cycling / LA

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by ebola
I'm visiting the LA Convention Centre next week (from uk)
I'd quiite like to hire a bike out there & cycle to & from the hotel.

Before I try this is there anything I should know about cycling in LA (e.g. restrictions on what roads you can use, safety r.e. the areas I'd be travelling through ). How cyclist-friendly is the place ?

I'm staying in the Beverly Hilton

I get these directions from the site which I assume are car-orientated, it estimates it's 14 miles, which is fine.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&1a=9876%20wilshire%20boulevard&1c=beverly%20hills&1s=ca&1z=&1y=US&do=nw&1ex=1&2ex=1&src=maps&ct=NA&2a=1201%20S%20Figueroa%20St&2c=Los%20Angeles&2s=CA&2z=90015%2d1308&2y=US&2pn=&2l=AaR%2bo70eHnQ%3d&2g=4UMhYP2TOnFZFr1%2bvkOZfQ%3d%3d&2v=ADDRESS&2pl=

I'd probably take my garmin gps to avoid getting lost.

I live about 45 miles south of LA and am not all that familiar with that area; however, there are some dangerous neighborhoods near the Convention Center that you should probably avoid. I would call the hotel concierge and have them do some research for you on the safest route. You could probably go straight down Wilshire and be fine.

Take my advise! Please! I am 57, born and raised in LA and am a retired law enforcement officer (after 32 years in that area). Do NOT ride a bike to the Convention Center from ANYWHERE! Take a car to the Convention Center, do whatever you're going to do and then take a car back to the Hotel.