Road Cycling - Los Angeles River Bike Path Expansion

Hey everyone,
I am currently working on a project to expand the existing bike path along the Los Angeles River. I myself am an avid rider and know what is needed, but I am interested to see what other people feel are necessary for bike paths. ie. rest stops, multiple paths for pedestrians and bikers, path material and so on. Please give me any feedback you have, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Andy

That bike path is nasty - especially during the summer.
The air is foul with the car exhaust from the "5" to the west and the rancid rotting smell of the stagnant LA River to the east.
Then the rider has to deal with the crazy drug addicted bums living under each and every bridge that goes over the river as they meander up and down the path looking for handouts.
If the rider goes to the south end of the path at Fletcher, there is the threat of having the bike forcefully stolen by gang members.
Nothing can be done to improve the worst bike path in LA County.

That bike path is nasty - especially during the summer.
The air is foul with the car exhaust from the "5" to the west and the rancid rotting smell of the stagnant LA River to the east.
Then the rider has to deal with the crazy drug addicted bums living under each and every bridge that goes over the river as they meander up and down the path looking for handouts.
If the rider goes to the south end of the path at Fletcher, there is the threat of having the bike forcefully stolen by gang members.
Nothing can be done to improve the worst bike path in LA County.


It's not that bad. But given a choice, any extention should be done to the
north rather than the south. Use the budget to pave as many miles as possible.
Don't waste money on lighting, rest stops, or anything else. Use the SGRT as an example.

I've only ever gone as far south as Los Feliz. But, yeah, expanding north, rear of the horse stables might make for an interesting scene.

I've only ever gone as far south as Los Feliz.

It ends at Fletcher, not much past Los Feliz. I would love to see it go further South, especially if it could actually make its way into Orange County to enable a trip to South OC and perhaps San Diago.

It ends at Fletcher, not much past Los Feliz. I would love to see it go further South, especially if it could actually make its way into Orange County to enable a trip to South OC and perhaps San Diago.

You can pick it up again just south of downtown and take it all the way to Long Beach, although that's kind of a barren windy slog. Or take it to Imperial Highway and go east to the San Gabriel RT. I've ridden LA-SG River from Griffith Park to PCH and then on into OCo. I ride from Griffith Park to Fletcher a couple times a month taking the long way to work. I haven't encountered anyone hassling me or looking for handouts, so I think that danger is overstated.

I don't know how it could be done, but it would be nice to break up the ride from downtown to Long Beach with some occasional shelter from the wind. I'd also like to see more of a barrier between the path and the steep slide to the river bottom. Good luck with your work!

I haven't ridden the LA river bike path, but I ride SART and SGRT frequently. To me there are three important factors, first is the quality of the surface; second is the safety of the road from accidents (proximity to the steep descent to the bottom mentioned above) and the second is personal security; third would be the ability to access other routes or facilities (water, restrooms, convenience stores, somewhere to get a sandwich or coffee, etc).

I often ride the LA River trail from downtown Long Beach heading north. I go from the Long Beach path which is scenic but crowded and short, to the LA River trail which is the opposite. I love that there's never anybody on it, and I don't really mind the dirty views and bums when I just want to ride.

As for what could be done to expand it, I guess maybe some restrooms or water fountains would be helpful, but with the bums and thugs around there those facilities would probably get trashed almost immediately. Other than that, more maps/mileage indicators and connections to other trails would be great.

That bike path is nasty - especially during the summer.
The air is foul with the car exhaust from the "5" to the west and the rancid rotting smell of the stagnant LA River to the east.
Then the rider has to deal with the crazy drug addicted bums living under each and every bridge that goes over the river as they meander up and down the path looking for handouts.
If the rider goes to the south end of the path at Fletcher, there is the threat of having the bike forcefully stolen by gang members.
Nothing can be done to improve the worst bike path in LA County.

Damn dude, you've painted the most negative - and inaccurate - picture of the LA Bike Path that I've ever heard or read. Just move out to the suburbs if you feel like the River path is that bad (which it isn't). Sheesh.

Damn dude, you've painted the most negative - and inaccurate - picture of the LA Bike Path that I've ever heard or read. Just move out to the suburbs if you feel like the River path is that bad (which it isn't). Sheesh.

Oh, you only say that because you are on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. It's part of your job to whitewash the truth in these matters.

Everyone - go ahead, ride that particular bikepath and judge for yourselves.

Oh, you only say that because you are on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. It's part of your job to whitewash the truth in these matters.

Everyone - go ahead, ride that particular bikepath and judge for yourselves.

Bam.