(The) article (“One lane or another?” page 1, Jan. 15) regarding the reduction of traffic lanes on Ocean Park Boulevard was interesting but incomplete. (City Hall) has been conducting a number of traffic workshops over the last few months and one of the issues that came out clearly was that the streets needed to service all forms of transport, from cars, to buses, to pedestrians and to bicycles. No recognition of the cyclists was made.
Previously this street was very dangerous for cyclists but has now become much more accessible. We will see people get out of their cars as streets throughout the city become more multi-valent in their transportation modes A much more sustainable condition. It is true that we have limited road width and their will be trade-offs but the net effect is likely to be more people using the streets, and a more pleasant environment. This has been the result in many other cities.
In addition the turn lane allows traffic turning to get out of the way, streamlining the flow of the one lane. Maybe traffic lights should be coordinated for the heaviest traffic flow, changing based on the time of day.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 23, 2008. Read the original PDF.