The Situation:

For at least the last two months the L.A. River bike path, which runs from Fletcher Dr. in Atwater Village to Victory Blvd. in Burbank (at least the main portion does) has been dark. Even with top quality bike lights, this is a very dangerous situation for anyone that rides the path at night. Not only is it just dark, but the headlights from northbound I-5 traffic are blinding, creating a double threat.

There are lights all along this portion of the path, but vandals have busted open the access panels and stolen the highly sought after copper wiring to sell for scrap. Copper prices have risen and apparently you can get quite a bit of money for it in various forms. Despite pleas for help, the city, more specifically The Bureau of Street Lighting has failed to solve the problem.

So far inquiries to the Bureau Of Street Lighting have accomplished NOTHING. Their answer is that they have attempted to fix the lights, only to have the copper wiring stolen again. They are basically giving us the bureaucratic two step and not making this a priority. Surely with all of the city’s resources, they can come up with a solution quickly, before someone gets hurt…or worse.

What Can We Do About It?:

• Submit a Street Lighting Service Request Form
  (navigate to “For Residents” then “Street Light Maintenance / Repair”
• Call 311 and report the problem
  [Outside of the City call (866) 452-2489 or (213) 473-3231]
• Email to: streetlighting@lacity.org
• and write to the Bureau Of Street Lighting

Bureau of Street Lighting
1149 S. Broadway, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90015

…until the problem is solved.

If this was on city street in a rich neighborhood, you can bet this would have been taken care of a long time ago. Apparently bicyclists are a low priority. Let’s change that people!!!

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