Bike trail hazards

Hazards -- man

Gangs

Grafitti such as this along the LA River near the 405 freeway is the mark of a gang area

Gangs with messages of drugs along the San Gabriel River trail.

A vandalized safety warning sign along the San Gabriel River trail.

Even the scenic nature reserve at Cabrillo Beach is not immune from gang vandalism.

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Gangs are a serious problem in the Los Angeles area and a significant threat to bicyclists. Quoting from Los Angeles Magazine: "The sheriffs department estimates that the county is home to 150,000 gangbangers in more than 1,300 gangs. Among ethnic gangs, the breakdown is Hispanic, 667 gangs; black, 386; and Asian, 151. White motorcycle and skinhead gangs (14) have been pushed into rural nether regions such as the Antelope Valley." (More gang background info)

Generally the ocean and mountain trails are free of this problem although there is some significant gang activity near Venice and Santa Monica. Most river bike trails pass through at least some to alot of gang territory. The problem is generally worse toward the west side (Ballona Creek, LA River, San Gabriel River and Coyote Creek) and becomes almost non existant toward the east (Santa Ana river, San Diego Creek and Aliso Creek). Recently (8/20/2001) there has been quite an increase in grafitti in the Northern and Central parts of the San Gabriel River trail. Muggings and attacks on bicyclists (even infrequently during weekend daylight periods) have been reported on the Ballona Creek and Coyote Creek trails. Make sure that your bicycle is in good mechanical condition, stay alert and carry a cell phone.

Drunks and homeless transients

A typical homeless camp (LARIO / Rio Hondo trail near the El Monte airport)

Countless stolen shopping carts line the San Gabriel and other river trails. At $100 per cart, this small group of carts once had a value of nearly $1000.

The river is home to drunks and homeless transients. Often mentally unbalanced, they litter the bike trail with broken glass bottles and throw stolen shopping carts into the river. Watch out particularily for broken glass near the highway and freeway underpasses where the drunks are most common. Best to just stay away from them and carry a spare inner tube and cell phone.
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Overcrowded beach trails

This is typical traffic on an August Saturday afternoon at the entrance to the Newport Pier parking lot. There are two rows of cars lined up hopelessly looking for few and infrequently available beach parking spots. The bicycle trail passes directly through this parking lot.

Summer weekend traffic along all of the class 1 beach bike trails often tends to be erratic. Pedestrians frequently walk across the bike bath without looking. Careless roller bladers, skate boarders and dangerous bicyclists are frequently found here also, often making unexpected turns and rapid stops in the bike path. Make sure your braking skills are good and wear a helmet.
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Hazards -- nature

Water & shade

<>Although a lake is visible here along the San Gabriel West Fork trail, the water is unsafe to drink without suitable treatment. The nearest drinkable water is many miles away. Some of the river trails have relatively little water and shade. Drinkable water is nonexistant anywhere along the San Gabriel River West Fork trail, even including the trail head.
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Strong winds and weather

Strong onshore wind flows are frequent in the late afternoon. Not a big hazard but this can make it more difficult when heading toward the beach. Strong winds and rapid changes in the weather can become quite significant in the mountains.

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