LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

February 16, 2012 

In this issue
Tour de Taste on March 4th: Bike Advocacy Never Tasted So Good
Spring & Main Update
Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates from Around the County
Bikes - Ballads - Beers: A Benefit for the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition
ACTION ALERT: Save Federal Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Funding
ACTION ALERT: Demand Funding for Biking and Walking in Southern California
LACBC Member Discounts at Secret Goldfish Baking Co. & LA Film + Music Weekend
City of LA: Request a Bike Corral, Attend a Mobility Think Lab Workshop, & Prioritize Safer Streets in the Budget Survey
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: A Valentine to Bike-Friendly Long Beach
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

Tour de Taste on March 4th: Bike Advocacy Never Tasted So Good

TourDeTaste

 

This week, you may have seen the LAist cover Tour de Taste and note the event's appeal to your pedaling palates. Well we have some great restaurants and drink masters on the menu for you to feast on!

 

Pete's Cafe & Bar, AMMO, Pace, Chipotle, Larchmont Grill, Rush Street, New Belgium Brewing Co., and just-added participant Rosenthal Estate Wines are all the menu, with more on the way!

 

Add in a scenic bike ride along Ballona Creek and the fact that your fees all go towards making LA County a better, more bike-able place, and you've got a win-win-win situation with biking, eating, and a good cause for Tour de Taste!

 

Tour de Taste   

When: Sunday, March 4th; tours begin at 10:00 AM, registration opens at 9

Where: Parcel B - 9300 Culver Blvd. (adjacent to Culver Hotel, kitty corner from Media Park)

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

 

Each guided 15-mile tour will take off from Parcel B (adjacent to the Culver Hotel) in half-hour intervals, beginning at 10:00 AM on March 4th. We'll hit some restaurants on the way and then, after the tour, valets will watch your bike back at Parcel B in Culver City, while you enjoy a selection of tasty treats and refreshing beverages.

 

Register for Tour de Taste today!

 

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

 

Also, RSVP and spread the word via our Facebook event.

Spring and Main Update

 

This weekend, LADOT will put the final touches on the Main Street bike lanes from 9th Street to Venice Blvd/16th Street, which were mostly completed last weekend. These bike lanes are standard bike lanes, meaning there is no buffer or green pavement treatment, but they are a welcome addition to the growing bike network in Downtown Los Angeles. 

 

Our campaign for bike lanes on Spring & Main streets continues as we push for the completion of the Main Street bike lane from 9th to Cesar Chavez. LACBC, in partnership with Downtown LA Neighborhood Council, are advocating for this project to mirror Spring Street with a green pavement treatment and buffer to complete this pilot project.

 

We want to see more green pavement treatments implemented across the city and buffered bike lanes, but first we want the city to make sure the green pavement treatments are going to last. As we reported previously, LADOT is planning on testing several treatments on Spring Street to find a better solution to installing a green pavement treatment on a mix of cement and asphalt pavement.

 

While there has been talk this week regarding the film industry's opinion of the green paint treatment, we encourage the city to continue to expand this treatment in downtown LA and on Main Street. We want to see the treatment perfected on Spring Street & 1st Street first so that when this treatment is installed on Main Street and other streets in the city it will last years. LACBC has met with staff at the Mayor's office to urge them to continue to move forward with the Main Street project and continue to grow the Downtown LA bike network. The green pavement treatment can always be installed later, but implementing the buffered bike lanes can hopefully happen sooner rather than later so residents, visitors, and workers have a north bound route to complement the south bound Spring St. bike lane.

Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates from Around the County


Alhambra: The city authorized a request for proposals for a bicycle master plan at a City Council meeting Monday night. Congrats to local chapter Bike SGV for rallying Alhambra stakeholders to push for the city's first bike plan. Read more at the Alhambra Source. 

 

Westside: The Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG)  has been working on a WSCCOG regional bicycle safety and awareness plan since last year.  An important element of the plan are recommendations to connect the Westside Cities through implementing bicycle infrastructure projects.  The recommended projects or "gap closures" will create a basic regional bicycle infrastructure network to provide north/south and east/west connections. Individual cities within the WSCCOG will then be encouraged to implement projects these projects and close gaps in their route systems.

 

The following priority gap closures were presented to the WSCCOG Board on January 19, 2012

  • Santa Monica Blvd./Broadway (from La Brea Blvd. to Ocean Ave.)
  • San Vicente Blvd. (from Sunset Blvd. to La Brea Blvd.)
  • Barrington Ave./McLaughlin Ave./Slauson Ave. (from Sunset Blvd. to the Ballona Creek Bike Path)
  • Beverly Dr./Beverwil Dr./Duquesne Ave./Jefferson Blvd./Overland Ave.(from San Vicente to Westfield/Culver City Transit Center)
  • Expo Light Rail Bike Path/Bikeway (from La Brea Blvd. to the western terminus of Phase 2)

To view a map of the proposed  routes click hereWSCCOG is accepting comments now through March 4, 2012. The results of the comment period will be brought to the Board at its March 15, 2012 meeting in Culver City. Email your comments to the WSCCOG at [email protected].

 

Glendale: The draft Bicycle Transportation Plan presentation to the Transportation & Parking Commission (TPC) has been changed from February 8 to February 29 at 6:30 PM at the City of Glendale Municipal Service Building (MSB) - First Floor Room 105, 633 East Broadway in Glendale. This is a public meeting and we encourage anyone who rides in Glendale to attend and give your comments.

Bikes - Ballads - Beers: A Benefit for the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition
WeHo

Join local LACBC chapter WeHoBC for a night of the most innovative and talented musicians and singer songwriters LA has to offer. The night features the music of Tracee Perrin, Triple Chicken Foot, Hello Dragon, Xylowaves, and Quality Audio at Little Bar in the Miracle Mile Neighborhood.

  

When: Thursday, March 15th; 7 PM doors / 8 PM stage

Where: Little Bar - 757 S. La Brea - LA, 90036 (corner of W. 8th St & La Brea).

Cost: $5 suggested donation, but $10 will get you a drink ticket

 

Find more info at the WeHoBC website and share the Facebook event.

ACTION ALERT: Save Federal Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Funding

What's popping our bike tires these days? Politicians trying to take away funding for bikes and pedestrians.

Thank you to all who have signed this petition to save federal funding for biking and walking! Due to pressure from people like you, House speaker John Boehner has delayed the vote on the ill-advised Transportation Bill with the knowledge that the bill would not have the votes needed to win approval of the legislation.

Let's keep adding pressure! Demand that our representatives oppose the House Bill, which would eliminate dedicated funding for biking and walking.

Take action! Sign this petition created by the League of American Bicyclists!
ACTION ALERT: Demand Funding for Biking and Walking in Southern California
Fund biking and walking in Southern California
Fund biking and walking in Southern California

Sign this petition today to make Southern California safer for bicyclists and pedestrians!

 

The budget on the Southern California Association of Goverment's (SCAG) new Regional Transportation Plan that affects 18 million people over 24 years is slated to set aside 1.3% of the funds for bicycles and pedestrians. Since 25% of traffic casualties occur in that sector, the LA Public Health Department recommends an 8% set-aside to have a real impact for all who bike and walk.

 

Thanks to all who have already signed this petitions! This petition is up to 800 signatures and growing, but we need more!

 

Sign the petition today!

LACBC Member Discounts at Secret Goldfish Baking Co. & LA Film + Music Weekend

 

Save on Homemade Bread at Secret Goldfish Baking Co.

 

Did you know that LACBC members can save when they use their LACBC membership cards? Dozens of bike shops and other businesses that support biking offer discounts and to you LACBC members. And now you can add Secret Goldfish Baking Co. to that list!

LACBC members now save 10% on all purchases, which means you can get fresh, homemade bread from a local business that supports bicycling! Find these fine breadmakers, and show your LACBC membership card:

  • Sundays at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Main Street (info)
  • Wednesdays at the LA Medical Center Farmers Market at Barnsdall Art Park (info)
Save at LA Film + Music Weekend Tickets

LACBC will be hosting a bike valet at the 2nd annual LA Film + Music Weekend on Saturday night, March 24th. The film and music festival will be held at the Downtown Independent Theater during the weekend of March 23-25.
 
LACBC members will receive $5 off day passes and $10 off VIP passes. Purchase tickets here and enter discount codes BIKELA for a day pass and BIKELAVIP for a VIP pass.
City of LA: Request a Bike Corral, Attend a Mobility Think Lab Workshop, and Prioritize Safer Streets in Budget Survey

 

Request a Bike Corral
Currently in the City of LA there is only one bike corral, but we're hoping to see many more across the City in 2012! If you are interested in having a bike corral in your community, especially if you own and run a local business, fill out this form and let LADOT know where you'd like to see a bike corral.

 

Read more about the bike corral pilot expansion on the LADOT Bike Blog.

 LA2B

Help Solve LA's Transportation Challenges at Mobility Think Lab Workshops

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

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.
LB Bikes: Katie Taylor
LB Bikes: Katie Taylor
 
Valentine's Day often makes one think of hearts, candy, flowers, lovey dovey couples, and perhaps even the complementary holiday of Galentine's Day, but how about the city you love? Katie Taylor, a transplant to Long Beach, has the right idea in this video with her love of her new hometown.
 
Citing Long Beach's architecture, neighborhood feel, and bike-friendliness, Katie has sent a Valentine to Long Beach. And we're sure that biking around any area gives on a better appreciation for one's surroundings.
 
Ask any LACBC employee why we work for this organization, and a love for the LA region and a desire to make her shine even brighter is a common reason for all of us. So Valentine's Day may be over, but it's never too late to write a love note to the city or neighborhood that steals your heart.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

Rio Hondo Bike Path Ride

When: Sunday, February 19; meet at 9:00 AM, ride at 9:30 AM

Where: Meet at Grant Rea Park - 600 Rea Dr., Montebello, CA 90640

Join local chapter the Montebello Bicycle Coalition for its monthly group ride, this time down the Rio Hondo path for roughly 10 miles. See Facebook event

 

LA Zine Fest

with LACBC Bike Valet

When: Sunday, February 19; 11 AM - 5 PM

Where: The Last Bookstore upstairs - 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, 90013

Zine noun \ˈzēn\ : a noncommercial, homemade publication usually devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject matter. LA Zine Fest 2012 is an opportunity for SoCal zinesters to come together en masse and meet and exchange ideas with those from all over the country. And if you're riding your bike there, we'll park it for you at the LACBC bike valet! More info.

 

Mobility Think Lab Workshop
When: Saturday, February 25; 9:30 AM in Van Nuys & 1:30 PM in Los Angeles
More info in newsletter.


Creating a Bikeable UCLA: A Vision for a Healthy & Vibrant Future

When: Wednesday, February 29; 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Where: California NanoSystems Institute Auditorium, UCLA
Join a public dialogue with Urban Planning, Public Health, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Transportation, Recreation, UCLA Community Bike Center, UCLA students, local business leaders, and cycling advocates. More info.

  

UCLA Complete Streets for California 2012 
When: Friday, March 2; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Kyoto Grand Hotel - 120 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, 90012 
This conference will highlight recent accomplishments, explore new research, and present implementation examples and benchmarks to create multi-use street environments that promote vibrant, healthy and active communities. More info.
 
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

When: Sunday, March 4; Rides start at 10 AM

More info in newsletter.


DTLA Pre-Parklet Installation Study - Volunteers Needed

When: Tuesday, March 6; Wednesday, March 7; Saturday, March 10; 8 AM - 10 AM, 12 PM - 2 PM, 5 PM - 7 PM 

Where: downtown Historic Core

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC) is seeking volunteers to help conduct the Spring Street Parklet Impact Study. Using classic techniques, you will survey public life to create a snapshot of a typical day in Los Angeles' famed Historic Core. Learn more about parklets on the DLANC website. Sign up to volunteer here.

 

CicLAvia South Gate Stakeholder Planning Meeting
When: Monday, March 12; 6 PM - 9 PM

Where: TBD

Come and hear about possibilities for South Gate hosting a CicLAvia open streets event. Give your ideas and get involved to help bring CicLAvia to the city of South Gate, possibly connecting with neighboring communities. See Facebook event.   

 

Bikes - Ballads - Beers: A Benefit for the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition

When: Thursday, March 15; 7 PM doors / 8 PM stage

More info in newsletter. 

 

CicLAvia 4.15.12

When: Sunday, April 15; 10 AM - 3 PM

Where: East Hollywood, MacArthur Park, Downtown LA, Boyle Heights El Pueblo

April's CicLAvia will include the central Boyle Heights to East Hollywood route, plus the recent expansion spurs to the African American Firefighter Museum and to El Pueblo. See map and route announcement and RSVP/share via Facebook event

 
12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride
When: Sunday, June 10
Where: Start at Autry Center
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! More info at la-bike.org/riverride.
Just a note: The LACBC offices will be closed on Monday, February 20th, for the President's Day holiday. We'll be out riding our bikes, and we hope you will be too!
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]

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