SUMMER IS HERE! BIKES ARE OUT! KEEP ON PEDALING!
By Enci - July 19, 2006

Last Fridays Midnight Ridazz had around 1,300 people on bicycles! It was amazing!

Yes, people got pissed off. Why? Because they were stuck in traffic, and couldn't move, until the line of 1,300 cyclists passed. Other people cheered. For some onlookers, this is the most fun parade they've seen. Kids come running out on the street in their pajamas, screaming "Wow! This is Awesome!" as they see a crowd of cyclists pass by their house. Adults wave, and scream: "Bicycles are Sexy!" and others scream: "Get the fuck of the street and ride on the sidewalk!"Wow, they must be from out of State.

The California Vehicle Code CVC 21202 states that bicycles have the right and responsibility of a vehicle. Why is there no outreach? Why are there no signs on every street that has traffic signs, that bicycles are part of the road. Why are there no signs, that vehicles must change lanes to pass a cyclists?

So many cyclists are being pushed into the door-zone, and get in accidents, because of car doors that are opened on them? So many cyclist get into accidents, because they don't know the law of vehicular cycling, and they ride on the side walk. They are scared on the road so they ride the sidewalk. Cyclists get into accidents, when cars pull out of driveways or when cars come out from intersections. Drivers will look for fast moving objects in the roadway, not on sidewalks. So it's safest to ride with traffic in the traffic lane. Please, follow the rules, and know the rules, whether you're a cyclist or a driver.

People piss me off, who drive past me, honk and accelerate, just so I can catch up with them at the red light. Trust me, you are maybe 10 minutes faster in your car, than a cyclist. From Hollywood to Santa Monica, its a 45 minute ride. How fast is it with a car? Not much faster. And depending on the time of day, it can take up to an hour and a half with a car.

The cops were literally up in arms at the Midnight Ridazz ride on Friday night. Cop cars pulled up on Francis Ave. between Wilshire and Olympic. With helmets and batons in their hand, they were ready to break up the crowd of 1,300 cyclists. Why don't I see them, when there are 1,300 cars blocking my neighborhood? When cars block intersections, cruise Hollywood Blvd. and have their stereo blasting so loud, that my dishes are rattling in the cupboard, where are the cops then? Where are the city officials, stepping in, and saying, enough with the traffic. Provide public transportation. Get people out and walking? Close down major streets that are destination spots, and allow only pedestrian traffic. Where are the cops, when cars speed down side streets, to cut through the traffic jam, and run over kids and animals? Where are the cops, when Hummers and SUV's park on my street and bust up the road because they exceed the 6,000 lb limit?

The rules are easily bendable to the convenience of the politicians. To the convenience of those, who need the money from car advertising, who need the money from planning for the car culture, and those who will help at the next election.

I don't care if some people never choose to ride a bike, but I care, if people ignore the rights of cyclists. If the cyclist is being harassed because they are on the road at night, or because they fill up the streets, that is a big issue with me. If the cops are worried about the cyclists on the road at night, because there are so many drunk drivers, instead of harassing the cyclist, they should go out and harass the drunk drivers. They should lobby to the city, that the Metro should stay open 'till 3 am, so that people will have the option, of not driving drunk but to be driven. Clubs should provide a shuttle service! Cops should ticket drunk drivers, not a group cyclists.

If 1,300 cyclists are being threatened by cops with helmets, then something is very wrong in our society. But when NASCAR has an event and blows out the neighborhood with pollution and cars, then it's a celebration of the nation and the media.

I encourage all of the people of Los Angeles, to borrow a bike, and ride it. To feel the freedom, to feel your muscles, and to feel the energy that riding a bike will give you! Feel your lungs work, and feel your body get in shape. Don't let the car culture discourage you. We have the right for freedom, and we all have the right to move as individuals and as groups. There is no written law, that groups of people can't travel. There are no laws, that cyclists are not allowed on the street after dark. Exercise your freedom. Keep on riding! And keep on encouraging our next generation to get in the saddle and keep on pedaling!