In celebration of National Bike Month and in anticipation of Bike Week L.A. (May 16-20) 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
Name: Joseph
Location: Long Beach
What’s the No. 1 reason you bicycle?
It’s fastest, cheapest and most fun way to get exercise. Going to the gym would waste more time (I have to get places anyone), it is boring, and expensive. My bike is cheaper than driving, heck it’s cheaper than an Easy Pass or LB Transit pass, and it is faster than driving to work and then driving to the gym 3 times a week.
What bike paths, routes or lanes do you take?
I don’t have any on my current route to work. 🙁
But I do take bike lanes to church, to the beach or Belmont Shore, and to restaurants in Downtown Long Beach.
If you could make one change to improve your biking experience in Los Angeles County, what would it be?
Bike lanes or cycletracks on all major streets, especial the streets that intersect with every rail and rapid transit line. May more people would bike for transportation if they felt safe and if it was a pleasant experience, not dodging traffic or dealing with winding side streets.
What specific improvements would you recommend to improve bike-to-transit trips?
Increase bike parking at all rapid transit stations, and add bike racks at EVERY bus stop. Make sure there are safe ways (protected or buffered bike lanes, cycletracks, or bike boulevards) to get to every bus stop or transit station. And make it possible to rent bikes at major stations, so people can leave a bike at one station and then pick up another when they get to their destination, without having to cram the bike onto the train. Washington DC’s bike sharing system is a great example.
How would you encourage others to bicycle?
Los Angeles is beautiful and it has the best weather and some of the best terrain for bike riding in the whole world. Why stay stuck in traffic, in your car, when you can get exercise, save money, have fun, and even save time by riding a bike and taking transit?
Briefly, how would you describe your typical biking experience?
I love it!
thanks for sharing joseph! my commute is slower than driving, but man i gotta’ agree with your “why stay stuck in traffic, in your car, when you can get exercise, save money, and have fun!” it is slower but i don’t stress out like i do in a car in traffic, totally saving money, and yes the gym is BORING! riding bikes is the opposite of boring, FUN FUN FUN!