Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
"Safe Streets"

Eyes on the Street: More Culver City COVID Street Reconfiguration

Bicyclist rides in lane protected by temporary posts, outside street dining area

Earlier this summer, Streetsblog reported on Culver City responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by nimbly appropriating downtown street space to add outdoor dining, a shared bus/bike lane, and more space for distanced walking. Over the past month, Culver City has continued to repurpose additional space from cars to dining.

For about about a thousand feet of on Washington Boulevard in the Culver City Arts District - westbound between La Cienega Boulevard and La Cienega Avenue - the city removed one travel lane and one on-street parking lane and converted them to outdoor dining and a protected bike lane.

CulverWashington1
New temporary outdoor dining space and protected bike lane on Washington Boulevard in Culver City
false
CulverWashington3
On Washington Boulevard, Culver City repurposed a travel lane and on-street parking to provide space for dining and for bicycling
false

Starting at La Cienega Boulevard, the city has added "candlestick" posts to warn drivers of the upcoming merge. Yesterday, SBLA observed some fast moving drivers trying to merge at the last moment, causing other drivers to honk horns irately. Overall the new configuration seemed to be serving diners, cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers pretty well.

CulverWashington5
Drivers get notice of the narrowed lanes ahead starting just east of La Cienega Blvd
false
More lane closed ahead signage on Washington Blvd near Ballona Creek
Additional lane closed ahead signage on Washington Blvd near Ballona Creek
false

Below are a couple more Culver City street repurposing projects SBLA spotted yesterday.

Expanded outdoor dining on Irving Place in downtown Culver City
Expanded outdoor dining on Irving Place in downtown Culver City
false
Temporary no left turn signage has been beefed up preventing drivers from turning into the bus/bike lane in downtown Culver City. Compare to earlier photo.
Temporary no left turn signage has been beefed up preventing drivers from turning into the bus/bike lane in downtown Culver City. Compare to earlier photo.
false
Outdoor dining on Sepulveda Boulevard in Culver City
Outdoor dining on Sepulveda Boulevard in Culver City
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

New Legislation, Backed by Bike Safety Groups, Proposed to Regulate E-Motos/E-Bikes

“Electric bicycles are transforming how Californians get around, but the rapid rise of high-powered electric devices has created confusion that puts people at risk,” said Marc T. Vukcevich, Director of State Policy for Streets For All

February 23, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

Money for trains edition.

February 23, 2026

Study: Most Of America’s Paint-Only Bike Paths Are On Our Deadliest Roads

Even worse, most Americans see these terrible lanes and think, "I'd be crazy to ride a bike" — and the cycle continues.

February 22, 2026

Metro Committee Approves Additional Early Construction Funding for Union Station Run-Through Tracks

Link US is a huge undertaking which includes building a new bridge over and along the 101 Freeway.

February 20, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

It's mostly a good news headlines stack. That's nice.

February 20, 2026

Advocates Breathe Sigh of Relief: Transit Disaster Averted for Now

Governor Newsom signs Bay Area public transit loan to prevent severe service cuts.

February 20, 2026
See all posts