Thursday, August 20, 2015

L.A. If You Are Not Driving You Are A Beggar


Riding my bike on the Orange Line Bike Path the other day I had a revelation.
Usually I ride up to the beg button, hit it as I ride a tight circle and wait for the light to cycle to the little white guy so I can cross at the crosswalk.
This day was different, as a couple was standing in front of the button. I thought they had pressed it and were waiting to cross. I was wrong.
They were just standing there.
So the signal goes through it's cycle without ever giving the walk phase.
5 minutes later I can finally cross after hitting the button.

Why the hell do I have to press the button in the first place?
OK, at any regular intersection here in L.A. I would not be as pissed off as I can understand that if the signal was to go through the “walk” phase every time it cycled drivers would have to wait the extra 25 seconds which to them is UNEXECPTABLE!

But on the Orange Line Bike Path???

This is a place where there are major bus stops at regular intervals which are analogous to a subway stop here in the San Fernando Valley, so there are always people making their ways across the intersections, not to mention IT'S A DAMN BIKE PATH!!!

The DEFAULT should be for EVERY intersection along the bike path to go through the walk phase EVERYTIME.

Why should people who walk, bike, skate etc., every other form of transportation EXCEPT automobiles have to wait EVERYTIME to cross the intersection?

BECAUSE IN LOS ANGELES IF YOU ARE NOT DRIVING YOU ARE A BEGGAR.

That's right, hit that button or you will stand there for 5 minutes. OR you could take your chance on a green light and cross when the walk signal is not lit, but I would rather forgo the expensive fine that the LAPD enjoys handing out for this.

The city could reprogram the signals if they so saw fit, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for that!

Is this a part of the “Vision Zero” plan Mr. Mayor? Making it harder for everyone except motorist to cross the street?

A lot of people just take their chances and cross without the walk phase, I'm sure that this makes it safer for them?

Just another example of how the city discriminates against non-motorized travelers.

Most people want to follow the law, but if you go out of your way to make it hard for people to do so, on a major transportation corridor none the less, then some will break the law.

Live up to your promise Mr. Mayor and help make L.A. a place where people can get out of their cars and use public or non-motorized transportation without being penalized for doing so.

Vision Zero? Right?