LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

October 13, 2011 

In this issue
Everybody Bikes in LA: Thanks, Los Angeles, for CicLAvia & Tour de Fat
Governor Brown Vetoes SB 910, the 3-Foot Passing Law
Riding & Eating: Introducing LACBC's Tour de Taste
Welcome, Andy Rodriguez, LACBC's Newest Staffer
Well Wishes to Allison Mannos
Join Us for the 2nd Annual City of Lights Awards Dinner
Ralphs Community Contribution Program: Buy Groceries, Support Local Bike Advocacy
Upcoming Glendale Community Meetings
South Bay Bicycle Plan Heads to More City Councils
Count Bikes to Make Bikes Count in Long Beach
Event & Volunteer Opportunities
Everybody Bikes in LA: Thanks, Los Angeles, for CicLAvia & Tour de Fat!CicLAvia 4th Street Bridge
 
Everybody bikes in LA! If you weren't from around here and visited Los Angeles this weekend from out-of-town, you would have thought that LA was the bikiest city ever! With Saturday's Tour de Fat reeling in the eccentric and costumed bicyclists and Sunday's CicLAvia attracting everyone you know, this weekend was pretty great. 
 
Thank you, Los Angeles, for reminding us of how great our region is this past weekend. 

 

At Tour de Fat on Saturday, attendees helped raise $17,000 for LACBC, C.I.C.L.E., and the Bicycle Kitchen. Thank you, Tour de Fat festival go-ers! Thank you to the New Belgium Brewing Company for always supporting bicycling and just being so downright awesome. Thanks to all the volunteers, including LACBC's Tour de Fat volunteers for registering our many parade participants, for providing ride support, and for valeting bikes.

 

It is estimated that 130,000 people came out for the 3rd CicLAvia. Thanks to all who participated. Thanks to the CicLAvia organizers and all the other sponsors and partners that have made this movement a success. Thanks to the army of volunteers that made CicLAvia, fun, safe, and possible. Special thanks to our LACBC bike valet volunteers at El Pueblo and Little Tokyo. Thanks to all who have donated to CicLAvia to keep the event free (if you want to keep the movement going, please consider donating here.) Mark your calendars now: The next CicLAvia is April 15th, 2012!


See photos of Tour de Fat and CicLAvia on our Facebook page. Read more on the LACBC blog.

Give Me 3
Governor Brown Vetoes SB 910, the 3-Foot Passing Law

We are disappointed to report that last Friday, Governor Brown vetoed SB 910, the 3-foot passing law that would have required drivers to those on bikes at least three feet of clearance when passing. If signed, this law would have had California join the ranks of 20 other states with similar laws that help ensure the safety of bicyclists. Thousands of letters of support were sent to the Governor and legislators.

The governor's veto message expressed concern that motorists slowing to 15 miles per hour and giving a person on bike three feet of space would cause rear-end collisions among cars. However, among the 20 states that have already passed this law, there has not been one case cited where a crash was caused by a motorist adhering to the law.

The California Bicycle Coalition, which co-sponsored the bill, has this to say:

"SB 910 awakened a sleeping giant, the thousands of Californians who care about the safety of those who travel by bicycle. We've heard from adults and teens, parents and spouses, teachers, healthcare providers, law enforcement officers and corporate leaders who want safer roads. Gov. Brown can count on these constituents to continue asking him to safeguard all Californians on the road, and not simply the interests of drivers and their defenders at Caltrans and the CHP.

 

"This issue isn't going away and neither are we."

 

Read more about this at LA Streetsblog and on the California Bicycle Coalition website.

Riding & Eating: Introducing LACBC's Tour de TasteTour de Taste logo (small)

When: Sunday, November 13; Registration and rides begin from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM with food being served until 4 PM

Where: Rides begin at the Helms Bakery District - 8800 Venice Blvd., Culver City, 90034 (map


What could be better than spending a Sunday riding your bike and eating delicious food? We don't know, which is why we we're bringing a brand-new event to the Westside this fall that combines these two great things!

Tour de Taste begins at the historic Helms Bakery Building. Departing in groups every 30 minutes, we will travel along the Ballona Creek Bike path exploring the improvements along the waterway while learning of its vast and rich history and vital role in restoring watersheds and habitats.

 

Back in Culver City, we'll park our bikes at our complimentary Bike Valet and all participants will be given a passport to explore the vibrant local cuisine at their own pace.

 

LACBC members save a whopping $35 (the price of a basic membership) on tickets. Tickets are $60 for LACBC members and $95 for everyone else. Your ticket includes the ride and the food, and supports local bike advocacy in LA County.

 

Purchase your tickets today!

Welcome Andy Rodriguez, LACBC's Newest StafferAndy Rodriguez City of Lights Dinner
 
Welcome to our new Bilingual Bicycle Safety Coordinator: Andy Rodriguez! To many of you familiar with the City of Lights program, you'll recognize Andy as one of the co-founders of CoL and driving forces behind making the it the strong program that it is. He's volunteered with LACBC and CoL for nearly 4 years, doing much bilingual education and outreach, recruiting other volunteers, fundraising, and helping out with campaigns.
 
His position was made possible by a matching Capacity Building Grant from the Alliance for Biking and Walking to extend CoL's programming to more low-income areas, create an outreach team, and develop Spanish print and video PSAs.
 
We're proud to have Andy as part of our team. Welcome, Andy!

Read more about Andy in this online profile on the LACBC blog.
Well Wishes to Allison MannosAllison Mannos

It is with both great joy and sadness that we bid farewell to Allison Mannos, our Urban Strategy Director. Starting out as an LACBC intern in 2008, Allison co-founded the City of Lights program and has been a catalyst in making sure that LACBC prioritizes bike infrastructure in low-income areas, as exemplified by CoL's push to get more bike racks installed in MacArthur Park, the LA Bike Plan, and the 7th Street Bike Lane Campaign. At LACBC, she's also taken on everything including fundraising and development, website overhaul, photographing LACBC's events, and various communications!

Allison moves on to a new position as the Communications Specialist at Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE). She'll still be around LACBC, though, as she plans to remain involved with the City of Lights program. We'll miss her warmth, humor, and 90s music jams around the office. We're sad to see her go, but LAANE is so lucky to have her. Farewell, Allison!
2nd Annual City of Lights Dinner
Join Us for the 2nd Annual City of Lights Awards Dinner

When: Wednesday, October 26; 6 PM - 11 PM

Where: La Fonda Supper Club - 2501 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90057

Come support the award-winning City of Lights program that works to empower low-income cyclists! The 2nd Annual City of Lights Fundraiser will feature honorees Mayor Villaraigosa, Hector Tobar, and Laura Torres; delicious dinner; a silent auction; music; good times; good people; and more!

Purchase your ticket today and/or sponsor a day laborer (especially if you can't make the actual dinner). Tickets for the dinner and music are $45 if you're an LACBC member, $65 for everyone else.


If you have questions, please contact Andy Rodriguez at [email protected].
Ralphs Community Contribution Program: Buy Groceries, Support LocalRalphs Community Contribution Program Bike Advocacy

Supporting local bike advocacy just got easier! Through the Ralphs Community Contribution Program, each time you use your Ralphs Rewards Card, a portion of your total purchase will be donated to LACBC, at no extra cost to you!

 

Since LACBC began its partnership with Ralphs many years ago, supporters have contributed thousands of dollars simply by buying groceries!

 

Registering is quick, easy, and free:

  • Visit the Ralphs Community Contribution Program Page
  • Click on "Enroll" at the bottom and fill out your online form. You will need your card number.
  • Sign in or register (you'll need an email address and a password to do so)
  • Search for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition by name or NPO number (83993) and save your selection

Note: Even if you have already participated in the program, you'll need to renew for the current term (September 1, 2011 - August 31, 2012) in order for LACBC to receive the benefits of this program. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

If you don't have a Ralphs Rewards Card, you can sign up online or get one at the customer service desk of any Ralphs.

Upcoming Glendale Community Meetings  

 

Glendale Bicycle Master Plan Community Meetings

 

The Glendale Bicycle Master Plan will be most successful with input from YOU. Please take time to contribute to the process by submitting your comments or by participating in one of our Community Outreach meetings. You may also submit comments on a comment card available at local libraries and participating bike shops.

 

Glendale Bike Master Plan Community Outreach Meetings have been scheduled as follows:

 

When: October 13; 6 PM

Where: Civic Center - 633 E. Broadway, Room 106, Glendale, 91206

  

When: October 20; 6 PM 

Where: Sparr Heights Community Center - 1613 Glencoe Way, Glendale 91208

 

More info.

 

North Glendale Community Plan Update at Planning Commission

 

The latest updated draft of the North Glendale Community Plan is online. In regards to biking and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, Sections 3.6, 3.8 and all of the Public Improvements sections of Chapter 4 may be of interest to Glendale residents, specifically those in North Glendale. Come out to the new Planning Commission meeting to discuss the updated draft plan.

 

When: Monday, October 17; 5:30 PM

Where: Glendale Municipal Services Building, Room 105

South Bay Bicycle Plan Passes in El Segundo, Heads to 6 More City CouncilsSouth Bay Bicycle Master Plan

 

The South Bay Bicycle Master Plan has passed in El Segundo and will be continuing making its way through the other 6 city councils of the South Bay in the next two months. A complete list of the council dates can be found on SBBC's website.

Please demonstrate your support of the plan by joining us and voicing your support. Be sure to wear your SBBC t-shirt!
 
Here are upcoming meetings:
 
Lawndale City Council
When: Monday, October 17; 6:30 PM
Where: 14717 Burin Avenue
 
Redondo City Council
When: Tuesday, October 18; 7 PM
Where: 415 Diamond Street
 
Hermosa Beach City Council
When: Tuesday, October 25; 7 PM
Where: 1035 Valley Drive 

 

Learn more about the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan on the South Bay Bicycle Coalition Website. Join SBBC, a local chapter of LACBC, when you become an LACBC member.

Count Bikes to Make Bikes Count in Long Beach

Here's your chance to help make Long Beach a more bike-friendly city. Volunteer for Long Beach's Fourth Annual Bicycle Count on:
 
  • Thursday, October 20 from 7 AM - 9 AM and/or 4 PM - 6 PM 
  • Sunday, October 23 from 12 PM - 2 PM 
The Counts help the City acquire a better understanding of locations of bike and pedestrian activity, and which areas and infrastructure are used the most. Ultimately, the Counts will help inform where bike and pedestrian improvements need to be made. 

The City of Long Beach and Cal State Long Beach are seeking volunteers to help conduct bike and pedestrian counts at more than 35 locations throughout Long Beach. There are multiple volunteer time slots and count locations. High school students are welcome to participate with parent permission.

To volunteer, click hereFor more information, please contact Ross Cruz at 562-570-5209 or email [email protected].
Events & Volunteer Opportunities

 

 

Lancaster Master Plan of Trails and Bikeways - Final Public Workshop
When: Tuesday, October 18; 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Where: Location TBA
The final public workshop for the City of Lancaster Master Plan of Trails and Bikeways will take place on Tuesday, October 18th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The City will present the Draft Plan and welcomes feedback. The location is still to be determined - please check the Master Plan website here.
    
Alhambra Bike Plan Town Hall Meeting
When: Saturday, October 22; 11 AM
Where: Almansor Park Gym (8000 S. Almansor St., Alhambra)
Past-Mayor Alhambra City Councilman Gary Yamauchi will hold a "Town Hall" to discuss the bike plan. If you are a cyclist who lives or works within the city, rides through the city, or is just a supporter of better cycling opportunities, please attend this meeting to voice your opinion and experience on the matter. If you are not able to make the meeting, you may reach Councilman Yamauchi before the meeting via email at [email protected] or call him via his cell phone at (626) 524-4516.
 

California Bike Summit 2011

When: Saturday, November 5 through Sunday, November 7
Where: Kyoto Grand Hotel (Sat. & Sun.) and California Endowment for Health Conference Center (Mon.)
The California Bike Summit, hosted by the California Bicycle Coalition, brings together professional and volunteer bike advocates, club leaders, ride organizers and key allies to set the statewide bicycling agenda for 2012 and beyond. We will also strengthen our capacity as advocates for bicycling by sharing best practices, successes, failures and lessons learned. And, with fun bike rides and energizing parties and plenty of structured networking, we'll get to connect with the largest contingent of bicycle advocates in the country! Register today, as early registration has been extended to October 14th. More info.
 
East Valley Hansen Dam Sunday Funday Ride

When:  Sunday, November 6; Meet at 9 AM, Ride at 9:30 AM
Where: Meet in front of the entrance to the North Hollywood Metro Station on Lankershim and Chandler in North Hollywood

Join LACBC board member Carrie Ungerman for the East Valley Hansen Dam Ride! Beginning in North Hollywood and traversing several cities in the East Valley for 23 miles, we'll explore several sights along the way. This ride includes a stop for lunch at Rigo's Tacos #1. The ride will take about four hours, is mellow and mostly flat. More info.

 
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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