...you're on a long stretch of road - in the bike lane - with traffic passing you at at least 55, and you encounter an enormous swatch of excavated dirt dumped in your path. Your options are:

1) Ride through the dirt and risk crashing.
2) Ride out in traffic and risk being hit by a vehicle.
3) Stopping.

I've done all three, neither of which are fun.

Location is Forest Lawn Drive between Barham and Griffith Park in Los Angeles. This is one of my main routes.

My question is what or who should I complain to about this? For the last six months, dirt has, off and on, been dumped in the bike lane w/o any regard that cyclist use it. Of course, the dirt has been dumped in plain sight of a no dumping signs. Until you encounter something like this, you really don't know how infuriating - not to mention dangerous - this is.

Any suggestions?

Call the street dept. of the city in which the problem exists. I don't know how long the distance the dirt covers is, but if it were me, I'd take a look behind me and when it was safe, I'd move out into the lane and take it. What I mean by taking the lane is riding in the left tire track, so that no one could pass me without going fully into the left lane. You have a legal right to do this, and while it seems scary, the chances of being hit are extremely remote. In fact, they're a lot less than if you hugged the right side of the pavement. You're almost guaranteed to hear some horns and/or angry shouts. Too bad.

When I do this, I don't dawdle. I ride quickly, and as soon as it's safe for me to do so, I move to the right to allow traffic to pass.

I was in L.A in January and was at a total loss as to how you can actually ride a bike in this town. Can you actually go for a lengthy ride without having to risk your life going anywhere near those monster freeeways? I noticed that a major freeway is just a stone's throw away from anywhere and everywhere. Could you actually ride from say..... Irvine to the Santa Monica and back without going near a freeway? How do L.A cyclists do it? The Los Angeles freeway system just blew my mind.

Call the CA SHA (State Highway Admin). If you can't find them, call CA DOT.

I wonder if a cyclist has ever brought a shovel along and shovled the dirt from the bike lane out into the traffic lane? Not that I'm suggesting doing this, but just curious if anyone ever has.

I wonder if a cyclist has ever brought a shovel along and shovled the dirt from the bike lane out into the traffic lane? Not that I'm suggesting doing this, but just curious if anyone ever has.

I haven't done it. I've *thought* about doing this a zillion times, but haven't built up the courage for it.

Good luck, OP, with your calls.

Your options are:

1) Ride through the dirt and risk crashing.
2) Ride out in traffic and risk being hit by a vehicle.
3) Stopping.

4) tamp the dirt down into a sweet ramp and jump it.

srsly tho, I know the stretch of road and I've seen the dirt. WTF? Who's dumping dirt on busy roads? I wouldn't wait for the gov't, maybe I'll throw a shovel in the car and go have a look-see later.

Check the map to determine if it's in the jurisdiction of Burbank or the City of LA. Call the appropriate city department, verbally report the issue, and ask for a fax number where you can send a written report. When you fax your statement, be sure you highlight that you feel the condition creates a threat to human life. Also be sure to remind them that CVC 21202 permits cyclists similar rights as motorists on all local roadways (not that it's relevant, but it will deflect time wasting resistance). You might even inquire about an NPDES mandated Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP, pronounced "swip") that is required for all construction activities and which normally stipulates that dirt/sand/earth is not dumped in a way that would allow it to run off into the river during a rain event. The contractor might be in violation of their SWPPP, which is frankly small potatoes but one more strike against the city if enforcement is lax.

If possible, put the same complaint in an email if there's an address to send it to. Then call them after a few days to ask about followup actions.

None of this may help at all. But if there's a written record of your complaint, then there's the possibility of escalating later. A calm, concise, written statement predicting the loss of life due to their negligence may get more response than a hothead griping on the phone.

I'm cringing because I can't help thinking of the construction on PCH a year or two ago and the terrible accident that resulted. Do be careful.

italianrider,

i ride from huntington beach to brea. during that commute i pass the 22, the 57 and the 5 freeways. i use the santa ana river trail though.

although one time i did try to ride on surface streets from huntington beach to fullerton. i almost died on the 5 overpass.

also a fair amount of streets have "bike lanes" read "turn lanes for cars to use at red lights" they dont keep you very safe or out of traffic but they do let you yell at cars at red lights, as it is illegal to use bike lanes for right turns when cyclists are present (ridiculously enough, its not illegal when no cyclists are present) i had a fairly heated conversation with the owner of a lexus too-big-550 the other day.