‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Joel
Occupation: Librarian
Location: Hyde Park (near LAX)

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

On the weekends and evenings, for visiting, groceries or other errands.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Store, Home Depot, market, friends and events.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

20 minutes, by bicycle.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

I ride a bicycle to work.

Why do you drive?

Usually transporting people, groceries, tools, or purchases.  I often drive to Topanga, which is not served by public transit

Your Perspective:

Have you tried to use transit before? What was your experience?

I used to commute Downtown by bicycle/subway.  I live close enough to work now to ride a bike all the way.

What could local transit agencies do to encourage you to take transit more often?

Not much. I might take the light rail when it comes down Crenshaw.

How do you feel about buses?

I probably wouldn’t ride a bus.

How do you feel about rail?

I’d ride rail if it there was a route that served my needs.

Given limited funds, how would you address L.A.’s transportation issues?

The freeways are done.  There should be more Rapid buses, more rail and fewer buses on side streets. We need more frequent buses on major streets that people will walk to.