Let’s step out of the fast lane

My apologies to New Orleans, but last weekend it was Los Angeles that deserved the nickname “The Big Easy.”

Did you feel it, that strange but satisfying calmness that descended on our roads and neighborhoods, that sense of collective purpose? The closure of the 405 Freeway could have been the mother of all traffic nightmares. Instead, it became a moment to savor—and ponder.

Not since the 1984 Olympics, nearly three decades ago, have our freeways been so blessedly empty. You responded overwhelmingly to our warnings (Carmageddon anyone?) with such incredible results that we now find ourselves in a wholly unexpected discussion. That is: short of jack-hammering a freeway, would it actually be possible to shutdown traffic more regularly, like other countries, to reconnect to a simpler, easier life?

There’s certainly a pent-up craving for it. Look at the overnight popularity of the CicLAvia events. Thousands upon thousands of pedestrians and cyclists of all ages, sizes and colors have flocked to the seven-mile route that snakes through city streets between Hollywood and the Eastside. Created more than 30 years ago in Bogota, Colombia, there have been just two here so far. But another is scheduled for October, and I suspect the turnout will be even larger.

Short of big events or road closures, maybe we could start modestly by simply choosing to spend more weekends closer to home with family and friends, as so many of you did on Saturday and Sunday. One of my staff members told me that for her and her 2-year-old daughter, a simple stroll around the block led them to a lively gathering of neighbors at an open house. Some of those folks she met for the first time—the start of new friendships.

Of course, there are other ways to tame our traffic and preserve our nerves. Why not explore the region by using public transportation? Wherever you want to go, Metro’s online trip planner will get you there. I know you’ve probably heard this suggestion before. But maybe now, in the afterglow of last weekend, is a good time to experiment.

For me, the truth is that I have more questions than answers about how we can decompress a region so packed with stress. But this I do know: we should not let last weekend simply fade away into L.A. traffic lore. These are the kinds of shared moments that can trigger change. Let’s keep the discussion going. Drop me a note with your thoughts at [email protected] and I’ll write about them in the weeks ahead.

Posted 7/20/11