Bicycling

Last week, two proposals by Metro staff dominated a lot of the Livable Streets discussion in Los Angeles.

Are you ready for your blood to really boil?

Especially after the events of last Friday, it's always a sobering moment when you read about cyclists being killed by drunk or otherwise reckless drivers.  However, in this instance there is a silver lining to the tragedy; for once the driver is being charged with murder and not a lesser assault charge as we see all to often.

(editor's note: Some of the details of the Highland Park shooting have been left intentionally blank at the request of the ride organizers for their safety.  Keep that in mind in the comments section, please.  Update:  A couple of people have asked me for the address of the attack so that they could avoid that area on bicycle.  I can't give the address of the alleged shooter, but can say the shot was fired at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Longfellow Street in Highland Park which is very, very close to the house in question.)

Imagine trying to make a movie while leaving almost no carbon footprint...no batteries used in the lights, no cars or trucks used to haul equipment and public transit, walking and bicycling used to get the actors and crew to every location.  That's the task created for themselves by Rebel Without a Car Productions, which include our good friends Stephen and Enci Box; and they need your help.

Thanks to DJ Wheels via Twitter and Midnight Ridazz.

This Thursday, Metro will take the first public steps to remove its rush hour bans against bikes on certain trains. In just the year and a half since LA Streetsblog began publishing, Metro has threatened to vigorously enforce this ban, backed off strict enforcement, piloted a program of taking out seats to make more space for bikes on trains, expanded that pilot to more trains and now is publicly talking about ending all "bike bans" in favor of signage directing cyclists to the best places to rest bikes while riding the trains.

In the winter of 2008, Metro released the Draft Long Range Transportation Plan, outlining the agency's funding priorities for the next twenty years.  The plan divided every funding category into two amounts, "constrained" and "strategic."  The Metro Board, hoping to get more funds through Measure R, put off passing the plan until after last fall's election, hoping that Measure R would pass.  They wanted to pass a "strategic," i.e. well funded, plan instead of a "constrained" one.

Yesterday, the city officially broke ground on a three mile extension of the L.A. River Bike Path that will take the path from its current terminus at Fletcher Drive all the way to Barclay Drive.  While it's true that you can currently bike along the river in this area; the "path" is in terrible condition with water collecting in dips, uneven surfaces and tree roots forcing themselves through the asphalt.  These obstacles create a rough ride for anyone looking to ride along one of the most scenic parts of the L.A. River.