LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

September 22, 2011 

In this issue
Venice Neighborhood Council Approves Proposed Main St. Bike Lanes
Burbank City Council Makes Temporary Verdugo Bike Lanes Permanent
LACBC 2010-2011 Annual Report Now Available
Spooky Santa Monica Mountains Sunday Funday Ride
Rosemead Blvd. Design Update Meeting
Better Bike Beverly Hills Updates
Jim Swarzman Memorial Membership Drive
Event & Volunteer Opportunities
Venice Neighborhood Council Approves Proposed Main St. Bike LanesMain St. Road Configuration  

 

This past Tuesday, the Venice Neighborhood Council approved the Main St. Bike Lanes from the Santa Monica border to Windward Circle in Venice.

 

LADOT made some minor but significant changes to the original proposed reconfiguration. The central turn lane width can now be reduced by one foot to allow the bike lanes to be increased by a half-foot on each size, making them a minimum of 5.5 feet at their narrowest point. The revised design will now have 7-foot parking lanes on either side, 11-foot travel lanes, a 9-foot full-length two-way turn lane in the center and the 5.5-foot (minimum) bike lanes.

Thanks to everyone who came to speak or wrote letters of support in favor of this road configuration, and thanks to LACBC member Kent Strumpell for the updates!
 
Striping of the lanes is expected to begin shortly, in the next month or two. 
Burbank City Council Votes to Make Temporary Verdugo Bike Lanes PermanentVerdugo Bike Lanes

 

This past Tuesday, the Burbank City Council voted 3-2 in favor of keeping the temporary bike lanes on Verdugo Road and making them permanent!

 

Thanks to all you came to speak or wrote letters of support in favorite of these lanes

 

Tuesday was definitely a victorious evening for bikeways! To support LACBC's work advocating for you, please consider becoming an LACBC member, donating to LACBC, and/or volunteering with us!
Annual Report
LACBC 2010-2011 Annual Report Now Available

Another year has passed and amazing things for cyclists have occurred in Los Angeles! We are pleased to present our 2010-2011 Annual Report to you. This Report includes information about this past year's campaigns, community work, regional chapters, and a detailed financial summary.

We would like to recognize all of our supporters, members, volunteers, and donors. Your time and generosity are a driving factor in LACBC's success. Our volunteers put in countless hours to ensure the completion of the Report. We look forward to the building on this momentum over the course of the next year!
Spooky Santa Monica Mountains Sunday Funday RideSundayFunday
 

This month, let's get on our mountain bikes and explore some of the haunts of the Santa Monica Mountains! Led by LACBC Executive Director Jen Klausner, this spine-tingling ride isn't for the faint of heart. Lucky for you, you'll be surrounded by fellow riders and riding during the day.

 

Paranormal investigators of strong legs and constitution will be welcomed. The dirt sections are all well-maintained fire roads, so cyclo-cross bikes are welcome, but mountain bikes are for sure recommended. Intermediate-level mountain bike ride--some steep climbing, nothing technical, all paved roads and dirt fire roads.

 

When: Sunday, October 2; Meet at 10 AM, Ride at 10:30 AM
Where: Meet at San Vicente & 26th, on the grassy center median by Brentwood Country Mart

 

More details to follow soon.

Rosemead Blvd. Design Update Meeting

 

When: Thursday, October 6; 7 PM session in English, 8 PM session in Chinese
Where:  Live Oak Park Community Center - 10144 Bogue St., Temple City

 

Updated designs to improve Rosemead Blvd., which include cycle tracks, will be unveiled at the October 6 meeting hosted by the City of Temple City.

 

The presented sketches illustrate updated designs that transform Temple City's segment of Rosemead Blvd. from a regional highway into a complete street. Planned improvements call for new sidewalks, signalized pedestrian crossings, street furniture, landscaped medians, and critical road and drainage improvements.

 

The designs also call for a series of firsts for the city including solar powered lighting, world-class gateway monuments, public art installations and protected bike lanes--cutting edge cycle tracks that are only used in a few places across the nation. 

 

The October 6 meeting will discuss the project's preliminary construction and phasing schedule. Two sessions are planned: English at 7 PM and Chinese at 8 PM. Child care will be provided.

 

Thanks to LACBC/WSGVBC Member Wesley Reutimann for the heads-up!
Better Bike Beverly Hills Updates 
 
Local LACBC chapter Better Bike Beverly Hills' monthly meeting & monthly ride, regularly scheduled for the 1st Monday and 2nd Sunday (respectively) of each month, will be on hiatus for October. See you in November!

In the meantime they'd like to invite Beverly Hills riders to organize a spur ride to CicLAvia on Oct. 9th. Have an interest in leading this ride or riding along? Let them know and they'll help coordinate it. Contact Better Bike BH at  [email protected].
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

  

  

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; 6:00 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).

 

Culver City Family Ride

When: Saturday, September 24; 1 PM - 4 PM

Where: Meet at Town Plaza, by the Lion Fountain - 9500 Culver Blvd., Culver City

This month, the Culver City Bicycle Coalition will be joining Transition Culver City for the Alternative Transportation Parade to celebrate and explore fossil-free transportation in Culver City! Wear fancy parade attire. Materials for banner-making and bike, hat & shoe decorating will be provided. More info

 

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; 10:30 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 at 11 AM, 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 Media Manager
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

[email protected]

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