Bike riders cycle through the streets of Downtown L.A. Photo by Gary Leonard.
It’s not everyday that bicyclists get a police escort through the traffic-choked streets of downtown Los Angeles during the a.m. rush hour. But this morning, a group of about 75 cyclists were given the royal treatment when the LAPD bike police escorted riders through downtown for Metro’s 2nd Annual Downtown L.A. Ride.
Part of Bike Week L.A., the ride is cyclists’ latest claim to the streets of downtown, and is intended to demonstrate how prospective bicycle commuters can access major downtown work sites, Metro stations and civic and entertainment centers by bicycle.
With the help of LAPD bicycle escort, cyclists moved through several downtown districts at a healthy pace, from El Pueblo to the Civic Center, Financial District, Historic Core, Little Tokyo/Arts District and back. The approximately four-mile bike procession passed five Metro Stations and numerous Metro and Dash bus lines along the way.
See KTLA 5’s coverage of the ride here.
The brisk, wind-in-your hair experience of riding an average speed of 13 miles per hour through major downtown thoroughfares was a bit surreal, yet wonderful nevertheless. Traffic was light, and the ride felt like local cyclists’ own individual time trial for the Amgen Tour of California that, conveniently enough, rolls through downtown L.A. on Saturday.
About 75 people participated in downtown ride. Photo by Gary Leonard.
The ride was hosted by Metro with the assistance of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, LADOT and LAPD.
Starting tomorrow, commuters will have their own opportunity to navigate the streets of L.A. — albeit without an LAPD escort – for the official Bike to Work Day in L.A. County. Rides for bicyclists using Metro will be free.
Categories: Bicycle, Transportation News