Bike To Work forever!

Natalie Cadranel (below, cycling) is the program director at a local environmental health nonprofit, Healthy Child Healthy World, as well as a volunteer at the Bikerowave.

This may be Bike to Work week, but I doubt most motorists are cruising the mean streets of L.A. with any more caution. Shifting the car culture mentality to include space for cyclists will be extremely difficult, but it is possible. 

After spending most of my adult years in more bike-friendly cities like Davis, Calif., when I moved back to L.A. a few years ago I had forgotten about the cyclists vs. motorists war being waged in Los Angeles. I don't think I know one person who hasn't been clipped, cussed at or driven off the road while biking down here. It's no wonder people are disinclined to hop on a bike for their daily commute considering the lack of bike lanes, thoughtlessness of drivers, and an abundance of poorly-paved streets. 

Fortunately, change is in the air. As gas and food prices continue to rise and the health-conscious Angelenos start looking for cheaper ways to get their exercise on and avoid getting in the car, buying a bike may be a very convenient option.

A lot of people are unwilling to adapt their schedule and mind to cycling vs. driving to their destinations, but those who do realize it's a worthwhile and rewarding change. Not only are you no longer sitting in traffic -- isolated in your car from the rest of the world, burning gallons of the most contentious natural resource of our time -- but you are greatly benefiting your health, sharpening your 5 senses, reducing traffic, and feeling the great effects of that endorphin release. 

The more bikes on the road, the fewer cars, and the fewer cars on the road, the safer cyclists are from being hit.  On top of that, those driving will most likely get to their destinations faster due to decreased auto traffic.

The numbers of L.A. cyclists have increased in the past few years, but we will have to dramatically strengthen our numbers on the streets and at city council meetings to start seeing real changes any time soon. After all, the more bikes out there, the more likely cyclists will engender change in our favor.

Photo by Siel

Comments

[KateNonymous]

I don't know what's taught in drivers' ed classes these days, but how to drive near cyclists certainly ought to be part of the curriculum. It really isn't all that easy to understand. I always tried to be careful and give space to cyclists, but it wasn't until I started biking myself that I realized that what I thought was plenty of room actually wasn't.

It is hazardous, definitely. Mr. Nonymous has biked to work for over 15 years and has been hit more than once. Most recently a driver turning left into a driveway cut him off without enough room to stop, and he crashed into her car. Fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt, and his bike only sustained (thanks to his DIY abilities) about $45 worth of damage. She freely admitted she was at fault and agreed to pay for any costs. But he had to call her several times to get her to write him a check, and then she had the nerve to complain about the costs of repairing her car!

[Cathy]

I want to ride my bike to work this Thursday, but I dont want to get killed trying to get from Hollywood to downtown. I went to map my ride, and the streets suggested included Fountain, Vine, Wilshire. Can you tell me if there is any group I could ride with for safety in numbers, or any streets most likely to be used for biking? Thanks.

[Natalie Cadranel]

Cathy - I'm not aware of any specific group rides tomorrow, but see if any of the pit stops listed here are on your way on the bike to work week planning page: http://www.metro.net/projects_studies/bikeway_planning/biketowork/local_events.htm
Also, a friend who is more familiar with biking in that area says Fountain is a good choice.

Be safe and have fun!