Cycling in Los Angeles

[ny biker]

From the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=artslot

The author seems to think that LA is not a bad place to ride, despite it's car culture.

[aeiea]

From the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=artslot

The author seems to think that LA is not a bad place to ride, despite it's car culture.

Yea, I was just discussing this with some friends on facebook. There are certain pockets in LA that are dreamlands for biking. West LA (particularly Santa Monica and Venice) for example. I absolutely love biking here -- the beach boardwalk with the bike lanes go all the way from (Malibu I think) to (wow, at least past Redondo). I've only done 25 miles worth and I'm sure I missed more.

A friend of mine who lives more east loves Hollywood and Silverlake areas for her bike commuting -- she doesn't even own a car!

There are also lots of bike community events.

LA isn't bad for biking... just would be ideal if more people would bike commute to work. Unlike super bike-friendly places like Portland, I don't think there's enough done to accommodate non-car commuters, such as installing showers in office buildings (many of my LA friends gave me this as a reason why they drive instead of bike, even though they live < 5 miles away).

The buses take bikes no problem. Now, if we only had more trains.

[Blueberry]

Found this while looking for LA biking information. DH and I will be in LA for 4 days (with him in a conference most of the time), and then in San Diego for a few (vacation). We will have folding bikes with us.

Anyone have any good resources for LA biking? We are staying near Century City Shopping Center (yeah, I know - it's a good landmark without disclosing the hotel). Is biking from there to Santa Monica safe? It looks like there are routes that are doable (and the distance is definitely doable). How about west towards Hollywood? What areas of the city should be avoided on a bike (because of traffic or safety)? Any good resources for those?

We're trying to decide whether to rent a car. Will we be able to safely get around without one? We will rent one from LA to San Diego (for the drive and to get around San Diego - I know the lay of the land a bit better there).

Thanks!!

[szsz]

I've done the City of Angels tour a couple of times and I am amazed at the great condition of the streets in LA, in particular, downtown LA. So much better than San Diego.

[Blueberry]

Thanks!

Do you have any tips on what areas of the city to avoid? LA has such a bad reputation for crime, that I've worried a bit about that (and I don't think google takes that into account).

[szsz]

It's hard to say. For instance, the bike path that goes under the 405; I won't ride that part because 4 years ago a guy got thrown off his bike and beat up there. Yet, I have a friend that rides it all the time. Go with your gut.

Here are a couple of good resources: http://la-bike.org/events, http://www.bicyclela.org/

Sorry I can't be more specific regarding areas.

[Blueberry]

It's hard to say. For instance, the bike path that goes under the 405; I won't ride that part because 4 years ago a guy got thrown off his bike and beat up there. Yet, I have a friend that rides it all the time. Go with your gut.

Here are a couple of good resources: http://la-bike.org/events, http://www.bicyclela.org/

Sorry I can't be more specific regarding areas.

Is that the Balona Creek path? If so, I think that's South of where I'm likely to meander. Good info, though - that's sort of what I'm looking for. I got in a bad area in San Diego last time - the problem is that you sometimes don't get that gut check until you might already be in trouble....

[ACG]

I live in Pasadena east of Century City, but I worked in that area, so I know exactly where you are. The site below is a local club that has lots of routes and there may even be a way to contact a few members. L.A. is very diverse I know you will be in one great area and blocks away not so pretty. Good luck.

http://www.lawheelmen.org/homepage.htm

[szsz]

Is that the Balona Creek path?

Yes, that is it.

[tangentgirl]

Yes, LA is actually a decent town for riding. Unless you are sticking to the beach paths, you do have to know how to ride in traffic, but there are a lot of rewards and a very wide variety of environments. Within county - and really, city - limits, you can ride through:

- The high-rises downtown, as the reporter noted
- The beach, either along the path that goes from the South Bay all the way up to Santa Monica, or, if you are more experienced and with a group, on PCH into Malibu and beyond.
- Along your run of the mill city streets, commuter-style
- Up into the hills and down into the canyons for some great climbs and great views
- Through the streets of mansions of Beverly Hills and whatnot
- Along the river trails parallel to the 710 and the 605, that will take you through a variety of neighborhoods without the cars and in relative safety, at least during the day when there are other cyclists out and about.

The bike lanes seem to be getting better, thanks, I'm sure, to the grass-roots types.

I actually like Ballona Creek, but I wouldn't ride it too long after sundown or too early if I were alone. It was my regular commute path for a while. Like the river/wash trails, I think it's ok if you are riding when other folks are there.

[Takemusu]

Racing team starting in LA is picking up steam.

https://www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-rou...this-is-l39ion