Another freeway ride: the 101 to the 110

It's getting popular: the Crimanimalz started it, now another group of cyclists hits the freeways, this time the 101 in Silverlake to the 110 Freeway in downtown L.A. Yep, still illegal.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Video: YouTube

Comments

[Syscom3]

Next time I hope someone knocks into them.

Remind them the highways belong to the cars.

[skeptical reader]

And bikers complain they get no respect. It's hard enough to drive a busy local thoroughfare like Wilshire from Beverly Hills to Westwood, Sepulveda, Expo Blvd. or Ventura, worrying about bikers -- but on a highway, they absolutely don't belong and need to be hit with big fines. When you have to change lanes and merge in a pinch to make your exit, driving is hard enough.

Biking to save gas and "the environment" and workout are all good reasons, but a lot of these people are messianic, and want to prove that they belong everywhere and, in fact, that everyone should get out of their cars and drag around babies and groceries to live like they do.

There have been recent confrontations between bikers and drivers and cops, where sometimes they've been unfairly dissed by the drivers and cops, but other times, they're clearly trying to make their politically correct statement and can get confrontational.

[ingrid]

Just FYI -

There is a wide range of opinion in the greater bicycle community of Los Angeles. Some say yay, others nay but ultimately we are trying to bring visibility to the issue. Biking on the freeway is obviously a statement about the state of things in L.A. and not a suggestion that somehow bicyclists should regularly start riding the freeway as a part of their commute.

this syscom guy should take note of the recent road raging L.A. motorist (a DOCTOR no less) angrily and aggressively asserting his entitlement to the road, gravely injuring two experienced cyclists in the process

"Next time I hope someone knocks into them.
Remind them the highways belong to the cars."

This statement is completely emblematic of the problems cyclists face in L.A. Ordinary people willing to be openly violent to cyclists.

The point is to SHARE the road. Both cyclists and motorists have work to do in order to fully understand this message.

Threatening to kill them, or wishing them injury is not only sociopathic and psychotic, but deeply, DEEPLY disturbing.

[SKD]

Riding a bicycle on the freeway is a political statement. Similar to throwing tea into the Boston Harbor. Except if you threw tea into the Boston Harbor today, it would be a Federal offense.
The Founders of this country did things that were illegal, but not necessarily physically harmful to anyone ....because they had a message to convey. The bicycle activists are risking life and limb to do the same. We should be view them with pride, not contempt.

[indigis]

On the same day as the Hollywood Freeway ride, 30 other cyclists entered the 405 South from Wilshire Blvd at 5:50 PM. As this was my first "Freeway Ride" I didn't know what to expect. This was what I experienced: Riding on the freeway via a bicycle *during* rush hour is perhaps the safest method of bicycle commuting I've ever enjoyed. Unlike riding on a major street where you have danger zones on four sides; behind cars overtaking you, on right car doors opening, on left cars passing you, in front cars stopping and pulling out, on the freeway there is only one moderate danger zone, in front cars changing lanes. And during rush hour these moves are typically done slowly and deliberately. All other zones are static... the freeway is a virtual parking lot. There is very little difference in riding a bicycle on the freeway and riding a motorcycle during these times. Also, understand, the people who do these rides are able to ride at 20mph plus, which, when car traffic is moving at under 7 mph gives us great freedom of movement and safety. Come join us.

[robert]

"The point is to SHARE the road. Both cyclists and motorists have work to do in order to fully understand this message"

The problem with IDIOT cyclists in L.A. is that they like to ride in the street, yet ignore the traffic laws that are applicable to them. This means they NEVER stop at stop signs, often dont stop at red lights, and make illegal turns and lane changes at will. You want to share the road, obey the same rules.

I think everyone should adjust their right side windshield wiper spray so you can soak each biker you pass on LA's busy streets.

[Ingrid]

I agree with the assessment of IDIOT cyclists.

We should follow the same rules. It is dangerous for both drivers and cyclists to behave outside what is expected within the context of traffic. (flow)

I'm personally not ready to give up the joy of blowing past stop signs, but I now always stop at reds. I also use the correct lane and turn signals. However, I am often not given the space I need in order to ride safely.
Due to road conditions, I could be required to use the full lane to avoid the danger.

In the CVC (California Vehicle Code, you know the section!) I am clearly entitled to the FULL use of the lane at all times. It is therefore a courtesy that I am showing to the driver by staying right. I ask you this:

Please respect the agreement to share the space.

Therefore, cars who cut too close and fail to CHANGE LANES to PASS are violating the whole share the road agreement. If there is one lane, you should slow down and pass with caution. Not speed up and pass aggressively.

In many cases the motorist then scoffs or yells (aggressively and violently) at the cyclists demanding that they "GET OFF THE ROAD!!"

I drive as well and always give cyclists the room I know they need.

Please give us the same courtesy.

Might I suggest serrated blades that protude a foot out from the handlebars that rip into cars that drive too close?

Thank you!

[melissa lion]

Wow, Robert. An excellent solution! May traffic continue to crawl and gas prices continue to rise. And, by god, everyone punish bicyclists for not adding to LA's traffic woes.

Perhaps we should also throw rocks at the city buses and lay nails in the carpool lane.

[Flunky Carter]

@robert regarding: The problem with IDIOT cyclists in L.A. is that they like to ride in the street, yet ignore the traffic laws that are applicable to them. This means they NEVER stop at stop signs, often dont stop at red lights, and make illegal turns and lane changes at will. You want to share the road, obey the same rules.

The law says i must ride in the street. Some cyclist ignore traffics laws. Some motorists ignore traffic laws. This argument that motorists are holier than thou is bunk. I was hit and run over by, guess what? A motorist that ran a stop sign. I was three years old. Had I witnessed the accident, which was pretty ugly... I'd have wished a bicycle hit the poor kid, not 3 tons of metal madness.