Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has unveiled an ambitious vision for an almost "car-free" Olympics when the city hosts the Games in 2028. While this may seem like an impossible feat in the notoriously car-centric city, there are innovative solutions that can help make this vision a reality.
Public Transit and Alternative Transportation
The mayor's plan focuses heavily on expanding public transportation to connect Olympic venues across the sprawling Los Angeles area. This includes:
Borrowing over 3,000 buses from across the country to shuttle spectators between venues and satellite parking areas.
Expanding light rail and subway systems.
Transitioning existing transit buses to zero-emissions vehicles.
Reassigning some car lanes to be dedicated bus lanes.
Addressing Air Quality Concerns
Los Angeles faces significant air quality challenges, with some of the worst smog in the nation. To achieve cleaner air for the Olympics and beyond, the city aims to maximize the use of zero-emission vehicles by 2028.
Lessons from Past Success
Bass is drawing inspiration from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, which saw a significant reduction in traffic thanks to staggered work schedules for businesses. For 2028, she hopes to take this concept even further by encouraging remote work where possible during the Games.
The Role of Car Sharing
While completely eliminating cars may not be feasible, car-sharing services like Envoy can play a crucial role in reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Envoy, a leader in shared electric vehicle mobility solutions, has already proven successful in "car-free" communities like Culdesac in Tempe, Arizona, by providing convenient access to shared electric vehicles.
Culdesac is a 17-acre community strategically located near major transit hubs in Phoenix, which is Arizona's most populous city with 1,608,139 residents as of 2020. Phoenix holds the distinction of being the fifth most populated city in the United States and the most populated state capital in the country.
This model could be particularly relevant for Los Angeles as it prepares for the 2028 Olympics. While LA's urban landscape and transportation infrastructure differ significantly from Tempe's, the principles of reducing car dependency through shared mobility solutions remain applicable. Implementing services like Envoy's all-electric car-sharing program at strategic locations throughout LA could complement the city's efforts to expand public transit and encourage alternative transportation modes during the Olympics and beyond.
Benefits for Residents and Visitors
Implementing car sharing at hotels throughout Los Angeles could offer several advantages:
Residents can go "car-free" and save on vehicle ownership costs
Tourists can book shared vehicles by the hour or day, avoiding expensive car rentals
Reduced overall traffic and parking congestion during the 2028 Olympics.
Looking Ahead
As Los Angeles prepares for the 2028 Olympics, hotels and nearby hospitality should consider adding car-sharing services like Envoy as an amenity. This forward-thinking approach can help support the city's vision for a more sustainable and efficient transportation system during the Games and beyond.
The 2028 Olympics present an opportunity for Los Angeles to accelerate its transition to a zero-emissions future, potentially leaving a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the 17 days of the Games.
Full article regarding "L.A. Mayor Karen Bass outlines vision for (almost) ‘car-free’ Olympics" can be found in the Los Angeles Times.
Matt Peterson's full article "What L.A. needs to produce a (nearly) zero-emission Olympic Games" can be found in the Los Angeles Times.
Nominate your hotel or multifamily housing to find out how electric car sharing as an amenity can alleviate parking and traffic congestion.
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