Paths Aren’t Just for Bicyclists

Re “Wheel-Life Stress: Give bicyclists a break, will ya?” by John M. Glionna, March 15:

I have been a fairly serious cyclist in the past and am now a fairly serious in-line skater and have logged thousands of miles on the “bike path” in both capacities, so I think I can provide an unbiased opinion on this subject.

It is not “your” beach route. Granted, the path says “bikes only” in most places. However, I don’t think any cyclist in his or her right mind can seriously lay claim to the path based on decades-old signs and intentions. It’s kind of like old laws on the books that ban kissing in public. Are the cyclists the only people who need a breather from the tension and exhaust fumes of automobile traffic? I don’t think so. Given the extreme rise in the popularity and number of in-line skaters in the past five years or so, it should be clear that it is no longer a “bike path” but a “beach route” (as you yourself called it) that should be there for the enjoyment of all.

SCOTT ULLERICH

Hermosa Beach

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Re “Wheel-Life Stress: Is it too much to ask that cyclists obey traffic rules?” by Steve Harvey, March 15:

It’s true, some cyclists don’t stop at stop signs and don’t follow the rules. To generalize all bikers into this group is like generalizing all motorists as nature Nazis who pollute and care nothing of the traffic and smog they create.

You hate the cyclists that ride two and three abreast on one-lane roads. I hate drunk motorists. Ever hear of someone killed by a drunk cyclist?

Think it’s irritating to wait for cyclists who are riding three abreast? (Legal, by the way.) Imagine being on a bicycle and seeing a motorist putting on makeup or talking on a cell phone in your rearview mirror!

If you want the roadway to be safer, stop squawking about Spandex and drive safely.

DAN SULLIVAN

Agoura Hills

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While your two articles about bicycling obviously were meant to be taken somewhat humorously, this is unfortunately nothing to laugh about. Cyclists in L.A., especially on the Westside, have real difficulty finding safe places to ride. What once was a haven, the bike path, has become an insane pedestrian freeway that no true cyclist goes anywhere near, except during winter in the middle of the week. While this may make for amusing copy, it is just not a funny situation. That leaves only the traffic-heavy streets for the inexperienced bicyclists who tend to do stupid things like run stop signs and ignore traffic laws. The experienced cyclists--the ones in brightly colored Spandex (which is very comfortable and highly visible, Mr. Harvey)--also stay clear of the bike path and take their chances with the drivers on the roads. Unfortunately, even the most conscientious and experienced cyclist is no match for the oblivious driver of a multi-ton steel automobile who blithely makes right turns in front of them, or left turns right into them.

Any longtime cyclist can relate horror story after horror story of near misses and, unfortunately, hits as well. All cyclists know of someone who was killed on a bike by some driver not paying attention, or some driver who was drunk, or some driver who just somehow didn’t notice the cyclist in bright colors riding on the shoulder, well out of traffic.

MIMI SHEEAN

Via Internet

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L.A. County has great weather year round for cycling. Is it too much to ask for a safe place to bicycle on the streets? Apparently so in L.A. County, where there has never been enough money from the MTA to build an adequate number of bike lanes and paths. Cyclists need more than recreational paths along the sea. We need to create a vast network of safe, convenient, comfortable and enjoyable routes to bicycle throughout the county to avoid the types of confrontations that were mentioned in your “Wheel-Life Stress” stories.

RON MILAM

Executive director

Los Angeles County Bicycle

Coalition