April 7, 2020 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Bike riders encouraged to stay in your neighborhood or just stay home, and interactive map shows open bike shops
Maybe you should rethink that long ride right now.
For weeks now, we’ve followed the advice from healthcare officials, and recommended getting out and exercising, while maintaining social distancing.
The Santa Monica Mirror investigates the infamous Zoom video conference used to fire over 400 employees of SaMo-based Bird. Although to its credit, the company did provide laid-off employees with four weeks’ pay, three months of health insurance and 12 months to exercise stock options. Which does not make up for the callousness of the way they handled it.
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court rules a high-speed, reckless driver who killed a seven-year old boy riding his bike while fleeing from police over 20 years ago will have to finish his 28½ to 57-year prison term behind bars.
Tampa advocates are urging the mayor to “rebalance” a street where speeding motorcyclist and a bike rider in a crosswalk were both killed in a collision, after the coronavirus shutdown cut motor vehicle traffic by 40%; almost needless to say, the mayor said no.
A Florida paper seems to leave out a key detail, reporting that a bike rider was seriously injured when the front of his southbound bike was somehow struck by the side of the driver’s northbound SUV. And of course, the driver fled.
April 6, 2020 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Biking responsibly in the age of Covid-19, returning streets to the people, and 1,000 days of biking to (now closed) school
Today, we’re reposting a letter sent out to members by Executive Director Eli Akira Kaufman, as he addresses both the state of the organization, and advice on whether to ride your bike for the time being.
Because this matters. All of it.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to worsen, we have been listening closely to our public health officials and our community leaders about what we can do to help flatten the curve and reduce the spread of the virus. The health of the bicycling community and our pedestrian and transit riding friends is our top priority. So we are asking you to do your part by exercising an abundance of caution in everything you do, especially when you take to the street on your bicycle for an essential ride.
What qualifies as essential? We are hearing a range of opinions on this topic, from staying in your neighborhood within a reasonable distance from your home, to avoiding more challenging and/or longer rides with increased exposure to risk of injury, to riding in smaller groups of fewer than 5 or just with members of your household to maintain recommended social (physical) distancing of at least 6 feet. Of course, each of us is different in terms of our level of comfort and fitness on a bike so it really comes down to using common sense and following the very clear guidelines that our civic leaders and public health officials have been sharing for weeks now. At the end of the day, the last thing we want is to end up needing medical attention when our first-responders and healthcare providers are working overtime to handle the pandemic which has been made all the more challenging by the fact that medical resources they need are in such short supply. Once again we believe that all of us need to do our part for the safety of our families and our communities. The more we can avoid non-essential trips, the more we can limit the spread of the disease.
I recognize that hearing this from your Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition may feel off message from our normal advocacy in support bicycle culture and improved infrastructure but that is precisely the point. The COVID-19 pandemic is a new normal that we must adjust to by responsibly advocating for biking as one of the best ways to maintain our physical, mental and community health within our new reality.
In fact we are looking beyond the current surge in COVID-19 cases to the period of months, if not longer, when the virus is still with us but under control enough for Los Angeles County to reopen. How our region reopens is an important question, but we anticipate there will be guidelines for Angelinos to maintain the practice of social (physical) distancing. We also anticipate that during this time non-essential workers and those who can use alternative modes of transportation will be asked to help lessen the crowds on our buses and subways by walking and bicycling. Which is why we anticipate an even greater need for everyone to join us in advocating for safer, healthy, more sustainable and equitable streets for a more livable Los Angeles for everyone.
One more note about our streets during this crisis: many of our fellow riders have jobs that are at essential businesses and many more are still riding as a part of their daily commutes. To support those riders, we ask that everyone take extra care when you are out and about, especially if you are driving. Due to the reduced traffic, many drivers are finding the empty streets a temptation to speed. As many of our fellow riders are still making essential trips, including people commuting and also traveling around their own neighborhoods, we ask all of you to exercise extra caution while you are outside your homes. Whether you are in the saddle or behind the wheel, please make sure to be extra aware of your surroundings, put away the distractions, and travel at safe speeds for your own safety and the safety of others. Again the last thing we need now is more people further burdening our increasingly already strained healthcare system.
Finally, I am sure some of you have heard that LACBC has had to make the difficult decision to reduce our staff for the second year in a row and permanently close down our offices in DTLA to work remotely. The current COVID-19 crisis has resulted in a significant loss of revenue for us this year, especially as spring is one of our most important seasons for our events and education programs. I want to close with a special note of gratitude to the two staffers who we had to let go last week. Colin Bogart and Kevin Claxton have been key members of the LACBC community and larger transportation justice movement for years and in Colin’s case for decades. It has been my privilege to work alongside and learn from Kevin and Colin. They will be deeply missed.
While the current situation is among the hardest we’ve had to endure at LACBC, I firmly believe that we will make it through this crisis and come back stronger than ever. We ask you for your positive thoughts as we prepare LACBC for its next chapter.
And if you are in a position to assist financially, please take a moment to send us a donation.
I’m not exactly rolling in money these days, especially after my wife was let go when her company shut down, perhaps permanently, because of LA County’s stay at home order.
Like far too many others out there.
But I’m going to find the money to renew my membership in the LACBC in the next few weeks.
It’s not going to lift them out of their current financial difficulties.
But we all need to do what can to save an organization that does so much for us.
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One of the few positives to come out of all this whole pandemic mess is that cities across the US are taking entire streets away from cars and giving them to people to get outside and exercise.
On the other hand, Los Angeles, which has closed virtually all popular parks and trails, still insists on reserving every inch of asphalt reserved for the cars and drivers that often aren’t there right now.
Rather than giving a little of it back to the people to get outside for awhile.
But like schools everywhere, his Rapid City, South Dakota shut down due to the Covid-19 outbreak — just as he was approaching his 1,000th straight day.
So he kept riding the 2.1 miles to school every day anyway. Then turned around and rode back home to take his classes online.
And yes, he hit the mark.
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Heartless bike thieves continue to plague medical workers in the UK, despite the current coronavirus crisis. Or maybe because of it.
Speaking of Britain’s National Health Service, this tweet pretty much puts things in perspective.
I work for the NHS. Last night people were clapping for me (and millions of other key workers). Today people were bullying and intimidating me and generally not giving a f@ck about injuring or killing me with their cars. The reason? I was riding a bike to work. UK is weird.
Don’t get me started on the need for elderly drivers to give up their keys when they can’t drive safely anymore.
Instead of driving them everywhere, hop in the passenger seat and let your older relatives drive. And see if they’re still the safe drivers you remember.
Los Angeles leaders are focused on fighting the coronavirus.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t provide safer transportation and exercise options for LA residents during the shutdown.
That’s the case nonprofit group Streets for All has been making with city councilmembers and the mayor’s office in recent days.
Here’s what they have to say.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on Los Angeles; tens of thousands are out of work, hundreds of thousands are working from home, and millions have been ordered to only leave their homes if absolutely necessary.
Because of these changes, our road space far exceeds the required amount for vehicle traffic. At the same time, for their own physical and mental health, many Angelenos need to get to/from work if they are an essential employee, need to go to the market or a doctor’s office, or perhaps just need to go for a run, bike ride, or go play with their kids. It isn’t possible to do this and maintain 6’ of space on our current transit, sidewalk, and bike lane infrastructure.
Proposals to enhance mobility and open space access in Los Angeles during COVID-19:
Pilot a temporary emergency safe streets network to slow down speeding cars and give residents a safe 6’ distanced option for active transportation while reinforcing connections to grocery stores, hospitals, LAUSD food centers, delivery services, parks, and other essential resources. View our potential network.
Create an accelerated path for street closure requests to increase local access to open space, especially in neighborhoods with limited park access. Potentially using the framework studied with Play Streets. These could be hard closures block by block, or maintaining local access for parking.
Specifically we suggest:
Waiving fees and insurance requirements
Giving Neighborhood Councils the same request exception as council offices
Under the new orders, customers can’t enter the bicycle shops, retail sales are banned, payments are to be made by credit card or debit card remotely; customers must leave and pick up bicycles outside the store; and the bikes have to be disinfected before being brought inside. Staff must also wear protective equipment and the stores have to be routinely disinfected.
Here’s your chance to work in SoCal transportation social justice.
PMJ is hiring a Bicycle Education Program Manager! PMJ is closely monitoring COVID-19 & its effects that it has on our work. For the time being, this position will be remote/work from home until it is safe to being programming. If you’re interested in applying, LINK IN BIO⬆️ pic.twitter.com/P3joj9K7mx
— People for Mobility Justice (@peopleforMJ) April 1, 2020
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This should get your heart going if you can’t get out for a ride.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
The president of an Illinois advocacy group says it’s time to get back on your bike and shift the perception of bicycling from a sport to transportation.
Bicycling says Covid-19 will deal a serious blow to pro cycling, as teams fold and the sport may never be the same. Pro cycling never recovered from the doping scandals, and many teams have for been circling the drain for years now; this will only speed the process.
Thanks to Matthew R for his very generous donation to help keep SoCal’s best bike news coming your way every day. Contributions of any amount are always appreciated, especially in times like this.
March 31, 2020 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on US gives up everything for Lent, tactical techniques to slow speeding drivers, and sharing the road with driving dogs
As we noted yesterday, this site will not observe April Fools Day.
With everything that’s going on in the world right now, you need to be able to trust what you read. Especially here.
March 27, 2020 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Coronavirus closures in Redondo Beach, bike thieves target frontline med workers, and China blames US cyclist for virus
If you just can’t get enough BikinginLA, I’ll be talking about bikes in the age of the Covid-19 coronavirus with Leo Duran on KPCC’s Take Two this afternoon.
If you’re in the LA area, tune in to 89.3 between 2 pm and 3 pm — Duran’s segment should come on around 2:45 pm — or listen live online wherever you are.
And David Drexler sends photographic proof that the popular Santa Monica stairs are closed for the foreseeable future.
Thanks to Jim Lyle for Redondo Beach links. Photo of Redondo Beach bike path by Ted Faber.
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As we’ve said too many timesalready this week, there’s a special place in hell for anyone who’d steal a bike from a medical professional anytime, let alone someone treating patients during the coronavirus crisis.
Yet there seems to be a worldwide rash of bike thieves targeting busy doctors and nurses.
Thanks to Philippa Moore for the heads-up about the Nottingham doctor, who just happens to be her brother-in-law.
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Bike business is booming throughout the US, despite the calls for social distancing.
Or maybe because of it.
People all around the country are dusting off their bikes or buying new ones, and enjoying one of the few outdoor activities still available to most people while keeping them safely separated from others.
Speaking of a special place in hell, there is something seriously wrong with anyone who would steal a wheelchair bike from an Oakland family.
In the midst of everything else going on this might not get much attention, but please contact stolenwheelchairbike@gmail.com if you see this bike in the Bay Area. The owner’s family crowdfunded $6k to purchase it for him. pic.twitter.com/80vvtpjbMw
Bicycling tells the unexpected tale of American and British bike riders who met by chance in a lonely teahouse in the middle of a Kazakh desert, as they were both riding around the world from opposite directions.
March 26, 2020 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on LA not ticketing stay-at-home violations, but SaMo might; Dockweiler quarantine zone; and dropped by bionic runners
Authorities recommend avoiding the area entirely, for reasons that should be obvious.
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You could get dropped by a runner in the not-too-distant future.
A new paper published in the journal Science Advances suggests a mechanical exoskeleton based on bicycle mechanics could propel a runner as fast as 46 mph, just a hair below the speed where bike riders max out.
And no, I can’t ride that on my best day.
Which is long behind me, anyway.
Now if they can figure out how to apply that to a bike rider’s legs, we might be on to something.
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Here’s your chance to weigh in on first mile-last mile connections to the coming L Line station, for the train formerly known as the Gold Line.
Newport Beach confirms that Back Bay Drive remains open to people traveling by foot or bicycle.
Hi David, On March 23, the City closed Back Bay Drive to vehicular traffic, providing more room for recreational users to maintain at least six feet of separation from others. Cycling is still allowed, but not in groups of people who are not part of your household.
As promised, Uber has filed suit against Los Angeles over the requirement to provide realtime user data for their Jump dockless ebikes and e-scooters. The only surprise is that they managed to find a court that’s still open.
Tahoe’s 29th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride has been pushed from this June to September, on the hope this crap will be over by then. Let’s hope so, but don’t hold your breath.
Maybe keep it to yourself next time. A South Carolina man interrupted his bike ride to take a phone call from someone who wanted to know where he was. After telling him, the acquaintance drove up and shot him in the leg.
A Florida woman was busted for a hit-and-run that left a bike rider with minor injuries when she stopped to buy a couple beers, with a BAC nearly twice the legal limit; she was already on probation for ripping off an 81-year old patient at the rehab facility where she worked.
Pro cyclist Alex Pavon is on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, working as a Tucson, Arizona EMT when she’s not racing. Unfortunately, though, it’s a reminder of the inequity in the pro cycling world, where women cyclists have to hold a full-time job in addition to racing.
I got that very interesting question from reader Maruta Taube yesterday, who was wondering how to maintain social distancing from another bike rider.
As she points out, the usual advice to maintain six feet of separation between yourself and others doesn’t work on a bike.
Assuming the experts are correct that Covid-19 droplets linger in the air up for to three seconds, you’d ride right through their viral-loaded expectorations if the rider in front of you sneezes or coughs.
Unfortunately, though, algebra and I took an instant dislike to one another back in the day. And haven’t made up since.
So I put the question to the Twitterverse last night, and it didn’t take long for people much smarter than me on the subject to come back with the answers.
Since relative distance is tricky to work out when you’re stationary, let alone moving, my take would be to follow three seconds behind another rider, which is easy to gauge by counting the seconds between when you each pass a stationary point.
Then give the other person as much space as possible when passing.
Just like you wish SUV drivers would give you.
As someone else pointed out, however, some reports indicate that the virus can linger in the air for hours, rather than mere seconds.
That refers to aerosolized particles, which occur under relatively rare circumstances in public spaces, as opposed to the heavier droplets expelled when someone coughs or sneezes.
Photo by Burst from Pexels. You can easily judge the usual six-foot social distancing space by the length of a standard bicycle.
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Evidently, the fishing line strung across a Seal Beach bike path we mentioned yesterday is nothing new.
Richard Rosenthal writes to say another rider was attacked on the San Gabriel River Trail in a similar fashion last month, and forwards this comment from Nextdoor.
Again, this kind of sabotage is not just a harmless prank, but a violent assault intend to harm innocent victims, in an apparent attempt to frighten people off the path.
Like several other comments I received, Rosenthal points the finger at a nearby homeless camp.
Let’s just hope the police take this seriously.
And catch the people responsible — and hold them accountable — whoever it turns out to be.
We salute those essential workers who have to travel — health care workers, delivery staff, maintenance people, and everyone else who is keeping society going — and we want them to be able to bicycle for their essential trips.
Biking at a safe distance from others is also one of the outdoor activities allowed while we try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Now more than ever, a bicycle ride is important for our physical and mental health.
If biking is essential, bike shops are, too.
That’s why we are sending a letter to the California State Public Health Officer, Dr. Sonia Angell, asking her to affirm that bike repair shops are essential services.
Al Williams forwarded news that iconic parts maker Campagnolo was forced to shut down by the Italian government until at least April 6th as part of the country’s coronavirus clampdown.
So any orders received before that date won’t be processed until after they reopen.
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Beach parking falls like dominos as people up and down the SoCal coast continue to ignore calls for social distancing.
Long Island communities now have a new excuse to crack down on groups of bike riding teenagers, saying they’re putting themselves at risk of contracting coronavirus. Which may be true, but follows months of heavy-handed attempts to make the bike-riding kids go away. Even if the kids do act like jerks way too often.
March 23, 2020 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Why we can’t have nice things — Ballona Creek, other LA area trails close because Angelenos won’t practice social distancing
Angelenos couldn’t manage to keep away from each other over the weekend.
Think of it as akin to closing the nearby 10 Freeway, which would be unthinkable for most Angelenos. But is, apparently, all too easily done when it involves people on bicycles.
Not to mention several sightings of spandexed idiots riding closely in pacelines, as if they and everyone they know or encounter were somehow immune to the disease.
Have seen the same in LA. What the fuck is wrong with these roadies? Do they think the rules of virology don't apply to their weekly group ride? Not care about getting other people sick? Do they want cycling to get banned for the rest of us? C'mon dudes, you can do better. https://t.co/qsVXvfMqyv
Go out for necessities and essential services only. Which doesn’t mean shopping at Target, Costco or anywhere else because you’re bored.
Get what you need and go home. Because every stop you make, and every moment you spend out, increases the risk that you could catch Covid-19 or spread it to those you love.
Or to total strangers, some of whom may not survive it.
As a diabetic, my risk of death from coronavirus is much higher than most. And my wife, who suffers from a number of medical issues, is almost guaranteed to suffer serious complications if she is exposed.
And we’ll both lose our medical insurance at the end of next month if she can’t get back to work by then.
Our lives, and those of countless others, are literally in your hands.
So wash them, already.
Yes, you can go out to exercise and get some air. Walking and bicycling are highly recommended.
But when you do, practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from anyone you don’t live with.
If not for us, then because they’ll take that away too if you don’t.
Bike helmets aren’t Vision Zero. Bike lights aren’t Vision Zero. And neither are traffic tickets.
Yes, they all may help. But Vision Zero is recognizing that people will always make mistakes, and redesigning streets so those mistakes don’t become fatal.
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If you have a few extra bucks lying around, you can’t ask for a better cause.
That feeling when a 10-year old can ride rings around you. Or over you.
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Most people would just settle for a helmet cam.
This rig was designed and envisioned to document the car sewer that was Los Angeles, but now, the first time I’ve had time to build it up and use it, I’m documenting the desolate streets of Los Angeles. #bikeLA#filmmakingpic.twitter.com/sSkOztAfIa
Yet another example of keeping a dangerous driver on the road until it’s too late. A Minnesota man faces charges for allegedly being under the influence when he struck and killed a 16-year old boy; he has two previous DUIs, as well as at least six convictions for driving without a valid license, and a handful of criminal convictions.
On the other hand, there is one upside to our not so brave new world, as David Drexler discovered yesterday.
Decided to take the beach cruiser out around Santa Monica today between rain days and discovered that our nation’s virus tragedy we are in right now is really a boon for cyclists.
With all the closures and people staying home it was like riding around on Xmas Day. Extremely light and polite traffic all over SM. You could take the entire right lane and no one would bother you. Ride in the green bike lanes and few worries about cars opening doors or pulling out.
What is usually danger at every turn and a stressful ride around was a relaxing day around the city.
And judging by the numbers of cyclists on the beach path today — I hope they still have their jobs and are just taking advantage of the clear weather.
It wasn’t just Santa Monica, either. And the air’s better, too.
I went out yesterday evening around 5:30 into and out of downtown on the bike and had one of the most enjoyable relaxed rides ever in this city. Clear air and nearly clear streets. It’s going to be hard to go back when the cars come out again:(
I remember it was such a huge traffic jam, taking lots of lights to get thru major intersections. And the driver who wondered why there were so many cyclists on the street as he attempted to drive down it and around the cyclists. pic.twitter.com/nZDCy6oHI6
Officials in Colorado are throwing the book at an 18-year old alleged intoxicated hit-and-run driver, who’s accused of killing a man on a bike while passing another car on the right; he’s charged with 1) vehicular homicide, 2) hit-and-run, 3) careless driving causing death, 4) DUI, 5) weaving, 6) passing on the right, 7) underage consumption of alcohol and 8) possession of marijuana.
There’s a special place in hell for whoever stole a $1,200 three-wheeled bike from an 87-year old Arkansas man, which he credits with helping him recover from a stroke he suffered 24 years ago. But thanks to an anonymous Good Samaritan, he’ll be able to keep riding.
Pittsburgh is preparing to release its first bike plan of the millennium, making their current plan the oldest of America’s 60 largest cities. But as any LA bike rider can attest, it doesn’t matter how recent a bike plan is if the city refuses to implement it.
Despite calls to stay home, bike shops are booming in the Big Easy, as people turn to their bikes to commute, and enjoy family time now that schools are closed.