By Steve Keats Santa Monica
(Re: “Damn the bikes in Santa Monica,” Hey, Mikey, Nov. 21) I’ve been cycling the streets of Santa Monica and Venice for more than 30 years and have been a sad observer to the fact that, despite the “greening” of Santa Monica and the proliferation of so-called “bike lanes,” our streets have become ever more treacherous for cyclists and pedestrians; I don’t know — and don’t care — what the statistics say.
As we pedal through Santa Monica at the equivalent of several hundred miles per gallon, you’d think the least the city could do is spend more on traffic enforcement. In 1998 or 1999, City Council had before it the opportunity to pass an ordinance that would have outlawed the use of cell phones while driving, (but) Santa Monicans would be left unprotected from this scourge for another 10 years. What I really don’t understand is why this practice — by all accounts the equivalent of at least a couple of beers — is not worthy of a ticket for reckless driving?
Ever notice, while cycling, how the lights at some intersections never change unless you get off your bike and walk 10 or so feet to push the button, or hope for a car to come along to trigger the light? How green is that? Some cities have installed detectors so that this is not necessary. Where is Santa Monica’s state-of-the-art in this equation? After the (Third Street) Promenade was enhanced, Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway were “not recommended” for cyclists. Hundreds of millions spent for parking, pennies for bikes, although it must be said that the bike racks on the Big Blue Bus, and Broadway farther east are nice.
Green, my ass!
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 30, 2007. Read the original PDF.