Srfndamtn

Hi all,

New female rider here. I'm eager to start commuting via cycling from Hollywood to Hawthorne. It's 13.3 miles and pretty much a straight shot on Western Ave.

I'm a little hesitant as it is through rougher neighborhoods. Any suggestions of safety (or comments) for a female bicyclist? Looking to go around 7am- rush hour.

Any input is much appreciated. Anyone also want to join me?

10 Wheels

What are you afraid of?

Srfndamtn

Or robbed.

skidder

Another paranoid female who has trouble separating fact from fiction? Los Anageles is not as bad as the media makes it out to be, so turn off the over-dramatic/sensationalistic television news and go out an find out what its like yourself. Try it on a weekend first, see if Western works for you, or maybe find an alternate (parallel) route (or multiple routes) on another weekend. Or maybe look into combo MEtroline/bicycle commute. You probably don't want to ride in mid-winter (it gets dark early), but aim for next spring to start cycle-communting.

raceboy

Brave words shouted from the relative safety of OC. I'm a dude and I'd think twice about cycling through some parts of Western Avenue. I think the OP is right on to be thinking about her safety.

skidder

Yes, I know what you mean, but realize that OC has bad areas, too. And the females are just as paranoid here as in L.A. I ride 3 miles to work thru some areas I feel are very safe and the females I work with think I'm crazy to do it! You'll note that I suggested to her that she actually find out for herself how bad it really is, and not rely on the media or urban myths. I also suggested trying to mix bicycling and using the Metrolines as an option; Metro will get you through some nasty areas and you can bike the short distances to her destination at either end. It can be done, just figure out the best route(s). Cheers

FBinNY 

Though I don't know the area, I understand your concern.

First, let's try to clear some air.

While women have a specific added reason to fear assault, the reality is that the vast number of assaults against women have nothing to do with that at all. The simple truth is that women are attacked for the same reasons as men, namely robbery. They just are perceived as easier targets.

So, part of being safe in bad areas is to reduce the perception of vulnerability. You do this by not seeming weak, and projecting a sense of purpose and will. This is hard to describe, but if you stop and observe people through the eyes of a predator, you'll notice things that make some seem more or less easy to attack.

Besides that, there are actions to take, ride like you know where you're going, and intend to get there forthwith. Scan the area for potential predators, and if something doesn't feel right, make a move farther into the flow of traffic. When stopping at lights, do it in ways where parked cars may shield your side, and/or try to keep daylight or path to escape open at all times.

In short, learn to be streetwise, and you can ride through very tough neighborhoods in relative safety.

Also know that cyclists aren't attacked in busy areas at busy times, so the seemingly bad areas are probably much safer than some pretty safe looking, but largely deserted bike paths, especially where they're closed in leaving no escape. I expect that on Western Ave at rush hour, your real concern won't be local thugs, but the motorists you're sharing the road with.

TakingMyTime

You've got your choice of Vermont, Normandie or Western. Traffic on all 3 streets is going to be brutal during rush hour. Try it in a car a couple of times first. Get a feel for the driving habits of the people using those streets during rush hour. Fridays will be even crazier, it's payday. You're going though the heart of South LA (formerly South Central).

If it was me... I'd err on the side of caution and drive.

Kedosto

Your cautious approach is reasonable, but after playing around a bit with Google maps I think FB is correct; your greatest risk looks like it would be the traffic.

I don't see any bike lanes anywhere along that corridor and you've got a couple of freeways to pass as well. I'd suggest you first plot out a path using the quieter residential streets that run parallel with Western and make a trial run by car at the times of day you're planning to ride. Sure, it'll take you longer compared to a straight run down Western but it'll be safer.

You'll probably make more than a few mistakes, but spend some time getting a route together taking as many car days as it takes before a trial run on your day off to get a sense of the route, time, and distance. Once you've come up with a route and did a trial run, go for it. Leave a half hour earlier than you took for your trial run and then start trimming your time closer based on your success.

Don't let fear control your life, but be sensible too. You're in the right place, asking the right questions so it looks pretty good from here.


-Kedosto

tinrobot

Fear of neighborhoods aside, from a traffic standpoint, your best bet may be Wilton/Arlington/Van Ness

Rick@OCRR

I'm not familiar with that specific area but the suggestion to take the LA Metro (if it's going to and from where you want, or close), is a good option.

I ride 7 miles from home to the Norwalk Metro station and take it to the Harbor Fwy (110) station, then ride 1.5 miles to work / reverse direction in the afternoon.

The train goes over Watts, Compton and similar neighborhoods. I'm up to 590 bicycle commutes since I started a couple years ago and no bad incidents so far.

I'm not a female of course, but I am an old (66) man, so I would be an easy target too, so I can somewhat sympathize and relate to your fears. Plus, on the Metro there is a bicycle space on every other car so that works well too, i.e. people expect you to be there with your bike.

I've seen lots of female bicycle commuters on the Metro; all races of people and all types of bikes, so that shouldn't be an issue regardless of your skin color or the size or type of your bike.

I will add that on two of my 590 commutes the train did break down and I had to ride through Watts, Compton, etc. Once was in the dark of the early morning and the other in the heat of the mid afternoon, but both were safe (though I admit my senses were on high-alert status!) and no issues with people or cars (mostly ridden on Rosecrans).

I ride with an OC club but I live in South Whittier.

Rick / OCRR

hsuehhwa

As a field engineer and knowing the general areas very well, I WOULD NOT ride through the area.

f4rrest

I think it's dangerous due to traffic. There was a heatmap showing cycling deaths, and that area was pretty hot.
Plus it's an ugly, unpleasant route.

Personally, I'd rather lengthen the ride to 21 miles (maybe ride twice per week), head southwest on Culver to Marina Del Rey, then bike along the beach around the airport. Then you can choose to ride east to Hawthorne, or simply take the train east along the 105.

Check this out. Definitely avoid Vermont.
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/livab...htmlstory.html

roadfix

I've ridden on these streets from Hollywood to get to Torrance, but not during rush hour. Better than the other major streets running north south..

KevinSCo

Traffic would be the most immediate obstacle, along with many many stop lights. Virtually all of the north/south streets mentioned (Western, Vermont, etc.) are relatively narrow and very congested even on off-peak hours. Google "LA Metro Crenshaw Line Map" for the alignment for a new transit line that is under construction. When it is finished, it will give you more options. Be safe!

Edit: just saw that Crenshaw line is projected to be finished in 2019. Oh well.