Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
City Recently Shifted the parking lane away from the curb: Drivers now park in marked stalls and must cross the bike lane to reach meters or sidewalks. Car Doors Open Into Traffic!
Critics have noted that parked car doors now open directly into active travel lanes in the new layout, and the narrowed driving space can make maneuvers tighter, especially for larger vehicles or during turns
Critics have noted that parked car doors now open directly into active travel lanes in the new layout, and the narrowed driving space can make maneuvers tighter, especially for larger vehicles or during turns
Santa Monica, CA (June 11, 2026) — The City of Santa Monica has converted what had been a working Downtown street called Broadway, into a cluster screw of bike lanes, concrete barriers, bus lanes, and parking in the middle of the street. Yesterday, it nearly cost a motorcyclist her life.
A motorcyclist was critically injured in a collision Tuesday evening at the intersection of 5th Street and Broadway, near the Target store in downtown Santa Monica. The crash occurred around evening hours on June 10, 2026, and prompted a significant emergency response with police tape, multiple Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) units, and emergency vehicles blocking the area.
On-scene photos show a damaged motorcycle on the roadway amid flashing lights and yellow caution tape, with the intersection heavily restricted. As of Wednesday morning, SMPD had not yet released an official report with details on the cause, vehicle directions, or victim identification. Investigations into serious traffic collisions typically take time as authorities examine factors like speed, right-of-way, and potential contributing conditions. It's clear intuitively that what had been a useful street into a woke caricature (Bike lanes, bus lanes, no room for cars or motorized vehicles), nearly cost a motorcyclist her life.
Context of Recent Street Changes on Broadway
Critics have noted that parked car doors now open directly into active travel lanes in the new layout, and the narrowed driving space can make maneuvers tighter, especially for larger vehicles or during turns
The crash site lies within the corridor of the City of Santa Monica’s "Broadway Safety Project" (also called the Broadway Protected Bike Lane Project), which upgraded bike infrastructure from 5th Street to 26th Street. Construction phases occurred in early 2026, with paving and protected bike lane elements active in March and April.
Santa Monica recently shifted the parking lane away from the curb. Drivers now park in marked stalls and must cross the bike lane to reach meters or sidewalks. Car doors open Into ongoing traffic that sits in what used to be a second lane for automobile traffic.
Key elements of the project include:
- Upgrading existing bike lanes to a parking-protected facility using a combination of **concrete barriers** and flexible posts.
- Removing the center turn lane in places to expand the bike lane buffer, while maintaining left-turn pockets at intersections.
- Shifting the parking lane away from the curb: Drivers now park in marked stalls and must cross the bike lane to reach meters or sidewalks. Some blocks saw a reduction in parking spaces.
This reconfiguration has narrowed the overall roadway footprint for motor vehicle traffic in sections that previously featured two lanes in each direction. The addition of concrete barriers, protected bike lanes, and offset parking creates a more constrained environment, particularly noticeable near intersections like 5th and Broadway. Critics have noted that parked car doors now open directly into active travel lanes in the new layout, and the narrowed driving space can make maneuvers tighter, especially for larger vehicles or during turns.
The City describes the project as a safety enhancement for the corridor’s high bicycle and scooter ridership, incorporating traffic calming, improved crosswalks, and better visibility. It forms part of broader active transportation goals. However, some local drivers and residents have reported increased congestion, challenges with left turns, alley access, and parking availability following the changes.
Limited Details and Ongoing Investigation
Factors under typical investigation include rider actions, visibility at the intersection, lighting conditions (the crash was in the evening), and any mechanical issues. SMPD has not confirmed identities or preliminary findings.
This is the latest in a series of traffic incidents in Santa Monica, where motorcycle crashes often result from barriers and other obstacles to traffic erected in the name of bike lanes and safety, but in fact making streets unsafe and less efficient.
Our thoughts are with the injured motorcyclist and all those affected by this tragedy. Safe streets benefit everyone when designs balance needs across all modes of travel. (Corrected: Motorcyclist Survived and Remains in Critical Condition)*
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