Streetsblog Los Angeles

For one week a year, transportation agencies around the country and around L.A. County put their best face forward to the cycling community by programming a series of bike-friendly events intended to encourage and support better cycling.  The majority of the events, with the notable exception of Bike Writer's Collective Bike Not to Work Day, were programmed by either the team of Metro and the LADOT or CICLE and the City of Pasadena.

Of course, I'd rather have the City of Los Angeles produce a Bike Master Plan than plan a week of bike events, but what can you do?

In addition to the series of events that mark Bike Week, Metro wants bike commuters, either regulars or those just trying it out for for one day, to register on their website to let them know and qualify for prizes such as free trips and bikes.  For a full list of events, summaries and my Bike Week schedule and opinions read on after the jump:

While I have listed summaries of the events below, for full event listings check out the websites for Metro's Bike to Work Week and Bike Week Pasadena.

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Cyclists head to the Bike Expo during Bike Week Pasadena last year.

As we approach Bike to Work Day and the corresponding Bike Week Pasadena, let's take a look at how our neighbor to the east views and treats its cycling community.

When doing research for this week's installment for Bike Friendly Fridays, I found one statement in a press release that shows the difference between how Pasadena views cyclists and its large car-loving neighbors.  From a press release on announcing an update to the city's Bike Master Plan:

The existing master plan, titled “Century of Bikes,” was adopted in 2000. It encourages bicycle riding and proposes improved conditions for those already riding.

Most of the projects in the 2000 plan have been completed, with 60 lane miles identified with signage and stripes. A bike map, bike parking and promotion of bike safety were also integral to the plan.

By comparison, the City of Los Angeles is planning "18 miles of new bike lanes" in the next couple of years.  Also, while Pasadena is aggressively pursuing the creation of a new Bike Master Plan because it wishes to expand on the nearly completed BMP done in 2000, the City of Los Angeles has missed at least three dates where the draft of the BMP for which it held hearings in January of 2008.

The other difference in planning styles is what's being discussed to be part of the new BMP's.  For Los Angeles, we've been told the new plan will hope to fill in the gaps in the network that create dangerous conditions for cyclists when bike lanes suddenly end near a freeway entrance and earned one lane in Westwood the distinction of being named the Dumbest Bike Lane in America.

By comparison, Pasadena is moving forward by examining the road treatments that could make it the top bike-town in LA County.

The update, which will examine the full range of actions that could be taken to qualify for related state and federal funds, is expected to require more innovation as the city of Pasadena considers bicycle boulevards, traffic calming devices and other treatments.

An initial needs analysis will determine the visibility, safety and connectivity of Pasadena’s bicycle network for beginning and experienced cyclists.

Of course to be a friendly town for cyclists, it's not just about designing the best streets, it's also about showing support for cyclists.  Enter Bike Week Pasadena.

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Ridazz Gather for September 2007 "Swarm the Pier" Ride in Culver City. Image: Gary S7ven

For many cyclists that don't live in Culver City, a discussion of bikes centers around two bike trails: the Ballona Creek Bike Path and the planned, funded but not approved Expo Bike Path.  However, Culver City is working and planning to become the kind of bike-town that could rival Santa Monica for top spot on the Westside.

However, Culver City has a lot of work to do.  By the city's own admission, "Culver City’s surrounding geography has led to the development of an irregular (broken-grid) roadway network which presents unique challenges for non-motorized transportation."  As any psychologist can tell you, the first step is admitting you have a problem.  The second step is figuring out what to do.

Enter Culver City's new Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiative.  While they are still months from a final plan, and haven't really gotten into the public outreach phase, the signs are good that Culver is taking this challenge seriously.  First, they hired the well regarded planning group Alta Planning and Design.  While the public process for the L.A. City Bike Master Plan has come under heat, that had a lot more to do with the city than it did the agency which has won high marks for writing these sorts of plans for Portland, Berkely and around the country.

Thus far, Culver City is still in the information gathering stage.  If you live, bike through, or walk in Culver City you should take a second to fill out their survey.  They may have a strong list of bike advocates on their advisory committee, including Tour De Ballona ride leader Dino Parks, but they still need your help.

As the plan progresses, we'll check back in and see how Culver City's doing in their quest to become a Bike Town.