Category Archives: Bicycle

A push for the 7th Street bike lane in L.A.

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Nice video recently posted by the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition on the proposed bike lane along 7th Street and serve as an alternative to riding on very busy Wilshire Boulevard. The lane would eventually stretch from Catalina Street in Koreatown to Soto Street in Boyle Heights and is scheduled to be the first built under the city’s new bike plan.

It’s also a project that could benefit Metro passengers.  Seventh Street is one block south of Wilshire Boulevard, which the subway runs under to Western Avenue (and soon beyond with the Westside Subway Extension). Wilshire is also Metro’s busiest bus corridor — with rush hour bus lanes soon — and there’s Metro local bus service on both 6th and 8th streets and many of the major north-south streets that intersect 7th.

A useful bike lane on 7th could help Metro riders get to and from bus and rail stops in speedier fashion, particularly in a part of town transit ridership is already high.

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LADOT launches new bike program website

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Behold: A snappy new layout and up-to-date bike maps.

Bike Week is officially behind us, and Bike Month is drawing to a close. But for those of us who caught two-wheeled fever — or already had it — there’s no need to fret — lots of great bike projects are on tap for the city of L.A.

In March, the Los Angeles City Council approved a comprehensive new bike plan that calls for the creation of 1,600 miles of new bikeways, with a commitment to putting in 200 miles every five years. To keep track of upcoming projects and to better educate Angelenos about the bicycling rules of the road, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation has revamped its website, BicycleLA.org.

Chris Kidd at the LADOT bike blog has the details:

Along with our recently updated bike maps, and our continually updated maps of new bike infrastructure projects, the LADOT Bike Program is committed to getting ourselves 100% up-to-date.

Check out the new website and let us know what you think.

 

Open forum: what are some good road/commuting bikes?

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My current ride.

Bike Week is wrapping up today, so I thought I would throw this completely self-serving question out there to Source readers: what kind of bike should I buy?

Background: I was gifted a Diamondback Topanga mountain bike when I moved to California in 1994. I’ve had it ever since and it has served me well — mostly on roads, not mountains — but the bike is falling apart. Latest problem: the thingy that holds the back tire to the frame is occasionally not holding the back tire to the frame, which may also be bent. It’s kind of a problem when riding.

So I’m in the market for my first new bike since President Clinton’s first term. I plan on using it for some commuting and errands around Pasadena, fitness and light touring. I don’t plan on going off pavement with it; I do plan on taking it on Metro Rail. Lightweight is good. My budget: $400 to $800. I’m guessing it’s the same kind of bike that would also work well for other Metro riders interested in biking more.

Please leave a comment and share your bike knowledge. Assume I know nothing about bike brands and models and technology.

And Happy Bike Week!

Commuters roll out for annual Downtown L.A. Bike Ride

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Cyclists ride past Angel's Flight on Hill Street. Photo by Gary Leonard

Cyclists ride past Angel's Flight on Hill Street. Photo by Gary Leonard

On the third leg of cycling activities for Bike Week L.A., street-wise commuters took a spin through downtown L.A. under cloudy skies for Metro’s annual downtown L.A. bike ride. The two-wheeled tour attracted several dozen cyclists clearly bent on demonstrating their commute of choice. Riders took off from Union Station on a four-mile loop that took in Olvera Street, the historic district, civic center, Little Tokyo and a slice of Main Street.

Annual Downtown Bike Ride is part of Bike Week L.A.

Annual Downtown Bike Ride is part of Bike Week L.A.

There’s more. Thursday is Bike to Work Day. Some 40 bike pit stops will populate typical commuter routes throughout L.A. County, offering refreshments and giveaways to participating cyclists, who can also register for prizes. A complete list of pit stop locations is available online at www.metro.net/bikeweek. And, if you need a ride for at least part of the way, your bike and helmet will get you on Metro for free on Thursday.

Metro is promoting “Bike Week LA” by supporting a host of activities intended to get more Angelinos to ride their bikes to work, school and other destinations throughout L.A. County to reduce traffic and air pollution and save energy.

The Metro Human Powered Commuting Awards

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In celebration of Bike Week LA, Metro would like to show its appreciation of those who ride bikes as their primary way of getting around. Nominees were submitted through metro.net, and were selected by a committee of Metro staff who also ride bikes. These individuals are contributing to a more sustainable transportation system, and will receive trophies and gift certificates to local bicycle shops.

Octavio Orduño: The Well-Seasoned Rider

At 103 years of age, Octavio could very well be the oldest living cyclist in the United States. Switching from a bicycle to tricycle when he turned 100, the Long Beach resident rides nearly every day, including to destinations such as the beach and the farmer’s market.

Victoria Shupe: The “Step Away from the Car” Award

Learning to ride a bicycle when she was 26 years old, Victoria saw the use of a bike as a way to improve her health. She now cycles three or four times a week to work in Santa Monica from her home in Koreatown, limiting her car use to only a few times per week.

Bernie Hernandez: Highest Mileage Rider

Bernie covers 46 miles a day on his commute from Huntington Beach to the Long Beach Airport and back, taking PCH, the San Gabriel River Trail and local streets. On top of this, he frequently participates in weekend group rides. At 50, he is probably more fit than the vast majority of people half his age.

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Why I Cycle: The bike-to-transit experience

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In celebration of National Bike Month and Bike Week L.A. (this week!) we’ve launched a new survey series entitled ‘Why I Cycle.’ This series spotlights local bicyclists who have made the daring leap from car-dependent to car-free or at least car-light in Los Angeles.

Want to share your story? Point your browser to thesource.metro.net/cyclesurvey

Why I Cycle: Connecting Transit Modes

Of particular interest to Metro is bike-to-transit behavior. The results: 49% of Why I Cycle survey respondents said they bike to fill a commuting gap – the fabled “last mile” dilemma.

We asked “If you ride your bike to transit, what lines do you take?”

Many people use a mix of transit but Metro Rail received the most votes, followed by Metro Rapid and Local buses.

Why I Cycle: Rail Station AccessWe asked Metro Rail riders how they access stations with their bikes. Results: 32% said they use the stairs, 18% use the escalators and 16% use the elevators. The remaining 16% said they don’t take their bikes on the train.

The large percentage of cyclists who access Metro rail stations using the stairs will be happy to hear that thanks to feedback at Metro’s Bicycle Roundtable, special stair channels for bicycles will be considered in the design of new Metro stations. The under construction El Monte Transit Station will be the first station to implement stair channels.

We also asked for specific ideas on how to improve bike-to-transit connections. Many said they’d like to see rail cars added that are solely dedicated for bicycles. Others complained that turnstiles made it difficult to enter stations and that wider gates should be installed. Bus racks capable of holding three bikes was another common suggestion.

After the jump, more thoughts from survey respondents on how to improve the bike-to-transit experience. Continue reading →

Bike Week L.A. kicks off in North Hollywood

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Jen Klausner, Executive Director of the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition, discusses the important role biking can play in trips under two miles, which make up over 40% of all urban trips. Photo by Juan Ocampo.

Bike Week Los Angeles commenced this morning with a ceremony at the NoHo Red Line station. Giving a nod to a healthy and carbon-light way of getting around town, public officials, cycling advocates and commuters convened in front of the station portal, surrounded by bike lockers.

The ceremony was emceed by Metro Deputy CEO Paul Taylor, who got things started by discussing the efforts Metro is undertaking to support bicycles as a key part the regional transportation system. This support has taken various forms, noted Taylor, from lifting the rush hour restriction of bikes on Metro Rail to Metro’s funding of bikeway improvements throughout the County.

Techs from Downtown L.A.'s El Maestro bike shop gave free mini tune-ups.

Also speaking at the event were Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Amir Sedadi, L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge, Jennifer Klausner of the L.A. County Bike Coalition, CicLAvia organizer Joe Linton, and Andy Leeka, CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital.

As Bike Week L.A. rolls on, here are a few of the highlights that were mentioned today, as well as some other events to check out this spring:

•Tomorrow is the annual Blessing of the Bikes at Good Samaritan hospital in Wilshire Center.

•On Wednesday, the Downtown LA Bike Ride will depart Union Station at 8:30 a.m. and travel down Alameda Street and loop through Downtown. Here’s the route map.

•On Thursday, the official Bike to Work day, Metro will provide free transit rides to anyone who brings a bike or bike helmet on any Metro bus or train. For a list of the other local transit agencies offering free rides — and there are 10 in total — check out Metro’s Bike Week L.A. page and click the “Partners/Sponsors” tab.

•Also on Thursday, there will be dozens of Bike to Work Day pit stops, where you can grab a snack en route to the office. Here’s a Google Map of all the locations.

•Stay tuned for a newly revamped City of L.A. bike website at bicyclela.org.

•The LACBC’s 11th annual Los Angeles River Ride is coming up on June 5th.

•And lastly, for a comprehensive look at bike events around the L.A. Basin for the rest of Bike Month, L.A. Streetsblog has you covered with its Bike Month 2011 page.

 

Metro promotes Bike Week L.A.

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Bike to Work Day is May 19 — and Metro is offering free rides to cyclists. Here’s the news release from Metro detailing other cycling activities for the week:

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is promoting “Bike Week LA” May 16-20 by supporting a host of activities intended to get more Angelenos to ride their bikes to work, school and other destinations throughout LA County to reduce traffic and air pollution and save energy. Bring Bike or Helmet on Metro for Free Ride May 19.

Metro will be offering a chance to win several prizes such as a commuter cycling package from REI valued at $2,000 that includes a bike and more prizes to those who pledge to bike to work on Bike to Work Day Thursday, May 19. Go online at http://www.metro.net/bikeweek or call (213) 922-2811 or stop by one of the pit stop locations that day where cyclists can get refreshments, free giveaways and information.

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Cycological profile: Bernie, the long-haul commuter

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To celebrate Bike Week LA, May 16-20, The Source will be offering a glimpse into the world of those who get around by bicycle.

Bernie Hernandez cycles to and from work every day for a total of 46 miles. He wants everyone to catch cycling fever.

There was one particularly rainy day in March this year that Bernie Hernandez did not ride his bicycle to work. With that day as the exception, every morning of 2011 he has made the 23-mile trek each way from his home in Huntington Beach to the Boeing facilities at the Long Beach Airport.

Riding on PCH, the San Gabriel River bike path and local streets, it takes the 50-year-old a little over an hour each way. Driving takes 45 minutes in light traffic. Even though riding takes a longer, Bernie has little need to go to the gym for exercise. In fact, Bernie is probably in better shape than the vast majority of people half his age.

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