Arnavaz ‘Rosie’ Fatemi / Special to the Roundup
National Bike Week has begun. May 16 – 20 is when people are encouraged to leave behind their cars and get on a bicycle, as well as take advantage of the Los Angeles Metro systems.
During National Bike Week, Metro is offering free rides to patrons with bicycles.
“The Rail will get you to most regions of L.A., and then bike the final few miles to your destination,” said Don Ward, a bike enthusiast of Los Angeles who hopes National Bike Week will encourage more people to make us of bikes and mass transit.
Others celebrating National Bike Week see it as a great promotional tool.
“I just like that the whole thing encourages people to ride their bikes,” said Dejah Sandoval, a bicycle commuter. “That means less traffic and more bike friends.”
However, Sandoval does think that the Metro system can do more to promote bicycles.
“If only Metro would put some bike hooks on the trains so we can all fit like in other cities,” she said. “It seems like a no brainer, but it still hasn’t happened.”
National Bike Week can also be the week people try new things on their bikes.
“I think everyone should try playing bike polo at least once; it is one of the most fun things I have ever done on my bike,” said Brian Russell, a member of the Los Angeles Bike Polo Team. “It has helped make me a stronger and more confident commuter; the skills you learn in polo translate well in your day-to-day travel on the streets of L.A.”