LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

November 17, 2011 

In this issue
Celebrate Downtown LA's First Bike Lane at the Spring Street Bike Lane Press Conference on Monday
LA County Bike Plan Update
South Bay Bicycle Plan Passes Manhattan Beach City Council; Torrance, It's All Up to You
Santa Monica Bike Center To Open, Plus Shape the Bike Action Plan
West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition Happenings
Help Tailor Bike Planning on the USC Campus
Action Item: Keep Sending those Letters to Support the LA River Bridge
New Website Launched: Women on Bikes SoCal
LACBC Office Volunteers Needed
Use Caution Riding Near Expo Line Train Tracks
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
SpringStreet
Celebrate Downtown LA's First Bike Lane at the Spring Street Bike Lane Press Conference on Monday
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We are pleased to announce that we should see green paint & thermoplastic on the streets of LA for the first time ever by this Monday! We've been told by LADOT that if this great fall weather continues through the weekend, they should have the first green bike lane in the City of Los Angeles completed on Spring Street in Downtown LA and also green pavement treatments implemented with the 1st Street bike lane in Boyle Heights!  

We're organizing a press conference for this Monday, November 21st at 1pm with Councilmember Perry, Councilmember Huizar, the Mayor's office, the Downtown LA Neighborhood Council, and LADOT to celebrate this positive step forward and 'cut the ribbon' on this project. So peddle on over and join Councilmember Perry, Councilmember Huizar, Deputy Mayor for Transportation Borja Leon, Valerie Watson from the DLANC, & LACBC on Monday afternoon and let's ride the new lane together! Wear your LACBC t-shirt if you have one.

Spring Street Bike Lane Press Conference
When: Monday, November 12; 1 PM
Where: Northeast corner of 2nd and Spring Streets (LAPD Park) in Downtown LA

Heavy rain cancels the ride.

 

Read more about Spring & Main on the LACBC blog and on the LACBC website's Spring & Main page.
LA County Bike Plan Update

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Yesterday the LA County Planning Commission heard a presentation from the LA County Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Regional Planning (DRP) present on the draft LA County Bicycle Master Plan, which covers the many unincorporated communities of LA County. 
 
While we feel the current draft plan has improved since the first draft and we acknowledge the complexities of planning bikeways for such a large and geographically diverse area, we feel there are still some improvements to the plan that need to be made. You can view some of our concerns on the LACBC blog, read coverage of the meeting on Supervisor Yaroslavsky's blog , or view our tweets the meeting here.
 
So we are pleased that the LA County Planning Commission has deferred making a decision to approve the Plan until January 11th, 2012. Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday's meeting or wrote letters demanding a better bike plan. We hope to work with LA County DPW and DRP between now and then to address some of the issues we think could easily be remedied.
 
This also means you have an opportunity to submit your comments on the various bikeways, policies, and programs in the Plan to the LA County Planning Commission and DPW. Submit your comments to: [email protected][email protected] and of course to us - so we better represent your needs and concerns!
SouthBay
South Bay Bicycle Passes Manhattan Beach City Council: Torrance, It's All Up to YouSouth Bay Bicycle Master Plan

 

This past Tuesday night, the Manhattan Beach City Council approved the South Bay Bike Plan, meaning that 6 of the 7 South Bay cities have approved this regional bike plan. Now, all that's left is Torrance! Learn more at the South Bay Bicycle Coalition's website.

Please demonstrate your support of the plan by voicing your support at this upcoming City Council meeting. Be sure to wear your SBBC t-shirt!

 

Here are upcoming meetings happening next week and the week after:

 

Torrance City Council

When: Tuesday, November 22; 7:00 PM

Where: 3031 Torrance Blvd.

 

Learn more about the South Bay Bicycle Coalition at: southbaybicyclecoalition.org. Join SBBC, a regional chapter of LACBC, when you become an LACBC member.

SaMo
Santa Monica Bike Center To Open, Plus Shape the Bike Action Plan

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Bike Center Grand Opening Ride & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony 
 
This past Monday, we saw Burbank unveil BikeStop, a bike parking facility for Metrolink users and people who ride bikes (see photos of the grand opening on the LACBC Facebook page). Now Santa Monica is getting in on the fun with the opening of the Bike Center tomorrow!

 

Bike Ride to Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
When: Friday, November 18; Meet at 9:15 AM, Roll at 9:45 AM 
Where: Ride meets at City Hall

 

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
When: Friday, November 18; 10 AM
Where: Bike Center - 2nd & Colorado

See more information at The Source.

Santa Monica Bike Center Tour & Bicycle Action Plan Presentation
 
Santa Monica is getting a new bike plan and bike center! Be there for the event that introduces both. Activities begin at 10 AM with coffee and pastries, and later at 11 AM, there will be a presentation of the bike plan by Lucy Dyke and city staff. Afterwards, you'll have the opportunity to tour of the Bike Center. One lucky attendee will win a free month membership to the Bike Center!
 
When: Saturday, November 19; 10 AM - 2 PM
Where: Colorado Community Room - 5th and Colorado, Santa Monica
 
The Bike Center will be open throughout the weekend, November 18th - 20th, 11 AM - 5 PM each day.
 
Santa Monica Bike Action Plan Presented in City Council

 

Additionally, the Santa Monica Bike Action Plan will be presented to City Council on Tuesday, November 22nd at 6:30 PM.
 
When: Tuesday, November 22; 6:30 PM
Where: Santa Monica City Hall Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

More info on the Bike Center and Bike Action Plan.

 

Learn more about Santa Monica Spoke at: smspoke.org. Join Santa Monica Spoke, a regional chapter of LACBC, when you become an LACBC member.
WeHo
West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition Happenings
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Ride & Rally for the WeHo City Council meeting

When: Monday, December 5; Meet at 4:30 PM and roll at 5 PM sharp
Where: Meet at Plummer Park - (in front of the community center building)

Join the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition on a ride to the December 5 City Council meeting! Urge WeHo council members to accept the Bicycle Task Force recommendations report, which includes proposals for improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and implementing active transportation education in West Hollywood.

WeHoBC will be handing out a special spoke card that enters riders in a raffle drawing!

We'll be riding to the new West Hollywood Library at a slow pace. We'll take mostly side streets-all levels welcome! Bring helmet, lights (back and front), bike lock, and hydration.

An Evening of Moving Beyond the Automobile: West Hollywood's Commitment to Active Transportation presented by the Bicycle Task Force

When: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 from 7 to 9 PM
Where: West Hollywood Library, Community Room

Join the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition for a fun and informative evening organized by the Bicycle Task Force. There will be a screening of film "Moving Beyond the Automobile" followed by panel discussion of general regional efforts to encourage biking and walking, as well as West Hollywood's plans and recommendations. Come and give your input! Light refreshments will be served.

See more info about both events on the WeHoBike.org projects page.

Learn more about the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition at: wehobike.org . Join West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition, a regional chapter of LACBC, when you become an LACBC member.
Help Tailor Bike Planning on the USC Campus
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Are you a USC student, staffer, faculty member, parent, alumni, or stakeholder? Then USC needs your help to identify key issues!

 

The University of Southern California is in the process of developing a bicycle master plan for the 224-acre University Park Campus.

 

Visit www.bikeusc.org to participate in the Bikes on Campus survey, to leave comments, and check for updates.

 

Also, save the dates for the following:

  • Bike Summit Workshop Summit on Issues and Options: January 18, 2012; 3-5 PM (location TBD)
  • Bike Summit Report on of Draft Plan and Policies: April 18, 2012; 3-5 PM (location TBD)
Action Item: Keep Sending those Letters to Support the LA River BridgeBridge Rendering
 

The City of Los Angeles has an opportunity to approve a new bridge for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians that would connect Griffith Park and the LA River Bike Path on the west side of the LA River to north Atwater Village on the east side of the River. This project would be a huge benefit to bicyclists as well as pedestrians and equestrians!

 

The bridge entrance would be from a residential neighborhood in north Atwater Village, thereby making access to the River Path and Griffith Park by bicycle easy and safe for cyclists of all abilities, including families with small children.

 

Read more about the project and how you can write a letter of support by November 30th by visiting the LACBC blog.

New Website Launched: Women on Bikes SoCal
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Women on Bikes SoCal, an initiative of the nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization Bikeable Communities and a collaboration with LACBC, Bikestation, and Long Beach's Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, works "to encourage, engage and empower women and girls of all ages, races and walks of life in the Southern California region in the beauty and benefits of bicycling, and to help double the number of women and girls actively riding bikes here within 2016."
 
We encourage you all to check out their website at womenonbikessocal.org to learn more.
LACBC Office Volunteers Needed
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Do you have some spare time these upcoming months? Do you like hanging out in downtown LA with LACBC people? Do data entry and sending out snail mail appeal to you?

This holiday season, we'll need your help more than ever around LACBC's World Headquarters in Downtown LA for data entry, mailings, and whatever else may come up. If you'd like to help out around the office, please contact Carol Feucht at [email protected].

Office volunteers are eligible for a free LACBC barter membership, plus other office perks like occasional cupcakes and "field trips" around Downtown LA.
Use Caution Riding Near Expo Line Train TracksRailroad X-ing

The Expo Line is gearing up to open in early 2012. Be careful riding your bike and walking near these tracks as trains are now moving on them for Phase I of the Expo Line

When: From 6:00 AM to 12 Midnight, 7 days a week
Where: Between 23rd St. (at Flower St.) and La Cienega Blvd. (at Jefferson Blvd.)

Trains may be on the tracks anytime during this period. Please note that train movement is dynamic and subject to change.
 

Cycling Safely Around Tracks and Trains:

  • Be extra cautious when approaching Metro Rail tracks. Tracks can be slippery.
  • Cross railroad tracks at a right angle or straight on. Avoid leaning and turning since tires can easily slip on tracks.
  • Obey signs and signals at train crossings.
  • When a train signal is flashing or crossing lights and arms are activated, a train is approaching.
  • Never attempt to cross.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

    

Santa Monica Bike Center Grand Opening & Bike Ride

When: Friday, November 18; Ride meets at 9:15 AM, Grand Opening at 10 AM

More info in newsletter.

 

Santa Monica Bike Center Tour & Bike Action Plan Presentation

When: Saturday, November 19; 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

More info in newsletter.

 
Spring Street Bike Lane Press Conference
When: Monday, November 12; 1 PM
More info in newsletter.

 

Santa Monica Bike Action Plan Presented to City Council

When: Tuesday, November 22: 6:30 PM

More info in newsletter.

 

South Bay Bike Plan Presentation at Torrance City Council

When: Tuesday, November 22; 7:00 PM

More info in newsletter.

 

Pasadena Mobility Workshop in Spanish

When: Thursday, December 1; 6:30 PM

Where: Villa Parke Community Center Auditorium - 363 E. Villa St.

The City of Pasadena Planning staff hosts this Mobility Workshop in Spanish for stakeholders to share "thoughts about the future of driving, biking, walking and riding transit" in the City. The workshops are the latest outreach opportunity of the City's General Plan update process. More info

 

La Bici Grafica Screensprinting and Bike Safety Workshop

When: Saturday December 3; 12 PM - 5 PM

Where: Solidarity Ink - 1749 North Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90031

Ever wanted to create your own screen print but never had the chance? Or learn about bicycle safety and mechanics? Here's your opportunity to do both! LACBC's City of Lights, Bici Digna, and Solidarity Ink are happy to announce our most recent collaboration: an all-in-one bicycle experience in which you'll have an opportunity to create and screen print a bicycle related print in either paper or t-shirt, learn about safety and cyclists' rights, and basic bicycle tune-up by our very own Bicidignarios. More info about RSVPing (Facebook link).

 

Larchmont Holiday Family Sunday Funday Ride

When: Sunday, December 4; Time TBD

Where: TBD

 

Ride & Rally for the WeHo City Council meeting

When: Monday, December 5; Meet at 4:30 PM and roll at 5 PM sharp
More info in newsletter.
 
An Evening of Moving Beyond the Automobile: West Hollywood's Commitment to Active Transportation presented by the Bicycle Task Force
When: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 from 7 to 9 PM
More info in newsletter. 
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 & Communications Manager
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

[email protected]

Connect with LACBC: www.la-bike.org Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Visit our blog View our photos on flickr View our videos on YouTube