Eyes on the Street: Guess Who’s Blocking the Bike Lane?

7:30 AM PDT on July 3, 2013

Our friend Colin Bogart sent along this note to us and representatives of Film L.A. about his bike commute to work yesterday.

Attached are photos from a film location I passed this morning at Sunset Blvd. and N. Reno Street. The bike lane is blocked on both sides of Sunset, with none of the minimum required warning signage. This is especially hazardous on the westbound side of Sunset which bends to the right. A bicyclist riding outside the bike lane could easily be hit from behind by a motorist who has not been warned by signage that bicyclists will be in the right lane.
I would like to know what you are going to do about this location this morning? It's a serious hazard right now!
I would also like to know what you are doing to ensure production companies are meeting the minimum requirements for signage whenever they block a bike lane? I seem to notice at least one film shoot per month along Sunset in which the production company fails to meet the minimum required traffic controls. This is a recurring problem that needs to be addressed.

A representative from Film L.A. assured Bogart he called the production company and the LAPD. There was no commitment to better inform crews of their reesponsibilities to provide for signage and other safety needs when blocking bike lanes or other parts of the street.

Given how cavalierly film crews block bicycle lanes without following the rules, placing cyclists and other road users in danger, maybe we got the messaging wrong on the Spring Street Controversy. Given the local Film and Television Industry's allergic reaction to Green Paint, remember this isn't an issue anywhere else, maybe cyclists should be demanding green lanes to protect us from the Film and Television Industry.