LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

September 15, 2011 

In this issue
ACTION ITEM: Urge Gov. Brown to Sign the 3-Foot Passing Law
Cyclists, You Count!
Venice Neighborhood Council to Discuss Main St. Bike Lanes
Burbank City Council to Discuss Verdugo Bike Lanes
Bike Parking Ordinance Passes PLUM Committee, Heads to City Council
Jim Swarzman Memorial Membership Drive
Event & Volunteer Opportunities
ACTION ITEM: Urge Gov. Brown  to Sign the 3-Foot Passing LawGive Me 3

Last week, the State Assembly approved Senate Bill 910, the 3-Foot Passing Law, by a vote of 44-25! The bill now heads to Governor Jerry Brown's desk for approval. If approved, California could become the 19th state to require drivers to give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing.

That's where you come in! Our governor has been vetoing several bills and needs to hear from you why SB 910 matters.

Via the California Bicycle Coalition, here's what you can do to : 

1) Download this letter of support (Word doc) and personalize it by replacing the text in brackets (<<TEXT>>) with your own name and address. Add your own story of being buzzed or hit by a passing driver if you can. That will help the Governor more clearly understand why this law is needed.

2)  Email the letter to the CBC and they'll print it and hand-deliver it to the Governor's office. You could also fax it to the Governor yourself at 916-558-3177. Or, use this ready-to-send email message. You'll see a space for adding your own personal message.

 

We expect the Governor to make his decision on SB 910 in the next week or so. Please send your letter by tomorrow, Friday, September 16.

 

LA Mayor Villaraigosa has already voiced his support for SB 910. You can too!

 

If you have questions or concerns, contact the California Bicycle Coalition at (916) 446-7558 or [email protected].
LA Bike Count: Every Cyclist Counts

Cyclists, You Count!

 

Thank you to our hundreds of volunteers who made sure that cyclists and pedestrians like you got counted on both Tuesday morning and evening at over 50 locations throughout Los Angeles. We know many of you woke up before sunrise, shifted your schedules around, and encouraged your friends to sign up for shifts, and LACBC and the cyclists of LA are so grateful to you for doing that! 

 

Tuesday's Count may be over, but we still have one weekend count this Saturday, September 17th from 11 AM to 1 PM. All the shifts have at least one counter, but we'd like a few additional counters at the following intersections:

  • PCH & Temescal Canyon
  • Hollywood & Highland

Sign up! If you'd like to volunteer for those locations, please sign up or contact Martin Lopez-Iu at [email protected].

 

Bike Counts Photos! Were you a counter who took some photos of your experience? Did you just happen to ride or walk by a volunteer and snap a photo? If you have bike count photos that you'd like to share, we'd love to see them. Please email [email protected] to send us photos that we may use for our bike count report, website, promotional materials, etc. (you'll be given full photo credit if we do). 

 

Sponsor the LA Bike Count! Donate to the counts today! You'll be supporting our volunteers and helping us fund staff to analyze all of this important data. In return for your support, we'll recognize you on our website and in the final count report. Thank you to Flying Pigeon and LACBC Member Kevin Burton, who have already generously donated to the Bike Count. If you're interested in learning more about supporting this effort, please contact Alexis Lantz at [email protected].
Venice Neighborhood Council to Discuss Main St. Bike Lanes

 

When: Tuesday, September, 20; 7 PM
Where: Westminster Elementary - 1010 Abbot Kinney (just south of Main)

 

The City of Los Angeles proposes to extend the bicycle lanes on Main Street in Santa Monica to the Windward Circle in Venice. This project will be on the agenda for the Venice Neighborhood Council board of directors to consider supporting at their upcoming meeting. Please come show your support for this important bikeways improvement. You may also email the VNC Board at [email protected].

 

Learn more about Main St. in Venice on the LACBC blog.
Burbank City Council to Discuss Verdugo Bike Lanes

 

When: Tuesday, September, 20; 6 PM
Where: City Council Chambers - 275 East Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91502

  

In December 2009, the Burbank City Council directed city staff to modify the roadway striping on Verdugo Avenue, reducing the number of through travel lanes to allow for the addition of a continuous center left-turn lane and bicycle lanes as identified on the City's Bicycle Master Plan. City Council approved the project on a trial basis with the understanding that once installed, city staff would continue to monitor the impacts along the corridor and report the findings. The reconfiguration took place in late March 2010. In November 2010, city staff provided an update and City Council asked them to continue monitoring the corridor and to pursue opportunities for further improvements, including outside grant funding sources. City staff will be recommending that Council make the Verdugo Avenue reconfiguration permanent and accept  a grant for additional improvements. 

 

City Council will hear this item at the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.

 

An agenda of this meeting and a staff report for this project will be made available on the City's website on Friday.

LA Bike Parking Ordinance Passes PLUM Committee, Now Heads to City Council

 

On Tuesday, the LA City Council's Planning & Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee approved the Bike Parking Ordinance! The ordinance now moves to the City Attorney for review, and then full City Council some time this fall.

 

Read more on LA Streetsblog

Double Your Contribution to LACBC During the Jim Swarzman Memorial Membership Drive
Jim Swarzman Memorial Membership Drive

Your membership or contribution to LACBC will be matched during the Jim Swarzman Memorial Membership Drive, thanks to our friends at AdventureCORPS!

 

When Jim Swarzman was killed by a hit-and-run driver in early April while cycling with his fiancee and a friend down in Encinitas, we were all devastated. Jim was a gifted ultra-distance racer, a great friend of LACBC, and a staunch supporter of bicycle advocacy. His killer later turned himself in, was found guilty, and is now awaiting sentencing. Many of you have already sent your condolences to Jim's family, or honored him by contributing in his name to LACBC, and we thank you for that. 

Now, for a short time, AdventureCORPS will generously match all memberships and contributions to LACBC in Jim's honor, up to $10,000. So when you join, renew, or donate, LACBC will receive twice the amount you give. We ask that you please encourage your friends to become members now - whether they are new or long-time cyclists, whether you knew Jim personally or have been touched by hearing about his story. Big thanks to AdventureCORPS for making this possible and honoring Jim's memory in this meaningful way!

Your contribution will have TWICE the impact in helping us create safer streets for all cyclists!

 

Joinrenew, or donate today!

 

Here Chris Kostman of AdventureCORPS writes about Jim, bicycle advocacy, and why membership matters.

Events & Volunteer Opportunities
 

  

City of El Monte Community Bike Ride
When: Saturday, September 17; Registration starts at 8 AM, ride at 9 AM
Where: Meet at Pioneer Park - 3535 Santa Anita Blvd., El Monte
This fun family ride, brought to you by the City of El Monte and Rails to Trails, will feature a beginners' ride and a full 14-mile ride along the Emerald Necklace. Ride followed by lunch, a health expo, and a raffle. More info

ThinkBike LA Opening Session - NEW LOCATION

When: Thursday, September 22; 9 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340, Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, 90012

The Consulate General of the Netherlands, in cooperation with LACBC and City of Los Angeles, will host ThinkBike, a unique, bi-national bicycle promotion and design workshop! Register here for the opening session. More info.

Volunteer! We need your help to provide bike valet for this great event from around 8:30 AM to 11 AM. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Martin Lopez-Iu at [email protected]

  

ThinkBike LA Closing Session
When: Friday, September 23; 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Where: Los Angeles Police Department, Deaton Hall Auditorium - 100 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, 90012

The Consulate General of the Netherlands, in cooperation with LACBC and City of Los Angeles, will host ThinkBike, a unique, bi-national bicycle promotion and design workshop! Register here for the closing session. More info.

Volunteer! We need your help to provide bike valet for this great event from around 3 PM to 6 PM AM. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Martin Lopez-Iu at [email protected].

 

ThinkBike LA After Party

When: Friday, September 23; 5:30 PM

Where: Angel City Brewing - 216 S Alameda St. (At Traction), Los Angeles, 90012

After the ThinkBike closing session, everyone's invited to join us for some informal conversation over food and drinks.

Volunteer! We'll one again be providing bike valet, so if you'd like to volunteer, please contact Martin Lopez-Iu at [email protected].

  

Moving Planet South Bay

When: Saturday, September 24; 10 AM

Where: Manhattan Beach, 13th St. Farmers Market/Metlox plaza area.  

We'll demonstrate our support for the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan and Vitality City Livability Plan at a fun, free, uplifting event celebrating more livable neighborhoods, better air quality, and giving our children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents a better way of life. If you would like to volunteer for this event please contact Sona Kalapura (City's Environmental Programs Manager), Joe Galliani (SBBC), or Carolyn Miller (Transition South Bay).

 

Glendale Mayor's Ride

When: Sunday, September 25; 8 AM - 10:30 AM

Where: Meet at Glendale City Hall, Parcher Plaza - 613 E. Broadway, Glendale

Glendale's bike-friendly Mayor Laura Friedman will be leading a free ride in the Jewel City. This is a great way to visit with the Mayor and tour the City of Glendale. More info.

  

Folk Art Ride: In and Around Downtown

When: Sunday, September 25; 11 AM - 2 PM

Where: Meet at Mariachi Plaza at Northeast corner of E. 1st Street & S. Boyle Ave.

Navigate the mix of art, neighborhoods, and unique gathering spots in and around Downtown LA. Over the last 10 years, the Downtown area has changed significantly, and with its fast-growing population has come amenities like creative public spaces and new transportation options. The route loosely follows the Gold Line, with multiple stops and speakers along the way! More info.

  

Cyclertopia's San Gabriel Valley Tri-City Tour

When: Saturday, October 1

WhereLa Puente Park - 503 N. Glendora Ave., La Puente

Rides, bike workshops, pizza, entertainment! This event is FREE and open to everyone of all ages. Registration required for the 5- and 15- mile rides. Come learn how to make La Puente, City of Industry, Hacienda Heights and surrounding areas more bike-friendly. More info

  

New Belgium's Tour de Fat Los Angeles

When: Saturday, October 8; parade starts at 11 AM

Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park - 1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles

New Belgium's Tour de Fat is back in LA to benefit some of your favorite local bike orgs: LACBC, C.I.C.L.E., and the Bicycle Kitchen. Join us for a celebration of bikes, fun costumes, a parade, performances, beer, and more!  More info.

Volunteer! LACBC will once again be leading the parade, as well as providing bike valet. We'll need ride marshals, people at our booth, bike valets, and many more volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering with LACBC, contact Martin Lopez-Iu at [email protected]. Volunteers get free beer tokens, plus a commemorative LA bike license plate from New Belgium.

 

CicLAvia

When: Sunday, October 9; 10 AM - 3 PM

Where: East Hollywood, MacArthur Park, Downtown LA, Fashion District, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Boyle Heights

It's the most wonderful time of the year, where LA transforms our streets into a playground for all to bike, walk, run, play, etc! Enjoy an expanded route for the 3rd CicLAvia! More info.

Volunteer! LACBC will need your help to get the word out about LACBC and help run our bike valets during the event. If you're interested in volunteering with us, please contact Martin Lopez-Iu at [email protected].

 

2nd Annual City of Lights Fundraiser

When: Wednesday, October 26; 6 PM - 11 PM
Where: La Fonda Supper Club - 2501 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90057
Save the date! Come support City of Lights at our 2nd Annual Awards Dinner! There will be speakers, dinner, a silent auction, music, mingling, and more! More info.
Donate! We're also looking for donations for our silent auction, so if have any cool bike supplies, crafts, paintings, bags, handmade goodness, etc. that you'd like donate, please contact Allison Mannos at [email protected]
Other Events Around Town

Join LACBC or Renew

 

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is a member-supported organization that works for you to build a better, more bike-able L.A. County.

 

Members are the backbone of LACBC! Help keep LACBC strong by becoming an LACBC member (or renewing your membership) and be part of the change!
Contact Information

Carol Feucht
Membership & Online Communications Manager
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

[email protected]

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