Speaking of blocked bike lanes, as we were the other day, Todd Munford sent this photo showing his typical Friday morning commute on Venice Blvd:
Tag Archive for bike lanes
Our government in action: Encouraging drivers to park in bike lanes
It’s against the law to drive in a bike lane. But not, apparently, to park in one.
At least, not here in the late great Golden State.
I found that out this morning as I was reading through the California Driver Handbook, looking for ways it could help educated drivers about the rights of cyclists, and how to drive safely and courteously around bikes. And there it was, on page 26, in the section on Bicycle Lanes.
You may park in a bike lane unless a “No Parking” sign is posted.
Evidently, the DMV thinks drivers should have the right to park here.
That set me off on a daylong search of the California Vehicle Code. And unbelievably, I couldn’t find a single word prohibiting parking in bike lane. Or any specifically permitting it, for that matter.
A Class 1 off-road bike path, yes.
In fact, you’re not allowed to sit, stand, block, park, or otherwise obstruct an off-road bike path in any way. Which would no doubt come as a surprise to the many people who sit, stand, block and otherwise obstruct the beachfront bike path through Santa Monica and Venice.
But while that can be a major pain in the butt when you’re out for a ride, it’s not likely to result in serious injury.
On the other hand, blocking a bike lane could, by forcing cyclists out into the traffic lane where drivers aren’t likely to be looking for them — especially if there’s a bike lane present.
As noted above, there are restrictions against driving in a bike lane, except to turn or park. There are restrictions against parking on a sidewalk, in a crosswalk, within 15 feet of the driveway of a fire station, or next to an obstruction or excavation if it would block a traffic lane.
But parking in the only lane on the street specifically devoted to bikes?
No problem.
Cyclists are actually required to use the bike lane if there’s one available on the street they’re riding, although they are allowed to leave it to pass, turn or avoid an obstruction. Such as a car parked in their way, for instance.
The only good news is, it is against the law to double park. And as Enci points out, most bike lanes in L.A. — and throughout California — run adjacent to the parking lane.
So there actually is a benefit to all those bike lanes that force you to ride in the door zone.
At least it keeps cars from parking there.
Try it yourself. Take a look at the DMV’s list of traffic infractions, and see if you can find a single one for parking in or blocking an on-street bike lane.
Update: Stephen Box, L.A.’s leading bike activist, points out that parking in a bike lane is prohibited in Los Angeles under the city’s Municipal Code, under a revision passed just three years ago — and which was, not surprisingly, opposed by LADOT. There’s also an argument to be made that CVC 21211 prohibits parking in on-street (Class II) bike lanes; however, since it refers specifically to Class I bikeways, that’s a grey area at best. And it does nothing to address a state Drivers Handbook that tells motorists they can park in any bike lane they want, unless there’s signage specifically prohibiting it.
………
The LAPD demonstrates a lack of understanding of state traffic laws; evidently, the California Highway Patrol doesn’t do much better. A reader forwards the webpage for Robert Painter’s ghost bike, the cyclist killed in North Hollywood last month. Stephen Box says words matter when you call traffic motorists and collisions accidents. Bob Mionske writes that the Thompson trial was just one case, not a sea change for cyclists. A local rider recalls his two greatest calamities, as evidence that we have a long way to go. The next Dim Sum Ride kicks off this Sunday. In praise of cheap neon fixies. A new bike mural debuts in Atascadero. A Connecticut writer says Vulnerable Users laws have a downside, too. Who needs headphones when you can turn your helmet into a speaker? You do wear a helmet, right? Is there sexism in cycling? U.S. bicycling trips are up 25% — to a whopping 1% of all trips. Facebook refuses to remove the anti-cycling hate group; that may be okay, though, because cyclists are taking it over. Lance says he can beat Contador; the odds makers beg to differ. An English rider writes in Time about going motor-free for a full year. A Budapest transit strike means opportunity for that city’s cyclists. This beautiful Japanese bike was handcrafted almost entirely in wood. Sometimes, pretty pictures of Scotland in winter are enough. Finally, a hilarious take on a Colorado cycling fail. And Yahuda Moon reminds us that visionary cycling plans start with politics.
Category: Advocacy & Politics, Streets and Infrastructure / Tags: bicycling, bike lanes, DMV, Los Angeles
A simple adjustment in biking infrastructure, part 2
Let’s consider another easy fix the city could make right now, at virtually no cost.
Take the bike lanes along the recently rebuilt Santa Monica Boulevard.
In just a few short years, they’ve become one of the most popular riding routes through the Westside — largely because they’re among the few dedicated bike lanes than run on a major street. And the only ones I know that don’t run next to a parking lane, eliminating the risk of dooring.
On the other hand, you do have to deal the poorly designed crossover lanes, which force cyclists to dodge cars entering and exiting the roadway, as well as buses that cut into the bike lanes little or no warning.
Then there’s the way they end abruptly, dumping unsuspecting cyclists into the middle of a heavy high-speed traffic lane.
Although a large part of that problem, on the east end at least, stems from the transition from Los Angeles to Beverly Hills, which seems dead set against allowing bikeways to besmirch their gilded streets. If any city ever needed a Critical Mass…
One major advantage these lanes offer is the limited number of cross streets — only Beverly Glen, Westwood, Veteran and Sepulveda cross from both directions. All other streets enter from one side only, such as Avenue of the Stars and Century Park East and West in Century City, which enter from the south, and Selby, Kelton and Camden in Westwood, which come in from the north.
However, that means cyclists riding on the opposite side of the road often have to make a decision whether to obey the law, or common sense, when faced with a red light, with a clear lane in front of them and no cross traffic from any direction.
Some stop and wait alongside the idling vehicular traffic until the light turns green, for no other reason than it’s what the law requires. Most, however, proceed through the light, recognizing that stopping serves no purpose, in terms or safety or rationality — putting them at risk of a ticket, and pissing off every driver waiting for the light to change.
But all it would take to address the situation is one little sign at each of those intersections, saying “bikes proceed on red.”
That’s it.
Overnight, bike flow is improved and scofflaw cyclists are made legal — with zero impact on traffic.
The only possible risk would come from careless drivers who might drift into the bike lane while completing their turns on the boulevard. And even that could easily be addressed by placing a simple barrier — anything from plastic cones to a brief raised curb — on the outer edge of the bike lane.
Or better yet, install a raised curb along the entire length of the bike lanes, broken only by intersections, and crossover exit and entrance lanes.
Then cyclists would enjoy L.A.’s first separated bike lanes, at minimal cost to the city.
And the cars, motorcycles and other assorted motor vehicles that currently use the bike lanes to bypass stopped traffic would be banished once and for all.
This same approach could also be used on southbound Ocean Blvd in Santa Monica, another roadway where cyclists have to choose between breaking the law and stopping for no apparent reason.
……..
Gary writes movingly about that heartbreaking photo of Kylie Bruehler at the funeral of her tandem-riding parents. Even the positive Joe Linton criticizes L.A.’s proposed bike plan, while Stephen Box says stamp it Return to Sender and the BAC demands an extension of the comment period. Box also says a lack of bike parking makes cyclists second class citizens. While L.A. makes plans, Long Beach makes bikeways. GT shares a great route when you want to work hills. Will Campbell risks his credibility to register his bike. Oakland police try to link an online threat against cyclists to a hit-and-run driver who stood over his victim before fleeing the scene. More great photos from the Path Less Pedaled. Bob Mionske’s Blog takes a critical look at a wreck blamed on a sidewalk cyclist, which leads to a call for better police training. Famed framebuilder Dave Moulton continues his discussion on the evolution of frame design. Chicago Now takes a critical look at Critical Mass. Finally, a truly frightening photo of the aftermath of an S.F. dooring incident.
Category: General / Tags: bicycling, bike lanes, Bike Master Plan, Century City, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Blvd, Westwood
A meditation on bicycling and driving in the City of Angels, pt. 2
It’s been said before that Los Angeles is a city of neighborhoods.
Sometimes the changes from one to another are subtle. West L.A. flows seamlessly into Santa Monica, Rancho Park into Culver City, Studio City into Sherman Oaks.
Other times, the changes are abrupt. There’s no question when you enter Koreatown, whether you’re traveling by bike, bus or car.
And most of us know our own neighborhoods.
For instance, I know the Westside. From La Brea west to the coast; from Mulholland to the Marina. I know the back roads that let you slip past the traffic tie-ups; I know when to take Wilshire or cut over to Arizona to make a meeting in Santa Monica. And I know where the bike lanes are, where it’s safe to ride on the right and where it’s safer to take the lane.
I also know a few other areas pretty well, such as the lower Valley area, from Studio City west to Woodland Hills. And I can find my way through Hollywood and Downtown, Burbank and Pasadena.
But like most Angelenos, get me out my comfort zone, out of the areas I know, and I’m lost. In a car, it’s a minor inconvenience. Just pull out your Thomas Guide, use your GPS, or stop someone and ask for directions. Or do what most locals do, and just take the freeway to bypass all those strange, unknown neighborhoods and the people who live there.
On a bike, it’s a different problem entirely.
L.A. streets were designed for cars, not bikes. And there are some streets that just aren’t safe for cycling — like Vermont between Beverly and Wilshire, as I noticed the other day. It’s so crowded, I’m not sure cars even belong there. But I guess that’s to be expected in the nation’s most congested city.
If you live or work in that area, you’d know not to ride on weekdays, during the day, anyway. On the other hand, if you just looked at a map, it might seem like a reasonable route to get from, say, Culver City to Silver Lake or Griffith Park.
Or you might try to take a busy street like 3rd, not knowing that there’s a perfectly reasonable, and safe, alternative just one block away.
The problem is, there is no Thomas Guide for bicyclists. There’s no practical system of interconnected bike lanes, paths and routes that lead coherently from one neighborhood to another. And even the best map currently available has so many gaps that it’s virtually useless for planning a trip — and makes no distinction between routes that are safe for casual riders, and routes that are best left to experts.
Or routes that aren’t safe for cycling at all, like the inexplicable bike route on Pico between Sepulveda and Century Park East, sections of which should never be ridden without a death wish.
Since cyclists, like nature, abhor a vacuum, some riders have tried to fill in the blanks by posting their own routes. For instance, Rearview Rider offers a great route from my ‘hood to the Bicycle District. Los Angeles Rides offers a map of routes from Mar Vista to Koreatown, as well as a wiki map-in-progress where cyclists can enter their own routes and tips. And C.I.C.L.E. offers a number of routes throughout the region.
But it shouldn’t be up to us to map out these routes.
It should be the job of our government to provide a safe system of interconnected lanes, trails and routes that can take a rider anywhere in the city. Or at the very least, to provide a workable map that clearly addresses how to safely and efficiently ride to any point in the greater metro area — including such prime destinations as Downtown, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Dodger Stadium, the Rose Bowl and the beaches — from any other point in the city.
Until that day, though, we’re on our own.
And the roads that lead through our neighborhoods will continue to be the lines that divide us, instead of bringing us together.
Google says it was just kidding about that real-time traffic map. Caltrans gives our local region legion an F. Is anyone really surprised? LA Streetsblog says it’s going to be a busy weekend for local cyclists. Bikes and parts are disappearing in Silver Lake. Gary turns his usual breath-taking camera skills towards the Tour of California. Consumer Reports says half of all cyclists aren’t using their heads. And finally, authorities respond quickly when cyclists on PCH get shot in the ass.
Category: General / Tags: bicycle safety, bicycling, bike lanes, bike maps, L.A. neighborhoods, Los Angeles, Metro bike map
Yesterday’s ride, in which I make a movie in my mind
FADE IN:
EXTERIOR OLDER, VERY TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH — LATE AFTERNOON
A man approaches, looking out of place in spandex bike clothes. He reaches for the door, then hesitates, as if expecting lightening to strike.
Nothing happens.
He opens the door and enters.
INTERIOR
The man approaches the confessional, walking awkwardly in his cycling cleats. He enters the dark, narrow booth, kneels and crosses himself.
Kindly FATHER O’MALLEY slides open the confessional window.
BIKINGINLA
Forgive me father, for I have sinned.
FATHER O’MALLEY
How long has it been since your last confession?
BIKINGINLA
I’m not sure…I think it was during the Bush administration.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Well, that’s not too b…
BIKINGINLA
The other Bush.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Oh.
BIKINGINLA
But since then, I’ve been good. Really. Almost a saint. I hardly ever take the Lord’s name in vain. And like St. Francis, I try to be kind to dumb animals, especially government officials and bicycle traffic planners.
But…I kinda lost it today…
FATHER O’MALLEY
And what was it you did, my son?
BIKINGINLA
I made an obscene gesture, father…a bad one. Three times.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Ah, now that’s bad. Very bad. And is there a reason why you did it, now…something the boys down at the 57th Precinct might call “mitigating circumstances?”
BIKINGINLA
Well, see, I was riding down the hill on Montana Ave., doing about 25 on my way to the coast. Then without warning, this woman makes a right turn directly in front of me. And instead of going into the traffic lane, she just drives right down the bike lane, and jerks to a stop when she sees a parking place. So I had to jam on my brakes and swing out into traffic to avoid hitting her.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Tsk. Tsk.
BIKINGINLA
A few blocks later, a car pulls out from the curb right in front of me, and sure enough, he drives down the bike lane before stopping to make a right turn and blocks the lane, even though he could have easily moved out of the way — and shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Then there was the woman in the minivan…
FATHER O’MALLEY
Oh my.
BIKINGINLA
But at least she honked to let me know she was going to run the red light — after I was already in the intersection.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Well, it sound like you might’ve had some justification there. So for your penance, say three Hail Mary’s, and attend the City Council Transportation Committee meeting this Friday.
BIKINGINLA
Thank you, father.
BIKINGINLA gets up to leave, then pauses.
BIKINGINLA
Oh, and I voted for Obama, too…
FATHER O’MALLEY
Ah well, you know the bishop says I have to condemn you to eternal damnation for that one…‘cause of the baby killing and such.
BIKINGINLA
Yeah.
FATHER O’MALLEY
But…promise you’ll pray for Notre Dame to beat USC next week, and maybe we can knock a few years off that.
BIKINGINLA
Oh. Okay, thanks.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Though I’m not sure all the saints and angels in paradise could pull that miracle off…
FADE TO BLACK
L.A.’s Streetsblog cites a report that says cyclists need safer streets, while Damien continues his series of biking issues on the agenda for Friday’s Transportation Committee meeting. And speaking of Streetsblog, they also had a link to a great N.Y. Times article about Britain’s attempt to bail out its own auto industry. A biking blog in my old home town — with one of the best taglines on the interwebs — reports on the sentencing of a drunk driver who killed one cyclist and injured another, and offers a breathtaking photo from a group of fat tire fans who hit the trails at 4:50 am (one look at that photo, and you’ll know why I miss it). And MIT announces a pilot study of a new technology that will allow cyclists to track their rides and automatically exchange information with other riders.
Category: General / Tags: bicycling, bike lanes, Los Angeles, mental movie making, Montana Ave, obscene gestures, rude drivers
Yesterday’s ride, in which I make a movie in my mind
FADE IN:
EXTERIOR OLDER, VERY TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH — LATE AFTERNOON
A man approaches, looking out of place in spandex bike clothes. He reaches for the door, then hesitates, as if expecting lightening to strike.
Nothing happens.
He opens the door and enters.
INTERIOR
The man approaches the confessional, walking awkwardly in his cycling cleats. He enters the dark, narrow booth, kneels and crosses himself.
Kindly FATHER O’MALLEY slides open the confessional window.
BIKINGINLA
Forgive me father, for I have sinned.
FATHER O’MALLEY
How long has it been since your last confession?
BIKINGINLA
I’m not sure…I think it was during the Bush administration.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Well, that’s not too b…
BIKINGINLA
The other Bush.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Oh.
BIKINGINLA
But since then, I’ve been good. Really. Almost a saint. I hardly ever take the Lord’s name in vain. And like St. Francis, I try to be kind to dumb animals, especially government officials and bicycle traffic planners.
But…I kinda lost it today…
FATHER O’MALLEY
And what was it you did, my son?
BIKINGINLA
I made an obscene gesture, father…a bad one. Three times.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Ah, now that’s bad. Very bad. And is there a reason why you did it, now…something the boys down at the 57th Precinct might call “mitigating circumstances?”
BIKINGINLA
Well, see, I was riding down the hill on Montana Ave., doing about 25 on my way to the coast. Then without warning, this woman makes a right turn directly in front of me. And instead of going into the traffic lane, she just drives right down the bike lane, and jerks to a stop when she sees a parking place. So I had to jam on my brakes and swing out into traffic to avoid hitting her.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Tsk. Tsk.
BIKINGINLA
A few blocks later, a car pulls out from the curb right in front of me, and sure enough, he drives down the bike lane before stopping to make a right turn and blocks the lane, even though he could have easily moved out of the way — and shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Then there was the woman in the minivan…
FATHER O’MALLEY
Oh my.
BIKINGINLA
But at least she honked to let me know she was going to run the red light — after I was already in the intersection.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Well, it sound like you might’ve had some justification there. So for your penance, say three Hail Mary’s, and attend the City Council Transportation Committee meeting this Friday.
BIKINGINLA
Thank you, father.
BIKINGINLA gets up to leave, then pauses.
BIKINGINLA
Oh, and I voted for Obama, too…
FATHER O’MALLEY
Ah well, you know the bishop says I have to condemn you to eternal damnation for that one…‘cause of the baby killing and such.
BIKINGINLA
Yeah.
FATHER O’MALLEY
But…promise you’ll pray for Notre Dame to beat USC next week, and maybe we can knock a few years off that.
BIKINGINLA
Oh. Okay, thanks.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Though I’m not sure all the saints and angels in paradise could pull that miracle off…
FADE TO BLACK
L.A.’s Streetsblog cites a report that says cyclists need safer streets, while Damien continues his series of biking issues on the agenda for Friday’s Transportation Committee meeting. And speaking of Streetsblog, they also had a link to a great N.Y. Times article about Britain’s attempt to bail out its own auto industry. A biking blog in my old home town — with one of the best taglines on the interwebs — reports on the sentencing of a drunk driver who killed one cyclist and injured another, and offers a breathtaking photo from a group of fat tire fans who hit the trails at 4:50 am (one look at that photo, and you’ll know why I miss it). And MIT announces a pilot study of a new technology that will allow cyclists to track their rides and automatically exchange information with other riders.
Category: General / Tags: bicycling, bike lanes, Los Angeles, mental movie making, Montana Ave, obscene gestures, rude drivers
Yesterday’s ride, in which I make a movie in my mind
FADE IN:
EXTERIOR OLDER, VERY TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH — LATE AFTERNOON
A man approaches, looking out of place in spandex bike clothes. He reaches for the door, then hesitates, as if expecting lightening to strike.
Nothing happens.
He opens the door and enters.
INTERIOR
The man approaches the confessional, walking awkwardly in his cycling cleats. He enters the dark, narrow booth, kneels and crosses himself.
Kindly FATHER O’MALLEY slides open the confessional window.
BIKINGINLA
Forgive me father, for I have sinned.
FATHER O’MALLEY
How long has it been since your last confession?
BIKINGINLA
I’m not sure…I think it was during the Bush administration.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Well, that’s not too b…
BIKINGINLA
The other Bush.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Oh.
BIKINGINLA
But since then, I’ve been good. Really. Almost a saint. I hardly ever take the Lord’s name in vain. And like St. Francis, I try to be kind to dumb animals, especially government officials and bicycle traffic planners.
But…I kinda lost it today…
FATHER O’MALLEY
And what was it you did, my son?
BIKINGINLA
I made an obscene gesture, father…a bad one. Three times.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Ah, now that’s bad. Very bad. And is there a reason why you did it, now…something the boys down at the 57th Precinct might call “mitigating circumstances?”
BIKINGINLA
Well, see, I was riding down the hill on Montana Ave., doing about 25 on my way to the coast. Then without warning, this woman makes a right turn directly in front of me. And instead of going into the traffic lane, she just drives right down the bike lane, and jerks to a stop when she sees a parking place. So I had to jam on my brakes and swing out into traffic to avoid hitting her.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Tsk. Tsk.
BIKINGINLA
A few blocks later, a car pulls out from the curb right in front of me, and sure enough, he drives down the bike lane before stopping to make a right turn and blocks the lane, even though he could have easily moved out of the way — and shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Then there was the woman in the minivan…
FATHER O’MALLEY
Oh my.
BIKINGINLA
But at least she honked to let me know she was going to run the red light — after I was already in the intersection.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Well, it sound like you might’ve had some justification there. So for your penance, say three Hail Mary’s, and attend the City Council Transportation Committee meeting this Friday.
BIKINGINLA
Thank you, father.
BIKINGINLA gets up to leave, then pauses.
BIKINGINLA
Oh, and I voted for Obama, too…
FATHER O’MALLEY
Ah well, you know the bishop says I have to condemn you to eternal damnation for that one…‘cause of the baby killing and such.
BIKINGINLA
Yeah.
FATHER O’MALLEY
But…promise you’ll pray for Notre Dame to beat USC next week, and maybe we can knock a few years off that.
BIKINGINLA
Oh. Okay, thanks.
FATHER O’MALLEY
Though I’m not sure all the saints and angels in paradise could pull that miracle off…
FADE TO BLACK
L.A.’s Streetsblog cites a report that says cyclists need safer streets, while Damien continues his series of biking issues on the agenda for Friday’s Transportation Committee meeting. And speaking of Streetsblog, they also had a link to a great N.Y. Times article about Britain’s attempt to bail out its own auto industry. A biking blog in my old home town — with one of the best taglines on the interwebs — reports on the sentencing of a drunk driver who killed one cyclist and injured another, and offers a breathtaking photo from a group of fat tire fans who hit the trails at 4:50 am (one look at that photo, and you’ll know why I miss it). And MIT announces a pilot study of a new technology that will allow cyclists to track their rides and automatically exchange information with other riders.
Category: General / Tags: bicycling, bike lanes, Los Angeles, mental movie making, Montana Ave, obscene gestures, rude drivers
Bike law change #7: Drivers should bear full responsibility for any accidents that occur in a designated bike lane
I was riding along Main Street in Santa Monica this morning when I met cyclist. You know how it goes — I’d pass him, then a few blocks later, he’d pass me; eventually, we struck up a conversation and started riding along together.
We were both riding in the bike lane, exactly where we were supposed to be, when a car pulled into a driveway just ahead of us. As we rolled past, the driver suddenly shifted into reverse and started backing up — just missing my new riding companion.
And it wasn’t like we were easy to miss. A couple grown men on bikes, one in a bright red jersey and the other bright yellow. But as he put it, for some reason, drivers just don’t seem to see us.
But let’s face it. There’s just no excuse for that.
The mere existence of a bike lane implies the presence of bikes. Which means that it should be the responsibility of the driver to anticipate cyclists, and be on the lookout for them. The bike lane should serve as a warning to any driver not to enter that lane for any reason without scanning every inch of that lane for bicycles.
There is simply no reason why any driver should ever turn into the path of a rider in a bike lane, back into a parking space without first checking for oncoming bikes, or opening a door a rider because he didn’t check his mirrors first.
None.
So let’s make it clear that those few feet of asphalt to us, and it is the responsibility of the driver to enter, cross or stop in the bike lane safely — not the responsibility of the rider to avoid him. And as a result, the driver should bear 100% of the responsibility for any accident that occurs with a cyclist riding safely, and legally, in any bike lane.
Alex reports on 50 cyclists who rode to reclaim the Ballona Creek Bike Path and score some serious tacos. LA Bike Rides ponders whether changing these laws is enough to get people out of their cars, or if there’s simply a perception that bikes are for kids, and grown-ups drive cars. And a rider in Montana wonders what it takes to make a Western state bike-friendly.
Category: General / Tags: bicycle safety, bicycling, bike lanes, California Vehicle Code, Los Angeles, responsibility, safe driving
