Peddling the idea of a bike freeway
In a region known for traffic-jammed freeways, a group of cycling advocates has developed a plan for a freeway system for bikes. The L.A. Bike Working Group’s “Backbone Bikeway Network” would create miles-long east-west and north-south corridors for cyclists along some of the county’s largest streets and most heavily traveled corridors. It’s a suggested alternative to the city of Los Angeles’ proposed bicycle plan.
More than 300 readers chimed in to latimes.com to give their opinion on the plan. Here is a sampling of comments:
Chris wrote: Before putting in more bike lanes, how about making the streets safer? Have the police aggressively enforce the laws and ticket/arrest every car driver that endangers the life of a cyclist. Have the district attorney aggressively prosecute those cases. The more cases like Christopher Thompson hit the news, the more other drivers start to act like rational human beings. After all, if every car driver acted like they should, we wouldn’t need bike lanes.
Kirill wrote: Sure, as long as the cyclists follow the rules of the road like everyone else. Too often I see them running stop signs and even red lights with wanton disregard for their own safety. The worst offenders are the people on fixed-gear bikes that don’t have any brakes at all. I am not allowed to drive a car with no brakes, so why should someone be allowed to ride a bicycle with no brakes on that same road?
Lil wrote: As a driver and casual cyclist (approx. 20 miles/week) I see both perspectives every day. I do ride some of the proposed lanes already, fearing for my life every time I do so. Not only are drivers not paying attention, they are also completely ignorant of the law. The flip side is that every single day in LA I see cyclists, more often on their no-brake/speed bikes who willfully and completely ignore the traffic laws of the city. Sometimes I also see them challenging the drivers in “dares,”, swerving in and out of traffic lanes or blocking entire traffic lanes while traveling less than 15 m/h, forcing cars to drive around them. And don’t get me started about the messenger boys in Downtown who live to blow through red lights and enjoy hearing the screaming breaks of somebody’s car. And then look back with huge grins on their faces.
Nate Miller wrote: Yes, of course bicycling is a healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around. The problem? L.A. is not set up for both, so there are a lot of rogue drivers on both sides (including even bicycle “gangs” that purposefully run red lights and swarm cars). Bicyclists should also be required to pass some kind of written test showing that they know the rules, so we can all be safer.
Julie wrote: I am begging you -- NO!!!!!! let bicyclists ride on paseos and around neighborhoods. Bikes are NOT viable methods of transportation for work and should NOT be treated as such. I do not want to have to drive at 10 miles per hour because I’m behind a bicyclist on the 405. . . . Please stop the insanity.
If you want more info on the proposed plan, or would like to get involved with the project, go to www.labikeplan.com. Then, let us know what you think at ThisIsBrandX.com.
-- GERRICK KENNEDY