Bicycling

Eyes on the Street: LADOT Rides the Sidewalk

This photo of an LADOT parking enforcement cyclist riding down the sidewalk was taken yesterday afternoon. Of course, riding in the sidewalk is perfectly legal in Los Angeles. However given some of the actions by the LAPD and the warnings by bicycle safety experts that sidewalk riding is the most dangerous place for a cyclist; it would be nice to see LADOT's "official" cyclists take to the street, and set the example for other cyclists, when it's time to ride.

By Damien Newton

9:15 AM PST on December 1, 2009

Photo: The God of Thor

This photo of an LADOT parking enforcement cyclist riding down the sidewalk was taken yesterday afternoon. Of course, riding in the sidewalk is perfectly legal in Los Angeles. However given some of the actions by the LAPD and the warnings by bicycle safety experts that sidewalk riding is the most dangerous place for a cyclist; it would be nice to see LADOT’s “official” cyclists take to the street, and set the example for other cyclists, when it’s time to ride.

As for the above reference to the LAPD, you might remember the incident where a woman was killed in a crosswalk in the valley by a DWP truck? The LAPD deemed the slain cyclist at fault because she was “illegally in the crosswalk” and “illegally going the wrong way” in the crosswalk. I can’t help but notice that this public servant is biking the “wrong way” on the sidewalk.

When it comes to cycling laws and our city-employed cyclists; I have to ask again: “Who Is Teaching the Teachers?”

Damien Newton

Bicycling | LADOT

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