Panniers A-Plenty #1

With all the new interest in biking around Long Beach, I've decided to chronicle some of the rides I take this year. My goal is to two at least 2 recreational bike rides a month and at least 2 bike rides to work or shopping a month. Conveniently, my husband proposed we ride to the Alamitos Bay Marina Farmer's Market this morning, so one down and 3 to go.

The cruise down Santiago brought a surprise when my son pointed out a new sign prohibiting right turns on red from Santiago to Seventh Street. It's the scene of many a traffic accident, so I guess that's a good decision.
We glided across Marina Vista Park and through a little used path by Spinnaker Bay. The well maintained concrete path is enclosed on both sides by gated communities and further secluded with trees and gardens. Always a serene couple of blocks before hitting PCH.

The outing provided the perfect opportunity to try out the new bike lanes on southbound Pacific Coast Highway. Traffic was light on a Sunday morning, but it was still nerve-wracking crossing the bridge just north of Marina Pacifica. A line needs to be painted to mark a bike lane across the bridge Watching for traffic turning into the big mall is also a headache. I don't see any easy fix for car/bike interaction here.

As we approached the intersection of PCH and Second, more pedestrians and bicyclists on the way to the Farmer's Market became apparent. One bicyclist was riding on the wrong side of Second Street and had a dangerous encounter with another bicyclist (with extra wide paniers) and oncoming traffic. Another really clueless pedestrian walked right out into traffic and was so busy talking on his cell phone that he didn't seem to notice people honking at him. It's important to remember that non-motorists can be as inconsiderate as motorists given half a chance.

A large contingent of bicyclists came over the Second Street bridge just as we were approaching the Farmer's Market. There must have been at least 3o people in a continuous stream coming down the steep slope of the bridge. The awesome sight made me think that maybe Long Beach really could become known as a bike-friendly place. My husband and son stopped to take photos and we got disconnected. Luckily, I brought my own bike lock, so I wasn't stranded.

New hitching posts have been installed around the Farmer's Market area, so I didn't have to lock up to a tree. Yet again, the city of Long Beach is stepping up to meet the needs of bicyclists. There aren't nearly enough to accommodate the troop of cyclists that I saw, but at least it's a start. Pickings are pretty slim this time of year at the Farmer's Market, but we got some oranges, tomatoes, and eggs.

On the way home, we noticed a green painted square at the intersection of Marina Drive and Second Street. A couple on bicycles there in front of the cars. When my husband remarked on it, the woman cyclist said it was called a "safe box." I'm not sure why it makes bikes any safer to be in front of traffic than to the side, but bike visibility is always a good thing in my book.

The view at the top of the Second Street Bridge was a California dream as usual--blue sky, sparkling water, and a glimpse of snow-capped peaks in the distance. The bike lane is clearly marked all the way across the bridge but the access ramp to Appian Way is a little hairy because it splits into a left-ony and right-only lane. What's a conscientious bicylist to do?

Appian Way is another perfect place for a bike cruiser like me--no slopes to huff and puff over, little traffic to worry about, and great views of Marine Stadium and million dollar homes with the sky and the mountains as a backdrop. My husband pointed out a seal near the beach in Marine Stadium, a sight I'd never seen before. We had to veer out of the parking area and out onto Appian Way because construction is still going on to improve drainage around the Colorado Lagoon and the area is fenced off. There was a little bit of a tie-up with bikes and traffic at the four-way stops around Fourth Street and Park Avenue near the fire station, but we powered through and made our way home