West
Los Angeles’ plan for a car-free 2028 Olympics is a costly pipe dream
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Tom Cruise turned all Olympic eyes from Paris to Los Angeles this summer with his daring closing ceremony stunts. But those eyes had best now turn to the LA Olympic Organizing Committee and Mayor Karen Bass.
In only four short years, the Olympics come to LA, meaning Mayor Bass and the Olympic organizers have just four years to transform Los Angeles into a metropolis fit for the international attention brought by the Olympics. That seems like a big task for a city whose failed governance leaves it with rampant crime, homelessness, congestion, crumbling infrastructure, business and regulatory nightmares, and tax and budget shortfalls.
The LA solution: a “car-free” Olympics!
Mayor Karen Bass waves the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony of the Summer Games on Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Personal vehicles will not be allowed at Olympic venues. Private parking will simply not be available. Don’t even think about driving to an event. Bass and the LA Organizing Committee plan to spend over $900 million on a massive public transit overhaul.
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Called the “Twenty-eight by ‘28 Project” and initiated in January 2018 during the bidding process for the 2028 Olympics, it proposes 28 transit projects to facilitate the movement of more than one million anticipated visitors the Olympics will bring – all without cars.
How is the Twenty-eight by ‘28 Project going six years after being proposed and only four years out from the Games?
The answer is not well. I serve on the board of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). We recently received a report from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority admitting that it will miss the ’28 deadline for 10 of the 28 projects. Only five have so far been completed in the past six years of planning.
Bass does not let this diminish her enthusiasm for a car-free Games. She promises that LA will purchase or borrow and then deploy 3,000 buses. I can’t imagine at what cost, both financial to Los Angeles, but also on other transportation agencies like OCTA and the people they serve around the country.
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That is a mammoth, market-warping diversion of resources – 3,000 buses – to just one city. Other places like Orange County can well expect to feel the pain caused by such a market disrupting force.
The car-free Olympics promise was never serious public policy. Southern California, for the foreseeable future, will remain dominated by personal vehicles. Just over 7.5 million registered motor vehicles exist in LA County, including cars, trucks and motorcycles. The city itself covers a vast 469 square miles, in a stark contrast to Paris’s compact 41 square miles. This sprawling landscape complicates public transit use as residents often need to make multiple transfers to reach their destinations, diminishing the likelihood of opting for buses or trains.
Then there are the substantial safety concerns inherent in today’s LA public transit system. The public worries rightly about personal safety while on the system. Just last week, in the early hours of Wednesday, Sept. 25, an LA Metro bus was hijacked by a gunman who held the driver at gunpoint, led the police on a pursuit, and murdered one of the passengers.
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That level of dramatic violence is admittedly rare. But we do see persistent knife attacks, sexual assaults, homeless vagrant activity and other crimes on public transportation. This is the transit system to be foisted on visitors from all over the world to accomplish the vision of a car-free Olympics.
Given the city’s deep-rooted car culture, the lack of public transit infrastructure, the long commutes that residents have come to accept as normal, and the sheer physical safety concerns, local residents will likely skip the Games rather than abandon their vehicles.
Public transportation cannot rise to the occasion, as the LA Metro report frankly admits, leaving a potentially miserable experience for out-of-town visitors and a very bad lasting image for Los Angeles and the Olympics organizers. At least Orange County had nothing to do with these bad decisions, even if we will feel some of the consequences.
The Los Angeles Police Department oversees the dismantling of a homeless encampment off of the Venice Beach boardwalk in Venice, California, on Aug. 5, 2024. (Mark Abramson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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A car-free Olympics was always an enviro-activist pipe dream. It sounded good to certain interest groups, but is nothing more than a liberal government’s virtue signaling and self-deception.
The LA Metro report of missed targets throws the harsh light of reality on such wishful thinking. Delays, rising costs due to inflation, failures to meet deadlines and inefficient government bureaucracy can’t deliver on the empty promises of politicians. A car-free Olympics, at least as sold when LA made its bid, is one of those empty promises.
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Colorado
Keeler: Colorado’s best prep distance runner? Niwot’s Addison Ritzenhein makes case with 4A record
LAKEWOOD — Her gold was in the bag.
They all were, technically. The night before she rewrote Colorado’s record book, Addison Ritzenhein, the Niwot senior who’s run like almost no teen distance runner ever has, went into her closet and pulled out a dozen state medals. As she laid them out side-by-side, all the miles started talking back.
Addy and her dad had found themselves waxing about the moments and the memories during a Friday night drive. It was the eve of her final CHSAA state track meet. The last ride.
“I want you to bring them (Saturday) morning,” Dathan Ritzenhein, head coach at On Athletics Club in Boulder, told his daughter when he saw the medals. He suggested putting all of them in a big bag and bringing it to Jeffco Stadium on Saturday.
“And then we’ll take them out at the end (of the meet). And we’re going to line them all up. I want to take a picture of you with all of them.”
Dad had a hunch.
Company was coming.
At a record pace, too.
“I wanted to have a perfect ending to my entire high school career,” Addy said after setting a state mark in the 4A girls 1600 meters in her final CHSAA event. “And I just had to remind myself that I’d done everything I could up to this moment.”
Move over, Wendy Koenig. Make some room, Melody Fairchild. The Kaltenbachs? Scooch over. Emma Coburn, Katie Rainsberger and Elise Cranny? You, too. If Ritzenhein isn’t the greatest girls prep distance runner in Colorado history, her closing kick made one heck of a case.
The resume? Ten track titles in four years. Seven as an individual. Two this weekend. Three more golds in cross-country. Mom and dad were two of the best to ever run at CU, and she’s darn near already lapped where they were at her age.
Her last race set another state-meet bar — 4:44.47 in the 1600. A final push in the last 100 meters shot her past Air Academy’s Jordan Banta (4:50.28) and bested Rainsberger’s old 4A state mark of 4:45.27, set in 2016.
“I’m lost for words,” Addy said.
Unrivaled?
Unsurpassed?
Unmatched?
“Feels like a huge wall of relief, honestly,” Ritzenhein told me as the gold around her neck sparkled in Lakewood’s mid-morning sun. “It’s just so many (emotions). A wall of emotions.”
She ran through them, anyway, just as she ran through everything else during her senior season. Addy might’ve been born on first base with mom and dad’s genetics, but she slid into third base on her own hustle, will and want-to. Ritzenhein’s favorite quote is also her mantra: Pain is temporary. Glory is forever.
Which sums up why she’d run at the NXN Nike Cross Nationals this past December with a 104-degree fever and flu-like symptoms. Yet when the Cougars needed her to post up in order to finish second in the nation, Addy saddled up and dragged herself to the end.
“She felt like the team would have won (if she didn’t have) the flu, and she ran with a fever,” Dathan recalled. “She didn’t dwell on it … ‘I have to look forward and I can’t sit here in this moment … you gotta move on.’”
She moves. She proves. She grooves. In a family of elite runners, Addy might be the most competitive in the bunch. And the most cutthroat. Little brother Jude cracked that there’s a video the family took of him, at age 5, being moved to tears when a then-8-year-old Addison kicked his tail in “Monopoly.”
She also knows when to make the grind fun. When to take a title team’s blood pressure down a few notches.
“They’d come in from where it was muddy running, and she’ll wipe the mud off her shoe and she’ll take it and put it underneath the stall of the person next to her,” Dad recalled. “Just funny little harmless things like that.”
Before she ran with a fast crowd, her dad ran with the fastest in the world. Dathan is a three-time Olympian and the American record-holder in the 5K from 2009-10. Her mother, Kalin, was a cross-country All-American at CU. When Addy wasn’t watching dad at London’s 2012 Summer Games, she was watching episodes of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” on her mom’s lap.
Now she wants to chase those big dogs down.
“I like to dream big, and being an Olympian would be my big goal,” said Addy, who’s headed to Northern Arizona University. Then she shrugged. “And if I fall short, it’s OK. But yeah, that’s my big goal.”
Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity-dog.
“You have to dream about that if you want to accomplish it and you have to see yourself do it a 1000 times before you actually do it,” Dathan said. “And so for her to know that she’s coming away from here with probably the best career in high school that I could think of … she’s just been consistent, and that makes me feel like she’s in a really good spot of development.”
Addy’s medals normally reside in her closet. Although, because of all the awards, including three Gatorade Colorado Girls Cross Country Player of the Year trophies, it’s not so much of a walk-in type as it is a crawl-in.
“It’s almost impossible to walk in there,” Jude laughed. “There’s a shelf in there just full of clothes, packed with clothes, and there’s a shelf behind it full of trophies.”
Best make room for one more. Somehow.
“I knew (Saturday’s) game plan, and I thought that she was going to take it right away a little bit faster,” Dathan said of Addy’s final lap. “I then kind of realized (there) was about 200 to go. I was like, ‘Oh, she might run the record.’ And I was like, ‘This is gonna be a sweet way to end.’ And she seemed fully focused, still, with 100 to go. I don’t know at what point she realized it and got to really enjoy it. But I hope she did.”
A collapse into the grass after a run for the ages eventually gave way to a grin for the ages.
“Everyone wants a perfect ending,” Addy said. “But I think I accomplished it.”
With that, Ritzenhein turned west on a white heel, rounded third and headed for home, riding a smile 5,551 feet high and a shadow twice as long.
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Hilo runs on rainforest microclimate, banyan trees in Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and a working downtown of early 20th-century storefronts along Kamehameha Avenue. Kapaʻa is laid out around an eight-mile coastal path that links beaches at Fuji and Lydgate with the Wailua River corridor. Hanalei sits on Kauaʻi’s north shore between taro fields and the Nā Pali ridges with a single main road and a wildlife refuge protecting nēnē and Hawaiian coot. Volcano village holds 4,000 feet of elevation, ʻōhiʻa forests, and direct access to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The nine Hawaii small towns ahead each carry a working senior community alongside the specific island setting that defines daily life.
Wailuku (Maui)
Wailuku serves as Maui’s county seat, with healthcare, services, and an active retiree community close at hand. Downtown, the landmark Iao Theater (a 1927 performance venue that still draws community programming) sits alongside cafés like Sam Sato’s, which serves dry mein and handmade manju.
A short drive inland, ʻĪao Valley State Monument carries deep significance as a sacred site in Hawaiian culture and as the location of the 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai. The valley features the ʻĪao Needle, a 1,200-foot vegetated rock pinnacle accessible via short paved walking paths that wind through one of Maui’s more dramatic landscapes. Wailuku layers cultural depth over everyday convenience.
Hilo (Big Island)
On the windward coast of the Big Island, Hilo offers a rainforest-lined alternative to the resort zones, where retirement runs against a backdrop of waterfalls and the banyan trees in Liliʻuokalani Gardens. The historic downtown along Kamehameha Avenue features early 20th-century storefronts like the Palace Theater, independent shops such as Basically Books, and long-running local favorites like Cafe Pesto, known for its ʻōhiʻa-wood-fired pizzas and waterfront setting.
Beyond downtown, nature stays close at hand. A few miles inland, Rainbow Falls drops about 80 feet into a lava-rock basin that often catches morning light in drifting mist. Nearby Boiling Pots holds a series of tiered pools carved by ancient lava flows. The Hilo Farmers Market serves as a central gathering place, with more than 200 vendors selling tropical fruit, locally grown coffee, orchids, and handmade crafts throughout the week.
Kailua-Kona (Big Island)
On the drier west coast, Kailua-Kona delivers consistent sunshine and direct ocean access, making it one of the more climate-stable retirement options in the state. Life centers around Aliʻi Drive, a coastal road where restaurants, shops, and historic landmarks sit just steps from the water. Snorkeling in the calm, shallow waters at Kahaluʻu Beach Park comes with frequent sea turtle sightings. A short walk inland leads to Huliheʻe Palace, a restored 19th-century royal residence with koa-wood furnishings and oceanfront views. South of town, the slopes of South Kona run into coffee and cacao country, where small farms offer tastings and tours that add sensory layers to daily life beyond the shoreline.
Captain Cook (Big Island)
Further south along the Kona coast, Captain Cook offers a quieter alternative with a strong agricultural identity and a connection to Hawaii’s growing chocolate industry. Small-scale farms such as the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory cultivate cacao trees on the volcanic slopes, offering guided tours that walk through fermentation, drying, and small-batch chocolate production. The hands-on tastings reflect the terroir of the region.
The Captain Cook Monument Trail descends nearly 1,300 feet to Kealakekua Bay, where exceptionally clear water makes the cove one of the better snorkeling spots in the state. The combination of agricultural richness and coastal access gives Captain Cook a well-rounded daily rhythm.
Kapaʻa (Kauaʻi)
Stretching along Kauaʻi’s eastern shore, Kapaʻa offers one of the more retiree-friendly layouts in the state, where recreation is built directly into the town’s design. The Ke Ala Hele Makalae Coastal Path runs for nearly eight miles along the ocean, with paved, mostly flat terrain suitable for walking or biking.
Along the route, spots like Fuji Beach and Lydgate Beach Park serve as easy entry points for swimming and picnicking. Just inland, the Wailua River (Hawaii’s only navigable river) supports kayaking trips to Secret Falls. Caffè Coco, a garden-set café outside town, makes for a shaded spot to linger over locally sourced food away from the usual tourist trail.
Hanalei (Kauaʻi)
For retirees seeking stillness on Kauaʻi’s north shore, Hanalei runs at a pace set by the valley rather than the clock. Framed by the taro fields of Hanalei Valley and the steep emerald ridges leading toward the Nā Pali Coast, Hanalei works as both a remote town and a deeply rooted place.
The single main road, Kuhio Highway, passes beneath rain-soaked mountain peaks. It is lined with surf shops, art galleries, and longtime local staples such as the Hanalei Bread Company (known for its open-air courtyard and locally sourced breakfasts) and Tahiti Nui, a live-music venue that has anchored the town for decades. Beyond the town, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge protects nearly 1,000 acres of wetlands and taro fields that support endangered Hawaiian waterbirds including the nēnē and Hawaiian coot.
Haleʻiwa (Oʻahu)
Haleʻiwa anchors Oʻahu’s North Shore with a walkable historic district and easy access to some of the island’s most recognizable beaches. Plantation-era buildings line Kamehameha Highway with surf shops, the cooperative Haleiwa Art Gallery, and local favorites like Coffee Gallery. Within minutes, Waimea Bay opens up with calm summer swimming waters and dramatic winter surf worth watching from the shore.
The Anahulu River draws stand-up paddleboarders on calmer days, with quiet banks a world apart from the surf breaks just down the road. Nearby, Waimea Valley offers a paved, shaded path leading to a 45-foot waterfall where swimming is permitted. Roughly an hour from Honolulu, Haleʻiwa works as a sensible option for retirees seeking both quiet surroundings and access to urban amenities.
Makawao (Maui)
On the slopes of Haleakalā, Makawao mixes upcountry coolness with a working artistic identity. Baldwin Avenue forms the heart of town, where Hot Island Glass, a working studio, invites visitors to watch artists shape molten glass into sculpture and vessels. The Makawao Forest Reserve carries over 20 miles of trails shaded by pine and eucalyptus, with cooler hiking conditions than the coastal areas. Seasonal events including the Fourth of July Makawao Rodeo (one of Hawaii’s longest-running paniolo celebrations) and the monthly Makawao Art Walk give retirees and visiting grandkids plenty to plan around.
Volcano (Big Island)
Volcano runs a cool, misty environment defined by its 4,000-foot elevation, native ʻōhiʻa forests, and frequent rainfall. With a small population and quiet residential streets, the village feels more like a retreat than a typical town. Just outside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, residents have direct access to crater overlooks and trails that wind through active volcanic landscapes.
Active retirees appreciate the Kīlauea Iki Trail, which descends into a hardened lava lake for an immersive hiking experience. After a day on the trails, Volcano Winery handles tastings of wines crafted from tropical fruits and local tea blossoms. For retirees drawn to solitude, creativity, and dramatic natural surroundings, Volcano makes its case quickly.
Aging In Place On The Islands
Retiring in Hawaii means walking coastal paths in Kapaʻa one week and visiting cacao groves in Captain Cook the next. In each of the nine towns above, retirees and their families have the chance to build a lifestyle around movement, environment, and connection. In Hawaii’s smaller communities, retirement is less about slowing down and more about settling in.
Potlatch 202 101 0—6 3 3
C. Stewart and P. Stewart; D. Fry, R. Lusby (1), B. Breeze (3) and O. Smith.
Glenns Ferry hits — N. Hernandez 2, P. Stewart (2B), M. Fisher, K. King, J. Titus.
Potlatch hits — E. Vowels (2B), D. Fry, H. Sawyer.
Potlatch 15, Genesee 13
GENESEE — The Loggers spoiled a comeback attempt by the Bulldogs late in the Idaho Class 2A state tournament semifinals.
Genesee (14-11) scored seven runs in the sixth inning, but Potlatch responded with three runs of its own to take the lead back and win the game.
Reese Lusby paced the Loggers with four hits and had two RBI.
Olivia Smith had two hits and two RBI for Potlatch.
Miley Grieser had two hits and led the Bulldogs with three RBI.
Katie O’Connell had a double and two RBI for Genesee.
Genesee 011 407 0—13 8 6
Potlatch 082 023 x—15 13 1
L. Herman and R. Baysinger; D. Fry, R. Lusby (6), B. Breeze (7) and O. Smith.
Genesee hits — S. Banks 2, R. Baysinger 2, M. Grieser 2, K. O’Connell (2B), K. Krick.
Potlatch hits — R. Lusby 4, C. Larson 2 (2B), O. Smith 2, B. Breeze 2, D. Fry, E. Vowels, R. Tucker.
Genesee 12, Clearwater Valley 9
GENESEE — The Bulldogs had five extra-base hits, and three players had three hits apiece to defeat Clearwater Valley of Kooskia in an elimination game earlier in the day.
Alia Wareham and Katie O’Connell each had three hits, including two doubles, driving in one run apiece for Genesee.
Sydney Banks also had three hits and one RBI.
Kaylee Krick had a double and two RBI for the Bulldogs.
Riley Parsons had two hits, one a double, and totaled three RBI for the Rams (16-6).
Seasha Reuben had two hits and two RBI for Clearwater Valley.
Genesee 310 231 2—12 13 1
Clearwater Valley 202 001 4—9 5 4
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