Southern California - Los Angeles River Bike Path

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

Spend the entire budget paving as many miles as possible. All other things, such as rest rooms and lighting, are not maintained and soon become unusable. I have not seen the lights turned on at the L.A. river bike path for a few years. If you can, expand the path going north rather than south. I would ride north at any time of the day or night, but there are limits as to when I would ride south. Use the SGRT as an example.

I would agree with putting the money into adding miles, and repairing what we've got, with lighting a close second, everything else is useless.

How about finishing the repairs to Ballona Creek and expanding that while were at it?

Yep, seconding (thirding?) the "more miles" suggestion. Also, make it easily accessible from many main streets. I don't really care about material as long as it's some sort of pavement (concrete, asphalt, whatever).

I ride at least once a week from Del Amo to the end in Long Beach. Would like the path to be smoother.

I would like to see the path paved past Fletcher towards Figueroa, and then extended to meet the rest of the path to Long Beach!
I agree...forget lights, an occasional water fountain would be good, but I would rather see more path than anything else...

I also vote for more asphalt past Fletcher.

More miles. Please.

More miles south of Fletcher, more miles north of Victory.

I enjoy riding the LA River... but would like more entrance and exit points. I have to either exit early and fight city traffic... or go beyond a convenient exit point and than double-back.

+1

I'd like to see more concrete past Fletcher; the path turns to torn up, bumpy asphalt from Fletcher, with lots of sudden dips for drainage. It would be great to be able to ride the river all the way to Chinatown.

That would be great. Long Beach to Chinatown, grab some dim sum at Empress Pavillion, or French dip sandwich at Philippe, or go Mexican at Olvera Street.

Path material: that new stuff they're putting in the asphalt on roads to make it real smooth. Is it shredded old tires? Also make the path nice and wide, enough for riders and pedestrians. Make sure there's no dead spots for cell phone reception.

Sheriff sub station?

Rubberized would be good. And yes: it's ground up tires.

Please extend it north as far as it can go... mabye to SF?

Please extend it north as far as it can go... mabye to SF?



Shoot...why stop there? How about all the way to Portland? :thumb:

or the Canadian border!

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

Hey Andy,
Its been a few years since I've been on the LA River path but there is a hariy turn near the end of the path in Long Baach that you have to go in blind. Very dangerous.

Please extend it north as far as it can go... mabye to SF?
Right alongside the California Aqueduct!

thanks for the input, ill let everyone know what ends up happening.

Everything depends on getting money from either the state or federal government. The Universal City extension has ~$500k in fed funds IF NBC/UNI ever allows the path to either follow the channel or go through their property.

Maintenence and repair is the biggest problem with existing bike paths or MUPs as well as the crime element in certain sections. They are supposed to sweep the paths on a regular basis, but I haven't seen that for a long time. The maintenence access roads seems to be in better shape/condition. Sometimes just riding the streets is a better, smoother, and safer option.

Everything depends on getting money from either the state or federal government. The Universal City extension has ~$500k in fed funds IF NBC/UNI ever allows the path to either follow the channel or go through their property.
Maintenence and repair is the biggest problem with existing bike paths or MUPs as well as the crime element in certain sections. They are supposed to sweep the paths on a regular basis, but I haven't seen that for a long time. The maintenence access roads seems to be in better shape/condition. Sometimes just riding the streets is a better, smoother, and safer option.

How about some eminent domain action here...

Just curious. Anyone know what it costs to pave a mile of bike path?

Depends on where the path is going to be constructed. Some states have different rules and regs as well as higher labor costs. $200,000 to $300,000 per mile is usually a ballpark figure. It goes up if they have to buy property or negotiate rights/access/road easement.

It would be great if the police would be aware of trouble spots like Ballona Creek. It's not something that could be part of the budget but it is a real issue in some areas.

How about some eminent domain action here...

I was looking at a map, and if they ran the path on the north side of the river, it wouldn't go near NBC/UNI's precious fence - it would just go past the golf course. Might be a compromise.

More miles +1
Paint scheme: take one foot out of each lane and paint a Pedestrian lane to keep them out of the way of bikes.... some signs to tell the pedestrians to keep out of the way of cyclists and WOW, less accidents???
Keep up the good work!!
PS, a street sweeper now and then would be very appreciated!!

More miles +1
Paint scheme: take one foot out of each lane and paint a Pedestrian lane to keep them out of the way of bikes.... some signs to tell the pedestrians to keep out of the way of cyclists and WOW, less accidents???
Keep up the good work!!
PS, a street sweeper now and then would be very appreciated!!

Sorry to say...that line doesnt help....you should hear all the crap going on in Burbank about the Chandler Bikeway...they are considering a speed limit for cyclists because too many dummies cant figure out how to stay on the pedestrian side....

Sorry to say...that line doesnt help....you should hear all the crap going on in Burbank about the Chandler Bikeway...they are considering a speed limit for cyclists because too many dummies cant figure out how to stay on the pedestrian side....

At least on that section you have grass to swerve onto, on Saturday I nearly ran down a toddler that darted in front of me on the North Hollywood section of the path. The father was laying down on the concrete, the mother sitting, watching her three kids running around, sandwiched between 2 chainlink fences...

At least on that section you have grass to swerve onto, on Saturday I nearly ran down a toddler that darted in front of me on the North Hollywood section of the path. The father was laying down on the concrete, the mother sitting, watching her three kids running around, sandwiched between 2 chainlink fences...

Yikes...I have seen that...I almost got taken out last month by someone coming thru one of the holse in the fence and heading across the path..yeesh....
Not sure what the answer is...but bottom line is this is a BIKE PATH!!!

I agree the paint might not keep all the people honest but it might stop some of them and that in itself would help... the life it saves might just be mine.