Los Angeles cyclists protest for safer streets

More than 1,000 cyclists participated in a Critical Mass protest ride in Los Angeles on Friday night, transforming a monthly community event into a political demonstration for improved street safety.

The ride began in Koreatown and covered a 10-mile route to Gloria Molina Grand Park. During the gathering, participants held a 220-second die-in protest, with each second representing a person killed by traffic violence in 2026.

Organizers and community members used the event to honor recent victims of traffic fatalities, including 16-year-old Hernan Martinez, who was killed in a hit-and-run in Hyde Park, and cyclist Benjamin Montalvo. Advocacy groups, including Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), criticized city officials for failing to take swift action on dangerous corridors.