LA Times "Mean streets of LA"

[0gravity]

LA Times article on how it's seemingly getting worse to ride on the roads in LA.

http://www.latimes.com/features/heal...ck=1&cset=true

It's always good to see some attention on the issue, although the article didn't exactly bring up a whole lot of new stuff. It's mostly anecdotal stories of people having a variety of close calls, angry run-ins, or accidents. There's some useful talk of strategies for being safer. There's some talk of new bike friendly laws coming up for a vote on the state level. One is making it a law to give bikers three feet of room when passing in a car.

Every little bit helps but I think the most important thing is educating car drivers that bike riders actually belong on the road. Most drivers don't even believe it. I wish some organization would spearhead a special CA vanity plate that says something along that line. And extra funds could go towards education and other bike friendly measures.

While we're at it, I wish someone would invent a super lightweight handle-bar mounted paintball gun for getting even when needed. The same CO2 could be used to fix a flats!

Be safe out there!

PS: I did think it was dumb to lump road biking and running into the same article. There are totally different issues, dangers, between the two. Runners, whom are mostly on sidewalks, have hardly the same dangers that road bikers do.

[ghixon]

This is why I prefer to get dirty. Too dangerous to be out there on the roads. At least if I get hurt on the trail, I did it to myself - not by a Buick.

Another question - have the "Bike Lanes" made any difference in helping safety?

[foofighter]

if people cant even stay in their own lane while they drive the bike lane means nothing to them. it really is scary to see some of these 5000lbs behemoth wandering on the road as the drive is clearly distracted w/ txt; talking on the phone or reading the morning paper!!!!

[0gravity]

Originally Posted by ghixon

This is why I prefer to get dirty. Too dangerous to be out there on the roads. At least if I get hurt on the trail, I did it to myself - not by a Buick. Another question - have the "Bike Lanes" made any difference in helping safety?

Word. But I can't hit the trails nearly as easily as I can hop out my door with the road bike. I usually road bike during the busy work week and then mtn bike on weekends. But I totally agree. Mtn biking is definitely safe than road riding.

As for bike lanes, I'd say there's no question they do make the route safer.

[RidetheRAAM4]

Bike lanes are great, sometimes. Some are really cluttered with road debris so you can't even ride in them. You still have to watch out for people trying to pass you then make a right hand turn thinking, "oh he is on a bike, he must be going slow." Then they barely get ahead of you and slam on the brakes leaving an imprint of your face on the back of their car. Then the bike lanes always seem to suddenly end leaving you and a really skinny street with only one lane in each direction and no room for you to stay on the road with cars whizzing by at 60 mph.

[S54MCoupe]

Bike Lanes?

Oh, you mean wider streets to facilitate more parking for residents vehicles...

Yeah, they help a little, but they're a big joke, too.

[Endo Verendo]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

Bike Lanes?

Oh, you mean wider streets to facilitate more parking for residents vehicles...

Yeah, they help a little, but they're a big joke, too.

Bike sharrows are the way to go.

[PacMan]

I've been hit by cars twice--neither my fault--so no pavement for me.