Los Angeles Considers Installing Rigid Bike Barriers
The city’s transportation committee is seeking to replace high-maintenance plastic bollards with durable concrete alternatives.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Remote Work
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The Los Angeles Transportation Committee has approved a motion requesting a report on installing rigid, Toronto-style bike lane barriers in-house. This initiative aims to address the frequent wear and tear on current plastic infrastructure.
Why it matters
Plastic K71 bollards frequently crumble upon contact with vehicles, leading to high maintenance costs and constant replacement needs. Developing an in-house installation capacity would allow Los Angeles to upgrade its network without coordinating through the Bureau of Street Services.
Los Angeles maintains 90.7 miles of protected bike lanes that currently rely on K71 bollards, which require replacement on average every 7 months.
The players
Los Angeles Transportation Committee
This local government body reviews and votes on policies related to the city's transit infrastructure and traffic safety measures.
LADOT
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation manages the city's transit systems, parking enforcement, and infrastructure maintenance.
Bureau of Street Services
This department is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and improvement of the city's street infrastructure.
The details
Toronto-style barriers consist of modular concrete pieces bolted directly to the ground, offering a more permanent solution than plastic posts. The city has already tested these barriers in pilot programs located on Third Street and Imperial Highway.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: The Transportation Committee approved the motions.
Market Landscape
The move toward modular concrete pieces shifts the city's approach to the Class 4 bikeway standards used for urban street infrastructure. This transition aims to reduce dependency on other departments and improves long-term infrastructure efficiency compared to legacy plastic designs.
Residents may see a reduction in the clutter caused by broken or missing plastic bollards as the city plans to roll out concrete barriers on key corridors like Ohio Avenue and Chandler Boulevard. This transition could lead to more reliable and safer cycling routes across the city.
The takeaway
Switching to modular concrete barriers could significantly lower the maintenance burden on city resources. Local travelers should anticipate construction as the city shifts to these more durable materials on major corridors like Spring Street and Alameda Street.
Further reading
Learn more about local infrastructure initiatives on the Los Angeles Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
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Should your city replace temporary plastic bike lane barriers with permanent concrete structures?
