I just got back from my bike ride. I recently cashed in my tax refund money for a new bicycle. I love it! I went to bike shop in Granada Hills that my friend Crystal recommended, called Bicycle Den. They are a family owned shop and were extremely helpful.
I really wanted a bike to ride since I live close to the Chandler Bikeway and also take it to the beach to ride along The Strand as well. Today I rode all the way to the end of Chandler and back to my apartment which is a little over 7 miles. It's a great path to run, walk, roller blade, pretty much any type of transportation other than a car or motorcycle. There are always tons of people walking and riding bikes on the path with their kids. So I definitely feel safe riding it alone during the day, but I can't say I wouldn't like some friends to join me. =)
The stretch that I ride along goes from North Hollywood to Burbank. I take the path when I ride to my friend Natalie's apartment which is close to the Warner Brother's studio lot in the Burbank/Toluca Lake area. The other side of Chandler actually goes from North Hollywood all the way to where I work in Van Nuys. A bus line has its own street where only buses and police cars can drive along. The bike path runs along beside it.
The stretch in Burbank was one a rail road. Los Angeles decided to turn it into a pedestrian bike path in 1991. The Chandler Bikeway officially opened to the public on August 20, 2004.
I definitely plan on making bike riding a hobby and will be checking out other bike paths in Los Angeles. The city is good about having websites dedicated to biking, hiking and other recreational activities. Yelp is always a good source as well!
Happy riding [and hiking]! =)