Horseback Riding Banned on Medians

An ordinance that forbids horseback riding on median strips in most areas of Los Angeles was approved Tuesday by the City Council. Riders will still be allowed on medians in neighborhoods where there are established bridle paths.

An earlier version of the ordinance had angered east San Fernando Valley equestrians because it barred riding on all public roadways, culverts and sidewalks as well as on the medians.

But the less stringent version, which does not limit riding on roads, sidewalks or culverts, drew no criticism Tuesday. Valley riders had said earlier that they do not regularly ride on median strips and that there are very few medians in the Valley.

The ordinance was proposed by Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores after she became concerned that the landscaping and sprinklers in the medians were being destroyed by horses in her Harbor district.