List of Los Angeles bike paths

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bike paths in the greater Los Angeles area are divided into "classes" which seem to vary in definition from document to document, but essentially are:

Class 1 Bike Path - Completely separate from traffic.
Class 2 Bike Lane - A lane set aside in city streets exclusively for bikes. California traffic laws state cars may only pull into a path when within 200 feet of making a right turn. There is no law on opening the driver's side door, which is a common cause of injuries.
Class 3 Bike Route - Allegedly safe city streets connected into a means of getting from one place to another on a bike.

It should be noted that when riding on these bike paths you will be completely uncovered by any warranties as regards their fitness for safe cycling. In other words, if there is a dangerous hazard as a result of the construction standard of the bikepath and you are injured you can not sue the City or Council of Los Angeles to cover your medical expenses. This is in direct contrast to ordinary city streets. There are two pieces of case law which establish this clearly, one of them being Prokoff vs City of L.A.

It is legal in Los Angeles to ride on sidewalks as long as they do not show "wanton disregard" for the safety of other sidewalk users. In California, when mounted and riding on the road, cyclists are required to 'behave like vehicles' when it comes to obeying signals, signage, and lane restrictions (see the "California Driver Handbook" for details). In brief: Riders are to ride with traffic, yielding unobtrusively to the right when practicable, merging with a "true lane" of traffic when shoulder hugging is not practicable or when turning left.