Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
South Bay COG pitches micromobility and school sticker programs to Hawthorne council
Summary
South Bay COG representatives told Hawthorne council that many local trips are short and that e‑bikes and scooters could reduce congestion and emissions; they recommended school e‑bike sticker programs, protected crossings between slow‑speed 'turtle' zones and Measure M funding for pilot infrastructure.
Representatives of the South Bay Council of Governments presented a micromobility briefing to the Hawthorne City Council on Oct. 20, urging cities to treat e‑bikes, scooters and other small electrically assisted devices as an integral part of the transportation network.
Presenters (Jackie and Jake Romoff among others) cited South Bay regional findings: roughly 130,000 car trips under half a mile and about 70% of trips under three miles, patterns they said are well suited to micromobility. They described 'turtle' low‑speed zones (streets under 25 mph) and an approach of creating protected crossings (4‑way stops or signalized crossings) to connect those zones across high‑speed arterials.
Examples offered included school e‑bike sticker programs used by some districts, and ordinances in nearby Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach aimed at curbing unsafe riding on pedestrian areas and high‑speed corridors. The presenters recommended an educational component, coordinated enforcement, and suggested seeking Measure M (county sales‑tax) funds and Metro grant support for design and pilot projects.
Several council members welcomed the educational focus and asked staff to explore pilot programs; the presenters offered to run ride‑and‑drive events and provide implementation suggestions. No formal policy or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the presentation was positioned as the start of a local conversation about safer adoption and possible pilot investments.
