Bicycle

L.A. is home to a thriving cycling culture. These 13 bike shops will help you discover it

From LATimes.com

MICHAEL CHARBONEAU

In our car-choked, freeway-stitched metropolis, this might sound strange or possibly absurd, but it’s something I believe to be true: Los Angeles is an amazing place to ride a bike.

Yes, there’s lots of evidence to the contrary. In 2022, L.A. reached a grim milestone — 312 people died in traffic collisions, including 20 cyclists. Wide arterial roads filled with speeding vehicles crisscross the city, creating a dangerous environment for people on bikes. And despite much fanfare, L.A.’s proposed citywide network of bike lanes and paths remains largely just an idea on paper (though a proposed ballot measurecould change that).

L.A. is far from perfect. But if you look beyond the bad news, the City of Angels has so much to offer cyclists. From nearly ideal year-round weather to an abundance of terrain options for riding, the city stands out for many reasons, but none is more important than the incredible community of cyclists who live and pedal in L.A.

Don’t believe me? Spend some time in the city’s bike shops.

“I’ve been riding bikes in Los Angeles for almost 20 years now,” says Kyle Kelley, co-owner of Allez LA bike shop in Highland Park. “I’ve never gone anywhere and felt the love that I feel with the bicycle community here.”

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Why Bicycle accidents occur and how to protect yourself

From SoCalCycling.com

Embarking on a journey astride a bicycle not only connects us to the world around us but also unveils the vulnerability we face on the open road. The sense of liberation can, unfortunately, be accompanied by the lurking danger of accidents. Recognizing the intricacies behind bicycle accidents is pivotal for any cyclist, and the art of self-preservation becomes paramount. This comprehensive exploration delves into the multifaceted reasons contributing to bicycle accidents, coupled with practical strategies for safeguarding oneself against these perils.

LACK OF VISIBILITY: A LEADING CULPRIT

The pervasive lack of visibility stands as a formidable adversary for cyclists, often propelling them into situations where their presence is easily overshadowed by larger vehicles. Intersections and lane changes become treacherous grounds, where cyclists risk collision due to their diminutive profile. Combatting this hazard involves a multifaceted approach. Equipping oneself with high-visibility clothing and accessories, such as reflective vests and blinking lights, becomes a visual assertion demanding attention. Moreover, strategic route planning that favors well-lit pathways and a conscientious awareness of blind spots are essential practices in minimizing the risks posed by inadequate visibility.

RECKLESS DRIVING BEHAVIORS: A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Reckless driving behaviors, such as disregarding traffic signals or exceeding speed limits, are catalysts for accidents involving bicycles. To ensure personal safety, cyclists must adhere rigorously to traffic rules, offering predictability to their motorized counterparts. In California, the “Three Feet for Safety Act” dictates that vehicles must maintain a minimum distance of three feet when overtaking cyclists, exemplifying how legislation aims to safeguard cyclists from reckless driving behaviors. In case of an unfortunate accident, working with reliable can help cyclists navigate the legal complexities and secure their rights. However, preventing such accidents requires a shared responsibility, where all road users must uphold their civic duty in promoting road safety.

Photo by Ian Valerio on Unsplash

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What Makes The PERFECT Bike?

Coming up this week we have a very interesting new saddle, some Zwift Academy news, a new leaver design from Sram, comment of the week, the bike vault, and of course our main talking. This week we are discussing what we think makes the perfect bike?!

How to choose the right bike for cycling to work — what’s the best bike for commuting duties?

From Road.cc

by EMILY TILLETT

With the current cost of fuel and the omnipresent risk of wasting time sitting in rush hour traffic, you might be considering commuting to work by bike. We’ll presume you’ve already got the job to commute to, so now you need the bike for the job! That can be a bit of a minefield, so with the help of Trek’s FX range(link is external), here’s a look at some typical steeds that are ideal for the commute, and some top tips to get you on your way.

For many of us, with the right preparation commuting by bike is not only pretty easy, but also a more enjoyable and sustainable way to travel to work. It offers numerous benefits for your health and finances, and may even mean you can stay in bed a little bit longer.

Commuting by bike is a great way to get out in the fresh air and maybe even contribute to maintaining your fitness. Another positive of commuting by bike is that you can generally get closer to the office than in a car. There’s not many people who like sitting in traffic and trying to find parking spaces in tight town centre car parks, not to mention that parking isn’t free for most of us.

The growing network of cycling infrastructure that’s popping up in cities is also making it easier than ever to commute by bike. To help you find the best bike for your commuting duties, we’ve got our hands on Trek’s FX range. This also happens to be the American brand’s best-selling range.

Photo by Mark Stosberg on Unsplash

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Beverly Hills closes gaps in bicycle infrastructure

From BeverlyPress.com

BY

Beverly Hills bicyclists might one day have a new way of traveling to West Hollywood, as staff prepares to install bike lanes on Beverly Boulevard that could connect to the neighboring city, transportation planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter said.

City officials will provide more details about the proposed bike lanes during a Traffic and Parking Commission meeting on Sept. 7, and residents are encouraged to give their thoughts in person or by contacting the city at askpw@beverlyhills.org.

The Beverly Boulevard bike lanes were identified in the city’s 2021 Complete Streets Plan because they connect to existing bikeways on North Santa Monica Boulevard and North Palm Drive, and because the street does not have existing parking spaces, meaning that the lanes will not reduce parking, Carpenter said.

Also, the city of West Hollywood is planning to install its own bike lanes on Beverly Boulevard, creating a new link between the two cities, Carpenter said. Beverly Hills is also working to close a “short gap” of bike lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard that would create another inter-city bikeway.

West Hollywood officials approved a contract for a feasibility study on expanding bike lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Beverly Hills officials have been soliciting public input on the bikeway expansions for months, and so far, the feedback has been positive, Carpenter said.

“What we’ve heard so far is a lot of support for the project because it closes that gap in the network,” Carpenter added. “There is no on-street parking on this segment … so it doesn’t remove any street parking. All it does is narrow traveling to provide a dedicated bike way.”

Photo by BP Miller on Unsplash

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City Councilmembers Say More Should Be Done to Prevent Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities in Pasadena

From PasadenaNow.com

BY KEITH CALAYAG

While Councilmembers agree that the Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Campaign could help get drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to follow traffic laws, they also believe more should be done to prevent traffic collision fatalities in the city.

During the Municipal Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, City Associate Engineer Donson Liu reported that Pasadena has reported a consistently high number of pedestrian/bike crashes in each of the last four years, with 2-6 fatalities per year.

55% of those who were killed or injured were seniors while 13% were homeless people.

According to Liu, cars in Pasadena are traveling 2 miles per hour faster overall when comparing 2021 to pre-pandemic 2019 conditions.

Aside from an uptick in speed, the DOT has also seen “blatant disregard for signages,” according to DOT Director Laura Cornejo.

Liu said that the previous campaigns on road safety were “well received” by residents but “do not appear to have a correlation to crash, injury and speeding data.”

Photo by Martin Magnemyr on Unsplash

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5 Bike Tools I Wish I’d Bought Sooner!

It is so frustrating when something goes wrong with your bike but you don’t have the tool to fix it at home. Ollie explains five of the most common maintenance problems you may encounter with your bike and shows you which five tools you should have at home to do the necessary repairs.

 

A Guide To Flying With Bicycles

From SimpleFlying.com

BYLUKE BODELL ANDJOE KUNZLER

A thorough review of how to fly with a bicycle to and from your destination. Complete with a table of major airlines’ policies.

Ever wondered if you can take your bicycle on a flight as luggage? Maybe you’re flying to a place with lots of cycling trails or bike lanes and would rather use your own two wheels than a hired ride. Since there are no bicycle racks on aircraft, the carry-on bins are too small to accept full-size bicycles, and the flight attendantswould not appreciate any space in their relatively small galleys replaced by bicycle racks; this guide answers the question: What can be done about taking a bicycle on a commercial flight?

To clarify, this guide will concern non-folding bicycles – airlines can have different policies regarding folding bikes, which are easier to store and can often be taken onboard as hand luggage.

Put your bicycle in the hold?

Yes, you can disassemble your bicycle and bring it on your trip as checked baggage, so long as it is suitably packaged up. You can, for instance, place your dissembled bike into a cardboard box to save money, although this increases the risk of your bike being damaged in transit.

Many travelers have not just done that but have also videoed the process for YouTube. One YouTuber thoroughly documented his process using a cardboard box and supplemental materials to dissemble his bicycle for shipping:

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How To Achieve The Perfect Climbing Position On The Bik

Climbing can be a daunting task for many of us cyclists, but it doesn’t have to be. With the proper knowledge and body positioning, you can conquer any mountain. So, Manon dives into the essential elements of an efficient and powerful climbing position so you can tackle your next hill with ease.

Don’t Ruin Your Ride Before You Start It!

For a good ride, you’ve got to lay the groundwork! Get your pre-ride prep and routine wrong, and that chill ride in the sun can quickly turn sour. There are a few mistakes that stand out as major no-nos, so in this video, we’re going to list a few so that you don’t make them!