Oklahoma City is notoriously bad for bicycle riders. Evidently it’s a problem in California as well. Today’s post is a guest article from the attorneys at Bisnar Chase:

Adding 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways and more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years should alleviate some of the personal injuries and car accidents in Los Angeles. Congested cities such as New York have been using bicycles as a means of travel for years, and Los Angeles seems to finally be falling in line.

New bike racks, bike paths, and support from city officials as well as the public have spurred on this change. Too many people have been injured in car versus bicycle accidents in Los Angeles, and it’s nice to know the people in charge are doing things to improve that situation. It’s good for the health of our people, it’s good for the environment, and it’s good for the community.

Previous Plans and Support

Upon the first release of the master plan in 2009, bike enthusiasts were appalled. It came up short in every area imaginable and angered bicyclists. A Los Angeles Times article noted an accident in 2008 where two bicyclists were seriously injured on a narrow road in Brentwood. The driver suddenly slammed on his breaks causing the two cyclists to hit him. He was then convicted on numerous charges which included assault with a deadly weapon. “Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents the district where the crash occurred, said it made him rethink the way the city puts cars on a pedestal.” Our job is to rip automobiles off that pedestal.

Going Forward

The new plan for Los Angeles is much better and will go a long way in making the city better. It calls for a freeway-like system of upgraded streets known as the “backbone network,” which will act as the spine of bicycling throughout Los Angeles County. Personal injury and car accidents in Los Angeles will be mitigated by putting cyclists in bike lanes and keeping cars away from them. Hopefully other cities will take notice and use Los Angeles as an example of how to adapt and change with the times. Pollution isn’t the only thing that cars cause, they also cause serious accidents. This plan will make the city a safer place, period.

Time for a comeback?

The Tulsa World reported last week that:

According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, more than 300 people were involved in bicycle accidents last year, resulting in 11 deaths.

While the specifics are not mentioned, Senator Rice is planning legislation to help protect bicyclists. They are mirroring some of the laws in Colorado.

Colorado has a penalty for throwing things at bicyclists. I didn’t know that was a problem.