Bicyclist Rights Gaining Respect on Los Angeles Streets

As more people take to the streets by bike, the need for drivers, law enforcement and cyclists alike to be fully aware of bicycle laws and rights is necessary to avoid bicycle personal injury accidents. A group of bicycle advocates and members of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) met with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck to express their concern that bicyclers are not respected on LA's streets.

On January 6th of this year, a friend of the group was injured on his daily bicycle route by a hit-and-run driver. Though the motorist later went to the police station, he was never charged with a crime and the cyclist was abandoned to deal with his injuries on his own. That is just one example of the dangers cyclists risk on the roads when the law enforcement is not trained to protect them.

Chief Beck responded by calling cyclists "our most vulnerable commuters" and has committed to take serious action in promoting bicyclist's safety. Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger explained new officer trainings that would include an official department policy explaining officers' responsibilities to cyclists on LA roads and a mandatory computer-based "e-learning" agenda that would help officers better identify typical issues concerning bicyclers. The LAPD will also appoint an official liaison to the police department that will handle all incidents with cyclists within the bureau's traffic division.

It is also important that cyclists themselves know their rights and the laws of the city in which they are riding, considering the laws change from one city to the next. In Los Angeles:

All bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of vehicle drivers.

Riding on sidewalks is allowed though must be done with regard for the safety of pedestrians and property. Riding is not allowed on Ocean Front Walk in Venice.

Bicycles must have at least one working brake, have a white headlight attached to the front of the bike or rider, a yellow or white reflector visible from the side, and a red or white reflector on the rear.

Bicyclists traveling slower than the speed of traffic must ride as close to the right side of the road as possible, except when passing, making a left turn and under dangerous conditions.

Bicyclists under the age of 18 must wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet.

Cyclists must travel on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic and are not permitted on freeways or toll bridges where prohibited.

Cyclists may not wear earplugs or a headset covering both ears.

With more education for cyclists, law enforcement and motorists, many are hopeful that Los Angeles streets will be safer for all, and invite more people to ride their bikes.

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