West Hollywood, California (Monday, June 23, 2008) - The sidewalks will be getting safer for bicyclists AND pedestrians. 
Bicycles on West Hollywood’s streets became a big issue last summer - Photo by Ryan Gierach. |
After a year’s worth of input from a wide variety of stakeholders in the bicycle/pedestrian on sidewalk debate, the West Hollywood staff recommended a new ordinance to regulate the operation of bicycles and other non-pedestrian transportation on City sidewalks.
In late July, 2007 (see Sidewalk Bicyclist Nuisance Coming To Head - August 2, 2007), the issue began percolating up as pedestrians, especially seniors, complained to WeHo City hall about careless bike riders speeding along the sidewalks, startling and sometimes endangering them.
A public hearing was held last August at which those complaints could be made publicly, but held the meeting instead uncovered an equally powerful, if not more so, worry from bicyclists who feared the 5,000 pound SUVs on the road.
They said riding in snarled traffic amidst careless motorists made sidewalks their only safe path.
Even the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bicycle Patrol Team expressed fears for their safety on parts of Santa Monica Boulevard. “There are times I’m scared I’ll get hit from behind by a truck,” Sheriff’s Dept. Paul Kashani told WeHoNews last year.
The staff report pointed out that currently enforces the County code on the issue. It reads:
A study into the issue found that 68 bicyclists had gotten the worse of collisions with cars on the street, while West Hollywood’s pedestrians reported no bike hit and runs - Photo by Ryan Gierach. |
“A person shall not operate any bicycle… on any sidewalk or parkway except at a permanent or temporary driveway or at specific locations thereon where the commissioner finds that such locations are suitable for and has placed appropriate signs or markings, permitting such…riding.”
That law has, essentially, gone unenforced except in the most egregiously abusive cases where the riding endangers pedestrians.
The Transportation and other commissions who heard public input on the issue expected a barrage of complaints from senior citizen pedestrians, but instead got an earful on the dangers inherent in riding bikes on the city’s always busy streets.
Terri Slimmer, the City’s Transportation manager, reported that further investigation found that there were 68 vehicle versus bicycle incidents or accidents during the period January 2006 through May 2008.
West Hollywood’s streets have bikes running errands as well as communting through town to Beverly Hills or Hollywood - Photo by Ryan Gierach. |
She said, “While several people provided their own accounts of near collisions with bicycles while walking on the sidewalk, the Sheriff had no reported incidents or accidents between bicycles and pedestrians.
Therefore, she explained, the Transportation Commission recommended that the council allow the legal operation of bicycles on the sidewalk with requirements imposed.
Those limits would be a requirement to yield to pedestrians and provide audible warnings before passing a pedestrian.
Additionally, riders must operate in single file and no person shall operate a bicycle carelessly or in a manner that endangers others or endangers property.
Saying that bikes on walks “is one of those urban quality of life issues like people who walk their dogs off leash, people who don’t pick after their dogs,” Mayor Jeff Prang took issue with the staff report’s report on pedestrian versus bicyclist accidents.
Few dare ride along Santa Monica Boulevard in the Mid Town section where West Hollywood’s main drag narrows - Photo by Ryan Gierach. |
“It doesn’t surprise me that there are none reported,” he said. “It’s not the sort of thing you report to the Sheriff. We hear about it, though, so we know it happens.”
He also admitted being disgruntled about bicyclists who do not use bike lanes. “We spent a tremendous amount of money on bike lanes [along Santa Monica Boulevard],” he said, “and it’s frustrating to see bicycles on the sidewalk.
“If you’re riding on the sidewalk next to a bike lane you should be cited every time, without excuse.”
Staff also proposed that educational programs already developed and implemented by the Public Safety division and Sheriff’s Department bike officers be furthered and encouraged.
The proposal was sent back to the drawing board to determine penalties for infractions and other details before Council votes it into law.
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