Image Credit: http://www.examiner.com
by Steve Herbert
Culver City is implementing its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, adding bike lanes and “sharrows” as the popularity of cycling continues to increase in the region.  With the number of cyclists growing, a number of issues reveal themselves.   One is that parked cars can be more dangerous than moving vehicles when a motorist suddenly opens a car door into the path oncoming traffic that includes cyclists.  The resulting collision is known as “dooring” or “being doored”.
Bicycle lanes are frequently installed adjacent curbside parking & cyclists …

Did you know in the US 40% of trips are 2 miles or less, with 90% of
them made by car?*
Did you know that it costs $5170 per year to operate a car, but $120
per yer to maintain a bike on average?*
Did you know that driving a car releases 20 pounds of CO2 per gallon
of gas driven?*
Did you know the folks at Cliff Bar have created a 2 Mile Challenge
with a goal to avoid 100,000 car trips in 2011?
Did you know that as of the end of June, …

My bike (Gary’s) parked outside Swingers Diner with one of the new bike racks. Credit Gary Kavanagh
Gary Kavanagh, well known in the cycling world here in So Cal, wrote a great piece about protecting your bike from being stolen. Santa Monica has been installing new bike racks and Gary has some tips.
 
It was only a couple months ago that I was lamenting the lack of bike racks at many locations around town, particularly parts of Santa Monica outside the downtown region.
I am happy to report that this is quickly being …

 
May 10, 2011
J.J. Hoffman
L.A. River Ride Coordinator
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
323-839-6414
 

Save the Date
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition to Host 11th Annual L.A. River Ride June 5
“One Tree Hill” star, Austin Nichols to Grand Marshal.

Known around the tweeting world as #twowheeltuesday, televison star Austin Nichols will Grand Marshal the 11th Annual Los Angeles River Ride, one of L.A. County’s biggest and best-loved bicycle events, The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) will host the L.A. River Ride on Sunday, June 5 at the Autry …

Photo from Funny Fridays Blogspot
 
Someone reminded me the other day that in spite of all the good reasons there are for riding a bike, the REAL reason we do it is RIDING IS FUN!!!
 
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve observed stressed out, frustrated drivers completely loosing it with one another over some slight when I’m out on a bike.  Last week on Bundy Drive I happened upon two luxury SUV’s stopped in the middle Bundy with the driver of the first vehicle out of his car, screaming …

LA Bike week gets off to a soggy start!
While out helping my wife setup a polling place early this morning, I noted several cyclists out riding in the rain.  While I respect their efforts, I try to avoid riding the wet streets as I don’t have a bike with fenders or appropriate rain gear to do so without making a big mess of myself and the bike.  (Been there, done that).
The Blessing of the Bicycles took place this morning at the Good Samaritan Hospital with …

Ok it’s movie time!!!
Here’s a few short fun videos related to biking which hopefully will open your eyes a bit more to the world of commuting by bike.
First off, a short video from UCLA highlighting two who commute to UCLA by bike…one through Venice, Santa Monica & WLA, the other from the Pico Union district.  There are some lessons to be learned and it’s cool to pick out the places they are riding.

.
Next, for parents of young children a 3 minute video of a preschooler’s …

.
.
.
.

My name is Steve Herbert and I’m the Chief Engineer at KCRW.  For the past year I’ve become a low level bicycle commuter activist, encouraging my friends and co-workers to consider cycling as a method of commuting. I’ve been riding to work for the past 3 years, originally as a way to sneak in some bike time while training for triathlons after being brought into the sport by KCRW volunteer Tim Bomba; but
that’s another story.

.
What I didn’t expect to happen is I actually prefer to ride my bike the 6 …

May is National Bike Month

Bike Month 2011
The League of American Bicyclists is the national sponsor of Bike Month and we are promoting Bike-to-Work Week 2011 from May 16-20 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 20. (Via American League of American Bicyclists)

Metro Board Approves Removal of Peak-Hour Restrictions for Bikes on Rail

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors today approved a staff recommendation to remove peak-hour restrictions for bicycles on the Metro Rail system and authorized the removal of seats on light rail vehicles to better …

Next week watch for Bike It! Day in Santa Monica (Thanks to rain Bike It! Day is postponed to Oct, 13)

I got a call at the station last week from a mom (and KCRW subscriber, thank you so much!) about a really cool event taking place this Wednesday. Bike It! Day. Ultimately I spoke to Jenna Perelman, the daughter, a junior at Santa Monica High School and Co- President of Samohi Solar Alliance. I was so impressed with the passion and commitment that she and the others have for our planet. To …