Results tagged “cyclists”

Jared Leto and hundreds of Midnight Ridazz bikers take over the streets of LA in the new 30 Seconds to Mars video, "Kings + Queens". We like watching as they head over the Sixth Street Bridge, through the Second Street Tunnel, around Hollywood and Highland, and finally hit the edge of the Santa Monica Pier as the Ridazz show off LA's unique and growing bike culture. We think it's pretty cool that they name each rider at the end too!

Remember last year when Dr. Christopher Thompson slammed on his breaks on Mandeville Canyon Road so bicyclists he apparently was annoyed with would crash into him? He was found guilty by a jury on all seven counts this afternoon. "Thompson was accused of assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving causing specified bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury and mayhem," among other charges relating to two incidents, one of them being the July 4th, 2008 incident, according to VeloNews. Last week, the LA Times looked into the case, saying "bike riders see the case as a test of the system's support for their rights." Looks like the system was on their side this time. Congrats!

     

Last week Long Beach did something that, by all appearances, no other city has ever done: they painted sharrows--a common practice to educate motorists that bicyclists get to legally share the road--with a five-foot green lane--a new and inventive way to grab everyone's attention and help cyclists stay out of the door zone.

After being no-shows at last week’s Transportation Committee meeting, LAPD appeared before councilmembers and cyclists yesterday, only to be met by harsh criticism for their “distinct bias towards bicyclists” and their response to a hit-and-run accident in late April in which a Hummer sideswiped a rider in downtown L.A. At the meeting, cyclists were “deeply disappointed” and scoffed at the conflicting details police gave regarding the incident.

For the fourth time in recent months, the City Council's Transportation Committee tomorrow will take on a handful of bicycle issues continued on from last week's meeting. Consultants from Alta Planning are slated to speak about the bicycle plan, which has recently become an unpopular subject with many cyclists. The LAPD will also be present to talk about their relationship with the bicycling community. Also on the dock is the continuing look at reviving a version of the defunct bicycle licensing program, which many believe should be left to the private sector.

Bicyclists quickly shot down the city’s idea of possibly making it illegal to ride on sidewalks. During the Transportation Committee meeting last Wednesday, advocates said changing the vehicular code won’t ensure that all cyclists will be aware of the law. Instead, the city should develop safety education programs to inform casual or less experienced riders of the dangers posed by cycling on sidewalks.

              

The Tour of California exemplified the state's beauty yesterday, running 116 miles from Sausalito to Santa Cruz over the Golden Gate Bridge, along the ocean (close enough for waves to spray riders) and through redwood tree lined arteries. "This was certainly a great showcase for two iconic locations in the state of California," said Andrew Messick, president, AEG Sports, referring to the bridge and the finish line in Santa Cruz, both which are firsts for the race.

Dr. Christopher Thomas Thompson pleaded not guilty today to charges following a July 4th incident where he slammed on his breaks causing one cyclist's face to partially smash through the back window and sending another one rolling on the ground. Thompson told police, before he was arrested, he wanted to teach the cyclists a lesson. Mandeville Canyon in Brentwood is a popular but narrow hillside road for groups of cyclists.

Dr. Thompson, the emergency room physician who stands accused of the Mandeville Canyon road rage incident that left two cyclists seriously injured, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday for his preliminary hearing and it did not go well for him.

The city today officially adopted the Cyclists' Bicycle Bill of Rights, a twelve-point document affirming the rights that cyclists already have, but don't necessarily receive from government in addition to other basic rights that will help the city become more sustainable.

It's been an issue for some years now. The LADWP Festival of Lights--a holiday light show where people in cars drive slowly along Crystal Springs Dr. in Griffith Park viewing the displays--has been car-oriented since the beginning.

The text of this video may be slightly over the top, but it brings up some great questions. Why were 37 cyclists detained last Saturday night after a manager at the CVS on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks allegedly called about a cyclist looking fellow shoplifting, but with little description other than that. When police arrived, they detained and searched people of all ages, race, height and gender.

For over a year, Critical Mass and the Santa Monica Police Department have been at odds and last month at their monthly ride, an unusual amount of officers monitored the ride of approximately 150 cyclists. A total of 16 officers were assigned to the ride costing the city $3,067.88, according to documents obtained by LAist in a public records request. Nine citations were written for various violations such as not having a headlight.

        

This past Saturday night, the Los Angeles Police Department set up a Sobriety Check Point on Hollywood Boulevard between Gower and Bronson and staffed the effort with officers from the local Hollywood Station as well as a couple of dozen officers from West Traffic Division.

The LA Times has certainly taken the Mandeville Canyon story and run with it. But that's a good thing, it's a conversation that has been needed for a long time and to see the city's largest media outlet take it head on is a good sign for positive results. Here's some of the latest, which leads today's online California section:

Although we nagged on Councilman Bill Rosendahl this morning, we had a candid chat with his office this morning afterwards. Things were overlooked and last night's meeting was not meant to be a secret, even if it was closed, they said.

Councilman Bill Rosendahl played to the cycling community last week when he announced that he was convening a Community Forum to address issues raised in the aftermath of the Mandeville Canyon "road rage" incident of July 4th.

After quickly championing the rights of vehicles and bicycles sharing the road in the aftermath of the Mandeville Canyon "road rage" incident, Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl has canceled this Monday's community town hall that he quickly put together last week (he even changed locations once to accommodate the expected large crowd comfortably).

Yesterday, the District Attorney's office filed a total of four counts of criminal charges against Dr. Christopher Thompson of Mandeville Canyon, the suspect in the Fourth of July Mandeville Canyon "Road Rage" incident in which he allegedly slammed on his brakes causing two cyclists behind him injury (see photos/background here).

Update #2: The meeting has been canceled. More information here.

Yesterday, Chuck Henry of NBC contacted LAist to gather more information regarding the Mandeville Canyon "road rage" incident that landed two cyclists in the hospital. This two minute segment aired last night during the 11:00 p.m. news. CBS/KCAL also aired their own version of the story.

Update: The outcome of this incident has been updated here.

This past Friday, a cyclist was riding on Santa Anita Avenue in El Monte, only to die under the wheels of a Foothill Transit Bus.

            

Many photos were taken of the ride, which included nearly 30 bicyclists, but also three rollerbladers:

       

A group of bicyclists gathered this morning at the Good Samaritan Hospital for the Blessing of the Bikes (remember the Blessing of the Animals?). It was one of many events taking place for Bike to Work Week. Yesterday, there was a small opening celebration, which included characters from Universal Studios coming down. "I'm still not sure about how having an undead three thousand year old monster bumping into people's bikes and snarling at them is the best way to promote cycling," Damien Newton noted humorously at StreetsblogLA.

Remember this video? NBC picked up on it and aired it on Mother's Day.

Last night the Pasadena City Council voted unanimously to abandon a proposed Ordinance which would have prohibited cyclists from traveling more than two abreast on any city street. The proposal was championed by Police Chief Melekian and was a direct response to the popularity of the Rose Bowl area for cyclists who ride Peloton style on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Melekian and Rose Bowl Management have claimed that user group conflict between the pedestrians and...