The Venice Oceanfront Walk Committee discusses the status of e-bikes on the beach

THE WEST SIDE – The Venice Neighborhood Council’s Oceanfront Walk Committee (www.venicenc.org) met Monday evening in the Rose Room at 6 Rose Avenue, just steps from the beach.

The committee is chaired by Deborah Keaton. Other members include Fran Solomon, Colleen Saro, Nico Ruderman, Mehrnoosh Mojallali, Clark Brown (secretary), Mark Rago and myself.

There were seven members present and one was missing.

LAPD and CD-11 will review signage and enforcement of electric vehicles illegally driving along the pedestrian access.

Also in attendance were VNC President Brian Averill and Mark Ryavec, president of Venice Stakeholders and a longtime local activist who is spearheading efforts to secure boardwalk signage to crack down on illegal riders on the pedestrian walkway, using private funding are.

The meeting began with a discussion with several members of the LAPD, who were invited to discuss the dilemma between scooters and e-bikes, where pedestrians feel threatened by these fast and somewhat dangerous, but popular vehicles, used primarily by people under 30 years Most tourists visit Venice.

One of the many criticisms from locals is the lack of helmets and the non-compliant number of double riders.

What role will Venice play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympics?

There was an extensive discussion about signage and various options that could be considered to reduce ridership along the promenade, which resulted in several collisions over the summer and an incident in which a child was hit. which went viral.

LAPD Officer Monique Contreras answered questions from committee members, emphasizing that beach staffing levels decline after the end of the summer season and that enforcement is problematic due to the lack of overall funding from the budget. Contreras recommended that the committee work with the other regulatory agencies, such as LA Recreation and Parks and Los Angeles County, to find an optimal solution.

Sean Silva, who represents Venice Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11), also said an overall collaborative plan would make the most sense. Silva also discussed strategies to beautify the area between the boardwalk and bike path, which included repairing an aging sprinkler system and replanting lawns in need of renovation.

It was suggested that further discussions be continued with LA Recreation & Parks as well as Los Angeles County as they have multiple jurisdictions at Oceanfront Walk and share oversight of this international tourist destination.

Also discussed was the future of the Venice Beach Pagodas, a long-time favorite of locals, which have been fenced off and are apparently considering renovation or possibly their removal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) originally constructed six sets of pergolas – called “pagodas” – along the Ocean Front Walk on Venice Beach during the New Deal administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945).

The pagodas were restored/reconstructed in 2000 when LA hosted the Democratic National Convention, where the boardwalk last resurfaced.

The Works Progress Administration or WPA (WPA; renamed the Work Projects Administration in 1939) was an American New Deal agency that employed millions of job seekers (mostly men without formal training) to undertake public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and streets.

Comedian Michael Colyar (www.therealmichaelcolyar.com), known to many as the “King of Venice Beach,” has used these pagodas as a stage for his numerous free stand-up performances on the boardwalk over the years.

These pagodas were used as shelter by many homeless people during the COVID-19 crisis and fell into severe disrepair during the current homeless encampment crisis, which has spread to the boardwalk.

Silva also discussed partnering with two colleges, including Santa Monica College, to develop landscaping concepts and beach beautification ideas in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl (SoFi Stadium on February 14) and the 2028 Summer Olympics develop .

The 2028 Summer Olympics begin on July 14, 2028. The opening and closing ceremonies will be co-hosted by the Los Angeles Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. The games officially end on July 30th. The Paralympic Games then begin on August 15th in Southern California.

Los Angeles hosted the games in 1984 and 1932.

Committee member Mehrnoosh Mojallali (www.mehrnoosh.com), a Harvard-trained architect, agreed to formulate some visual concepts on problem areas on the boardwalk related to illegal cycling and to design an alternative path for electric scooters and e-bikes west of it Existing cycle path not designed for motorized or electric vehicles. Mojallali has designed and designed several concept drawings, including a new pier here in Venice that will be located on Rose Avenue and the beach. Although over a thousand signatures of support have been collected, the idea and concept have not yet received serious consideration of public or private funding.

Committee member Fran Soloman, who also lives on the beach, suggested a “Hands Across Venice” event in the run-up to the 2028 Olympics, and Mark Rago also suggested displaying a series of flags from all participating countries on the beach to greet athletes. Media and tourists attending this summer spectacle.

The meeting was adjourned promptly at 8 p.m.

(Nick Antonicello has lived in the neighborhood for 31 years and is also a member of the Oceanfront Walk Committee. Have a tip or a sampling of all Venice has to offer? Email him at [email protected])