RACHEL JOHNSON
Perspectives Assistant
The Sept. 10 deaths of two cyclists have caused coalitions to urge city and state officials to address unsafe conditions on Pacific Coast Highway. Controversy is inherent because many fear that the accommodation of cyclists will attract more to the area, inevitably leading to further tragic accidents.
Scott Bleifer, 41, of Santa Monica, and Stanislav Ionov, 46, of Calabasas, were killed when a catering truck struck them from behind after construction barriers forced them to merge into traffic that was nearing speeds of 50 miles per hour. The driver, Compton local, Victor Silva, 37, was arrested and charged on two counts of vehicular manslaughter.
The accident occurred on PCH, near John Tyler Drive. The shoulder was barricaded with concrete rails that were installed through a state permit for the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue, which was undergoing construction. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Traffic Sgt. Philip Brooks said that cyclists are forced to share traffic lanes, where they have a legal right to be, with cars.
Because laws designate that cyclists are to be treated as automobiles on roads, it is shocking that Silva did not treat them as such.
“These bicyclists were not in any way at fault,” Brookes told The Malibu Times. “The truck driver had the obligation not to hit other vehicles.”
Such blatant disregard for the rights of cyclists has caused uproar among groups who represent these individuals, and rightfully so. The deaths of Bleifer and Ionov are two illustrations of reckless behavior that takes the lives of unknowing victims.
To prevent further tragedy, swift action must be taken, with an emphasis on creating policies to protect cyclists. Unfortunately, past decisions have set the precedent that this type of legislation is not of great concern to the majority of Malibu residents.
The city of Malibu jeopardized the safety of riders when it opted not to participate in a county plan that was designed to make safety improvements for cyclists. Such participation would have allowed the city to apply for government grants for safety projects including bike lanes, signs and minor road widening projects.
As a result, group members advocating safety for cyclists perceive Malibu to be indifferent to their cause.
“We were told that Malibu has no provisions for bicycling infrastructure, and they are not planning to build any,” said Kastle Lund, executive director of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.
History shows the low importance of bike safety on city agendas, the outlook on future policies looks bleak. In the 1990s, proposals to establish a bike path along PCH were rejected after vigorous opposition from some homeowners along the highway east of Malibu Pier. They argued that creating a bike lane would restrict vital on-street parking.
City Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich reinforced the perception that bike safety is not a priority by commenting that “we may not want to encourage more bike riding” in east Malibu. Instead of proposing a compromised solution, it seems that many council members merely wish to restrict bike riding as a whole.
The deaths of Bleifer and Ionov should not cause controversy between groups over the details and logistics of policies and legislation. Rather, they should serve as a reminder about the reckless nature of humanity and what steps must be taken to prevent further acts of irresponsibility.
09-29-2005
