Politics & Government

Officials Urge L.A. County Drivers to Share the Lane with Bicyclists

Metro bike safety campaign message calls out to drivers; to be prominently displayed across the Westside leading up to Bike Week L.A. in May.

The alliance between Los Angeles' bicyclists and Metro buses strengthened Monday with a clear message: bike riders are not confined to far right of the street.

Motorists, take note.

Metro announced the launch of a bold new campaign called "Every Lane is a Bike Lane" to increase bicycle safety in L.A. County. Calling for everyone to share the road, the campaign message will be posted on the back of 75 Metro buses, 135 billboards and get spots on 21 local radio stations throughout the region.

Find out what's happening in Pacific Palisadeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The campaign runs between March and May, leading up to Bike Week L.A. May 13 through 17.

During a news conference Monday hosted Metro, the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition and Cyclists Inciting Change, it was stated that as bicycling's popularity increases as a viable transportation mode and as more biking events like CicLAvia and more new bikeways being installed on a regular basis in L.A., the agency's extensive campaign will help raise motorist awareness that cyclists have equal rights and responsibilities to the road per the California Vehicle Code.

Find out what's happening in Pacific Palisadeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Section 21200 of the state code stipulates that bicycle riders may use any lane in the street since they have the same rights and must follow the same laws as car drivers.

John Brown, head mechanic at the volunteer-run Bikerowave on Venice Boulevard in West L.A., said Monday they wholly endorse Metro's campaign.

"We hope that this will lead more motorists, and law enforcement officers in certain jurisdictions, to understand that CVC 21202(a)(3) allows cyclists to take a full traffic lane when they feel the need to do so for their own safety," Brown told Patch. "Sharing the road isn't just basic courtesy, it's the law." 

The code further states that bicyclists may need the full lane to safely navigate specific road and traffic conditions, as well as outlines several situations where bicyclists are specifically permitted to leave their usual position on the far right of the street, such as:

  • To avoid obstacles and unsafe conditions (including the door zone along parallel-parked vehicles).
  • To pass another bicyclist, car or bus.
  • To prepare for a left turn.
  • To avoid an area where right turns are made.
  • When traveling as fast or faster than other traffic at that time and place.
  • When the lane is too narrow to share with a vehicle.

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Jennifer Klausner said they know that education is needed for both drivers and bicyclists on how to properly share the road.

“We're working hard to educate bicyclists to ride with traffic, use lights at night and other ways to avoid the most common types of collisions," Klausner said. We're excited to see Metro help with the other half of the equation by making sure drivers know to expect bicyclists on any street and to pass only when it's safe."

Metro officials noted it is becoming increasingly important for motorists and cyclists to safely co-exist on the region’s roadways, citing that in L.A. County, 19 percent of all trips are made by walking and biking, but bicyclists and pedestrians make up 39 percent of roadway fatalities.

In the Southern California, nearly four percent of all traffic-related fatalities involved cyclists, and 4.3 percent of all traffic-related injuries involved cyclists, according to Metro. Deaths of pedestrians and cyclists were continually highlighted issues in Santa Monica and along the Pacific Coast Highway in 2012.

"The breakneck pace of bikeway construction demonstrates that Los Angeles is riding fast on its way to becoming a truly bike-friendly city," said L.A. City Mayor Antonio Villariagosa on Monday. "As more cyclists take to our streets we need to ensure that safety and awareness are of utmost importance as our riders share the road."

Metro also plans to begin traffic skills courses for bicyclists to help ensure cyclists know their responsibilities for riding safely on local streets as part of the safety campaign. Cyclists interested in participating in these future classes should e-mail Metro’s Bicycle Program at bikeinfo@metro.net

Additionally, Metro is planning to sponsor 20 bike rides to further promote safe cycling in the county.

This bicycle safety campaign is made possible by Metro’s Bicycle Program. For more information about the program, visit metro.net/bikes


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here