Griffith Park bike lanes and safety improvements highlighted as lifesaving after fatal crash

Council members and community advocates used the floor on June 26 to highlight recent safety improvements in Griffith Park, including new bike lanes on Crystal Springs and Zoo Drive funded after an advocacy push following a 2022 fatal crash.

Speakers described the June 2022 death of cyclist Andrew Gelmert and subsequent temporary closures that spurred procurement of an engineering firm and a $4 million state award (attributed in the meeting to then‑Assemblymember Laura Friedman) to design and deliver safety work. One longtime cycling advocate described their own 2013 collision and said the newly paved lanes provided more space for all park users and would have likely prevented the fatal accident.

"These changes would absolutely have saved his life," a speaker said of the new lanes while urging continued focus on recreational access and safety in Griffith Park. The Council recognized the project as the single largest safety investment in the park’s history and noted ribbon‑cutting and community rides to try the new configuration.

Next steps: Council members encouraged continued monitoring and community outreach as the city gathers data on usage and safety outcomes.