A master plan to make bicycle travel safer and easier in Los Angeles has sparked controversy in San Pedro after a street's bike-friendly transformation cut out some traffic lanes.
The controversy simmered during Bike Week - a weeklong celebration of bicycle advocacy marked by special events like Tuesday's "Blessing of the Bicycles" and classes and group rides.
In San Pedro, the addition of bike lanes on Capitol Street resulted in the loss of automobile traffic lanes on both sides of the road.
Some in the community protested the change. Some bicyclists, however, held out hope that it would push more Angelenos to bike.
"Here, it seems like it's a little bit extreme, but I think a change like this will hopefully help people change their ways and change what they do physically and do a little bit more activity," bicyclist Robert Bobich said.
Information and maps detailing the city's 2010 Bike Plan are available at bicyclela.org. For in-depth details and documents, go to the Los Angeles Planning Commission website.
