Eyes on the Street: LADOT Rides the Sidewalk

12_1_09_ladot.jpgPhoto: 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?"

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Bike to Work Wrap – Thanks to Metro and LAPD…But Where’s Our Bike Plan?

By Damien Newton |
Playing the part of Gallant is the LAPD. At Soap Box, Stephen Box outlines several important policy changes announced last week by the LAPD/Cyclist Task Force. The LAPD committed to filing reports when Metro buses are involved in crashes and enforcing parking policy when cars or trucks are clogging bike lanes. They debuted training materials that lay down the rights of cyclists so that there is no confusion. And, they clarified once and for all that crosswalks are an extension of a sidewalk.

Who Can We Turn To When LAPD Doesn’t Know Crosswalk Laws?

By Damien Newton |
Yet, a lot of our city officials still don't understand crosswalks. When an intersection has an unacceptable number of crashes, the many LAPD divisions respond by ticketing pedestrians crossing against a flashing hand, even if they get through the intersection before the hand solidifies; while drivers continue to merrily run red lights right in front of them.

Eyes on the Street: New Green Bike Lane Merge Zones on Vineland Avenue

By Joe Linton |
The Vineland Avenue bike lanes got a little greener this week. The L.A. Department of Transportation (LADOT) gave several merge zones a coat of “fresh Kermit.” The Vineland Avenue bike lanes run from Ventura Boulevard to Burbank Boulevard in the southeast San Fernando Valley neighborhoods of Studio City, North Hollywood, and Toluca Lake – just east […]

Report from Last Week’s DTLA Bike Sting

By Carlos Morales |
On Thursday, March 1, 2012, the LAPD Central Traffic Division deployed eight motorcycle officers to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) in what was called a “Bike Lane Sting.”  The LAPD’s mission was to educate and issue traffic citations to motorist, cyclist and pedestrians whose actions infringed on the rules of the road.   The focus was on […]