In a move that has left many shocked, it was announced that the 2028 LA Olympic Games will be car-free. But what’s the reasoning behind this bold decision?
According to Mayor Bass, traffic is one of the biggest challenges Los Angeles faces, especially as the city has long relied on private cars for transportation.
The Upcoming Olympic Games Will Be Car-Free
The decision to go car-free during the Olympics aims to tackle this issue head-on, while also continuing the city’s efforts to promote sustainability, following in the footsteps of previous Olympic Games.
A Car-Free Vision for the 2028 Olympics
As the world prepares for the next Olympics in Los Angeles, attention is turning to the lessons learned from the Paris 2024 Games. While Paris was lauded for hosting the “greenest Olympic Games,” concerns about the environmental impact linger, particularly around the Seine River.
Inspired by the success of Paris’ environmental initiatives and the challenges posed by LA’s notorious traffic, Mayor Bass has committed to drastically improving public transportation infrastructure and encouraging the use of alternatives to cars for the 2028 Games.
Read also: 5 Things You Must Know About the Olympic Games in LA 2028
The goals behind this initiative are twofold: to prevent gridlock in a city ranked 7th among the most congested in the world according to the 2023 Global Traffic Scoreboard, and to reduce CO2 emissions from private vehicles.
According to the UN, these vehicles contribute 18% of the emissions of the main greenhouse gas.
In addition to addressing transportation, Mayor Bass also announced plans to tackle another pressing issue in the city—homelessness. She promised to rehouse nearly 75,000 homeless individuals, providing temporary shelters and addressing the root causes of homelessness, with the ultimate goal of offering permanent housing solutions.
With these ambitious plans, Los Angeles is setting the stage for an Olympic Games that will not only be a celebration of sports but also a showcase of the city’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.