Cycling Advocates of All Ages Say 'Share the Road'
Ed Fuentes
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — At the 6th Annual Blessing of the Bicycles, a small group of 3-year-olds made use of the slight incline at the entrance of Good Samaritan Hospital to speed past LAPD's Olympic Bike Division.
They were there, along with the Bicycle Kitchen, the East Side Bike Club and other bike riders to be blessed by Good Samaritan's Reverend Jerry Anderson. For extra precaution, Rabbi Ramin Sadeghi said a few words adding a blessing of his own.
Leading the pack of speakers was Andrew B. Leeka, President and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital, who welcomed the group and presented Councilman Tom LaBonge with the 2nd Annual Golden Spoke Award.
After the sprinkling of Holy Water, cyclists joined in a commemorative lap around the block to remember those injured or killed in bicycle accidents on city streets.
A shared message from Leeka and two young guest speakers from John Liechty Middle School, located across the street, was that drivers need to share the road with cyclists. Speakers also encouraged cyclists to be careful and to wear helmets.
Brian on May 12, 2009, at 11:44AM – #1
For a city that advocates cycling and being green I am surprised by the lack of bicycle lanes throughout Los Angeles. Combine that and the, how should I say this, questionable driving skills of many in the area and it's a wonder more people are not hurt to be honest.
Brent on May 13, 2009, at 08:22AM – #2
@Brian:
City policy seems to ignore (and sometimes accommodate) cycling rather than encourage it. Cycling supporters have long lobbied for more lanes and friendlier streets, but little has come from it. If the city wants reality to match rhetoric, it could start by building at least one Class 1 (i.e., protected) bicycle lane along some major thoroughfare. This would enable cautious cyclists like, say, my mother to try their legs at commuting or running errands, rather than the fearless cyclists who comprise the bulk of those on our streets today.
The Dude on May 16, 2009, at 03:07AM – #3
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.
Oscar on May 17, 2009, at 12:02PM – #4
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.
Christ on May 17, 2009, at 12:51PM – #5
The weak accusation of bike riders doing so "on the offensive" is a laughable one. "Dude," you've got to be kidding. A two-wheeled man-powered vehicle against a car? Against a sea of cars? Against a sea of cars driven by arguably adept drivers only paying attention to objects as big as other cars when distracted by their cellphones and texting and eating food and looking for something in the back seat?
Nigga, please.