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.