Bicyclists plan ride in downtown L.A. to protest 'unfair treatment'

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition plans to hold a bike ride Wednesday afternoon to call for justice for victims of hit-and-run accidents and to protest what it says is unfair treatment of cyclists.

The ride is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. at Melrose Avenue and Heliotrope Drive in Hollywood and end at Los Angeles City Hall, where participants will attend a meeting of the City Council's transportation committee.

The ride will trace the route local cyclist Ed Magos used to take on his daily commute to City Hall, where he works in the information technology department. Magos was injured Jan. 6 when he was struck from behind while cycling on 2nd Street near Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles. 

The driver who struck Magos "stopped, got out of her car, looked at Ed’s prone and injured body lying in the street, and ignoring Magos’ cries for help, got back in her car and drove away -- leaving Magos lying helpless until the LAFD paramedics arrived to take him to Good Samaritan Hospital," coalition leaders said in a statement.

The motorist, who later went to an Los Angeles Police Department station, was not charged with a crime.

"I think that anyone can agree that when a person hits someone from behind and leaves the scene, it's a hit-and-run," said Aurisha Smolarski of the coalition. "We're seeing a large amount of hit-and-runs just being swept under the rug and disappearing."

An LAPD spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Magos was unable to attend the bike ride because he is still recovering from his injuries.  

-- Kate Linthicum

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Comments

[narin]

can we all just watch for the safety of each other, may we be on bicycles, foot or in a car. thanks!

[Joshman]

Sorry if people riding their bikes inhibit your ability to speed for a few moments.

[GETOUTOFMYWAY]

I'm sorry but the insane amount of times that I have seen bicyclists run red lights, stop signs, slow traffic down to a halt...I'm sorry I don't feel sorry for any of you guys. Why the hell should you have the right to run a stop sign or a red light? I wish cops would fine these people and give them tickets. Bicyclists DO NOT OWN THE ROAD.

[ohaijoe]

With respect to these first 3 comments, obviously there are some drivers and some cyclists who don't follow the rules.

What cyclists want is the laws to be enforced when the negligence of drivers injures, or kills, a cyclist. Currently Los Angeles is not properly enforcing these laws, and hit & run drivers are not being charged.

[Kyle Richards]

Bicyclists do "own the road". We pay taxes just like car drivers. Bicyclists have every right to ride on the streets just like everyone else.

[ryan]

cyclists in this city are the most uncurtious of anywhere I've ever been. They don't share the road. If 30 people on bycles want to block all lanes of traffic in one direction of a major road and pedal along at 15 mph when cars have the right to travel 35 mph then that's just pure stupidity. Darwinism rules.

[jmg_NX21]

Bicyclist... motorcyclist... NO RESPECT from drivers of 2-ton+ vehicles... WE ARE CAREFUL (why judge from a few DARING riders)...

SHARE THE ROAD!!!

[Chandler Hill]

I used to ride a bike. When I was 7.

[jaycee]

According to the California Driver Handbook, 2010 Edition, "Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile and motorcycle drivers.
Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are en-
titled to share the road with other drivers."

[Ross Hirsch]

I challenge poster #1 (Sobe) to actually observe the ride and report back on cyclists "blocking traffic, ignoring traffic laws, and acting hostile to motorists." My guess: zero.

That's too bad the poster probably won't take me up on the challenge because it's just those wholesale prejudicial attitudes that so need to change.

[Mark R.]

So who was at fault in the original accident?

Why not even mention this?

[janet]

where does that woman live so i can give her a piece of my mind. what kind of decent human being sees someone battered like that through their own fault and just abandons them?? and how ironic is it the victim is taken to "good samaritan" hospital. what has happened to our city?

and to all of you people who say that the cyclists shouldn't be on the road??? why don't you slow down, get off your damn cell phones, and be more respectful and courteous to your fellow man? my boyfriend is a motorcyclist and has been nearly killed 3 times since JANUARY due to reckless AUTOMOBILE drivers. He doesn't even drive his bike on the highway anymore because it's too dangerous.

[santa]

Drivers of motor vehicles are ignorant and further more miss informed of traffic laws.
BICYCLISTS HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS AS THOSE OF CARS
i.e - they can be in front of you at any time of the day at any speed.
There is the notion that drivers are the ones who are supposed to own the roads and when there is a reminder that this is not the case they get bent out of shape, in fact it should be the other way around, since drivers obviously are in advantageous situation being in a motorized vehicle, and let's not forget lastly that riding a bicycle is dangerous with fast moving cars around them, so remember your advantage when you are sitting there in your covered air conditioned recliner maneuvering your car with your pinky.

I would use the law to my fullest advantage if I had a confrontation with a driver so look out for those who are keeping a eye on you !

[Ross Hirsch]

And as to poster "LATimes Reader," I don't ever recall reading any law or receiving any memo confirming that our roads are solely to be used by cars or that one mode of transportation has superior rights over another such that cyclists must "get out of the way" of motor vehicle traffic. CVC 21200 pretty much sums it up: "Bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of vehicle drivers."

[Eddie]

If obeying traffic laws were the criteria for access to the roads, everyone would be prohibited. It's a little meretricious for motorists to decry cyclists' flouting of traffic laws, as though drivers are all well-behaved and attentive. We know that's not the case. Cyclists are no better, but they are certainly no worse. The difference is, if a cyclist hits you, you might get a paint scratch; the other way around usually ends up much worse.

Sharing shouldn't be such a controversial suggestion.

[G. Poirier]

I just want to be sure I understand the stance some here are taking...

If a cyclist fails to stop at a stop sign or fails to signal a turn, then it's okay for them to be hit by a car?

I know people who break the laws in cars, too. However, I don't remember anyone advocating a potential death sentence for speeders.

Rediculous.

[Marcotico]

To all the posters complaining that bicyclists break the law by running stop signs: How often do you obey the speed limit? Why is that any different?

[Ana]

L.A. is not a very bike friendly town. I have been to countries in Europe that have extensive bike lanes. This makes it much easier for people to take advantage and use bikes as everyday transportation to school, work, and to run errands.

There are bad bicyclists just as there are bad drivers. But we must keep in mind that not only adults ride bicycles, but children as well. If the woman had hit a pedestrian or a child on a bicycle, people would be screaming for her head.

And this article does not state that the bicyclist made any illegal moves, thus causing the accident. It simply states he was struck from behind. Give the guy a break for trying to do something healthy and environmentally friendly. Not to mention the fact that his was one less vehicle to jam up the roadways for us drivers out there.

I don't ride a bike to work very often, but when I do, I try to be as courteous as possible, obeying the laws of the road, stopping at lights, avoiding pedestrians, etc. I have had some near misses, such as being cut off by vehicles. I even had a large SUV cut in front of me and slam on the breaks (While I was in the bike lane, no less) and was only saved from rear ending her at full speed by some panic breaking.

Most roads don't have bike lanes, and I was quite dismayed that my own city voted against making more bike lanes because they were afraid that it would attract rabble from other cities. Really?! I didn't know that a bicycle was the vehicle of choice for the criminal element.

My point being, stop judging each other! Want bikes to stay in their place? Then help to get more bike lanes made so everyone has a safe place to drive or ride. Encourage your children to learn and practice safe bike riding skills so they will grow up to be responsible bike riding adults.

Remember that not everyone bike rides by choice. Some poor souls out there simply cannot afford a vehicle, or public transportation.

[Dario]

Hey, ray- I commute to work by bicycle and run stop signs and red lights in the afternoon, too. Not just the mornings.

I'll stop when motorists stop speeding, changing lanes without signaling, and talking on their cell phones while driving.

OK?

[LUIS RAMOS]

Cyclists should pay vehicle taxes just as motorists do if they want o share the road, otherwise GET OUT OF THE WAY!

[mooremedia]

There are many jerks driving cars that run stop signs, cut off other motorists and cyclists, yap illegally on cell phones and are 20-30 miles/hr over the speed limit. Just as many jerk cyclists who weave in/out of traffic, barely slow for a signal or a stop sign. There is idiocy (as well as courtesy) coming from both sides. Furthermore, NEITHER CYCLISTS OR MOTORISTS OWN THE ROAD TO THEMSELVES. Everyone must ride and drive with a little more respect.

[Katarina]

I might start thinking differently if i saw cyclists obeying the laws. Riding your bike in a crosswalk is as far aws I know illegal. get off and walk or get out of the crosswalk and obey right turn only lanes. And the stop sign does mean you. Until they start obeying the laws of the road, stay off of it. Communters or saving money or the envrionment or not, the laws do apply to you. If a car runs a stop,it is a lot easier to see and stop your own car in time, and no question. If a bike does that waaawaaaaa you hit me... anger about it?? really??

[Bud Raymond]

Clearly a hit and run violation. Not only illegal, but unconscionable.

However, when I talk to bicyclists they display a complete disregard for most traffic laws, especially stop signs.

BICYCLES ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO STOP AT STOP SIGNS. All this talk about having to gear down, gear up, etc...If you can't respect the laws then don't expect protection from them! I ride a motorcycle and I put my foot on the ground at every stop sign.

Respect is a two way street, which bicyclists tend to forget.

[Victor Zapanta]

Cyclists have as much of a right to the road as any other vehicle on the road. Read the California driving laws or get off the street. My thanks to the organizers of this event.

[LATimes Reader]

So much hate from bicyclists...which seems to be the way all of you react on your bikes, too. Make room for ME! I'M like a car, too! Except I'm extremely fragile and disobeying traffic laws. Ouch, your big metal thing with four wheels almost hit me when I tried to place my hand on it to steady myself at the stop light!

I suppose I should have clarified that I was actually referring to all of you recreational cyclists that we see clogging up major thoroughfares. You are clearly NOT going to and from your job. Or, if you are, you work at a bike shop. For every one person I see (and gladly share the road with) that looks like they're actually commuting somewhere, I see 20+ people in biker shorts and full biking regalia zipping down canyons and casually pedaling to enjoy the glories of biking. That's all well and good - but does it really have to be done when the vast majority of LA is commuting? Use your head instead of being so righteous.