Good for the Ride, but Few Places to Park
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — People often ask me what I think of riding a bike Downtown. I tell them that I love it. Cars are often moving at a speed where I can keep up with them, and the back and forth can provide a bit of competition.
One major issue, though, when it comes to cycling Downtown is the severe lack of bike racks. Particularly in the Historic Core, there just aren't many places to lock up. Often times you'll see bikes locked up to one of our plentiful parking meters -- as the above shot from Thursday's Downtown Art Ride can attest -- but you might be surprised to learn that this behaviour is illegal in Los Angeles. Municipal Code section 88.10 states:
It shall be unlawful for any person to attach anything or to allow a bicycle, newsrack or any other article or thing to lean against a parking meter or a parking meter standard.
As we attempt to remake Downtown as a less car-dependent place, we very soon need to take one of two tacts: either we need to get busy installing bike racks, or we need to explicitly change the Municipal Code to make meter-attached parking legal. Forcing cyclists to rely on the infrequent enforcement of the law simply isn't good enough.
Bert Green on June 17, 2007, at 11:07PM – #1
Let's hope we can get the CRA to spend some money for artist-designed bike racks all over downtown. They are about to spend $50,000 on useless signage to promote Gallery Row, maybe they can figure out a way to spend money wisely instead of wasting it.
kenarch on June 18, 2007, at 03:24AM – #2
Bert, I agree. Also, there is a private sector benefit, as businesses who have or install bike racks will essentially advertise that they are "bike friendly". The pic on Eric's flickr site shows several bikes tied to a meter near Banquette - and I see bikes there and near Pete's every day. Sure, I hope the City gets on board, but even if they simply make it easy and non-fee based to install simple pipe-type racks on some of the wide sidewalk areas, many businesses would probably be willing to spring for the racks.
LA City Nerd on June 18, 2007, at 06:22AM – #3
The City will install the "upside-down U" bikeracks when requested. They are overseen by DOT and Michelle Mowery. Usually, upon request, they can install these plain, stanard racks. The artistic ones install around downtown in the 1990s by the SCI-ARCH folks are pretty cool, but they're in the wrong places. Perhaps moving some of those or replicating them in more locations would be a good project.
Nic Cha Kim on June 18, 2007, at 02:19PM – #4
I disagree with Bert's statement that the CRA signage project is a waste of money. It is definitely wasted if it's spent entirely on the corner of 5th/Main where there is a critical mass, but Gallery Row can definitely use the help towards 2nd and 9th, away from the center.
DLANC understands this very well and did a wonderful job in getting the Art Walk Dash launched, which helped get pedestrian traffic to venture further north and south.
I've read all the comments from the CRA questionnaire and the consensus is overwhelmingly in favor of the signage. Therefore, it is not a waste of money.
The purpose of the signage is to get more visitors in all the galleries, just not 1 section of Gallery Row.
Nic
Jason on June 18, 2007, at 04:13PM – #5
Wouldn't bike racks also lure more visitors to Gallery Row, as well as other Downtown destinations? There is an avid bike crowd here that should be encouraged to ride - not discouraged.
Maybe new bike racks throughout all of Downtown should be a requirement under the new Downtown Urban Design Guidelines and Standards. With the movement toward more pedestrian-friendly, wider sidewalks, why not?
Everyone agrees that Los Angeles should be moving toward becoming a more walkable city. Shouldn't it be more bikeable as well?
Nic Cha Kim on June 18, 2007, at 04:32PM – #6
Jason, I absolutely agree Downtown can use more bike racks. That's not in question here. It's great for the community and the environment and I'm all for it.
However, I do not agree the CRA signage project is a waste of money. Besides, we're discussing two totally different projects and I don't understand why anybody would discourage extra signage that would benefit the other galleries in Gallery Row.
As far as bike racks go... I'm not sure what the problem is because according to LA City Nerd, if you want bike racks, you can request them.
Kimba Rogers on June 18, 2007, at 04:36PM – #7
The CRA and Gallery Row Organization have been working on this signage project for over 4 years.
This is not a new concept and as much as he feels it's a waste of money, there are plenty of galleries that will benefit GREATLY from more signage. Not everyone is located in the 5th & Main section and I think they can use all the help they can get. I think it would be nice if people noticed the galleries on other days besides the Artwalk and signage is one way to help make that happen.
I personally am thrilled that we have a working relationship with the CRA because who knows what other things can come out of us working together. There are plenty of things that Gallery Row could use, including bike racks, but my priority has been to at least get this project off the ground and then to tackle whatever the next issue might be.
Also, the bike issue is a new one. Since we've done such a great job as a community in getting people to trust in Downtown Los Angeles again, there is now a need for Bike Racks... but trust me, 4 years ago...this wasn't something that was even on the table due to the fact that there was barely anyone here yet.
The only thing I'd like to add is maybe we don't want to insult the CRA when they are trying to do some good for the neighborhood. There's always going to be a project that someone thinks is of greater importance than someone else... the point is to build relationships so that when the time comes to ask for financial help on a new project, we've built the necessary bridges to hopefully get what the District needs.
Peace,
Kimba Rogers Co-Founder - Gallery Row Organization
Bert Green on June 18, 2007, at 06:22PM – #8
My comment said that I hoped the CRA could get us ARTIST-DESIGNED bike racks. The standard U racks are fine, but the CRA did install bike racks all up and down Vermont Ave. in the 90s that were designed by local artists.
I have worked with the CRA before and believe me, you cannot insult them. They are public servants, their purpose is to spend public money for our benefit. We have been told that we have no say in how the money is to be spent, there is no option other than signage. We are the ones being insulted.
Nic Cha Kim on June 19, 2007, at 12:41PM – #9
The CRA maybe public servants, but that DOES NOT mean that we should treat the individuals that work at the CRA as if we're their superiors. I do not agree that you cannot insult the CRA. There are real people sitting at those desks and I see no reason why anybody would want to work long and hard for a community of residents and business owners that doesn't appreciate or respect them.
The CRA is also not the only organization involved in this project. GRO has been working with the CRA on this for the last 4 years.
As a gallery owner myself, I do not feel insulted by the CRA, but grateful that they're willing to do this for us considering they don't have to do anything at all.
John Swartz on June 21, 2007, at 09:48AM – #10
WOw, I'm surprised parking meter bike locking is illegal. I do it all the time.