Mayor Bass pulls bike-lane plan on Forest Lawn Drive, sparking Raman criticism

Following intense opposition from cemeteries, local councils and faith leaders, Mayor Karen Bass instructed city engineers to drop a scheme that would have taken away one traffic lane in each direction on Forest Lawn Drive to create a physically protected bike lane. Councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman slammed the move, pointing to a fatal crash on Aug. 13 as evidence that the street remains hazardous and needs safety upgrades.

Bass’ spokesperson Alex Stack defended the decision, saying the revised plan will keep vehicle lanes intact while enhancing cyclist safety. The corridor, a major commuter link between the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood, has recorded over 95 crashes since 2013, including four deaths. Safety advocates claim narrower roads slow drivers and reduce crash severity, whereas cemetery officials warn that lane reductions would worsen congestion for funeral processions. The controversy has become a focal point in the Los Angeles mayoral race.