Ryan Fonseca

More than six years into the program, L.A.’s streets have become even deadlier, especially for people walking.

An innovative, community-led micromobility experiment is underway for residents in Pacoima and surrounding communities.

The free event will close off three miles of Western Avenue to car traffic, allowing people to explore South L.A. neighborhoods on their bikes, on foot, with skateboards or using other “people-powered vehicles.”

The 5.5-mile route will provide car-free mobility options and access to transit along the way.

Safety advocates say the new viaduct, which police have closed four of the past five nights, needs a serious redesign that prioritizes people, not cars.

Compared to the vast road network in L.A., the short span of asphalt that’s closed to cars is pretty minor. But safety advocates are celebrating it as a big win in car-centric L.A., where reclaiming space for people has been an uphill battle.

The city set a goal to start prioritizing safe space for people walking, biking and taking transit. But the city has so far failed to implement it.

The goal is to reduce the often inequitable police enforcement of crossing the street. In Los Angeles, nearly a third of citations each year are written to Black pedestrians, who make up about 9% of the city’s population.

The goal is to reduce the often inequitable police enforcement of crossing the street. In Los Angeles, nearly a third of citations each year are written to Black pedestrians, who make up about 9% of the city’s population.

L.A. Metro’s Crenshaw/LAX K Line extension, which opened Friday, runs through South Los Angeles and Inglewood.