LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

May 3, 2012 

In this issue
All Aboard Sunday Funday Ride This Weekend - Second Starting Location in Glendale Just Added
Celebrate Bike Month in May
70-Mil12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 10th: 70-Mile Reverse Ride Registration Open, Plus Register by May 15 to Save Money
Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates From Around the County
ACTION ALERT: We Need Triple Bike Racks
Making Our Streets Safer - Addressing Hit & Runs
Bike Month Riding Tips: 5 Tips for Getting Started
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Fantasy Bikey Tin Fey Shows You How to Bike Commute
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
All Aboard Sunday Funday Ride this Weekend - Second Starting Location in Glendale Just Added SundayFunday
RR Header

Explore some local train history during the Sunday Funday Ride. Led by board member Greg Laemmle, this ride will explore Los Angeles' historic trains and train stations and include a stop at Travel Town. We've now added a second family-friendly 5-mile ride from the Glendale Train Station, perfect for kids and the young-at-heart.

 

For those meeting at Union Station:

Meet at Union Station, and we'll head over through Lincoln Heights, Glassel Park, etc. en route to Glendale. From there, we'll head toTravel Town in Griffith Park. After our return, we'll grab some lunch at Philippe's and check out the train display in the backroom.

When: Sunday, May 6; Meet at 10 AM, ride at 10:30 AM

Where: Meet at Union Station courtyard - 800 N. Alameda, Los Angeles

Ride Details: Roughly 25 miles total; allow roughly 4-5 hours; riders should be confident but do not necessarily need to be super experienced; mostly flat with a few small hills; moderate pace; no jackrabbits.

 

For those meeting at Glendale Train Station:

Meet at Glendale Train Station, where the riders from Union Station will pick us up for a short ride to Travel Town and back.

When: Sunday, May 6; Meet at 11:30 AM; Ride at 12:00 PM

Where: Meet at Glendale Train Station - 400 West Cerritos Avenue, Glendale Transportation Center, Glendale, 91204

Ride Details: 5 miles; allow roughly 3 hours or more; family-paced ride; kids and young-at-heart are encouraged to ride with us


For both rides:

What to Bring: Helmet, water, sunscreen, money for lunch afterwards

More info: See page and Facebook event

RSVP: Please RSVP to Carol Feucht at [email protected].

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.

Celebrate Bike Month in May
 
May has been designated as National Bike Month. We'll be adding to the Bike Month calendar in the coming weeks, but here are a few already scheduled events to look forward to:

 

LACBC Events Around the County
 
  • Bici Libre Bike Maintenance Offerings BiciLibre
Bici Libre is a program of LACBC that offers bike repair education and volunteer opportunities to the community. Located at 1205 W. 6th St. in Westlake, we are open 6 days a week, 12 - 7 PM every weekday and 12 - 5 PM on Saturday. You can learn to fix your own bike with the help of volunteers in the shop for a reasonable donation. Learn more at la-bike.org/bicilibre

  

For Bike Month in May, LACBC and Bici Libre are working together to bring you more educational opportunities:

Blessing of the Bikes Safety Checks and Bici Libre Open House - Tuesday, May 15
 
Bici Libre volunteers will be at the Blessing of the Bikes at Good Samaritan Hospital doing free safety checks on bikes and showing a few simple tune-up tricks. Immediately following the Blessing at 9:30 AM, Bici Libre will have an open house, and those needing more bike repair will be free to use our shop. Seem more information about Blessing of the Bikes.

  

Bike Maintenance Workshops
 
When: Sunday, May 6; 11 AM to 1 PM
Where: Bici Libre - 1205 W. 6th St., Westlake

  

When: Wednesday, May 9; 7 PM to 9 PM
Where: Bici Libre - 205 W. 6th St., Westlake

  

LACBC and Bici Libre will also be offering two workshops to help folks get their bikes tuned up for bike to work month, week, and day. This will be a 2-hour class that goes over the fundamentals of bike maintenance and repair. Learn to fix a flat tire, and adjust your brakes and derailleurs, and more. Bring your own bike to tune up or work on one of ours!

 

RSVP is required for the classes and space is limited. Please RSVP with your name, phone number, and date of the class you'd like to take to Bobby Gadda at [email protected].
  • Bike to Work Day Morning Pit Stops hosted by LACBC & local chapters (see Metro map for more stops hosted by various orgs) BiketoWork
Downtown LA - LACBC & the Downtown LA Neighborhood Council
When: Thursday, May 17; 7 AM to 10 AM
Where: Spring Street, in between 6th and 7th Streets
 
Silver Lake #1 (for westbound cyclists on Sunset) - LACBC & Bici Libre
When: Thursday, May 17; 7 AM to 10 AM
Where: Sunset Triangle Park
 
Silver Lake #2 (for eastbound cyclists on Sunset) - LACBC & Golden Saddle Cyclery
When: Thursday, May 17; 7 AM to 10 AM
Where: Sunset Junction
 
Glendale - Walk Bike Glendale & the City of Glendale 
When: Thursday, May 17; 6 AM to 9 AM
Where: corner of Sonora and Flower
 
West Hollywood - West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition & the City of West Hollywood
When: Thursday, May 17; 7 AM to 10 AM & 4 PM to 6PM
Where: San Vicente & Santa Monica Blvd and at Plummer Park (Santa Monica Blvd & Martel) 
  • Bike from Work After Parties - Thursday, May 17
In addition to celebrating biking TO work on May 17th with morning pit stops, let's celebrate biking FROM work. We'll have gathering areas all across the County so that you can gather with your local chapter and hang out with your fellow cyclists in the afternoon/evening over food and drink. We'll have more information in the coming e-newsletters, but mark your calendars now!
 
Downtown LA - hosted by LACBC
When: Thursday, May 17; 5 PM to 9 PM
Where: Senor Fish422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, 90012

 

Glendale - hosted by Walk Bike Glendale
When: Thursday, May 17; 5 PM to 8 PM
Where: Tavern on Brand - 208 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 91203
  • LACBC Member Appreciation Raffle All Month Long
We want to say thanks to all our members out there. If you're an LACBC member, not only are you helping to make LA County a more bike-able place and gaining discounts at local bike shops, but in the month of May, you'll automatically be entered to win great prizes including beautiful, limited-edition screenprints of the "Tu Familia/Precaucion" PSA from Aaron Kuehn, copies of Where to Bike Los Angeles, and jerseys! All you have to do is make sure that your membership is current and that you're not an LACBC board or staff member. We'll start picking names next week.
 
Metro Bike Week LA 2012 Events
  • Monday, May 14: Metro's Kick-off Event at Expo Park/USC Station, 10 AM
  • Tuesday, May 15: Metro's 9th Annual Blessing of the Bicycles at Good Samaritan Hospital, 8 AM
  • Wednesday, May 16: Metro's Expo/Mid-City Bike Ride starts at Expo Park/USC Station, 8 AM
  • Thursday, May 17: Metro's Bike to Work Day - Free rides for cyclists on Metro, pit stops, and more!
  • Friday, May 18: Metro's Bike to School Day - Support your local school! 

Bike to Work Day - Host a Pit Stop!

Register your school, workplace, or organization to host a bicycle pit stop on Bike to Work day! You provide the space, and Metro will send you a pit stop kit with Clif bars, patch kits, bike maps, and more. For more information, visit www.metro.net/bikes/bike-week, or contact Sarah Tseng at [email protected] or (213) 922-5634.

  

Also check out Bike Week Pasadena presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena and Long Beach's Bike Month activities presented by Bike Long Beach.

12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 10th: 70-Mile Reverse Ride Registration Open, Plus Register by May 15 to Save Money

  

Well you asked for it, now you have it! Ride the River Ride in Reverse! Start and finish in beautiful Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach. You will turn around at the Autry National Center. This ride is perfect for those of you living in the southern part of the County. You can sign up for the reverse ride by clicking the Active link below or just download the PDF and mark the 70-mile Reverse option. Registration will open at 6:30 AM and the ride will begin at 7:30 AM. Advance registration is HIGHLY recommended.

 

Join us for LACBC's biggest fundraiser and biggest ride of the year! The Los Angeles River Ride is:

  • 7 great rides now! Choose from a 100-mile, 70-mile, 70-mile reverse, 50-mile, 36-mile, and 15-mile rides, as well as a kids' safety rodeo. Kids 12 and under ride for free!
  • A new way to explore the LA River! Spot a heron. Discover a new park. Learn where the LA River Bike Path will take you.
  • A way to to support LACBC and help build a better, more bike-able LA County! Your River Ride registration fees, LACBC membership dues, and donations help support LACBC and make your ride safer and more enjoyable.
RiverRide12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride
When: Sunday, June 10th, 2012
Where: start at Autry National Center, Griffith Park (map) or Shorline Aquatic Park for 70-mile Reverse Ride (map)
Register by May 15th and save $10.
LACBC members save an additional $10.

  

How to sign up now:

  

1.  Register online at Active.com

 

2.  Download the River Ride Registration Form (PDF).

  • Fax it to 213-629-2259 if paying by credit card.
  • Or, mail it to:

LACBC

Attn: River Ride

634 S. Spring Street, Suite 821

Los Angeles, CA 90014

 

If you have general questions, contact our River Ride Director JJ Hoffman at [email protected].

Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates From Around the County

 

South LA: Bike Lanes were recently installed on Vermont Ave. between 105th and 88th streets (heading northbound)  and on Main Street between 92nd and 108th streets. More info.

 

Westside: Bike lanes have appeared on a Sepulveda Boulevard, between National Boulevard and the Venice Boulevard bike lanes. More info.

 

Beverly Hills: Beverly Hills is holding a third public outreach meeting Wednesday, May 9th at 7 PM to solicit input on the city's first-ever cycling-friendly improvement program. Better Bike Beverly Hills welcomes your attendance and especially your written comments to remind the city that safe streets for cycling matters. On the agenda: the four routes identified for possible improvements that will be of interest to Westside cyclists. They are: Charleyville Drive, the most direct connection between La Cienega and Century City; Beverly Drive, the city's commercial spine; and Crescent and Carmelita drives (the latter are the city's preferred routes).


Should the city move forward on all four routes, we'll have the kernel of a bike network. Want to comment? Please review the PowerPoint presentation, map of routes, and the Pilot program feasibility study at the city's website.

This Pilot needs all the community boost it can get. Read a recap of the last meeting at the Better Bike website. Forward comments to the city at [email protected] and to Better Bike at [email protected].

 

Elysian Valley: The Riverside-Figueroa Bridge, where the LA River Bike Path ends (and cyclists heading to downtown LA exit the path and proceed on Riverside) is reduced to one vehicular lane with no shoulder. Motorists cannot pass cyclists on this stretch. We caution cyclists riding this portion to use extra caution and take the lane. (Thanks to Ross Hirsch for the tip.

 

Elysian Valley: Councilmember Tom LaBonge will host a 5K Fun Run on Sunday, May 6, in celebration of the Los Angeles River. The running route stretches from Los Feliz in Atwater Village along the Los Angeles River bike path before turning around at Marsh Park at 2960 Marsh Street. Cyclists should note the closure of the Los Angeles River bike path from 4 AM until 11 AM on Sunday, May 6. More info.

ACTION ALERT: We Need Triple Bike Racks

In February we included an Action Alert in this newsletter regarding getting legislation introduced in Sacramento to make it possible for transit agencies across the state to install triple bike racks on buses of all sizes. Unfortunately legislation was not introduced, but we are not giving up hope. We are working with the Transit Coalition to draw attention to how important this issue to people who bicycle and use transit in Los Angeles County. 

We need your help! Please email Assemblymembers Bonnie Lowenthal and Bob Blumenfield with this simple form. They both represent communities is LA County and are on the Assembly Transportation Committee. Take a moment to contact them today and let's increase bike capacity on our buses!

Background: Bike racks on buses are filling up, but current state law prohibits objects that extend too far from the front of a bus. Although several bus agencies already have triple bike racks, these are technically in violation of the law. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and the California Highway Patrol have come up with a legislative solution that would maintain safety while allowing triple bike racks on buses. Now is the time our elected representatives need to step up and introduce Metro's bill so that stakeholders can discuss it, perhaps tweak it, and enable it to get passed.
Making Our Streets Safer - Addressing Hit & Runs

All to often, we hear about a person biking or walking in Los Angeles who has been injured or worse, killed by a car that fled the scene of the crash. Hit-and-runs make up roughly a 1/3 of all traffic collisions in Los Angeles and affect all Angelenos no matter what mode of transportation we use. In 2011 alone, there were over 18,800 hit-and-run collisions in the city. Five hundred and fourteen involved a person riding a bicycle, and another 759 involved pedestrians; over 12,880 involved another motor vehicle. Hit-and-run collisions resulted in the deaths of 36 Angelenos in 2011; 72% of those were people who were walking or riding their bicycles on the streets of Los Angeles at the moment they were hit. Hit-and-runs destroy peoples' lives and property. Currently the LAPD does not know how many of those 18,800+ hit-and-run collisions were solved or how many were prosecuted. (all statistics from LAPD)
 
We are working with others in the bicycle community, most notably Don "Roadblock" Ward and partner organizations like Los Angeles Walks, to call attention to this issue. And we want to work with you to share your stories with LAPD leadership and city leadership. We've created a form to collect your hit and run experience and how it was handled.
 
Help us make sure LAPD and the City of Los Angeles respond to and fully investigate all cases where a person walking or bicycling is hit no matter the type or severity of injury, collect data and report on the number of investigations leading to the identification of a driver and the number of cases that lead to legal action, and introduce legislation in Sacramento that will strengthen penalties for people caught committing a hit-and-run. We'll help keep you posted about upcoming Police Commission, City Council, and other meetings where you can share your experience. Together we can help curb the hit-and-run epidemic in the City of Los Angeles.
Bike Month Riding Tips: 5 Tips for Getting Started

May is National Bike Month! With the beautiful weather, it's the perfect time to get out your bike and ride more. If you've been considering riding your bike, here are a few simple tips to help get you started:

 

GET A BIKE YOU LIKE. If you like the look and feel of your bike, you're more likely to enjoy riding it.

 

USE SMALLER STREETS TO AVOID HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS.  Enjoy a slower-paced ride and admire the neighborhood.

 

START WITH SHORT TRIPS. Ride around your neighborhood, to a friend's house, or to your favorite cafe. Work your way up to longer rides. This will ease your muscles into shape and help you get more comfortable riding in traffic. If you need to go further, take your bike on the bus or Metro Rail.

 

BIKE WITH A BUDDY. Find someone to ride with you to work, to the store, or to a party. Even if your buddy isn't an experienced ride either, you may find safety, comfort, and conversation in numbers.

 

GO ON GROUP RIDES. Riding in groups is fun, helps you get more comfortable with urban biking, and helps you meet others who ride. Bike riders and other related events happen almost every day in Los Angeles. Join us for our Sunday Funday Rides or the12th Annual LA River Ride on Sunday, June 10th!

 

We'll have more tips in the coming weeks this May. Happy Bike Month!

May is Bike Month, and it's full of articles, workshops, videos, etc. with tips on how to commute by bike. But we all know that bike commuting is different for everyone. Some people need to show up to work in formal business wear and will shower and change into their work attire after their commute. Some people drop their kids at a school off on a bike before going to work. Some people ride and work in the same thing that they're wearing. (Note: The LACBC offices may be one of the few places where we like it if you show up to the office all sweaty.) There are so many bicyclists you could ask for commuting advice from!

Bikeyface has an idea of who she wants to be her fantasy female cycling role model: Tina Fey! We especially like the cupcake holder that Fantasy Bikey Tina Fey's bike is equipped with and look forward to seeing more bikes equipped with these holders in the future.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

   

Art Ride with the Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition
When: Saturday, May 5; meet at 10 AM, ride at 10:30 AM
Where: Claremont Metrolink Parking Lot - southeast corner of 1st and College
Join new LACBC chapter PVCB for this casual-paced, 24-mile ride. Planned stops include at the new Foothill Avenue Bike Bridge and Park, the Pacific Electric Trail Amethyst drinking fountain stop, the Maloof Discovery Garden, Euro Cafe, and the Gypsy Sisters Art Show. See Facebook event.
 
All Aboard Sunday Funday Ride
When: Sunday, May 6; From Union Station: Meet at 10 AM, ride at 10:30 AM; From Glendale Train Station: Meet at 11:30 AM, ride at 12:00 PM
More info in newsletter.

  

Bici Libre Bike Maintenance Workshop
When: Sunday, May 6; 11 AM to 1 PM
More info in newsletter.

  

Bici Libre Bike Maintenance Workshop
When: Wednesday, May 9; 7 PM to 9 PM
More info in newsletter.

  

3rd Annual Eco-Village Fundraiser Benefitting L.A. Streetsblog 
When: Friday, May 11; 6 PM
Where: Los Angeles Eco Village - 116 Bimini Place, Los Angeles
Support LA Streetsblog and enjoy food and drinks, the debut of a new Streetfilm, a raffle, and the best darned company and conversation that can be found anywhere! Tickets are $30 per head on a sliding scale. More info.

  

Montrose Historical Bike Ride
When: Saturday, May 12; Meet at 10 AM, ride at 10:30 AM
Where: Meet at Montrose Bike Shop - 2501 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose
Join Walk Bike GlendaleMontrose Patch, Montrose Bike Shop, Glendale Historical Society, Glendale Community Services & Parks, and Glendale Public Works Department for a family friendly bike ride in Montrose as we make stops at historical landmarks along the way. The ride will go at an easy pace and be fun for all ages and skill levels! Roughly 7-10miles. See Facebook event.

  

Bike to/from Work Day
When: Thursday, May 17
Where: LA County
Celebrate commuting to and from work with morning pit stops and after parties all around the County! More info in newsletter.

  

Nissan Ride Before the Pros
When: Sunday, May 20; 8 AM to 9:30 AM
Where: L.A. LIVE (Start Location)

This event will allow cyclists of all levels to ride on a 5-mile closed circuit course which will be part of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California's eighth and final stage taking place that same day. FREE to participants of all experience levels, the Nissan Ride Before the Pros will begin and end at the official finish line where the professional riders competing in the 2012 Amgen Tour of California will cross to complete the 42.6-mile stage they started in Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills earlier that day. More info and to register.

  

Museums of the Arroyo Day
When: Sunday, May 20; 12 PM to 5 PM
Where: throughout Northeast Los Angeles

Experience life in the past lane! MOTA Day features five museums located along the celebrated Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles and Pasadena that open their doors for a free day of music, storytelling, art, crafts and entertainment. Gain free admission to the Gamble House, the Heritage Square Museum, the Los Angeles Police Museum, the Lummis Home & Garden, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Getting from place to place by riding your bike or walking is highly encouraged! More info.

  

(it) Magazine Presents Greening Your City: Biking Los Angeles

When: Saturday, May 26; 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Where: Lineage Performing Arts Center - 89 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, 91107

(it) Magazine invites you to join us at a special Bike Month wrap-up event celebrating LA and Pasadena's bike plans. With special guest moderator Ed Begley Jr., an exclusive (it) Magazine video screening and a public panel featuring Jennifer Klausner, LACBC Executive Director, and Gil Garcetti, former LA District Attorney and the photographer/author of Paris: Women & BicyclesThey will be joined by representatives from the city of Pasadena and local bike advocacy groups. Learn what's needed next to make our cities more bike friendly, and find out how you can be part of the solution! More info.

   

12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride
When: Sunday, June 10
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]

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