View Full Version : Route Help - Union Stn to UCLA
nekohime
10-26-07, 12:00 AM
Hi! I'm new to bike commuting in LA (a scary thing!!), and I need help finding a route. While bikeless what I did was ride the subway from Union station, then catch the Metro 2/302 bus from Sunset & Highland. Problem is, the darn bus takes 45mins to 1hr because it gets stuck in veeeery bad traffic, especially during rush hours. Ugh. How do I avoid the stupid traffic on Sunset blvd to get to UCLA?
alicestrong
10-26-07, 01:04 AM
Maybe the Silverlake/UCLA route will give you a couple of ideas
http://www.cicle.org/cicle_content/pivot/entry.php?id=698#wl
Probably be faster to head down Highland to Santa Monica Blvd (4 blocks south) then go to Uclanland. The traffic dept seems to be rerouting bike traffic to SM blvd (wider street with bike lanes) and eliminating the bike lanes on Sunset Blvd. There are some long stretches along SM Blvd where you can wind it out. Going up Westwood Blvd may pose some challenges, but there are side streets that are a lot safer than fighting the traffic and narrow lanes. As always, watch out for the crazy people in their cars that are in a rush to get somewhere...signals and stop signs are annoyances to them.
thomson
10-26-07, 03:33 AM
The red Line may be able to help with some of the miles
http://www.westworld.com/~elson/larail/red.html
You will need a bicycle permit
Bicycles
Cyclists with an MTA Cycle Express Permit may bring their bicycles on board the Metro Rail trains. For a bike permit application, call (213) 922-7000.
Pepper Grinder
10-26-07, 03:55 AM
Metro Rail no longer requires a bicycle permit. metro.net
http://metro.net/riding_metro/bikes/images/la_bike_map.pdf
An invaluable map of all suggested bike routes in LA country. :)
Psydotek
10-26-07, 07:52 AM
*high-five* for another LA bike commuter. :D
alicestrong
10-26-07, 08:13 AM
Metro Rail no longer requires a bicycle permit.
Does anybody know if they still enforce rush hour limitations or did they drop that, too?
alicestrong
10-26-07, 08:20 AM
An invaluable map of all suggested bike routes in LA country. :)
I carry this map in my bag at all times. It's a great map and shows all the paths in addition to major bike friendly streets. Another good one is the map of all the Metro lines and trains. It's the same size and type of map.
In this GPS world paper maps are still useful...;)
thomson
10-26-07, 08:22 AM
<snip>
In this GPS world paper maps are still useful...;)
It will be really cool when they start producing the maps in GPS format
nekohime
10-26-07, 08:44 AM
Does anybody know if they still enforce rush hour limitations or did they drop that, too?
Er, technically the rules are still there--can't bring a full-sized bike on the rails during rush hour. However, I've never seen this rule enforced.I see people with their big-ass MTBs get on an almost full rail all the time.
I got a folding bike, because they're legal at all times, and I cannot afford the $250 fine if they ever decide to actually enforce the rule. Besides, folders are fun. :p
alicestrong
10-26-07, 09:54 AM
Er, technically the rules are still there--can't bring a full-sized bike on the rails during rush hour. However, I've never seen this rule enforced...
I got a folding bike, because they're legal at all times, and I cannot afford the $250 fine if they ever decide to actually enforce the rule. Besides, folders are fun. :p
Good for you! That's what I'm looking for, too, a folder. I don't have one yet. I've never seen/gotten a rush hour ticket issued either. I think I'll call Metro today and ask...something I've been meaning to clarify for myself anyway. :)
nekohime
10-26-07, 07:43 PM
After looking at the bike maps (very useful, thanks!), I think I'm gonna do this:
Red line to hollywood/highland
hop on bike to wilshire
hop on 720 to beverly glen
hop on bike to ucla
Keep in mind, I'm very new to bike commuting (stamina=very little), and my folder isn't the fastest thing on the road coz the gearing is ridiculously low. Maybe when I get used to riding, I'll bike the whole 7.3 mi on Santa Monica to ucla (according to googlemaps).
After looking at the bike maps (very useful, thanks!), I think I'm gonna do this:
Red line to hollywood/highland
hop on bike to wilshire
hop on 720 to beverly glen
hop on bike to ucla
Keep in mind, I'm very new to bike commuting (stamina=very little), and my folder isn't the fastest thing on the road coz the gearing is ridiculously low. Maybe when I get used to riding, I'll bike the whole 7.3 mi on Santa Monica to ucla (according to googlemaps).
The thing to keep in mind is the transfer time. It sounds great on paper, but you're going to hate the unreliability of the bus system with all of the transfers. Here are two options when you get some more bike stamina:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1415494
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1415497
The Olympic Route is longer, but not as much climbing and not as nerve wracking as the Sunset Loop. Some of the sections on Sunset are a little scary with narrow two lane roads and blind turns.
The other option is to hop on your bike after Union Station and hit Wilshire right after downtown and the closest Metro Express bus. The 720 line is relatively quick until the tar pits area. You can get off at any time and ride the rest of the way.
Good luck. (And I don't recommend you bike on Wilshire any longer than you have to.)
Good for you! That's what I'm looking for, too, a folder. I don't have one yet. I've never seen/gotten a rush hour ticket issued either. I think I'll call Metro today and ask...something I've been meaning to clarify for myself anyway. :)
I bought a folder while in LA specifically for that purpose. It clearly states in the Metro pamphlets that folding bikes are excepted from the usual bike / rush-hour blackout periods. I had many "fun" conversations with bus drivers. Some advice, carry the "Bike Paths Map" provided by MTA with you. The little rule is at the bottom of the page.
http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/maps/la_bike_map.pdf
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