LA Bike Plan - Take Action!Did you know that it is illegal to ride a bicycle on dirt trails in the City of Los Angeles? Would you like to have local options to ride on the trails? Do you think kids who can't drive to the local mountains should have trails nearby? The City's current Draft Bicycle Plan makes no changes or improvements to off-road cycling within the City. This plan sets the guidelines for the City for the next 25 years and public comment ends January 8, 2010. Take action: Fill out the form below and send your thoughts to the City of Los Angeles. You can edit and personalize the content of the email that will be sent to add your own unique insight and experience. See what else you can do: Tell friends, spread the word.
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January 8, 2010 Jordann Turner Dear Mr. Turner, I support off-road cycling in the City of Los Angeles. I believe that off-road cycling, as just one aspect of the many forms of cycling, needs to be embraced and welcomed by the City of Los Angeles and must be included in its Master Bike Plan. This includes Mountain Biking, BMX, and Cyclocross, as well as young children learning to ride a bike in the safe environment of a City park. Transport and recreation are meaningless distinctions when it comes to transportation planning. In 1996 the draft bicycle plan recognized a "growing need" for accommodations for off-road cycling within City parks. That need has continued to see steady growth since then. I strongly urge the 1996 plan's recommendations to find new opportunities for off-road cycling in the City be included in the current plan. Further, I believe the city-wide ban on bicycles in park and on trails needs to be lifted, and instead bicycles should be regulated on a park-by-park and trail-by-trail basis. This will allow opportunities for new shared-use trails or shared-use designations for existing trails to be better identified. It provides for better management of parks with more flexible options to meet the needs of residents near a park. City Parks without a management plan that specifically prohibits off-road cycling should be opened to bicycles immediately. In areas around Los Angeles such as the COSCA open space, the Angeles National Forest, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and other areas throughout the state and country, mountain bikers are able to share trails successfully with hikers and equestrians. Additionally, new bicycle-specific trails should be built where trail conflicts are more likely. Where trail opportunities are not available, the City should explore the possibility of designated bike parks to provide healthy exercise and recreation, especially for children and teens at risk of obesity and gang involvement. Sincerely, -Your Name- CC: | |