Wilbur. It all began innocently enough last summer when we were fortunate enough to have parts of Wilbur Avenue repaved. Then DOT in a rush to get it restriped before the beginning of school, restriped the road without consulting the community. Much of the portions between Rinaldi and Nordhoff were reduced from two lanes of traffic each way to one lane each way, allowing for the addition of a bike lane.

The community has been in an uproar ever since. The focus has been on DOT's process, and how to change it to include public comment, and it has been on the resulting traffic.

The PRNC had one of its largest meetings ever in October 2010 when Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Rita Robinson came to discuss the "Road Diet" which was implemented to slow traffic down. See meeting details. Since that time Councilman Smith's office has convened four meetings of the Wilbur Working Group Committee, comprised of community members to identify potential solutions. PRNC President Mel Mitchell, PRNC board member Becky Leveque and Porter Ranch stakeholder Guillermo Seta have represented Porter Ranch in these meetings. Councilman Smith also introduced a motion to change DOT's process.

Opinions about the Road Diet are vastly divergent. On the one hand are those who drive Wilbur to Nobel Middle School, CSUN and other points south. Wilbur had been a great driving option as traffic moved easily down the road. These individuals now regularly voice their concerns about slowed traffic, waiting for signals, and unused bike lanes. To them it appears to be a bikes vs. cars issue. Even Sandy Banks of the LA Times has weighed in wondering "whether the mayor's broken elbow had anything to do with the ruination of my favorite street."

On the other hand, there are those who are happy about the change. These are individuals who live in the area and want the traffic slowed down. Bike lanes are just a means to an end here.

The battle has even made it to the blogosphere. Those who feel strongly have commented on la.streetsblog.org, created their own blogs, gotten 300 petition signatures in support of the Road Diet, and conducted their own traffic studies.

And now there has been an accident involving six people. See the Daily News Report March 5, 2011.

Clearly, reaching an amicable solution will be a challenge with people staunchly in support of diametrically opposed positions. Hopefully the March 15, 2011 meeting will be a productive time bringing a solution to this thorny problem.