The city is working on additional solutions with the county, which controls the beach path, and there's a $2.9-million proposal before the Metro board to extend the pedestrian walkway north of the pier, where walkers now share pavement with cyclists and rollerbladers.
For many people, the upgrades can't come soon enough. Scott Riddle, a script reader, has used the path twice a week for 20 years, and he's seen all manner of mishaps.
"Bikes hitting pedestrians, bikes hitting other bikes, bikes hitting little kids," he says.
That's the worst problem of all, in his mind: clueless parents who let their young children wander onto the path as speeding bikes approach.
"It's a wonder dozens of kids aren't killed every day."
Some cyclists need to cool it, too, he says.
"With some of them, the attitude is, 'This is L.A.; I'll pass when I want to pass.' " Ahhh, the scenery, the serenity. What a lovely getaway.
But be sure to bring a first-aid kit.
--
steve.lopez@latimes.com
