by homegrownrevolution

Just the very name Caltrans brings to mind billions of square feet of concrete and asphalt, the paving of paradise, and what James Howard Kunstler calls the “national automobile slum” which is why it was such a pleasure yesterday to have those stereotypes broken by going on a bike ride with some of the capable folks involved in Caltrans’ little-known bicycle programs.

The excuse was an afternoon meeting of the Caltrans district 7 bicycle advisory committee. But the real highlight was Caltrans district 7 Bicycle Coordinator Dale Benson’s bright idea of actually hitting the streets for a ride beforehand. Among assorted members of the local LA bicycling cult, we were joined on the ride by Caltrans bicycle program manager Ken McGuire who came all the way down from Sacramento, the MTA’s Lynne Goldsmith and Anthony Jusay and a representative from illuminateLA.

The ride proved something we know from personal experience, that the area around downtown Los Angeles contains many steep hills. We toured the historic Angelino Heights district and headed over to Dodger Stadium where we were repulsed by a nervous security guard. If there was a sub-theme to the morning it was the general anxiety that bikes seem to provoke with security guards, even at Caltrans headquarters where a minor kerfuffle broke out over how to enter the building on a bike and where to park said bike.

From Dodger Stadium we headed on over to the Bicycle Kitchen and then paid a visit to the Santa Monica and Vermont Red Line station to inspect the improperly installed bike racks. From there we headed back downtown and ate lunch in the city employee favored underground mall beneath the fabulous and soon to be hip Triforium once known as the Eiffel Tower of Los Angeles.

The meeting, which convened after lunch, touched on a number of topics including the status of the Complete Streets Legislation currently making its way through the state assembly as well as reports on cycling in Ventura county and an audit of conditions on the Pacific Coast Highway (note to the folks who did the PCH audit—we suggest actually biking it next time instead of driving). Particularly interesting were reviews of bike accidents along various state highways and attempts to find statistical clusters.

While they apparently left their bikes at home and did not participate in the pre-meeting ride, members of the City of Los Angeles’ Bicycle Advisory Committee were in attendance at the meeting and we hope they took note of what a functional BAC looks and acts like. Caltrans district 7 director Doug Failing knows how to run a meeting, keep it on track and get things accomplished. We look forward to more rides with Caltrans and seeing what they can accomplish in making cycling conditions better in Southern California.