From its iconic freeways to classic-car street races, Los Angeles has long reigned as the capital of American car culture. But with the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games fast approaching, the city is being forced to rethink how people move through its sprawling 460 square miles.
Despite its near-perfect weather for outdoor activities, Los Angeles has historically catered to cars, not cyclists or pedestrians. Only 1% of Angelenos bike to work, and 7% use public transit. Now, under its “Twenty-eight by ’28” plan, the city is investing in bike lanes, walkable spaces, and expanded transit to ease congestion and reduce environmental impact before the world arrives.
For Damian Kevitt, who lost his leg in 2013 after a car struck him while cycling, this transformation is long overdue. Kevitt, now the executive director of Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), believes safer, connected bike lanes could make cycling a viable commuting option for more residents.
However, resistance remains strong. Opponents like Darin Drabing, who heads Forest Lawn Cemetery, argue that bike lanes worsen traffic congestion. Critics point to cities like Toronto, where politicians are removing long-standing bike lanes, as evidence of potential failure.
Still, some Angelenos, like cyclist Mimi Holt, see hope in the growing network of bike paths. After years of avoiding LA’s streets due to speeding cars, Holt now commutes by bike for health reasons and dreams of a future where bike lanes connect the entire city.
Mayor Karen Bass has embraced a “transit-first” Olympics vision, with over 100 miles of bike lanes planned and $900 million already secured for transit projects. But with only five of 28 planned projects completed so far, concerns linger about whether the city can meet its ambitious goals.
The stakes are high. For many, the coming years will determine whether Los Angeles can shed its car-dominated identity and embrace a more sustainable, cyclist-friendly future—or remain trapped in gridlock.
Will bike lanes revolutionize LA, or will the city’s car culture prove too entrenched to change?