LOS ALAMITOS, Calif.– The infamous bike lane at the Los Alamitos Boulevard and Cerritos Avenue intersection had its lane protectors removed just before the start of the school year. Many think that this could cause increased carnage during the morning rush for cyclists, students and parents going to Los Alamitos High School. Since the school year has just begun, there have been no incidents; in the previous school year, however, it caused many close calls. Despite this, there are mixed opinions for their removal. Some like the fact that they have been removed for the easier flow of traffic, while some do not, since it could cause more havoc during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
“I’m happy they removed the (lane protectors) because it allows for smoother traffic,” Mrs. Harvey, a math teacher at LAHS, said.
Parents dropping off their students, who utilize the bike lane to turn east onto Cerritos Avenue, cause cyclists to have to either go onto the sidewalk, which can be a danger to pedestrians, or go in between cars and split lanes, which is very dangerous.
Jason Khan, a senior at LAHS, had many close calls while using the bike lane in previous years. He mentioned how there used to be pillars that would separate the bike lane and the right lane of traffic to protect the bike lane users.
“There will be a car just at the corner of the intersection (blocking the bike lane) and I kind of have to weave around it a little bit so as to go between the curb and the car, which is not very safe or convenient,” Khan said.
The bike lane protectors, whether they are there or not, cause problems for both drivers and cyclists. When they are up, the cars that want to turn onto Cerritos Avenue are obstructing the right lane, blocking the drivers who wish to continue straight through the intersection. With the pillars removed, the cars turning right invade the bike lane, causing cyclists to have to avoid the cars that are now in the bike lane, blocking their path of travel. Only time will tell what will happen in the coming months until their re-installation next year.
