This is why we keep calling for closing streets to cars and opening safe Slow Streets.
And what happens when that doesn’t happen.
As Los Angeles enters its third month of the coronavirus shutdown, more people than ever are taking to the streets while leaving their cars behind.
People all across the city are walking and riding their bikes to get exercise and fresh air while maintaining social and physical distancing, often walking out into the street to avoid others on the sidewalk.
Unfortunately, though, the streets are just as dangerous as ever, as fewer cars on the road entice too many drivers to plant their right foot to the floor.
Case in point, two Toluca Lake pedestrians and a bike rider — or maybe the other way around — were injured when a speeding driver plowed into them around 8 pm yesterday, then fled the scene after stopping briefly.
An LAPD officer gave chase after spotting the driver speeding off, but lost him a short time later; police are looking for a silver Ford Fusion with Texas plates, last seen in the Universal Studios area.
Fortunately, at last report, none of the victims were seriously injured.
But it’s bad enough that Angelenos have to change our entire lives to keep ourselves and others safe from Covid-19 through social distancing.
We shouldn’t have to risk our lives just to get a little exercise and fresh air while doing it.
It’s long past time for LA’s city leaders to give us a little space to safely get outside — in every neighborhood.
Not at some vague, undisclosed time in a future that may never come, like most promises we’ve gotten in recent years.
But right now, when we need it most.
Because something like this will happen again. And we may not be so lucky next time.
Within two blocks of my house, our streets bring the community together with our nightly concerts. Nearby, people mourn the crash from the night before. You never escape the thought, What if the two converge? @StreetsblogLA @LosAngelesWalks pic.twitter.com/UbXC0H12AL
— Zachary Rynew (@Ciclavalley) May 12, 2020
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Speaking of CiclaValley’s Zachary Rynew, he’s going downhill these days. And recording it during a high speed five-mile descent on a closed Glendora Mountain Road.
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Here’s your chance to ride with South LA’s own former US crit champ Rahsaan Bahati. As long as you don’t, you know, actually want to go anywhere.
This week, Rahsaan Bahati is joining the VeloNews Group Ride on Zwift at Wednesday at 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET. If you’re on Zwift, it’s free to join and you can come chat with Bahati.https://t.co/CuFgPOJFve
— Velo (@velovelovelo__) May 11, 2020
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Sunset for All is continuing their Bikes Mean Business campaign to show Sunset Blvd businesses just what they’re missing to gain support for protected bike lanes.
And lucky for us, this week’s pick is one of LA’s rare Chicago-style pizza joints.
This Wednesday, #bikesmeanbusiness for Masa Echo Park! Join us in ordering takeout or delivery and mention @SunsetForAll in your order! pic.twitter.com/61vCtns9tH
— Sunset4All (@SunsetForAll) May 12, 2020
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Mountain bike pro Christina Chappetta offers advice on how to ride safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Singletrack gathers “20 world champs, skills coaches and veteran amateurs” to teach you how to corner on a mountain bike.
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Local
LA County will reopen beaches for active uses on Wednesday, but the beachfront bike path will remain closed.
State
No news is good news, right?
National
A writer for Jalopnik discovers you can bend the chainstays on a metal frame bike. But it doesn’t necessarily do any good.
Lime’s purchase of Uber’s Jump dockless ebikes and scooters makes it the world’s largest micromobility company. But it could be short-lived, as Uber has an option to buy Lime in two years.
Someone spray painted a Portland bike path, telling users to wear a mask or stay home. But they also drew a cute little heart, so there’s that.
Authorities are looking for a 49-year old Colorado woman who never came home after going out for a bike ride.
Some Texas drivers aren’t fans of the extra bike riders out on the streets.
Bike trails could spur economic development in Southeast Michigan. And pretty much everywhere else.
There’s must be something good in the water in Massachusetts, where a kindhearted state trooper bought a new bike for a little girl after hers was stolen, complete with handlebar basket and training wheels. And a group of bighearted firefighters bought one for a five-year old girl after they had to damage her bike to free her ankle when it got stuck in the frame.
A Maryland TV station looks back at the first hour record, set in 1893. And no, it only seems like we’ve all been quarantined ever since.
The coronavirus bike boom could be saving a Florida bike shop, after the owner was forced to shut down everything but the store’s online sales.
A Florida writer asks who needs a boat to go fishing when you’ve got a bike?
International
Shimano wants to bring the equivalent of a check engine light to your bicycle.
Pez Cycling News offers a cyclist’s guide to surviving the Covid-19 quarantine.
Bike Radar examines the eternal question of how many calories do you burn on your bike? And concludes, it depends.
Treehugger’s Lloyd Alter says the actions cities take now will determine whether bikes or cars dominate the streets after the coronavirus crisis. At this point, it’s pretty clear which way Los Angeles is going, and why.
A Canadian man’s plan to bike across the country is back on after mounties recovered his bicycle eight months after it was stolen. Which is one more reminder to register your bike, and always report it to the police if it ever gets stolen, if you want any chance of getting it back.
Once again, a young bike rider has been impaled by his handlebars. A 17-year old British boy was lucky to survive after his brother put pressure on the wound when his leg was impaled when he fell off his BMX. It’s long past time bikemakers were forced to redesign handgrips to keep this from happening.
The Guardian asks if the coronavirus could cure Brussels, Belgium’s addiction to driving.
Melbourne, Australia is preparing to remove streetside parking spaces to make room for bike lanes, as residents chose bikes over transit during the coronavirus crisis.
Perth considers more bike lanes and wider sidewalks to reduce congestion on the city’s bike paths.
Competitive Cycling
Dutch Olympic road champ Anna van der Breggen announced she’ll retire after next year.
Former pro Phil Gaimon spent yesterday attempting to set a new world record for Everesting by riding up LA’s Mountaingate Drive over 60 times, to raise funds for No Kid Hungry.
Finally…
Now you, too, can own the steampunk ebike from Westworld, if you have an extra ten to thirteen grand lying around. Look like you just stepped off a turn of the century pro team.
And when you’re with a group, it’s a naked bike ride.
Alone, they usually call it indecent exposure.
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And wear a mask, already.
