Bicycle Fever Reshapes California’s Urban Landscapes

L.A.’s retrofitted and rebuilt Sixth Street Bridge was also officially reopened on July 10, 2022. Pedestrians and bicyclists celebrated the car-free grand opening. The bridge over the L.A. River was redesigned with car-separate paths to encourage car-free crossings that link downtown to the East Side.

Plaques at the Sixth Street Viaduct entrance suggest the enormous amount of cooperation that is required between government leaders and agencies to complete such a project…at a cost of more than $500 million.

“The Ribbon of Light” replaces one of L.A.’s most cherished and filmed cultural landmarks. And we get to bike over it!

Looking toward East L.A., you can see the bike and pedestrian paths that will become so convenient after the bridge is open to vehicle traffic.

This viaduct also spans the L.A. River and rail lines as they pass by downtown.

Looking toward downtown, bikers get their historic selfies before the cars invade.

Sixth Street Viaduct looks down on industrial L.A. There is where you will find mostly blue-collar workers and their attempts at street art.

This largest bridge project in the history of L.A. also spans the busy 101 and 5 freeways.

This *Ribbon of Light* over L.A.’s river, freeways, rail lines, and gritty industries links downtown with Boyle Heights and, some might say, our history with our future.

This largest bridge project that cost more than $500 million will leave plenty of room for bikes and pedestrians after the viaduct opens to cars, assuming it is not abused or loved to death.

Looking down to views of L.A.’s diverse industrial art is part of this bridge experience.

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William Selby

William Selby is a native Californian who has explored, researched, and worked in every corner of the Golden State. William has accumulated over 3 decades of experience teaching Geography and Earth Science at Santa Monica College. Since retiring from teaching, his lifelong love and extensive knowledge of the Golden State is reflected in the book as well as in his continued service to academia, geography and the State of California.

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