Articles
Palisadian Post
Viewpoint
"Cautionary words
for cyclists"
Pacific Palisades is a cyclist's delight.
From the beaches to the mountains and all the points in between, the diversity
of its terrain and near perfect weather make the Palisades ideal for cycling.
But before hopping onto your bike for a
spin, make sure you choose your cycling routes carefully. Some streets in the
Palisades should be avoided whenever possible. Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset
Boulevard, for example, are dangerous even to motorists. Fast moving automobile
traffic is the primary reason so many auto-bicycle accidents take place on
these streets every year. Neither road has adequate shoulders on which to ride,
forcing cyclists into motor lanes and thereby increasing the chance of an
accident.
On the other hand, the beach bicycling path,
beginning at Temescal Canyon and working its way south, is great for a family
bicycling outing. The path is almost flat, making it an easy ride for kids and
weekend cyclists. Remember to always stay to the right when riding on the path,
and keep a lookout for pedestrians who must cross the bike path, to reach the
beach.
Other excellent riding areas in the
Palisades are above The Highlands or in Will Rogers State Historic Park. Both
areas contain dirt trails that are great for mountain bike riding.
Cycling in residential areas of Pacific
Palisades is also a pleasure. Cyclists, however, must use extra caution when
riding on the area's many steeply sloping streets. Young and novice riders may
not realize how fast they are traveling on these hilly roads and the swift
acceleration can easily cause them to lose control of their bicycle.
Accidents involving motorists are the most
common cause of injury -when a bicycle and an automobile collide, the bicycle
always loses. To help prevent motorist-cyclist accidents, the cyclist should
follow these guidelines: (1)wear brightly colored clothing, (2)obey all traffic
signals and stop signs, (3)use hand signals for turning, (4)make sure you use
bike lights and reflectors when riding at night, (5)avoid busy roads,
especially during morning and evening "drive times."
Even the most cautious of cyclists should
always wear bicycle safety helmets when riding. Select a helmet that properly
fits, is well ventilated, comfortable and, above all, meets the American
National Institute safety requirements. The reason? Over 1,200 bicyclists die
each year and another half million are injured. An estimated 85 percent of the
serious injuries and deaths could have been prevented if the cyclists were
wearing safety approved helmets.
What is even more disturbing is the fact
that children under the age of 15 account for one-third of the deaths and
two-thirds of the injuries, yet fewer than 5 percent of school-age children
wear safety helmets.
Bicyclists can be equipped with colored
flags on poles that attach to the rear axle as an extra safety precaution. The
flags will increase the bike's visibility to motorists, especially for smaller
children's bikes.
The Palisades offers bicyclists a variety of
routes and paths on which to ride. Whether riding seriously or just for fun,
make the extra effort to ensure that your family's ride is a safe one.
- Gary C. Brustin |
