LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

January 26, 2012 

In this issue
Tour de Taste Rolls in with New Date on March 4th
Welcome to Our New LACBC Board Members
Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates from Around the County
Sea to Towers Sunday Funday Ride with LA-area Bike Clubs
Help Solve LA's Transportation Challenges
Prioritize Safer Streets in the City of LA Budget
Help Form a New Regional Chapter for the Pomona, Claremont, La Verne, and San Dimas Area
Register for the 34th Annual Chinatown Firecracker Ride/Run, Support LACBC
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: The Kids Are More Than Alright at the Youth Bike Summit
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

Tour de Taste Rolls in with New Date on March 4th

TourDeTaste
Tour de Taste

Last fall, we tried to bring you an event that appealed to both your love of bicycling and good food, and we unfortunately had to postpone our inaugural Tour de Taste. But we're back with a new date, new location, and new dining vendors!

 

Join us on Sunday, March 4th, as we explore Ballona Creek, Culver City and beyond -- the best way possible -- on two wheels and with our taste buds! Riders will take in all the environmental and aesthetic enhancements that have been made to the Ballona Creek bike and pedestrian path and enjoy delicacies from fine Los Angeles restaurants.

   

When: Sunday, March 4th; tours begin at 9:00 AM

Where: Media Park near Culver City on the corner of Culver Blvd & Venice Blvd

Cost: $65 for LACBC members; $95 for non-members; $120 for Tour de Taste ticket & LACBC membership  

 

Each guided tour will take off from Media Park (Culver Boulevard & Venice Boulevard, near Culver City, 90232) in half-hour intervals, beginning at 9:00 AM on March 4th. Each tour is an easy 15 miles. We'll hit some restaurants on the way and then, after the tour, valets will watch your bike back at Media Park in Culver City, while you enjoy a selection of tasty treats and refreshing beverages.

 

So far we have Pete's Cafe & Bar, AMMO, Pace, and Chipotle, with more restaurants on the way!

 

Since Tour de Taste happens to fall on the first Sunday of the month (our Sunday Funday Ride day), we'll also be organizing a short ride from Wilshire & Western in Koreatown over to Media Park to help usher cyclists over to the Westside. We'll update you with more details.

 

Register for Tour de Taste today!

 

Questions about Tour de Taste? Contact JJ Hoffman at [email protected].

Welcome to Our New LACBC Board Members
 
Welcome to our newest board members: Herbie Huff, Lynn Ingram, and Efren Moreno!

Herbie Huff works as a Transportation Planner at Ryan Snyder Associates, where she contributes to bicycle, pedestrian, and safe routes to school plans for cities throughout Southern California. She first got involved with LACBC during the first LA Bike Count, and has been hooked on bike policy ever since.

Lynn Ingram is a USA Cycling Race Official who has been commuting by bike for over 40 years. A resident of Ladera Heights, Lynn looks forward to bringing more educational rides and growing membership at LACBC. 
 
Efren Moreno is a former councilmember and mayor for the City of Alhambra. A longtime LACBC member, he is one of the co-founders of BikeSGV, a local chapter of LACBC, and is a core volunteer for the City of Lights program.

 

And a big thanks to outgoing president of the past two years, Chet Kostrzewa! Our new board president is Alex Amerri and our new vice president is Steve Boyd, while Greg Laemmle and Scott Moore resume their positions as treasurer and secretary, respectively.
Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates from Around the County
 
Crews Begin Work on Main Street Road Diet
Crews Begin Work on Main Street Road Diet
Venice: Last fall, the Venice Neighborhood Council supported a road diet on Main Street (or, as Mr. Roadblock would call it, a "road buffet" full of delicious transportation options), and crews are at work to re-configure the street to include a bike lane. Councilmember Bill Rosendahl has an update on both his blog and YouTube channel.

Lincoln Heights: Over on the Eastside in Lincoln Heights and Cypress Park, new bike lanes have been striped on Ave. 18 and 19 as part of a network to connect the northern portion of the LA River Bike path to downtown LA. Read more about it on the LADOT Bike Blog.

Montebello: Last night the Montebello Bicycle Coalition gave a presentation before the city council to make the case for more bike infrastructure. The City Council passed the motion to conduct a feasibility study for bicycle lanes. Go, MBC!
 
Unincorporated LA County: If you live or work in the unincorporated communities in LA County you may have noticed that many buildings do not provide bike parking. This is because until this past Tuesday, LA County did not require developers to provide bike parking. But Tuesday that all changed with the passage of the LA County Healthy Design Ordinance! Funded by the LA County Department of Public Health, the Healthy Design Ordinance is a sweeping update to the County codes in an effort to create more active and healthy communities. The Healthy Design Ordinance included stipulations for both short- and long-term parking at multifamily residential, institutional, commerical, and industrial developments. It also includes guidance on the type and citing of bicycle parking in addition to requiring the provision of showers and changing facilities. This ordinance is just the start of making the unincorporated communities of LA County more livable--Supervisor Yaroslavsky added an amendment to the motion on Tuesday that will require LA County staff to continue to amend codes, ordinances, plans, and guides to create healthier, more active, and livable communities.
Sea to Towers Sunday Funday Ride with LA-Area Bike Clubs

 SundayFunday

This month, we're going to join forces with some of our local bike clubs to ride to the Watts Towers! Organized by LACBC and LA Wheelmen member David Nakai, this ride will actually have three different rides for various abilities. You will be able to choose from a medium and moderately flay 37-mile ride, the LA Wheelmen's 49-mile hilly challenge ride through the Baldwin Hills, and a 10-mile ride from Jesse Owens Park to the Towers and back

 

All rides will reach the Watts Towers, where you'll get the chance to take a tour if you choose. Constructed by Simon Rodia over the span of 33 years, the Watts Towers is a National Historic Landmark that features 17 structures embedded with glass, tile, and porcelain. Other sites along the way of the longer rides include the Great Western Forum, Hollywood Park, Major Taylor Bicycle Route, and Ballona Creek Bike Trail.

 

So come join us and learn more about LACBC, your local bike clubs, and the LA region on this ride! More info.

SundayFunday

 

For the 49-mile ride and 37-mile ride: 

When: Sunday, February 5; Meet at 8 AM, Ride at 8:30 AM

Where: Meet at Dock 52 - 13555 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, 90292 (map)
Ride Length & Difficulty: For 49-mile ride: difficult for the hilliness, for the 37-mile ride: moderate and mostly flat
Ride Duration: Allow approximately 6 hours of time to complete these rides, explore the Watts Towers, and possibly get some food

 

For the 10-mile ride: 

When: Sunday, February 5; Meet at 10 AM; Ride at 10:30 AM

Where: Meet at Jesse Owens Park - 9651 South Western Avenue, 90047 (map)
Ride Length & Difficulty: 10 miles, easy
Ride Duration: Allow approximately 3 hours to ride, explore the Watts Towers, and possibly get some food

 

RSVP: To RSVP or volunteer as ride support, please contact Carol Feucht, Membership & Communications Manager, at [email protected].

Learn more about this ride: On the LACBC website.  

About Sunday Fundays: Sunday Funday Rides are free and open to LACBC members plus one guest. Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for membership online or become a member at the ride at a discounted price.

Help Solve LA's Transportation Challenges
LA/2BMobility
Mark your calendars! The City of Los Angeles wants to hear your ideas for solving our transportation challenges! LA/2B and the City of Los Angeles are hosting four Mobility Think Lab Workshops and would love to hear from you!


When: Saturday, February 25; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Van Nuys City Hall - 14410 Sylvan St., Van Nuys, CA 90401

When: Saturday, February 25; 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: LACMA West - 6067 W. Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

When: Saturday, March 3; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: La Plaza de Cultura y Artes - 501 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

When: Saturday, March 3; 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: Pacoima Neighborhood Constituent Services Center - 13520 W. Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331

Can't make it but want to make your voice heard? You can always drop a note at Ideas.LA2B.org or send a text to 213.935.0385
Prioritize Safer Streets in the City of LA Budget

Calling Los Angelenos! Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants your input on the City of LA's budget! Weigh in on priorities and help shape the budget. Let's make sure funding is in the survey to make our streets safer. 

The online survey to the Mayor's 2012 Community Budget Survey is here.
 
A hardcopy of the survey can be found on the Mayor's budget website here.

Help Form a New Regional Chapter for the Pomona, Claremont, La Verne, and Dan Dimas Area

Join 

For over a year, LACBC has fostered and empowered local advocacy groups to initiate change within their communities to create healthier, safer and bike-able communities. There are currently 9 regional chapters working at the local community level to host rides, work with local leaders, and raise awareness of issues around bicycling and walking in and effort to make their communities healthier and safer.

 

We want to encourage you to get involved in forming a local LACBC regional chapter in your area!

 

Daniella Alcedo is a local Covina resident and a current LACBC member and intern who wants to work with other passionate cyclists and walkers to create a regional chapter of LACBC in the Pomona, Claremont, La Verne and San Dimas area. Daniella would like to create healthier communities in her area and bring attention and awareness to the issues surrounding biking and walking in the East San Gabriel Valley. She has been involved with the LACBC for the past 6 months and is motivated in creating positive change in her community. 


If you would like to be involved and part of this growing momentum, please contact Daniella at her personal email address at [email protected].


Creating a chapter is a huge step in creating a bike-able LA County and every little bit of help is needed! Your thoughts and opinions are important in creating positive change in your community.

Register for the 34th Annual Chinatown Firecracker Ride/Run, Support LACBC
Firecracker Ride & Run
Ring in the Lunar New Year by riding or running, and celebrate the Year of the Dragon! For the past few years, we've partnered with the excellent Chinatown Firecracker Ride & Run by providing bike valet for the event. And this year, just like last year, for each registrant who indicates that they were referred to the event by LACBC, the Firecracker organizers will donate $7 to LACBC!
Firecracker
34th Annual Chinatown Firecracker Ride & Run
When: Saturday, February 11 & Sunday, February 12
Where: Los Angeles Chinatown

The bike rides on Saturday, February 11th, feature both an easy 20-mile ride and a more challenging (and hillier) 30-mile ride. The runs on Sunday feature a 10K run and a 5K run/walk, plus a 1K kiddie run.

If you register, please remember to indicate that you heard about the ride through LACBC.

Register online through the website or print out a paper form to turn in.*

*Please note that registering through Active.com will not trigger the $7 donation to LACBC.

Two weekends ago, Recycle-a-Bicycle hosted the 2nd Annual Youth Bike Summit in New York City. LACBC sent our own Brenda Yancor (you can find her at the :07 mark of the video below) and Mark DiDia to the Summit for a weekend of fun and inspirational youth empowerment.

 

Check out this Streetfilm to see what the youth are up to these days. Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists, says: "It's nice to see a movement grow with events like this... inspiring the next generation of bicycle advocates."

Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
 
 
Volunteers Needed for Spring Street Green Bike Lane Count
When: Tuesday, January 31; Wednesday, February 1; and Thursday, February
Where: Spring Street in downtown LA
Tired of those pesky cars driving and parking in your bike lane? Help count them next week to provide the LAPD with more data! We are looking for volunteers on Tuesday Jan 31, Wednesday Feb 1 and Thursday Feb 2, morning and afternoon commutes. Exact times are flexible. Email [email protected] to volunteer.
 
Pomona CicLAvia Stakeholder Planning Session 
When: Tuesday, January 31; 6 - 8 PM
Where: Cal Poly Downtown Center - 300 W. Second Street, Pomona, 91766
The City of Pomona recently received a Technical Assistance grant from the LA County Health Department to promote an 'Open Streets' event. The consultants for the Health Department need to hear from you, Pomona stakeholders, on possible benefits and considerations. Please RSVP to Maura Montellano at 909-620-2262 or via email at [email protected].ca.us. See Facebook event.
 
Westside Mobility Plan Workshop
When: Tuesday, January 31; 6 - 8 PM
Where: Westwood Presbyterian Church - 10822 Wilshire Boulevard, Westwood
Hey Westside cyclists! Come learn about the Westside Mobility Plan. Hosted by Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST), regional organizations will share the latest news on transit and mobility and collaborate to promote ideas on improving circulation, parking, and ways to get people moving quickly through the Westside. More info.
 
Sea to Towers Sunday Funday Ride with LA-Area Bike Clubs
When: Sunday, February 5
More info in newsletter.

  

Bike Up! LA - A Benefit for the California Bicycle Coalition
When: Wednesday, February 8; 7 - 9 PM
Where: The Living Room - 3531 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
The theme of the night is making the City of LA (and the LA region) more bike-able, by shaking things up in Sacramento. Special guests will include: CBC Executive Director Dave Snyder, LA City Council Member Tom LaBong, the Office of Council Member Garcetti, and LACBC! Snacks and refreshements will be served. See Facebook event.
 
CicLAvia Valentine's Party
When: Friday, February 10; 7:00 PM
Where: Atwater Crossing - 3245 Casitas AvenueLos Angeles, 90039
CicLAvia is hosting a Valentine's party as fundraiser! Grab your valentine - or come find a valentine! There will be music, speed dating, a raffle, an auction, photo booth, and more fun stuff. See Facebook event.
 
LA Chinatown Firecracker Ride & Run
When: Saturday, February 11, & Sunday, February 12
More info in newsletter.
 
Mobility Think Lab Workshop
When: Saturday, February 25; 9:30 AM in Van Nuys & 1:30 PM in Los Angeles
More info in newsletter.
 
Mobilty Think Lab Workshop
When: Saturday, March 3; 9:30 AM in Los Angeles & 1:30 PM in Pacoima
More info in newsletter.

  

LACBC's Tour de Taste - NEW DATE

When: Sunday, March 4; Rides start at 9 AM

More info in newsletter.

 
12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride
When: Sunday, June 10
Save the date! Many of you have been asking about this year's River Ride date, and we're happy to tell you that it's the second Sunday in June, on the 10th. We'll have more details in the coming weeks, but mark your calendars now, and start preparing for the 100-mile century bike ride (or half-century or family ride) you've always wanted to do now! The LA River Ride features 6 different rides for all abilities, brings you to new destinations in LA County, and is LACBC's biggest fundraiser!
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