L.A. Gets a New Set of Wheels

With one of their own in the Mayor's office, 100,000 people regularly participating in open streets events, the recent construction of 40 miles of bike paths and lanes, and growing respect from the city's police department, bicycling has emerged from L.A.'s subculture and entered the mainstream.

"These days in Los Angeles, there are midnight bike rides, East Side bike rides, women's bike rides and nude bike rides rolling out nearly every day. In the past 18 months, close to 40 miles of bike paths and lanes have been created across the city and the City Council passed a measure to prevent bicyclists from being harassed by motorists."

"None of which is to say that this of all cities is about to give up the car for the bicycle. But at a time when Los Angeles is struggling to ease congestion - and when cities from New York to Portland, Ore., are outpacing this city in making life easier for the urban bicycler - the bicycle is becoming part of the transportation fabric in Los Angeles."