Biking for Street Consideration

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, May 17, 2007, at 12:16PM

Eric Richardson [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —

Today is Bike to Work day, with activities and give-aways set up around town for commuters to get some bike-love on their way into work. The pit-stop at the Hollywood & Western subway station was a little different, not just hosting free bike tune-ups but also acting as the starting point for a ride to City Hall. There the riders delivered a fifty foot long petition to the Mayor's office, asking for "complete streets."

I took a few hours away from the office to go join the ride, which was put together by Illuminate LA. Roughly sixty people made their way from Hollywood to Downtown, escorted by LAPD bike patrol officers.

At City Hall the group heard from Douglas Failing, Director of Caltrans' District 7. He talked about how important bikes were to LA's transportation picture and then signed the petition.

Also on the ride was Zach Behrens of LAist, who'll be posting a report as soon as he can make his way all the way back to Sherman Oaks.

I took a bunch of photos, which you can find in this set.

Update (4pm): Zach's photo essay is up.

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Comments

lauren writes:

Fantastic! I would love to see more bike riding in downtown la.

# on May.19.2007 AT 03:24 PM

Purple Haze writes:

At first read, I thought the headline stated 'Bilking For Street Consideration.' Now that would be in regards to the city's parking enforcement bureau, wouldn't it?

# on May.17.2009 AT 09:50 AM

Oscar writes:

The golden rule of driving is BE ON THE DEFENSIVE. The Dude writes: Cyclists should also ride responsibly and not create additional hazards for drivers out of their own holier-than-thou attitudes. So many cyclists think traffic laws do not apply to them, but they do.

The Dude; you seem to be the newfound voice of reason around here... I'm with you on this one, the golden rule of driving is BE ON THE DEFENSIVE.

And although I am all pro cyclists, it seems to me that the longer they ride the more they become bitter and the more they drive on the offensive as a way to release their anger, forgetting very often that this is what will kill you at the end.

One thing is for sure, we need more bicycle lanes as well as new rules and correct enforcement.

# on May.18.2009 AT 02:56 AM