If you live in Los Angeles, you are most likely an attendee of the worst tailgates ever. I’m not talking about a sporting event pregame party with friends, but rather a different type of parking lot….the LA Freeways. The 405, 101 and 5 freeways are known for their infamous bumper-to-bumper traffic that can wear you out more than the 9 to 5 work day.
By 2020, California’s population is projected to increase by 6 million and this traffic, congestion and roadway crowding will only get worse. A green, environmentally-friendly solution is to get people out of their metal gas-powered cocoons and onto their bicycles.
Los Angeles has been very slow to realize the changing needs of its residents. The Los Angeles County population is currently about 10 million but most of its infrastructure and roadways were designed in an era when the population was nearly half of what it is today, causing extra stress on routes used by automobile commuters.
In response to the increased traffic, increased fuel prices, parking difficulty and newly promoted mixed use land uses, more and more cyclists are hitting the streets, but doing so in a space struggle with cars.
Last summer, Mayor Villaraigosa was hit by a taxicab while riding his bike on Venice Boulevard. Other than suffering some bumps and bruises, Villaraigosa was also “hit with the bug” to become a bicycle advocate. His partaking includes the three CyLAvia events that have taken place and the 2010 Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan* that was released last week.
*Although named the 2010 Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan, it was released in 2011.
While the 2010 Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan is the first master plan since 1975 and addresses many of the needs for today’s cyclists, it leaves out an important component which caused Villaraigosa to become involved in the first place….separation of cars and bicycles.
The new master plan proposes 1,684 miles of bike routes but roughly two-thirds of those routes will be flawed in the eyes of cyclists. The issue lies in “bike lane” which is a 4-5 foot wide lane placed to the right of traffic lanes but to the left of the curbside parking lane.
Cyclists are forced to be in the path of cars attempting to park, opening car doors and exiting the parking lane. Not to mention next to cars traveling at speeds up to 50 mph, given they are following the posted speed limit.
All it takes is one driver to be not paying attention, on their phone texting, picking up that french fry that fell on the floor or applying make-up, to strike a cyclist. As you can imagine, a 2 –ton car vs a 25 pound bicycle will not be a good match-up.
Some statements from cyclists at a public hearing held by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation:
“The plan is not designed for us”
“No one asked us what we wanted, even though we are the ones using the bike routes”
Cyclists feel that they were left out of the design process and what they really want/ need for safety is a “bike path” separated from the automobile. All this would take is some sort of buffer to deter drivers from crossing into the path of cyclists.
It doesn’t make sense that Los Angeles is placing large amounts of resources to create a master plan that is not safe in the eyes of those using it. Since money is most likely the primary issue with creating such separated pathways, the LA DOT should reduce the amount of miles in their master plan but create routes that cyclists actually feel safe using.
There is no point in allocating funds to create something that no one will use. If Los Angeles is serious about creating an attractive alternative to the car, they really need to sit down and actually consider the needs of bicycle riders.
As of right now, sitting in traffic seems more fun than getting hit by an automobile. Keep trying Los Angeles!
