Dangers of riding on PCH

Anyone who drives the upper stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu knows it's a popular route for bicycle riders, especially on weekends. It's hilly and cool, they can ride for long distances and the views are stunning. The cycling community was rocked, though, by the killing on Saturday of two frequent riders who were struck by a catering truck whose driver did not stop to give aid. The men were pedaling north near the Malibu Jewish Center when construction on the shoulder forced them into the traffic lane. Today's LAT says that Stanislav Ionov, 46, of Calabasas, was an accomplished physicist at HRL Laboratories and that Scott Bleifer, 41, of Santa Monica, was a vice president at Union Bank. The alleged driver, Victor Silva, 27, of Compton, was charged Tuesday with two counts of felony vehicular manslaughter and two counts of felony hit-and-run. The CHP says it was the first cyclist deaths on upper PCH in five years, but eight have been injured. Velo Club La Grange of Westwood plans to ride in Bleifer's honor from Ventura to Los Angeles during the Amgen California Coast Classic on Oct. 1.