CalBike
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
    • Biking Is Not a Crime
    • Tell the Governor: Daylighting Saves Lives
    • Volunteer
    • Join/Renew
  • What We Do
    • Stay Informed about E-Bike Incentives
    • 2023 Legislative Watch
    • Sign-On Letters
    • More…
  • Resources
    • E-Bike Resources
    • What Is an E-Bike? A Guide to California E-Bike Classifications.
    • California Bicycle Laws
    • Map & Routes
    • Register Your Bike
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Free Quick-Build Bikeway Design Guide
  • News
    • Blog
    • CalBike In the News
    • Press Releases
    • CalBike Insider
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
City DOT leaders - can they pave the way to a greener future?

These City DOT Leaders Get It. What’s Standing in Their Way?

September 16, 2019/by Kevin Claxton

Many city leaders have come to realize that making their streets and sidewalks more walkable and bikeable is key to a better city: more prosperous, more equitable, more healthy. They have appointed changemakers to be city DOT leaders, in charge of their streets: people with careers dedicated to advancing that transformation. 

The Opening Plenary of this year’s California Bicycle Summit, held October 15-17 in Los Angeles, features three such leaders. Seleta Reynolds is the General Manager of LADOT. Before that, she was in charge of bike and pedestrian programs in the Liveable Streets section of the SFMTA. Ryan Russo moved from a position as Deputy Commissioner working on bike projects for NYCDOT to become the first director of the newly-formed Oakland DOT.  Kome Ajise is the Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments. Before that, he was a Chief Deputy Director at Caltrans, where he was a strong ally to our work to make projects bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. 

A History of Cutting-Edge City DOT Bikeway Projects

Russo’s tenure at NYCDOT saw a huge expansion of public space, with the addition of pedestrian plazas at several locations, including Madison Square and innovative projects such as protected center bike lanes to help bicyclists ride onto the Manhattan Bridge.

As a result of bold, innovative projects like these, the number of bike riders in New York City tripled between 2003 and 2018. The city now has 330 miles of bike lanes, including 82 miles of protected bikeways.  

Since Russo became head of OakDOT in 2017, Oakland has developed a new bike plan that proposes adding 219 miles of bike lanes to the existing 164. The city has opened a two-way protected bikeway by Lake Merritt that might be the best urban protected bikeway in California. 

Reynolds moved to LADOT in 2014 and presided over the opening of LA’s first two-way protected bikeway on Spring Street this year. Under her watch, the My Figueroa project proposes to add three miles of a bikeways to a reconfigured Figueroa Street that also includes safety upgrades for pedestrians. 

City DOT Progress Denied

Despite these improvements, a 2018 article in Bicycling Magazine called Los Angeles the “worst bicycling city in America,” pointing to a rampant car culture and organized opposition to bike infrastructure. Opposition led by the City Councillor forced the city to scale back the My Figueroa project. Entitled motorists got so enraged about delays caused by a safety project on Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey that in 2018 they attempted to recall the City Councillor who supported it. That effort failed and Mark Bonin remains in office and an ally, though somewhat scarred. Vista del Mar, unfortunately, saw its traffic lanes restored and safety improvements eliminated.

Oakland has avoided the reversal of a bike lane project but not the delay of one. A planned extension of Oakland’s wildly successful Telegraph Avenue parking-protected bike lanes was only recently approved after more than a year of delay. Still, there is constant pressure to reject additional expansions, according to officials. 

How Do We Speed Up the Process for City DOT Leaders?

The exact right people are in the exact right positions to make change in Oakland and Los Angeles, yet progress is slow and pushback remains a strong force against safer streets. How do these leaders overcome resistance from entrenched interests, both inside and outside of government? How can bicycle advocates support their work? And, since Reynolds and Russo are working to achieve statewide goals, is there a role for the regional or statewide agency that Kome Ajise leads? What incentives, rewards, and punishments can Caltrans or a regional agency administer to get the result we’re seeking? 

Moderated by the California-focused leader at the National Association of City Transportation Officials, this session at the California Bicycle Summit will help us learn from allies in positions of power what they need to be more successful. Register for the California Bicycle Summit: Intersections to join the conversation.

Tags: California Bicycle Summit, LADOT, OakDOT
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share by Mail
https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/redondobikelane.jpg 387 600 Kevin Claxton https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/calbike-logo.png Kevin Claxton2019-09-16 14:09:532019-09-16 17:50:34These City DOT Leaders Get It. What’s Standing in Their Way?

Latest News

  • California Capitol building in SacramentoCalBike End-of-Session Legislative Recap 2023September 21, 2023 - 6:47 pm
  • e-bikeWhy You Should Support E-Bikes, Even if You Don’t Ride OneSeptember 18, 2023 - 6:19 pm
  • speeding carSpeed Kills: Addressing the Real Road HazardSeptember 18, 2023 - 6:15 pm
Follow a manual added link

Get Email Updates

Follow a manual added link

Join Calbike

  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Twitter
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Instagram
About Us

Staff
Board
Financials & Governance
Local Partners
State & National Allies
Careers
Contact Us

What We Do

California Bicycle Summit
E-Bike Advocacy
2023 Legislative Watch

Take Action

Current Projects
Past Projects
Donate
Volunteer
Join or Renew

Resources

Maps & Routes
Crash Help and Legal Resources
Quick Build Guide
All Resources

News

CalBike Blog
CalBike in the News
Press Releases
CalBike Insider

© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

1017 L Street #288
Sacramento, CA 95814
© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

Complete Streets Bill Passes Legislature!Kids can learn to bike during coronavirusComplete Streets sign-on70 Organizations Urge Gov. Newsom to Sign SB 127
Scroll to top
Font Resize
Accessibility by WAH
  • $2 Billion for Bikes
  • 2020 Legislative Watch
  • 2023 Legislative Watch
  • About Us
    • Social Media
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Local Partners
      • Staff
      • State and National Allies
    • Strategic Plan
    • Our History
      • Past Policy Wins
    • Financials & Governance
    • Sign-On Letters
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Contact Us
  • Become A Corporate Partner
  • Become A Corporate Partner
  • Better Street Design
  • Bicycle Safety Stop Campaign
  • Biking Is Not a Crime
  • Business Member
  • Business Members
  • CalBike Community
  • CalBike Equity Statement
  • CalBike In the News
  • CalBike Insider
  • CalBike Seeks Interim Deputy Director
  • California Bicycle Coalition: Celebrating 25 Years
  • Car Donation FAQs
  • Celebrate our 25th Anniversary
  • Climate Ride for CalBike
  • Climate Ride for CalBike
  • Corporate Partners – Take Action Now
  • COVID-19 and Bicycling
    • FAQs About Bicycling Safely During COVID-19
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Tips and Tricks for Happy Biking
    • Bike Match
  • Details
  • Donate
    • Donate by Mail
  • Donate Campaign
  • Donate Monthly
  • Donate to the California Mobility Fund, Tax-Deductible
  • Donate, Tax-Deductible
  • E-Bike Purchase Incentives
  • E-Bike Resources
  • Edgerunner 11i Giveaway – OP
  • End Parking Minimums — Yes on AB 1401
  • Events
    • Agenda Reveal Party
    • California Bicycle Summit
      • Guide to an Inclusive and Equitable Summit 2022
      • Location
      • Rides & Tours
      • Schedule
      • Scholarships
      • Steering Committee
      • Virtual Summit
      • Virtual Summit
      • Workshops & Presenters
      • Advance Symposia for the California Bicycle Summit
      • Public Statement of Equity and Inclusion 2022
      • California Bicycle Summit Steering Committee
      • Past Summits
        • 2019 California Bicycle Summit: Intersections
        • 2022 California Bicycle Summit
        • 2019 California Bicycle Summit Program
        • 2019 California Bicycle Summit Guide to an Inclusive and Equitable Summit
        • 2017 California Bicycle Summit
        • 2015 California Bicycle Summit: Equity in Motion
        • 2015 California Bicycle Summit program
        • 2013 California Bicycle Summit
        • 2011 California Bike Summit
    • Advocacy Day
    • California Dream Ride
    • California Dream Ride
    • House Parties
    • Past Events
      • Advocacy Week
      • CalBike Chipotle Chowdown: May 31st, 2018!
      • California Dream Ride
      • California Dream Ride
      • Free Webinar: Gearing Up For A Winning ATP Application
      • Low Carbon Fuel Standards Workshop
      • Transportation Equity Summit
      • Transportation Equity Summit & Advocacy Day
      • Transportation Equity Summit 2017
      • Webinar: E-Bike Grant Opportunity in ARB Car-Sharing Pilot Program
      • Webinar: The Why & How of Protected Bike Lanes
      • Webinar: Ticket Diversion Programs
  • Fake Map Demo
  • FAQs
  • Footer
  • Freedom to Walk Campaign
  • Fundraising Essentials
  • Go For a Ride
    • California Bicycle Laws
    • California Bicycle Laws (2021 Update Draft)
    • Crash Help
    • Map & Routes
    • Why Ride?
  • History Archive
    • 2012 Legislative Year in Review
    • 2012-2017 Strategic Plan
    • 2013 Legislative Year in Review
    • 2014 Year in Review
      • Govenor Signs Protected Bikeway Act
    • 2015 Year in Review
      • 2015 Leg Tracker Wrap-Up
      • E-bike Prohibitions Removed
      • Stop the Helmet Mandate
    • Better Bikeways for All
    • Getting More Bike Lanes Just Got a Whole Lot Easier
    • Governor Signs Protected Bikeways Act
    • Governor’s Transportation Agency increases bike funding by 35%
    • Reforming the CTCDC
    • SSTI Review of Caltrans Scathing and Hopeful
    • Stop AB 738
    • Summary of 2011 Legislation
  • Holiday Fundraising Opt-Out
  • Humpback
  • Invest/Divest
  • Join CalBike and Get Special Gifts
  • Join CalBike and Get Special Gifts, Ed Fund
  • Join the CalBike Mailing List
  • Landing Page
  • Landing Page
  • License Plate
    • Bicycle Awareness License Plate FAQ
  • Newsroom
    • Press Releases
  • OmniBike Bill AB 1909
  • Our Initiatives
    • Bike Education
    • Bike Share
    • Full Lane for Safety
    • Fund California’s Bikeways
      • Walk-Bike Networks
    • Legalize Hand-Holding: Riding Two Abreast
    • Open Streets
    • Protected Bike Lanes
    • Quick-Build Bikeway Networks for Safer Streets
      • Order a Quick-Build Promotional Brochure
    • Three Feet for Safety
    • What We Did: Past Campaigns and Projects
    • Transportation Justice
      • Breaking Down the Silos
      • CTC Assessment
      • Mobility Justice Labs
      • SB 1 Campaign
        • SB 1: Program by Program
    • Streets for Everyone
      • Better Bikeway Design
      • Complete Streets Campaign
        • Call Your Assembly Member to Support Complete Streets Bill, SB 127
        • Support the CalBike Complete Streets Campaign
        • Complete Streets Supporters
      • Low-Stress Bikeway Networks
    • Central Valley Bikeways Project
      • Central Valley Bikeways Survey
      • Project Plans and Resources
      • Project Maps
      • Fresno
      • Bakersfield
      • Merced
    • Healthy Climate and Communities
      • Autonomous Vehicles Must Make Biking Better
      • Bike Sharing
      • Bike Tourism for Economic Development
      • Community Bike Shops
      • E-Bike Campaigns
        • SB 400 E-Bike Voucher FAQs
    • A Stronger Movement
      • Electing Allies to Office
      • The Untokening
      • Walk Bike Youth Leaders
  • Plan for the Future Campaign
  • Recurring Donations
  • Register Your Bike
  • Resources
    • Design Best Practices
      • Bike & Pedestrian Plan Inventory
      • Webinar: Complete Low-Stress Bike Networks
    • Fact Sheets and FAQs
      • Complete Streets Fact Sheet
      • E-Bikes Fact Sheet
      • Give Me 3 FAQ
      • Helmet Mandates Fact Sheet
      • Protected Bikeways Act FAQ
      • Safe Routes to School
    • Funding Sources
      • Active Transportation Program Resources
      • Webinar: How to Access State Funding for Bike-Share and Micromobility
    • Get our Beautiful Jersey
    • Other Resources
    • Our Video Channel
  • Salsa test page
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Summit Thank You Page
  • Support the INVEST in America Act
  • Take Action
    • $10 Billion for a Bikeable Bay Area
    • Bike the Vote
    • Call the Assembly to Support AB 3153
    • Complete Streets Petition
    • Connected Bikeway Networks Petition
    • Drive Less-Bike More Petition
    • Dutch Reach Petition
    • National Transportation Funding Petition
    • Reform Traffic Law Enforcement
    • Save Bike-Share!
    • Show Your Organization’s Support for SB 127
    • Sign the Petition: $10M E-Bike Affordability Program
      • Thank you for supporting affordable e-bikes for Californians
    • Tell Governor Newsom to Sign the Complete Streets Bill Today!
    • Tell the Assembly to Support E-Bikes
    • Tell Your Senator to Support the Bike Parking Bill
    • Visionary Transportation Planning: AB 1147
    • YES on AB 117
    • Yes on AB 1238
    • Yes on SB 288 for More Bike Lanes
    • Tell the State Health Officer that Bike Repair Shops Are Essential
  • Tell the State Health Officer that Bike Repair Shops are Essential
  • Temp
  • Thank You
  • Thank you
  • Thank you
  • Thank You
  • The Latest
  • The Latest
  • Yes on AB 43 for Slow Streets
  • Driver Cut Off
  • Driver Left Turn
  • Driver Right Turn
  • Entering the Roadway
  • Passing