasable Hollywood green."

Now that a bulk of the filming has moved one block over to Main Street, the Times wants to make extra-sure that a new bike lane planned for that street doesn't repeat past mistakes.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in Los Angeles Times

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A Firefighter sprays water from a hose at a tall blaze.

US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060

Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.

November 4 - Inside Climate News

People cross a crosswalk in Los Angeles.

LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.

November 4 - ABC7

Two women walking on the sidewalk in Dallas.

Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code

The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.

November 4 - Yahoo News