Pothole of the week

This week's winner comes from cycling advocate Stephen Box. Take it away, Stephen:

"This patch of roadway abomination is found on Western Avenue, northbound approaching Lexington. It is part of a much larger network of roadway cracks, gaps and holes that keep Western Avenue cyclists alert.

"It wasn't until a bus rolled by that I realized that the pothole was actually a series of asphalt islands that "floated" or moved independently of each other, offering a sophisticated "suspension" quality to the roadway, evidence that perhaps this was not simply another pothole network but perhaps an experimental LADOT roadway innovation! The "comfort lane!"

"The roadway is so broken that the safest place to ride is out to the left edge of the curb lane, maintaining a straight line and controlling the lane. The cyclist above demonstrates the correct lane positioning for Western Avenue. This is true for many of the larger boulevards in the area, from Vermont and Western to Hollywood and Sunset.

"To those who might argue that the cyclist should give up the lane to motor vehicle traffic and ride the gutter pan, another obstacle awaits! Granted, the city of Los Angeles has a grate replacement program under way, but it only covers an average of 5 grates per Council District. ~~Grate!~~ Great!

"Ultimately, I'd gladly trade all the promises of a network of bikeways in the sweet by-and-by for a simple roadway maintenance program that puts a priority on keeping the curb lanes ridable. The big streets really can work for many, they actually get across town, there's space, when traffic is flowing it's a great place to ride...but the potholes!

"Clean up the curb lane, it's good for cyclists and that is good for all of us!"

The aforementioned street falls in Council President Eric Garcetti's 13th district. Julie Wong, his spokeswoman and a cyclist who has been known to bike to work, said she will try to find out if that stretch of Western is due to be fixed soon. We'll you know what she finds out.

And don't forget to nominate your pothole of the week by contacting me at steve.hymon@latimes.com.

You can also check out more of Stephen Box's observations on the city and biking at SoapBoxLA and the Bike Writers Collective site.

-- Steve Hymon

Top photos: Stephen Box

Bottom photo: city of Los Angeles