Comments on: With the Fires Effecting Air Quality, Bike Safely Out There http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/09/02/with-the-fires-effecting-air-quality-bike-safely-out-there/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Erin http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/09/02/with-the-fires-effecting-air-quality-bike-safely-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-29041 Erin Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:00:46 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=9661#comment-29041 People living in cities are exposed to pollution as it is. The benefits of biking far outweigh the health effects you get by staying indoors. So, take your bike out by all means. Just steer clear of congested roads- and wear a useless mask! Did you notice that none of the manufacturers make any claims about their efficacy? Hmmmm… People living in cities are exposed to pollution as it is. The benefits of biking far outweigh the health effects you get by staying indoors. So, take your bike out by all means. Just steer clear of congested roads- and wear a useless mask! Did you notice that none of the manufacturers make any claims about their efficacy? Hmmmm…

]]> By: bikinginla http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/09/02/with-the-fires-effecting-air-quality-bike-safely-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-28991 bikinginla Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:12:58 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=9661#comment-28991 Thanks for the correction, DLM. I've used a bandana to ride through snow storms and blowing sand, and assumed it would work on smoke as well. And I never object to being contradicted by someone who knows more about the subject than I do. Thanks for the correction, DLM. I’ve used a bandana to ride through snow storms and blowing sand, and assumed it would work on smoke as well.

And I never object to being contradicted by someone who knows more about the subject than I do.

]]> By: DLM http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/09/02/with-the-fires-effecting-air-quality-bike-safely-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-28911 DLM Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:27:02 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=9661#comment-28911 @bikinginla Just a quick note to point out that a bandana actually does almost nothing to filter polluted air. The particles that are dangerous are far too small to be filtered by normal fabric. Basic dust/surgical masks that can be gotten at any hardware/paint/pharmacy store will do much more. There are some that are impregnated with activated carbon (and will be grey instead of white) which reduce the chemicals that you breathe as well as the particulates. Not to contradict you, just want to get the best info out there as possible. :) @bikinginla
Just a quick note to point out that a bandana actually does almost nothing to filter polluted air. The particles that are dangerous are far too small to be filtered by normal fabric. Basic dust/surgical masks that can be gotten at any hardware/paint/pharmacy store will do much more. There are some that are impregnated with activated carbon (and will be grey instead of white) which reduce the chemicals that you breathe as well as the particulates.

Not to contradict you, just want to get the best info out there as possible. :)

]]> By: Joe Linton http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/09/02/with-the-fires-effecting-air-quality-bike-safely-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-28901 Joe Linton Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:17:52 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=9661#comment-28901 Self-deprecating LOL @ my "an obligatory shot at car-culture" ... True, true... I guess I am that predictable. Shay's advice is really good. And the fires are really scary... (Joe's predictable parting anti-car-culture shot: It is one of my many anti-car pet peeves that cars are the solution that contributes to the vicious cycle that makes the problem worse. Mainstream logic does stuff like this: Dangerous traffic? Don't bike, drive. Dangerous air? Don't bike, drive. Streets congested? Add more space for cars.) Self-deprecating LOL @ my “an obligatory shot at car-culture” … True, true… I guess I am that predictable.

Shay’s advice is really good. And the fires are really scary…

(Joe’s predictable parting anti-car-culture shot: It is one of my many anti-car pet peeves that cars are the solution that contributes to the vicious cycle that makes the problem worse. Mainstream logic does stuff like this: Dangerous traffic? Don’t bike, drive. Dangerous air? Don’t bike, drive. Streets congested? Add more space for cars.)

]]> By: bikinginla http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/09/02/with-the-fires-effecting-air-quality-bike-safely-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-28891 bikinginla Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:05:16 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=9661#comment-28891 I think Roadblock is on the right track. Your options may be limited if you ride for transportation rather than recreation — you've got to go where you've got to go, regardless of the air quality. However, if you ride for recreation, plan a route that takes you towards the coast. Here on the Westside, we've been getting smoke at night and in the morning, as the winds blow towards the ocean. But once the winds reverse, around 10 am or so, it usually blows the smoke back inland and you get several hours of clear air. I've been able to ride the last week with just minimal disruption; in fact, I'm leaving in a few minutes on a ride that will take me from Westwood to Hermosa and should have clean air the whole way. As for wearing masks, you should be able to pick up a mask that will do the trick at any drug store or paint store. And as a last resort, a bandana tied over your face makes an effective air filter — just don't wear it into a bank or a liquor store. I think Roadblock is on the right track. Your options may be limited if you ride for transportation rather than recreation — you’ve got to go where you’ve got to go, regardless of the air quality.

However, if you ride for recreation, plan a route that takes you towards the coast. Here on the Westside, we’ve been getting smoke at night and in the morning, as the winds blow towards the ocean. But once the winds reverse, around 10 am or so, it usually blows the smoke back inland and you get several hours of clear air.

I’ve been able to ride the last week with just minimal disruption; in fact, I’m leaving in a few minutes on a ride that will take me from Westwood to Hermosa and should have clean air the whole way.

As for wearing masks, you should be able to pick up a mask that will do the trick at any drug store or paint store. And as a last resort, a bandana tied over your face makes an effective air filter — just don’t wear it into a bank or a liquor store.

]]> By: M http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/09/02/with-the-fires-effecting-air-quality-bike-safely-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-28881 M Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:45:20 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=9661#comment-28881 Thank you! Does anyone have links to recommended filtering face masks? Thank you!

Does anyone have links to recommended filtering face masks?

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