MTA's Bike Week L.A. aims to encourage commuters to bicycle more and drive less

Cyclists across the city can expect blessings, free rides and prizes this week as Bike Week L.A. gets underway. 

The weeklong event hosted by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority aims to encourage commuters to bike more and drive less. The kickoff is scheduled Monday morning at Los Angeles Police Department headquarters with Police Chief Charlie Beck and other officials.

On Tuesday morning, event organizers will host a "blessing of the bicycles" event at Good Samaritan Hospital, which will include free bike checks and breakfast.

A group ride Wednesday will start at Olvera Street and continue through downtown Los Angeles.

On Thursday, all cyclists with helmets can ride for free on Metro buses and light-rail trains. Dozens of bike pit stops will be set up across the county with refreshments, gifts and opportunities to win prizes.

Friday has been designated Bike to School Day.

Along with easing congestion on county roads, organizers hope the event will boost cyclist ridership on public transit. The agency has invested almost $200 million on bike facilities and cycling programs, officials said.

-- Robert Faturechi

Comments

[Joseph L Cooke]

It the MTA willing to be responsible for the bike deaths. More bikes mean more bike deaths. Bicycles are not meant to mix it up with cars and trucks.

[Joe]

Next week the city will observe: Where is my Stolen Bicycle Week. The Dept of Transportation will sponsor bus tours of East and South-Central LA to help people recover bicycles stolen this week.

[ynot]

Hail the new cheif! I really appreciate that he cares for cyclist. I will ride all week as I always do and if anyone knows the time for the group ride on Wed. please let me know.

Have fun be safe and ride like the wind!

[Jose Jimenez]

I think that the MTA could make more bike rider friendly. Have train that are more bike rider friendly, have the metro station with bike lockers, were people would not fear if they left there bicycle outside the station, it would be stolen. In addition, have more bicycle lanes around the bus stations and train stations. For example, the Compton Station could have a bike lane near the station.

[Jose Jimenez]

I think that the MTA could make more bike rider friendly. Have train that are more bike rider friendly, have the metro station with bike lockers, were people would not fear if they left there bicycle outside the station, it would be stolen. In addition, have more bicycle lanes around the bus stations and train stations. For example, the Compton Station could have a bike lane near the station.

[la rider]

200 million? Since when. What is the time period. Show me the balance sheet. I can't find it in the Los Angeles budget, nor the metro budget.

[Susann Dillon]

If LA really wants to promote this they should try one year of free bus rides for those with bikes. The next step would be establishing places to check in your bike and check it back out at some of the commuter metro stations (especially in light of the number of bike thefts in LA recently, at least one of which resulted in the shooting the owners of the bikes).

[rex]

L.A. needs to do a better job of creating more bike lanes, and commuters need to be educated to the fact that they do not own the streets, and the laws regarding bicyclists while on the road. Roads were meant to be shared.

[Answer]

We need more safe dedicated bike road/paths. Biking only makes sense if you can maintain momentum. I can average 25 MPH, easy with a safe roadway. If I have to stop at every corner or light, it's not worth it, I have to invest too much time. Get creative, find where there the most riders, and where they want to get to.

[Manon]

Lots of things need to be put in place before riders feel safe out there on the roads. Everyone raised important points: the world around the bicyclist should be made more bicycle safe and friendly, then you'll have loads of riders using their bikes to get to work, MTA! As an example in my local area, a new freeway has been built to cross over into Flower Street for the Disney people. There is no bike path on that new highway, nor is there a way to go over the 5 to Griffith Park. If city officials don't take the time to consider making LA more bike and pedestrian-friendly when drawing up their plans, the 'greening' of LA is not going to happen magically on its own!

[John]

" More bikes mean more bike deaths. Bicycles are not meant to mix it up with cars and trucks."

Wrong and so mis-informed on all accounts.

Injury and fatality rates drop dramatically when there are more bikes on the street. Motorists simply get more used to them. This has been studied extensively.

Bikes have always mixed it up with cars. Bikes are the reason why there are paved roads to begin with. Roads are PUBLIC spaces and bikes are vehicles too even if they are slower. There is no minimal speed on city streets and the proper thing to do just pass slower vehicles with three feet of space like you are supposed to.

[yoshiyahu]

Bikes are allowed to ride on any street in the city, and many cyclists are out there every day, riding safely in traffic. It's safe if it's done correctly. but many people won't feel comfortable on busy streets, through safety fears or inexperience. And that's OK, too. We can easily make huge areas of LA rideable for these people.

There are huge areas of LA that are perfectly safe to ride - a block or two off of all the major streets are smaller, quiet streets that run parallel. This isn't always the case, but it's the case in much of LA. All the city needs to do is designate these quieter streets as bike boulevards and mark them as such, and put up signs directing bikers where to go to hook up with Metro buses and rail.

[David]

Wednesday Group Ride Info: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=us&ptab=0&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100806052268222348233.0004854fa8a11e57bfe80&z=15

[Eric M. Washington]

Mr. Cooke you might be interested to note that according to the California Vehicle Code bicycles are vehicles, and have the same right to use the roads as cars, trucks, and motorcycles (with the exception of Freeways because of speed requirements).
I have been using my bikes as my main means of transportation since 2004, and the only problem I have run into was with motorist that like you fail to understand that we have shared road laws in this state. My bikes are equipped with the required lighting for night riding, and are kept in good working order. I obey the rules of the road and feel perfectly safe each time a venture out on my bike. I would even venture to say that it’s for me on my bike that driving a car as I have seen the way so many motorist operate their vehicles.

[Travel Girl]

The Earth have to much pollution and i guess we should embrace the thought to go back to a very simple mode of transportation which is the bicycle. Cycling can also help tone the body and it is very healthy!