Los Angeles is embarking on one of its most ambitious transportation experiments yet: hosting a “car-free” Summer Olympics in 2028. This bold vision aims to transform the city’s notorious dependency on personal vehicles by promoting sustainable transportation alternatives. The plan, if successful, could significantly reduce air pollution and reshape how residents and visitors move through the city. But as the clock ticks down, serious concerns arise over whether the necessary infrastructure and cultural shift can be achieved in time.

A Vision for the Future

When Los Angeles won the bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, city leaders proposed an event unlike any the city had hosted before. A centerpiece of the plan was to reduce the use of cars, part of a broader commitment to combating climate change. The proposal included expanding public transportation, implementing congestion pricing, and encouraging walking and cycling as viable options for spectators and residents alike. In doing so, L.A. hoped to offer a new vision of urban mobility, leaving behind its reputation as a car-dependent metropolis.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, in office when the proposal was made, championed the idea of aligning the Games with environmentally sustainable goals, including transitioning Los Angeles to a more public-transit-focused city. This vision coincided with other cities like Paris, which also committed to limiting car use during its 2024 Olympics. The aim was not just to host a memorable event, but to inspire long-term change in how Los Angeles manages its transportation.

Time and Money: Major Hurdles

While the goal is admirable, the path to achieving a car-free Olympics is fraught with complexities. Los Angeles is notoriously sprawling, and car culture remains deeply embedded. The scale of the transportation overhaul required is massive. The city needs to complete $3.3 billion worth of transportation infrastructure projects to support the influx of athletes, spectators, and tourists. So far, progress has been slow. Many of the planned projects, such as expanded rail networks and bus rapid transit lines, are behind schedule. Moreover, securing adequate funding remains a concern. As federal and state budgets tighten, many essential projects have been delayed or scaled back.

Additionally, Los Angeles Metro, the backbone of public transportation in the city, still suffers from limited coverage. Though recent years have seen the construction of new rail lines and improvements to bus routes, these additions have yet to convince a critical mass of Angelenos to leave their cars at home. Connecting different parts of the city efficiently remains an ongoing battle.

Changing How People Move

To realize this vision, L.A. needs more than just physical infrastructure. It must also change public behavior. The city’s reliance on cars is deeply entrenched, dating back to the mid-20th century when oil, car, and tire companies actively dismantled the once-thriving streetcar network. Since then, cars have dominated the cityscape, contributing to notorious traffic jams and air pollution.

For a car-free Olympics to succeed, officials must convince the public that alternatives like biking, walking, or taking transit are not only viable but preferable. Efforts to promote remote work, which gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, may also play a role in reducing daily traffic during the Games. The introduction of congestion pricing, which would charge vehicles for entering certain areas, is also under consideration. This could disincentivize car use in key Olympic zones.

Despite these efforts, some experts remain skeptical. The city has a long history of attempting to reduce car dependency with mixed results. Previous initiatives to boost public transit ridership, like expansions of the Metro system, have not yet led to significant shifts in commuter behavior. Still, proponents of the car-free Olympics remain hopeful that the once-in-a-generation event can serve as a catalyst for change.

Public Transit Projects for 2028

Several major infrastructure projects are critical to making the car-free vision a reality. Among the most important is the long-anticipated connection between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the city’s rail network. Currently, LAX, one of the world’s busiest airports, lacks direct rail access, forcing travelers to rely on buses or cars. Plans are underway to link the airport to the city’s Metro system, but delays and cost overruns have plagued the project. Without this connection, it will be difficult to persuade international visitors to rely on public transit once they arrive in Los Angeles.

Another key project is the extension of the Purple Line, which would connect downtown Los Angeles to the western part of the city, including Beverly Hills and Westwood, areas expected to see heavy Olympic traffic. Other proposed projects include expanded bus rapid transit corridors and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure improvements.

Equity and Environmental Concerns

Hosting a car-free Olympics could also address some of L.A.’s long-standing environmental and equity issues. Historically, many of the city’s low-income and minority communities have been disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of car traffic, including poor air quality and noise pollution. Improved public transit could offer these communities better access to the economic benefits of the Olympics, including jobs and increased tourism, while also mitigating the harmful environmental effects of heavy car use.

That said, there are concerns that the focus on tourist-friendly transportation could overshadow the needs of local residents. Some critics argue that the transportation investments are geared primarily toward facilitating the Olympics rather than improving long-term mobility for the city’s most vulnerable populations. For the Games to leave a positive legacy, they will need to balance short-term logistical demands with the long-term needs of residents.

A Future in Question

With less than four years until the 2028 Olympics, the pressure is on to deliver the promised transportation infrastructure. While some believe that the city can achieve a significant reduction in car use, others point out that time is running short and that the necessary projects are far from complete.

Still, even partial success could signal a shift in how Los Angeles thinks about its transportation future. If the Games result in expanded public transit, reduced emissions, and fewer cars on the road, the long-term benefits could be transformative. L.A. has the opportunity to redefine itself, not just for the duration of the Olympics, but for decades to come.

As the 2028 Olympics draw closer, all eyes will be on Los Angeles to see whether it can pull off this ambitious plan.

Related: How the 2028 Olympics Will Redefine Sustainability, Technology, and Community