Letters: Cycling in L.A.

Re “Can L.A. be a cyclist’s town?,” Editorial, Sept. 29

Along with government investment in cycling infrastructure, individuals can invest in their own cycling capacity.

If you don’t have a bike, get one. If you do, modify it for transportational cycling. Lights and fenders enable riding at night or in wet conditions.

Keep your tires inflated, chain lubed and gears and brakes adjusted. Instead of stowing your bike away in an inaccessible place, find or create a storage area that provides quick and easy access. A bike that is ready to ride and easily accessible will see more use.

Seeking out the road less traveled or changing the time of your trip to avoid peak traffic can significantly improve your cycling experience.

An errand on a bike can be fun, quick, easy and invigorating, compared to a frustrating car experience with traffic and parking.

If you are nervous or rusty, CicLAvia on Sunday will be a great occasion to get reacquainted with the joys of cycling.

Philip Smith

Los Angeles

L.A. would be more of a cyclists’ town if they shared in the cost of building and maintaining the roads they ride on.

Motorists must pay hundreds of dollars a year in gasoline taxes on top of their auto registration fees to drive. Why must we pay for the roads that bicyclists use for free?

This cannot be a cyclist’s town while they ride on the charity of motorists.

Don Tonty

Los Angeles

I’m a cyclist. As I understand it, a cyclist on the road has all of the rights and responsibilities of an auto driver. Just as in a car, this still requires some common sense.

If someone in a car cuts you off, even if you are in the right, slow down. If you must wait for traffic to get in the left turn lane, think ahead and do so. If the right lane is up against the curb, take the lane. Don’t block right-hand turn lanes. In Santa Monica you can be ticketed for riding on a sidewalk.

Riding any vehicle on the road is not a casual thing. You need to stay aware of traffic, road conditions, pedestrians, children and more. Most cars weigh 3,000 pounds or more; you and your bike mostly likely weigh less than 200 pounds. Be careful.

Dean Blau

Van Nuys

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