Bicyclists Chime In on a Chorus of the MTA Travel Blues

Thanks for telling it like it is in your article about multi-modal transit in L.A. (“A Biking Commuter Rides Out the Subway’s Bureaucracy,” March 13). Poor MTA, it tries so hard and yet messes things up so much. If only you could get a taste of what it’s like in Berlin with the S-Bahn (which does happen to be a little wider, making things even easier). About $60 per month gets you an unlimited pass, allowing transport of a bike (or friends!). Bikes can go on the S-Bahn any time, day or night.

In L.A., I only rarely ride the Red Line. The last two times were shortly before closing at 11 p.m. and were masterful exercises in bureaucratic idiocy. On one ride, I shared an 80-passenger car with perhaps two other people. At one stop on walk three police officers--”Fare check, please have your passes and tickets ready”! That’s one officer for each passenger.

And, of course, you’re quite right--why aren’t the bike racks down in the station? Why such silly regulations, etc. Why, why, why? (Perhaps because no one running the MTA uses transit?)

Here’s another: Why advertise specific bus lines (such as the 401) as providing bike racks (so up to two bikes can ride on the front of the bus) but then continue to run just some buses on this line with racks? Why not just provide transit service on some days--that would keep us all guessing.

--KEVIN PFEIFFER

Pasadena

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Loved your article on the difficulties you faced in trying to use your bicycle and public transportation to commute to work. You are not alone. Pray for $10 a gallon for gasoline!

--JIM LYLE

Hermosa Beach

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I commute 20 miles round-trip by bike at least three times a week, and I am also the only female bike commuter I know. I have two comments: I have heard bad things about train-bike commuting on all lines in Southern California, especially Metrolink and Amtrak. If I were going to bike-train commute, I would invest in a folding bike, and I would carry it on the train whenever I needed to, and if an officer asked what it was, I would answer, “Athletic equipment.” With only a three-mile commute, you could get away with a flimsier (i.e. lighter) folder and carry it in a soft bag.

Second, I was slightly dismayed to see you limit the months you will ride. There are many wonderful lighting systems available now. I believe I am actually more visible at night, with lights, than I am during the day.

--JUDY REDPATH

Huntington Beach

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As you know, a bicycle-friendly L.A. would improve several problems at once: traffic congestion, air pollution, lousy cardiovascular health, obesity, even depression and plain old testiness. As it is, well . . . I like to joke with friends that bike paths do, in fact, crisscross the city. They’re called “the gutter.”

Here’s hoping you don’t let the powers that be discourage you so much that you put your “little steed” out to pasture.

--JORDAN MOORE

Los Angeles

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I used to live in Washington, D.C., reputed to have the best subway system in the country. In any case, it too has bike permits and the lot. (In fact, you have to take a fairly lengthy written exam for the right to have a permit, which is not free.) But on the flip side, it has large “bike lockers” at several of the stations. These are, in fact, as the name implies, large metal/plastic boxes in which your bike can be locked safely during your journey. They were a godsend for people such as yourself.

Perhaps you could bring this to the MTA’s attention. I’m sure the MTA will claim that it’s not in the budget. But you never know.

--TRAVIS BOAZ

Santa Monica

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I am an avid cyclist and so, like writer Jane Engle, suffer the slings and arrows of riding my bike where the car is king. It is disheartening when I hear that the people (bureaucrats) who are supposed to be helping to alleviate some of our traffic problems are, in fact, totally oblivious to one of the best and healthiest alternatives. But then not much to do with our new subway has gone right. I had hoped that our mayor (also a cyclist) would be more supportive of the sport. Alas, he isn’t.

Maybe we can organize into some meaningful approach to the subway people . . . let them know we’re out there. We got bike racks on the buses!

--JIM JANSEN

Los Angeles

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How depressing! When I lived in North Hollywood, I commuted to work in Burbank every day for 1 1/2 years. It was a wonderful feeling and an easy, effortless way to stay in shape. I have since moved near USC. I’d love to commute the 11 1/2 miles to Burbank, but there are just no safe streets for everyday commuters. No north-south streets have Class II bike lanes, and the commuter traffic is fierce. Now I just ride on the weekends. Hopefully, our bicycle-riding mayor saw your article and will help the bicycle commuter actually commute without being a criminal or a third-class citizen.

--PAUL HULSE

Los Angeles