GorramAtheist

I am seriously considering cycling to and from work (live in Bellflower, work in Long Beach), and wanted to ask fellow riders about the safety and suitability of riding the San Gabriel River path at night.

I would be riding the path at night from 2nd Street in Long Beach to approximately the 91 Freeway in Bellflower. I work in the service industry, so sometimes I'm off work as late as 11:00pm or 1:00am.

As for myself, I'm a pretty big (6'1", 250+ lbs) 29 year-old male. I have great lights on my bike, and would likely be carrying a backpack with some clothes and personal belongings.

Does anyone have experience riding in this area around this time? I will definitely be commuting via the trail on my way to work since the sun is still out, but will consider taking the metro/bus home if things are a bit dicey late at night. Thanks in advance for your advice!

Jed19

I won't ride either the SART or SGRT that late. Just asking for trouble. Lots of loonies out there, and being big won't help if some meth-head/gang banger armed with a weapon comes after you. Much safer riding the street at that time.

HBCruiser1

/\ /\ Agree. Once or twice you might get lucky, but if you're going to commute regularly I think the odds will be against you in the long run. There have been bike jackings on the SART at 2pm in the afternoon a Saturday which is generally a very heavily traveled day. I'd probably go streets as well. Not to condone unsafe travel but if I'm out midnight or later commuting I'll often turn my lights off and go stealth usually on a quiet small street. Sometimes I just don't want the possible unwanted attention of a vulnerable guy on a bike late at night just waiting for some drunk a-holes looking to mess with someone. I'll sometimes go as far as switching sides of the street as well. Your best bet is to scout out some routes, you'll readily know when you've hit a good street and just try to paste together one good stretch after another.

TrojanHorse

I ride SART at night all the time (like from Lakeview to Green River) and never had a hint of a problem. Never later than about 8:30 though.

I was on SGRT just past sundown last Saturday (I rode from Whittier blvd up to the dam and back) and once the sun started going down, the iffy people started gathering. Beer, weed, lots of men in groups, I'd hate to ride through there after they got really sauced.

Bellflower and woodruff look like decent north bound roads. If you do, put multiple blinky red tail lights on your bike and person. I think I'm even going to get a reflective vest, as dorky as the concept sounds. They just light up better than any cycling clothing I've seen.

GorramAtheist

Thanks for the advice folks. Looks like I'll play it safe and take Bellflower or Woodruff on my way back home late at night. Time to buy another blinky light to hook onto my backpack.

Jed19

I once saw two guys tagging on a quiet stretch of the SGRT at around 5:30 PM on a summer Sunday, and it looked to me like one of the guys had a firearm tucked in his waist band. I wasn't totally sure, but nonetheless I was not gonna stop or slow down to find out.

Garfield Cat

All this talk and planning about revitalizing these great river resources ignores one thing: the neighborhoods they go through.

r8dr_rider

And lack of police patrols. Im surprised how many bum colonies are under each brigde on this route.

mwandaw

I think you've had the right answers already. I'll just add a couple of personal experiences.

Two times my wife and I called for assistance when were riding on the SGRT somewhere between Del Amo and Seal Beach. One time we called animal control. One time we called the police. Both times the dispatchers had absolutely no idea where we were. Trying to help, we gave them detailed directions.

The animal control officer who was sent to help could not find us and eventually called our cell phone to get turn-by-turn directions. We ended up riding to Westminster Blvd and flashing our headlights at him as he drove by. The police officer did better, but as I mentioned, we had to give the dispatcher detailed directions.

In other words, don't count on quick and efficient help from public agencies when riding on the SGRT.

Flying Merkel

If I was a guy looking to jack a bike & rider, I'd set up a clothesline under a bridge on SART or SGRT at night and wait. You can take out King Kong if you have the element of surprise.

Find a parallel route to take on public streets

jimxyz

I ride SART (and the Irvine path) after dark, but only going North from around Kramer to the end of the trail. It may get a little creepy toward the end of the trail - thinking about bigfoot etc - but way less dangerous that riding South toward the beach after dark. Too many people have been jumped on that section of the trail for me to risk it. If you ride SART at night (away from the sketchy areas) get a really good front light, some sections are pitch black) On the street I'd drop some coin on a really good light over buying multiple blinkers. The DiNotte is worth the $$ DiNotte Lighting :: Products (Cygolite is a great low cost alternative).

Mazatleco17

I used to live in Bellflower and that's what I would do.

JSMaxwell

Goign north out of east LB, Bellflower sucks until at least Willow. Woodruff doesn't start until Willow. Try using Palo Verde north. Its got either bikes lanes or wide shoulder most of the way. When you leave the AI or PJs or whereever, go north out of the shore and get to Marina Vista Park. From there, take Elliott (bike route on south sidewalk) and path to Loynes & Bellflower. Cross PCH on Loynes. From Loynes, you can ride through the neighborhood known as "The Hole" and CSULB to the beginning of Palo Verde at Anaheim or take the "long Beach Bikeway Route 10 up the river wash to Anaheim just east of Palo Verde. Palo Verde will get you as far north as Artesia. I've never been north or that west of SGRT.

GP

Out of sight, out of mind. It's better to have them living under a bridge than to have them camped out on sidewalks.

Mazatleco17

You can see bum colonies from Whittier to Bellflower, when you get to cerritos it gets nicer

adoloft

you'll readily know when you've hit a good street and Just asking for trouble

KingCat

I am so glad I am moving back to Montana. I cant believe all these comments about being afraid to ride in your own city !

Pamestique 

Been to Montana... I was scared there too for different reasons... not really safe to ride the roads/highways with all the big fast trucks...never saw so much road kill than what I saw in Montana... every place has its issues and problems. Montana has like 3 people every 200 miiles, LA has millions... not exactly apples and oranges. But thanks for your comment anyway!

Tyestick

As other have mentioned, I would also suggest with staying off the bike trails if you're leaving work between 11pm-1am.

Lots of people up to no good traverse those trails late at night, and should something happen, it'd be less likely that someone is anyone to give assistance.

As for the open road, I can't say it's much safer. I was assaulted while riding in Bellflower... I had a truck pull along side me, and the passenger hit me in the back of the head.

Also, be prepared to be stopped by the police. Lots. Even with all the proper lighting.

I've heard it mentioned that people who are usually riding after 10pm are known as "felony cyclist". The reasoning behind that is, 'who would be riding their bike at that time of night, other than someone up to no good'. I guess they don't take into account individuals who leave work late at night.

The several officers I've spoken to while riding through Bellflower tell me that 60 percent of Bellower is on either some type of probation or parole. So they say...

If I had to pick bike trail, or road... I'd pick the road. Just make sure you stay safe.