Biking in LA
I admit it, I’m somewhat insane. A 7.5 mile bike ride on Venice Blvd., across Los Angeles, is not exactly the ideal bike ride.
But I estimate a gas savings of $25/week (even as the proud driver of an efficient Honda Civic). I get to stay in shape in spite of my busy schedule. I have more energy. It’s a pleasurable way to start and end the day!
I’m beginning to wonder, though. My throat has started to hurt. Is that just because of the anxiousness resulting from the sheer scope of my current employment? My age-old asthma acting up as we near the summer months? Or am I starting to experience the harshest of realities of living in a smog ridden city and riding out in the open next to buses, large trucks, SUVs, idling cars watching me zip past them by in traffic?
That’s a scary thought.
Maybe riding my bike will give more people the idea, and traffic will settle down. Maybe by setting an example, I’ll help lead to critical mass and revolutionize the way we travel?
(I’ve written before in a post, and I will write again… traffic in LA is so bad, I really don’t spend any more time traveling on my bike than I do in my car!)
3rd St. is labeled as a bike route, but don’t do it. At least, not west of Wilton. Traffic isn’t so much of a problem - there is actually plenty of room for you, your bike, and the plenty of stuff you’ll pile onto your bike after visiting the various stores (such as Trader Joe’s) on 3rd.
The unfortunate problem with 3rd St. is that, while the main part of the road itself is kept up quite nicely, the shoulders are very poorly maintained. Riding on a 3rd St. shoulder definitely requires a mountain bike. If you enjoy feeling everything inside of your body vibrate as you bounce from broken concrete to broken concrete, you’ll enjoy this particular bike route. If not, here is the best alternative I’ve found so far:
2nd Street will get you as far east as Hudson.
Pop onto 3rd until you get down to the next light, but break the law and use the sidewalk. It is also poorly maintained, but at least you aren’t jumping about in traffic.
At the next light, bounce down to 4th St., which you can take to Wilton. Once you’ve gotten as far as Wilton, 3rd will actually be okay.
In just a few days of using my bike as my primary form of transportation, I’ve discovered the secret to getting around Los Angeles. Bike riding removes the hassle of parking entirely, and, believe it or not, I usually finding myself keeping up with the traffic! Sure, they pass me. Moments later, I pass them. Dislike riding behind a smog-spewing schoolbus? No problem! Peddle faster!<p> I’m also estimating that, when considering the cost of gas and parking in LA, I’m actually saving somewhere between $2-$3 per day! Multiply that by 365, and I’ve got a month’s worth of student loan repayments just by riding my bike whenever possible.<p> Of course this only works if you know the roads in LA, and specifically know which ones to avoid when on a bike. I’m still figuring that out.
On Friday, 1/11/2008, I began my adventures as a Los Angeles bicyclist by abiding by the law and procuring a bike license. (www.bicyclela.org/Law.htm)
When I arrived at the police station, the laugh-ability of my action became evident immediately. No one took me seriously. Not only that, but after I waited in line and watched the sun go down outside (worrying all the while about my now-upcoming first ride in the dark), I finally stepped up to the desk and announced my purpose only to hear “I’m not sure if we have any” from the officer who greeted me!
Not sure if they have any? But I called ahead to ask about the process! Fortunately, they did have at least one, which is now on my bike.
As he was filling out the paperwork, however, I asked him “When this is up for renewal, will I get something in the mail?” He looked at me like I was an alien! I felt like an alien! Finally, he responded: “Well, ma’am, you don’t actually need to renew this. In fact, you don’t need a license at all. This is just something we use to go after gang members. Someone like you doesn’t need one. You know, spirit of the law, letter of the law type thing.”
“Someone like me?” Translate: crunchy-looking white female of non-intimidating age.
“Go after gang members?” Well, I’m guessing here, but…. Translate: yet another thing for which they can write up kids they think might, at some point in the future, cause “trouble.”
I rode my bike home in the pitch black, all the while grateful that I was the dork with the giant tortoise-shell helmet and lights on the bike. My thoughts on the way home: “only in LA.” At least, I hope that’s true.
