LAist: LA County Ignores Existence of Bicycles

BBP

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:52:38 -0800

I 110% agree with Purp. I cannot believe that any sane adult would just sit there waiting like that until a car came along. Why? Just to prove some obvious point about bikes vs. cars? To set some sanctimonious example of a law-abiding cyclist? Or to create an opportunity to whine about the City of L.A. online the next day? Most cyclists, including me, don't ride around leisurely, "testing" traffic controls for bike-friendliness. We ride to GET SOMEWHERE, and you can bet not many true cyclists with a destination and a schedule would sit on their ass at a red light, crying about the magnetic loop. They'd safely blow on through, and get on with their lives. Sometimes, we have to adapt to the existing system for the time being, rather than waste time and energy whining about the system not adapting INSTANTLY and OVERNIGHT for US. I support systematic change, but I'm smart enough to realize it's not gonna happen TODAY.

starsonesp

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:40:50 -0800

Let it be said that, after waiting for two or three consecutive lights to change in my direction, I'll eventually just blow the damn red light if it's safe to do so. I'll look into the clip-on magnet idea in the meantime...

heatherparlato

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:09:29 -0800

echoing what enci said, it's also impossible to push the crosswalk button when you're turning left. moreover, waiting for a left turn only arrow would never be solved by pushing a crosswalk button anyway, which happens to me in pasadena at various intersections too. the arrow never gets triggered if a car isn't behind me and i'd be running a light to turn during the red arrow/green light that follows.

Enci

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:07:45 -0800

The loops are magnetic and some work better then others. shess, pushing the crosswalk button as a cyclist makes as much sense as getting out of your car and pushing the crosswalk button. Cyclists are not pedestrians! I always place my wheels onto the loop and on most streets they work. On those that don't I run the red light when safe. And when I get home I email Jeannie.Shen@lacity.org and let her know about the problem.

Purp

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:37:40 -0800

I'm sorry but this story is ridiculous. Instead of waiting at a red light for the government to solve our problems, maybe we could try to solve them ourselves. First: Understanding. These signals are triggered magnetically, not by weight. The massive amount of metal in cars disrupts the magnetic field created by the wires in the pavement. Bikes do not have enough mass to suffeciently trigger the signal. An incredibly easy solution is to attach a strong magnet under your bike or shoe. There are several available online, and a cheap DIY solution here. While there are countless improvements that can make LA more bike friendly, this is not an issue of LA "not caring about bicycles."

WagonMonster

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:19:58 -0800

I have the same problem on my 50cc Scooter at many, many stoplights in West LA and Santa Monica. I either have to wait for a car, or get off the scooter and push the walk button.

tp4free

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:19:11 -0800

i take extreme caution when running reds and stops signs on my bike. don't look to me to set an example for the biking "community". i'm on my own out there.

panasonicyouth

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:04:02 -0800

Pushing the crosswalk is impractical and sometimes unsafe; they're not placed so it's easy for cyclists to activate them. Sometimes, I have to cross lanes of traffic to get to them; it's even worse if I'm trying to turn left. If it's a less traffic-heavy area, I'll be stuck there for quite some time. I read somewhere online that you can attach a small magnet underneath your bottom tube that will trigger the magnets in the street. I need to find that site again.

nomad

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:47:14 -0800

Stomping? Really.. I am pretty sure those loops are magnetic.. not weight sensitive... maybe you're riding with steel toes? This problem is fairly annoying on a motorcycle at times..

shess

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:37:54 -0800

Yeah, guy should have pushed the crosswalk button

BingosDingo

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:28:51 -0800

Here is what California law (from the California Driver Handbook 2008) says about bicyclists and automobile drivers. "Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsiblities as automobile drivers. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitiled to share the road with other drivers. Here are some critical points for drivers and cyclists to remember: Drivers Must: look carefully for bicyclists before opening doors next to moving traffic or before turning right safely merge toward the curb or into the bike lane not overtake a bicyclist just before making a right turn. Merge first; then turn. Bicyclists: are lawfully permitted to ride on certain sections of freeways. Be careful when approaching or passing a bicyclist on a freeway. must ride in the same direction as traffic; not against it. must ride in a straight line as near the right curb or edge of roadway as practical - not on the sidewalk. must make left and right turns the same way that drivers do, using the same turn lanes. must legally move left to turn left, to pass a parked or moving vehicle, another bicycle or animal, or to make a turn, avoid debris, or other hazards. my choose to ride near the left curb of a one-way street. may use the left turn lane. If the bicyclists is traveling straight ahead, he or she should use a through traffic lane rather than ride next to the curb and block traffic making right turns. are lawfully permitted to ride on certain sections of freeways, in some rural areas where there is no alternate route. Be careful when approaching or passing a bicyclist on a freeway." --- Page 40 - California Drivers Handbook 2008

charmon

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:13:19 -0800

Was there a crosswalk button?

paul

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:59:02 -0800

That sounds annoying. Around where I live I've noticed that riding up over the triggers activates them about half the time, the other half are usually worked out by a quick stomp with one of my feet.