White Dog Really Hates Bikes Now
I was walking down Main St. by 5th today, where the sidewalk is pretty wide, and was approaching a street-looking guy getting on his piece-of-crap bike, heading our direction. I didn’t think much but as we were passing him he started to pedel and then did a U-turn right into us- running over White Dog’s paw. I couldn’t pull her out of the way as she was already against my leg, and I was so surprised that I could not block the bike. Isis yelped, and the damn dirt-bag just rode off- he seemed like he was high or drunk, I should have figured.
Isis is not limping or favoring her foot, so she’s probably OK, but I’m sure she’s going to put a few extra barks in when she sees a bicycle approaching now. And I’ll be watching these clowns who have to drive their bike on the sidewalk all that much closer- some poor slob is going to get a hell of a lot of frustration taken out on him and his bike if/when I run into the next rude bike rider.
Glad to her that white dog is alright.
You know the whole biking on the sidewalk has been a major issue since I moved to LA - I just don’t understand it.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pmI’m the same way, Brian. I’m cool with the food delivery guys cruising around on sidewalk, but when a guy flies by on his road racer, with lycra pants, gloves, helmet (he gets helmet, but I don’t?) it pisses me off. And wobbly drunks/kids on bikes just riding aimlessly, zig-zagging…
ok, I have to calm down, blood pressure is through the roof…
May 30th, 2008 at 12:34 pmgeez I’m sorry about your dog. People can be very self-centered and don’t look out for anyone but themselves sometimes.. I really hope Isis didn’t get injured, she may feel it later!
People aren’t supposed to be riding on the sidewalks. Like jay-walking, it seems like an under-utilized ticketing offense.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:29 pmi just recently took up riding my bicycle to and from work and was curious as to whether it was illegal to ride your bike on the sidewalk. I asked one of the purple people that ride their bikes around the city and he told me that he didn’t know. So i looked it up and found this
Sidewalk Riding (LAMC 56.15) Prohibits the riding of bicycles (or other human power devices) on sidewalks (bikeways or boardwalks) with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Disallows the riding of bicycles on Ocean Front Walk in Venice.
So I understood this as, as long as you ride really slow and are careful not to run into people or things you are allowed to ride on the sidewalk.
I try my best to stay off the sidewalk, but the big buses cutting me off and people honking at me to get off the rode is pretty intimidating.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:04 pmAlexis- I saw the pic of your bike and I don’t think you’re the “speed demon” type, nor do I think you’d weave around like a drunken sailor. It’s the “homeboys” and “pseudo-jocks” riding on the sidewalk that drive me crazy.
I’ve never seen anyone getting a ticket- I guess they’d have to hit someone first.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:57 pm