Summer is here and what better way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Culver City than by bike? Whether heading to the beach, a farmers market, downtown for a movie or the music festival, doing it by bike is fun and has lots of advantages. You’ll save on gas, take advantage of rock star parking, probably see a few things you hadn’t while zipping past in your car and, of course, get some exercise in the process.
Plus, it’s the ultimate family activity. Do you remember riding to the drugstore as a kid and slurping down an ice cream in the middle of summer? I do. I regularly ride with our 7-year-old to Rite-Aid or Menchies for a tasty treat. We’ll ride to the beach via the Ballona Creek Bike Path a few times as the weather heats up. To me, that is what summer is all about.
With the weather being ideal, bike improvements popping up throughout the city and along Ballona Creek now is a great time to explore. Here are a few tips to make summer riding safer and more enjoyable:
- Check the bike: Are the tires inflated? Are the brakes working? Is the chain lubed properly? Are there reflectors all around? (These are easy fixes but for anyone who needs help, consider visiting Palms Cycle on Motor Avenue or, for the do-it-yourselfers, check out Bikerowave on Venice Boulevard.)
- Plan a route: Be sure you know where you’re going before you leave the house. One of the best parts of biking through Culver City is exploring streets you wouldn’t bother with by car. Sometimes, the most direct way isn’t the safest, so take advantage and explore. Why pedal down Overland Avenue, for example, if Elenda Avenue has a fraction of the traffic?
- Be prepared: Always, always wear a helmet. I recommend gloves as well and be sure to carry water and a lock. Packing a snack or two and a small repair kit is a good idea also. If riding at night, bring lights and wear bright clothing.
- Don’t sweat the parking: At many events, such as the Eat Real Festival this weekend and Fiesta La Ballona, the Culver City Bicycle Coalition will host bike valets. Ride to the event and park free, without having to worry about where to lock your bike, traffic or car parking. Plus, you might even score some free goodies.
- Be Safe: Riding on streets requires obeying the same vehicle regulations as an automobile. Knowing and following the rules of the road will make for a safer community for everyone.
Most of all, have fun. Riding in town does not have to be hard. Go slow, enjoy the ride and be safe. The important thing is getting out and riding. If that means driving to a destination and exploring more on bike, that’s fine, too. For example, check out Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area off La Cienega Boulevard. There, you can ride around and through the park. It’s a great place to play and you can even try your hand at mountain biking, without slogging up 3,000-foot peaks. It’s fun, adventurous and you can see the entire park and all it has to offer in a relatively short time.
Embrace “Carmegeddon.” Join the CCBC Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, for the Eat Real Festival at the Helms Bakery Building. Ride to the event and have a chance for some free goodies. Check our site for details.
Bike Safe, Bike Smart! is a weekly column to promote responsible cycling by providing information, education and advice about riding. It’s written by members of the Culver City Bicycle Coalition (CCBC), a local chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. Join them for their family bike ride the last Sunday of every month. For more information and to submit questions, write: ccbicyclecoalition@gmail.com and visit their blog:ccbike.org.
