Americans Support Car-Free Olympics in Los Angeles!

What if Paris paved the way for Olympic ceasefires without cars? In Los Angeles, they truly believe in it for the 2028 Games.

The announcement came just hours before the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. It is customary for the hosts of the next games to pay tribute to their predecessors and commend the quality of their work, the success of the event, the sporting legacy passed down to future generations,… A manifesto of good intentions often lacking in taste, but a necessary ritual. Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001, was known to declare at every closing ceremony: “You have presented to the world the best Olympic Games of all time”. A sports enthusiast, he was also a skilled politician and, above all, a remarkable communicator.

Well, for the American organizers, the Parisians had the best idea of all time by limiting car traffic during the Olympics. Let’s not get into this debate; everything has already been said… So, to do better, why not try to completely ban car traffic during the event! While the Paris city hall is openly carphobic and has taken the baton approach, the Los Angeles city hall aims to be more educational and has already announced that public transport and soft mobility means will be the only ways to access the venues in Los Angeles. Quite a challenge, and to achieve this, 3,000 buses will be used to transport spectators.

The city of angels on wheels

It is worth noting that Paris benefits from a very dense metro and tram network that has allowed it to accommodate the influx of visitors. Los Angeles has a good bus network but only two underground metro lines and four tram lines. Overall, the public transport system does not compare to those of major cities like Paris, London, and New York.

One could therefore fear an outcry across the Atlantic, but against all odds, the residents of Los Angeles believe in it as 66% express support for the measure (Source LA28). 25% are even willing to give up their cars sooner. Returning city centers to pedestrians is, in any case, in line with current trends, and Californians have long been advocates of soft mobility means. Let’s meet in four years to see if the challenge is met.

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