Bicycling in L.A.: How to go car-free, ride safely, have fun

by Benjamin L. Landry
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At its best, biking in L.A. is a cost-effective, climate-friendly means of transportation, leisure, and exercise. Yet, at its worst, biking in L.A. remains a dangerous errand of twisting through an incomplete network of fading white paint, miles of unprotected bike lanes that vanish into thoroughfares where cyclists compete with cars moving at high speeds.

Bicycling in L.A

“The concern is very simple,” bike activist Michael Schneider said. “People feel like they’re gonna die if they bike in L.A.”

Over the past five years, 96 cyclists have been killed on Los Angeles roads, an average of 18 a year, according to LAPD data. So far this year, six have died, including Andrew Jelmert, a 77-year-old real estate agent struck by a driver in Griffith Park in April, and days later, Leonidas Accip Search, who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Koreatown. That same week, a third cyclist, John Hermoso, was killed while riding near Santa Clarita, outside Los Angeles city limits.

And yet a hardy 3% of L.A. residents, about 120,000 people, carve out their daily commutes and other trips on two wheels. Through wit, will, joy, or necessity

Michael Runnels, an assistant professor of business law at Cal State L.A., speeds down Griffith Park hills, catching glimpses of the sun rising over the city. Lena Williams, a community organizer, slows down to take in the murals of South L.A. that reflect their experience as a Black queer person. Through thin rubber tires, cyclists feel the city’s inequality, gliding between neighborhoods with smooth pavement and those whose roads are riddled with potholes.

Their “appreciation for the natural world,” as Pauletta Pierce says, binds cyclists together, many of whom advocate for a city with safer and more connected transportation infrastructure.

Runnels wants the city to follow its plan,” referring to a 2016 mobility plan that promised 3,137 miles of bike, bus, and pedestrian infrastructure by 2035. (The city has so far built 95 miles of those improvements.) And such modifications, several regular cyclists said, must work for the people who need them the most — low-income people of color — not at their expense, as when improved transit infrastructure has fueled gentrification and displacement.

As these cyclists continue to make do with their system, we decided to ask a few of them why they bike in Los Angeles, a city where progress on infrastructure and safety seems to crawl, and how to have fun despite the drawbacks.

Michael Runnels, assistant professor

Michael Runnels on one of his favorite rides in Griffith Park.

(Brian Hashimoto)

Typical ride: Downtown to work at Cal State L.A.

How long have you been biking in L.A.?

Since I moved to L.A. in August 2020, I sold my car before moving to L.A. I researched the top 10 things and the bottom ten things about L.A. Every problem was the L.A. traffic. And then, I studied the commute of a cyclist versus a driver from downtown to where I work at Cal State L.A. The cyclists appeared to get there on time or a few minutes quicker. So I was thinking, “I’m going to move to this beautiful city with all this gorgeous weather. Let me see if I can turn the number one frown upside down and turn it into my actual exercise.” So I landed in L.A. intending to be a cyclist, and it is working magnificently.

What’s the most fun you can have on a bike in L.A.?

You are descending a hill from Griffith Park. Los Angeles is a gorgeous unfurling flower with no center — pretty continuous petals. And the only way t begin to see how this beautiful city is tied together was on the saddle of a bike. You IYoucould sees thatin a poor neighborhood, you’ll tend to go slower because the roads are maintained less effectively. If you bike to Beverly Hills, the pavement turns smooth. You can see the theory of a city: where the money goes, where the money does not go. The views of the city, nestled in the mountains right next to the ocean —are stunning. So riding your bikes with friends in this staggering natural beauty, you’re earning this beauty. You’re getting exercise, you have a zzeroed-oarbon footprint, and you’re making bonds with your community in ways you could never do with a car.

Favorite ride: Downtown to Griffith Park

Pauletta Pierce, substance abuse counselor

Pauletta Pierce turns to cycle to process emotions — even just for a short ride through her Chinatown neighborhood.

(Pauletta Pierce)

Typical rides: Around Chinatown; from Chinatown to Echo Park for self-care

How long have you been biking in L.A.?

I was introduced to biking by the downtown bike messengers back in the ’90s. They were the ones, before the internet, transporting court documents to law firms into courthouses. And I worked downtown at a coffee bar, and we were all just blue-collar workers that all hung out. They just encouraged me to bike ride. And this was before L.A. had any bike lanes. And they said to me, just as long as you are in the gutter, you know, or on the road, you can be there; you have every right to be there.

I started to change to bike riding because I used to have to take the morning bus, and the man always used to harass me. He’d see me in the morning, making a note of when I came home, and he followed me home. And that’s how I felt safe. Because if people don’t get close to you, they can’t get to you. So, I decided to start riding my bike to work and home.

UPDATED May 18, 2022, | 12:47 p.m.

Why a group ride?

“I think anytime you’re with a group and you’re able to shut down a street is always really cool. … I think when you see a group of bikes in action, and you can see how you can sort of reclaiming public space together, I’m always a big fan of that.” — Olga Lexell, writer’s assistant, bike activist, and bike commuter

.Group rides “enabled me to see I could ride everywhere I needed to go, even though it’s a big city. Learning to ride in a group gave me confidence, riding on the streets and feeling like I ddidn’tneed to be afraid of cars or people harassing me. Just keep pedaling and ride fast.” — Jane Ashley, founder of the Mixed Race and bike commuter

Are.Looking for a group ride? Try these

Trash Panda: Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Grand Park off-Broadway. This ride is eclectic, fun, and open to all. Ome rides are social rides for food or a viewpoint; others are challenging rides through trails or mountain roads. Critical Mass: The last Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Wilshire/Western Metro station. This monthly group ride is known for artists’ welcoming atmosphere and ability to claim the entire road for riders.

RideWitUs: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:45 p.m. Meeting locations vary, but keep up with them on Instagram for posts every Monday. What started as a small group of friends riding during the pandemic grew into a popular cycling hub in South L.A.

TPC Gender Expansive Ride: Every first and third Friday of the month at Detroit Vesey’s in L.A.’s arts district. An offshoot of Trash Panda, this ride centers and creates space for women, non-binary, transgender, and gender non-conforming people. All skill levels are welcome in a “no drop” ride, as the group will stick together throughout.

The Mixed Race: Every Thursday at 8 p.m. from the CVS lot next to Bikerowave on Venice Boulevard in Mar Vista. This women-led ride is 30 miles of fast, non-stop cycling. Also, check their Instagram every Friday for a comprehensive list of weekend rides across L.A. County.)

Join if you’re ready and looking for speed.CicLAvia: Since 2010, CicLAvia has shut down large streets for bikes and pedestrians only during day-long events. Previous routes included 6 miles of downtown L.A. streets, a 5-mile distance along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in South L.A., and another 6 miles through the center of Hollywood. Organizers expect the next event to take place this summer. Check their website for updates.

Chief Lunes: This South L.A.-centric ride meets monthly at the Hoover Recreational Center. What began as party rides in 2013 has evolved into all-ages outings, attracting teenagers from the neighborhood. Ride dates and times are posted on Instagram.

East Side Riders: This club has become an essential part of South and Southeast Los Angeles neighborhoods, handing out food on Wednesdays and leading family-friendly rides through areas such as Compton, Watts, and South Gate.

What’s the most fun you can have on a bike in L.A.?

Group rides. That’s when I feel connected to my tribe because cyclists deeply appreciate the natural world. So I love to be around those types of people. It just makes me feel like family and being in my community, especially on group rides.

And back in 2020, when the civil unrest was happening, and Juneteenth came around, many people of color were all feeling the same — we were going through it. We just rode it out — we rode out our anger together and grieved together. t was a needed ride. As a community, we needed to be together, grieve, and heal our loss. We got to express our frustration and our anger in a productive way. Favorite ride: Chinatown to Echo Park Lake

 

Lavanya Sunder, tech and mobility entrepreneur

Lavanya Sunder uses an electric bike to get around L.A. for work, grocery shopping, visiting loved ones, and weekend beach ride.

(Lavanya Sunder)

Typical ride: Mid-Wilshire to co-working space in West Hollywood

How long have you been biking in L.A.?

Well, I moved to L.A. in August. And I’ve never lived in L.A. with a car. Many people were wondering if I would get a car, but I didn’t want to. And I tried it out, and you know, it’s working for me.

I.A. gets a bad rap for being a sprawling city, but I think it’s quite dense. I’m within a two-mile radius of four or five grocery stores, countless nail salons, hair salons, CVS, and so on. So in terms of access, I feel for my daily or weekly, or monthly needs, it’s not even at all a concern. And with an electric bike, I have access to a big chunk of the city just as quickly as my friends with cars. Below five miles, I know, without fail, I will either get there five minutes faster or five minutes slower. After five miles, I’ll take rideshare, carpool, or maybe tetro, but that joesndoesn’ten that frequently. And if it does, it’s totally fine. I feel like I have just as much access and more freedom not having a car.

What’s the most fun you can have on a bike in L.A.?

The most fun I’ve had biking in L.A. has probably been biking on the Santa Monica beach path. I feel the most joy you can have on a bike is in a car-free way. And it’s just stunning. I think it was a Saturday, a beautiful day, and just kicking around in the Venice boardwalk area, seeing so many people on bikes and walking and, you know, getting a glimpse of what L.A. could be like — that was awesome.

Favorite ride: Mid-Wilshire to the beach bike path

Jimmy Lizama, bike activist and former bike messenger

Jimmy Lizama, an L.A. native who has always been car-free, runs the Re: C close project, which recycles bicycles into cargo bikes.

(Jessica Brown)

Typical ride: Koreatown to Silver Lake to drop off his child at school

How long have you been biking in L.A.?

I never owned a car, and I’m an Angeleno born and raised. When I was about 24 years old and living in Atwater Village, I had to get to my job out in Hollywood and ran late. Someone who took the bus, I knew that that would not be the most viable option. And so, the only option that I had to get to work on time was to take a bicycle that was too small for me. So I jumped on that bicycle and took off at ten or something in the morning. [After passing three buses on his bike, Lizama arrived early for work.] And I thought, “Oh, my God, this is different. Why isn’t everybody doing this?”

What’s the most fun you can have on a bike in L.A.?

The Bicycle Kitchen, when we started that in 2000, there were like 30 people who were bicycling for transportation. Within two years of creating, we had bicycle rides at night with thematic costumes where it was like 2,000, 3,000 people deep in L.A., Thisis 20 years ago, which was unheard of. People on bicycles went out to have fun in the middle of nthe night in L.A., but itjust wasn’t happening. So it was going to cumbia shows, gunk shows, tacos, drunken rides, and parties.

Favorite ride So it was revolutionary.: 4th Street from Koreatown to Hancock Park

Lena Williams, bike safety educator, and community organizer

(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Typical Ride: Around Leimert Park

How long have you been biking in L.A.?

I began on Jan. 1, 2017. Coming to L.A. was just a way to learn and figure out the geography. My favorite way to take in the city and community is by bike. You miss too many things by car, so I started riding my bike to see a little more. There are some brilliant murals throughout the city, but particularly folks who’ve done things here in South L.A., like Enkone, or Noni [Olabisi], who just recently passed away a couple of months ago. [Williams’ organization, People for Mobility Justice, curated this self-guided East L.A. mural ride.]

What’s the most fun you can have on a bike in L.A.?

The question is a little bit interesting to me because of the way I view biking. So the act itself is fun. Adding to the biking experience, you know, are things that I like riding to, like truce’s Beach or local small businesses in the area. But the biking itself, for me, is a moving meditation that is very much tied to my spiritual practice. Meditation is something that I use to center myself. Anything that I’m trying to suppress, emotions, things like that, I can’t hide them from my bike. And so my bike is my mirror — it keeps me honest.

Favorite ride: Leimert Park to Bruce’s Beach

Raymund Florida, classroom monitor, freelance illustrator, and food delivery worker

Raymund Florida says he can’t afford a car but also rides for leisure, enjoying the occasional rides bridges over the Arroyo Seco.

(LeAnn Ishizuka)

Typical ride: From home in Pasadena’s Olive Heights to Old Pasadena for work

How long have you been biking in L.A.?

About ten years now since I moved here in 2013. I don’t have access to a car, so it’s jow Ihowt around. Cycling is what makes the most sense financially. I’m low-income at the moment, so in hopes of getting a better-paying job, maybe a car is feasible. But also, besides paying rent, cycling is the most cost-effective way. And part-time to have a bicycle — it’s easier to park.

What’s the mo And ppart-time I do food delivery.st fun you can have on a bike in L.A.?

Just like plain exploring. Since L.A. is sprawling, there’s so much access to even the mountains. I’ve been commuting for ten years, but I’ve only been going into the hills more recently. There are still cars there, but not as many. It’s quieter, and it’s just amazing views. Mostly around Mt. Wilson. Also, the Angeles Crest Highway around Mt. Baldy has been accessible to me.

There’s a saying around cyclists: “All bodies on bikes.” Anybody type can ride. Have fun, explore your neighborhood, and wear a helmet!

Favorite Ride: To Mt. Baldy Village from Glendora

Michael Schneider, founder of Streets For All

Michael Schneider dressed as a UPS delivery worker to take his costumed children to a Halloween party.

(Michael Schneider)

Typical ride: From Mid-City to Hollywood, then Hancock Park to drop off his children at their schools

How long have you been biking in L.A.?

I was born and raised here in L.A. I grew up in West L.A. I loved biking and forgot about it for about 20 years. And I would say about nine years ago, I gave up my car and just started biking around everywhere.

Initially, it was financial. I had a big, expensive lease, and the economy was tanking. And I had several startups, and I couldn’t afford the lease anymore. And so I borrowed my grandfather’s car, which ultimately spent more time in the shop than it did working. And I just started to get frustrated. And you know, at one point, I was so frustrated that I dusted off an old bicycle and decided to see if I could get to and from my gym in the morning without using my car. And that’s how it started. And I just kept pulling that thread more and more until about four years ago; I was biking to and from LAX and anything else in between.

What’s the most fun you can have on a bike in L.A.?

I bike my three kids to school every day. And on the bike, we have so much fun. It’s pure joy to be with them. I put a little Bluetooth speaker on the bike. So I’m their D.J., and they fight over what music they want. And you know, while others are stressed out because they’re stuck in traffic and their kid’s going to be late, we’re having a great time. I go to two different schools. We have a consistent biking time within a minute or two, based on the lights we hit. And it’s joyful.

Favorite ride: The Hollywood Hills along Mulholland Drive

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