Committee assigns responsibility for maintenance of bike lanes and multiuse paths to Public Works, with project-by-project review

The joint Transportation and Public Works committees of the Los Angeles City Council voted June 2 to amend the administrative code to assign responsibility for maintenance of bike lanes and multiuse paths to the Department of Public Works.

The motion (agenda item 0.14) presented to the committees called for updating the Los Angeles Administrative Code to assign responsibility for upkeep of existing bike lanes and multiuse paths to Public Works. Committee members asked for clearer, project-level guidance about how responsibilities would be allocated among the several bureaus and offices within Public Works and whether certain work (for example, lighting or curb-related tasks) would remain with specialized bureaus.

During discussion, DOT and Public Works staff said maintenance could be assigned on a project-by-project basis and that funding and contracts could be transferred to whichever bureau assumes responsibility for a particular location. A committee member asked whether responsibility could be shifted to another agency if that agency later became the appropriate maintainer; staff confirmed that transfers and related fund moves would be possible.

A motion to adopt the amendment passed in both committees. The secretary called the vote for the transportation committee: Councilmember Hatch voted “yes,” Councilmember Park voted “yes,” and Councilmember Hernández was recorded as present; the transcript shows the motion was approved. The committee directed staff to specify the types of work (for example, pavement versus lighting) when detailing assignments so the transfer of responsibility can be carried out project by project.

The committee’s action changes administrative-code assignments; staff will return with implementation details that identify which Public Works bureau or other agency will assume responsibility and how contracts and funding will be transferred.