Mayor Karen Bass announces ambitious proposal to restrict vehicle access to Olympic venues, promoting public transportation and easing notorious traffic congestion.
With just over three years to go until the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass is introducing an ambitious plan that could transform the city's infamous traffic woes: a car-free Olympics.
Bass's proposal, announced in Paris on Saturday, aims to restrict vehicle access to any venue hosting a sporting event during the two-week Olympic period. Attendees would be required to use public transportation, which would be significantly expanded through a combination of local and national resources.
Los Angeles Unveils Plan for a Car-Free Olympics in 2028
"A no-car Games," Bass declared. "That's a feat in Los Angeles. We've always been in love with our cars."
Los Angeles' current transit system is considerably less robust than other major U.S. cities. To address this, the city intends to borrow more than 3,000 buses from across the country. Bass also noted that the city is working to expand its public transportation infrastructure.
Los Angeles Unveils Plan for a Car-Free Olympics in 2028
"We’re already working to ensure we can build a greener Los Angeles," Bass said.
Creating strategic partnerships with major employers in the city will be critical to mitigating traffic jams. Bass suggested staggering work hours or allowing employees to work remotely for the duration of the Games.
Los Angeles Unveils Plan for a Car-Free Olympics in 2028
"The way it should work is to meet with the city’s major employers and talk about staggering work hours," she said. "There might be some employers that we would say, ‘Could you be remote for 17 days?’"
Bass acknowledged that essential workers must continue to commute during the Games. However, limiting traffic to essential personnel would significantly reduce congestion.
"People will have some reference point in recent history as to how to get to that," Bass added, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many people to work remotely.
The 2028 Games' organizing committee has announced that swimming competitions will take place at SoFi Stadium, while gymnastics competitions will be held at Crypto.com Arena and track and field events will be held at USC's Memorial Coliseum.
Multiple venues in Long Beach will host events such as artistic swimming, marathon swimming, water polo, handball, rowing, triathlon, and others. Equestrian competitions will be held in Temecula, about 85 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Softball and canoe slalom will take place in Oklahoma City, approximately 1,500 miles away.
Bass's plan has been met with mixed reactions. Some residents welcome the idea of a car-free Olympics, seeing it as an opportunity to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. Others express concerns about the feasibility of such a large-scale transportation shift.
Los Angeles previously hosted the Olympics in 1932 and 1984. The 2028 Games will mark the third time the city has welcomed the world's athletes for the Summer Games.
