A Plea to Other Los Angeles Cyclists

When you are cycling in Los Angeles County, PLEASE:

DO NOT cycle on the wrong side of the street! Cars don't expect you. Other cyclists don't expect you.
DO use the little flashing lights! Spend five bucks and get one for the back of your bike, at least. Day or night, it makes a HUGE difference in your visibility. A flashing headlamp doesn't hurt, either.
DO NOT cycle on the sidewalks and just pedal at full speed across a street. Those driving cars will not see you because you are travelling too fast to be where they're looking for a pedestrian.
DO NOT make all of the above mistakes after dark! I nearly hit an unlighted cyclist in the sidewalk on the wrong side of the street at 9pm last night. It would have been totally his fault as he was breaking several traffic laws. Neither he nor I would have felt better for that.

And while I'm at it: LAPD, PLEASE start ticketing cyclists operating illegally!!!!

Posted: Tue - October 21, 2008 at 08:31 AM | | | | |