Can I Live, Los Angeles?!?

Why do I have to travel around this great city of ours in fear? Why do I not deserve equal treatment and protection under the same laws that govern non-cyclists? Why is public transportation such a joke in Los Angeles?

Why does a Beverly Hills police officer think it’s a good idea to turn off his lights at night, point his SUV at us, and speed up towards our group in order to teach one of the three of us a lesson about not having a headlight (License plate #1098193, short blond hair, medium build)? Why does the Santa Monica Police Department harass cyclists without even knowing the California Vehicle Code? Why do you robotic, peon police officers harass us when we ARE the F’in future? Why can’t you see this as clearly as I? Why don’t more people watch Star Trek or PBS or read Jules Verne? When did you ever read a (good) sci fi book that still had gas-powered vehicles?

Why do I always beat the Metro Rapid and Big Blue Buses on my way to work? Why does that Blue Line driver talk smack to me every Saturday morning when I bring my bike on board? Why is the Culver City bus from LAX so god damn slow? Why would I want to stop at TWO MALLS on my way home from the airport? Why does the Blue Bus stop at every other street? Why does the Metro Rail not have a designated place for bikes?

Why in the heck are the people that are supposed to protect and serve me, whose pay is partly covered by my taxes, turn against me? Why do I, a zero emmissions motherfucker deserve such shitty treatment? Why do we think “advocacy” is going to work in this polluted city that hasn’t learned it’s lesson in two decades? Why do we get so happy when we hear the word “bikes” in a future-will-be-all-bike-friendly 20 year plan?

Why does one relatively safe bike lane that ends at Bundy and the occasional bike valet make Santa Monica Bike-Friendly?

Aaaargh. See you on the streets I guess.