Another Week Cycling in L.A.Last week marked another in my attempt to remain mostly car free in L.A. I did finally break down and do some heavy grocery shopping, which required the use of my car. Fortunately, however, the supermarket is only about 2 1/2 miles from home and required very little driving.
Last week was also national bike-to-work week (with May 18th being national bike-to-work day). Nicole decided to begin riding her bicycle to work instead of driving. She works near Cedar Sianai Hospital, a drive which normally takes her at least 30 minutes. On her first day commuting via bicycle she reported a total commute time (including time to locate bike parking and lock up) at 12 minutes. When she arrived home here TOTAL round-trip commute time came to 30 minutes and some seconds. We were both extremely surprised that bicycling had HALVED her commute time versus her car.
Not All Fun and GamesUnfortunately, the dangers of cycling in a large city remain a reality. Later in the week my father called me up to report that a cyclist had been struck by a car just outside of his place of business on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. The cyclist had been riding in the street near the parked cars when someone opened their door without looking. While swerving to avoid a collission with the car door, the cyclist entered the main flow of traffic and was struck by a vehicle. The cyclist suffered what appeared to be severe injuries to his arms and legs, with reportedly at least one open leg fracture. He was treated by L.A. County Paramedics on scene and taken to (presumably) Cedar Sinai hospital for further care.
Many motorists seem oblivious to the existence of cyclists on the roadways, while others are just plain rude. I believe that the benefits outweigh the risks and will continue to use my bicycle as a primary means of transportation (although today it is raining quite heavily so I may be forced to drive if the need for me to run any errands should arise). Nevertheless, the above stresses the importance of extremely defensive cycling and the use of sidewalks or alternate routes when traveling busy corridors. (In Los Angeles it is *legal* to ride on sidewalks so long as riding is not done in a manner that endangers property or pedestrians)
posted at 10:31