Bicycling in LA? (Orange, Burbank, Vista: live, low cost, dangerous)

[jc76]

Good or bad idea? Moving back out there in January and thinking of using my bike as my main transportation, and the Metro buses. I am a "good" and "safe" rider...but never had to navigate in a big city like LA. Are there alot of cyclists hit often? Just gimme some advice. I'll be mainly in the Hollywood area. Thanks.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by jc76

Good or bad idea? Moving back out there in January and thinking of using my bike as my main transportation, and the Metro buses. I am a "good" and "safe" rider...but never had to navigate in a big city like LA. Are there alot of cyclists hit often? Just gimme some advice. I'll be mainly in the Hollywood area. Thanks.

I have no idea, just don't act like half the people on bikes here... Rolling through red lights in traffic, cutting left-right across lanes in front of cars, biking in the MIDDLE of the lane on Colfax when there is a bike lane.

[ConsideringLA]

Here's my post on biking in LA.

I use metro and bike 4 days per week.

It's doable, but has its downsides.

There are some roads with zero bike lane that have parking and terrible sidewalks, so you have no choice but rolling in the MIDDLE of the lane (Ventura Blvd, Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys Blvd, etc.).

KnoxTown: bike using clip-in pedals on a real road bike for a few miles in LA then come talk to me about the wonderful cagers in this town.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by ConsideringLA

Here's my post on biking in LA.

I use metro and bike 4 days per week.

It's doable, but has its downsides.

There are some roads with zero bike lane that have parking and terrible sidewalks, so you have no choice but rolling in the MIDDLE of the lane (Ventura Blvd, Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys Blvd, etc.).

KnoxTown: bike using clip-in pedals on a real road bike for a few miles in LA then come talk to me about the wonderful cagers in this town.

I'm not bashing bicyclers in general, just the ones with an obvious death wish.

[BRinSM]

bikes are becoming more and more popular in this city and causing more and more of an issue on our streets. not more than a month or two ago, two cyclists were nearly killed by doctor with a case of road rage. i think the fact that more and more cyclists are appearing on our roads is starting to frustrate drivers since most of our roads don't have bike lanes, which in turn causes backups on the streets. personally, i'm an avid cyclist, but i try to avoid riding on the streets too much. in hollywood, you'll have no choice but to use the streets. if you are an experienced and confident cyclist, you should be able to get by just fine.

[guyatwork37]

It's a good idea if you live 1 mile from work and like daredevil-ish activities.

[ConsideringLA]

Originally Posted by guyatwork37

It's a good idea if you live 1 mile from work and like daredevil-ish activities.

This is hogwash. Metro runs all over the place and is extremely bike friendly. I am 17 miles from work (Burbank to Warner Center) and bike on the Chandler path, which is a class I trail, to NoHo then take Orange Line into Warner Center. There are more class I trails, as well, mainly running parallel to metro lines. See the links in my post referenced above for a large map of all the bike paths in LA.

Sure, the feeder streets like Buena Vista can be intimidating, but on balance, LA is fine - thanks to Metro.

My commute is just a few minutes more than by car, but includes exercise, relaxation, and a fixed/low cost. Have you ever classified your commute as such?

Enjoy sliding your card at the gas pump, cager.

[CESpeed]

As heavy as traffic is these days and the lack of consideration of cars for bicycles, I wouldn't ride a bike unless I could take smaller streets. It will be very dangerous to ride on a main thoroughfare.

[ConsideringLA]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

As heavy as traffic is these days and the lack of consideration of cars for bicycles, I wouldn't ride a bike unless I could take smaller streets. It will be very dangerous to ride on a main thoroughfare.

Read the original post - the OP is asking about bikes + bus. Look at the map and give it a chance for your individual situation...

[amc760]

Originally Posted by ConsideringLA

Here's my post on biking in LA.

I use metro and bike 4 days per week.

It's doable, but has its downsides.

There are some roads with zero bike lane that have parking and terrible sidewalks, so you have no choice but rolling in the MIDDLE of the lane (Ventura Blvd, Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys Blvd, etc.).

KnoxTown: bike using clip-in pedals on a real road bike for a few miles in LA then come talk to me about the wonderful cagers in this town.

Cagers?? Is that a slur for us car driving-Americans??