LA will replace Pico Boulevard parking with bike lanes. Small businesses worry about the impact

July 11, 2026 - 01:21

Los Angeles is moving forward with a plan to replace curbside parking along a busy stretch of Pico Boulevard with protected bike lanes. The project, part of the city's broader push for safer streets and greener transit, will remove roughly 200 parking spots between Fairfax Avenue and Robertson Boulevard. While city officials argue the change will reduce accidents and encourage cycling, small business owners along the corridor say they are worried about the economic toll.

Many shopkeepers rely on customers who drive in from surrounding neighborhoods. They fear that losing convenient parking will drive people away, especially older shoppers or those with young children. "I get that bikes need space, but my customers are not coming here on bikes," said one deli owner who has operated on Pico for over 20 years. "They come from West Hollywood, from Culver City. They need a place to park."

Supporters of the bike lanes point to data showing that similar projects in other parts of the city did not cause a drop in sales. They also note that Pico Boulevard has seen a number of serious crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians. The city plans to add loading zones and some accessible parking spots, but business owners say that is not enough. A community meeting scheduled for next week is expected to draw a large crowd, with both sides hoping to sway the final design. The project is still in the planning phase, but construction could begin as early as next year.