LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

May 24, 2012 

In this issue
Los Angeles Grabs National Headlines, Help Continue this Momentum
BurBike Youth Workspace Now on Open and on Facebook, Tumblr
Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates From Around the County
LACBC Member Appreciation Raffle All Month Long
12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 10th: Become the Top Fundraiser and Win a Bicycling Tour of the Tuscan Coast
LACBC Is Hiring a Policy & Campaigns Manager
Bike Month Riding Tips: Planning Your Bike Route
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: 25 Awesome and Unusual Bike Racks
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Los Angeles Grabs National Headlines, Help Continue this Momentum

In last week's e-newsletter, we celebrated what had been designated as Bike Week in Los County, and we shared Momentum Magazine's article highlighting Los Angeles and the strides that have been taken to make Los Angeles more bike-friendly over the past few years.

This weekend, we saw the national "newspaper of record" take notice of our bicycling scene in a New York Times article about the increasing acceptance of cyclists on our streets.

Bicycling Magazine then gave Los Angeles a quiet nod of approval by including LA in its annual list of America's Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities at a respectable #32, citing a stat from our most recent bike count report as one of LA's bicycling claims to fame. (In case you're wondering how LA did last year, it didn't make the list).

In a city known for its car culture, we're pleased to see the rest of the country taking notice of this progress. It was just a few years ago that LA's most recent bike plan was from 1996, CicLAvia seemed like a distant dream, and you probably could count on one hand how many cyclists you saw in a day. This recent recognition of bicycling in Los Angeles is because of people like you that ride your bikes and and support a better, more bike-able Los Angeles.

Let's keep pedaling forward and building this momentum! Become an LACBC member or renew your membership so that we can continue working for you to make Los Angeles County a better place for you to ride. And if you happen to live in a city represented by one of our 10 local chapters, join that chapter at no extra cost.

Being nationally recognized is great and all, but we know there is still so much to be done to make Los Angeles County a truly welcoming place for people who ride bikes. Join us in making this possible!
 
And remember to live every week like it's Bike Week, Los Angeles!
BurBike Youth Space Now Open, and on Facebook, Tumblr 
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The BurBike Youth Space is a project of the City of Burbank and Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) to teach kids bicycle mechanics, healthy lifestyle options, and bicycle education. We provide nearly all the necessary tools for basic to advanced bicycle maintenance and repair. The stand time is free, but we do ask for a monetary donation for bicycles and new parts, but no will be turned away for a lack of funds.
 
The workspace is currently looking for volunteers. We're interested in youth (ages 17 and under) and adults to participate in the project as volunteers. All adult volunteers MUST submit a LiveScan. Contact the program administrator via the links below.  
 
We also need people to spread the word about the workspace, so please follow our blog, like the Facebook Page, and share the links. Encourage your friends in Burbank, Glendale, and the local neighborhoods to visit the location. Remember that the space is first and foremost for kids. Adults are encouraged to be volunteers and to supervise their children. 
 

Open hours:

Saturday: 1-5 PM

Every 2nd & 4th Weds: 4-7 PM  

 

Location:

354 E. Orange Grove, Burbank, CA 91502 

 
Contact:

While you're at it, check out all the other great things happening over in Burbank at BurbankBike.org. Take a free Confident City Cycling Class through Sustainable Streets. Park your bike at BikeStop before heading on the Metrolink. Burbank has got it going on.

Bike Infrastructure & Policy Updates From Around the County

 

Glendale: Thefinal draft of the Glendale Bike Transportation Plan has been released for your viewing pleasure. The BTP is expected to head to City Council for adoption in mid-June.

 

Ballona Creek: From Wednesday, May 30th through the end of July, a portion of the Ballona Creek bike path between Overland Avenue and the pedestrian bridge (north of Ocean Drive and Westwood) will be closed to pedestrian and bicycle access during construction. (LADOT Bike Blog

 

Orange Line Path Extension: The 4-mile northward extension that will parallel the new Orange Line busway to the Chatsworth Metrolink station is about 80 percent complete. (LADOT Bike Blog)

 

Boyle Heights: El Random Hero first spotted new bike lanes on Lorena Ave. in Boyle Heights this weekend. They extend 0.4 miles on Lorena Street from Cesar Chavez Ave. to 3rd Street.  (LA B.I.K.A.S.)

 

San Pedro: LA B.I.K.A.S reports that 0.8 miles of new bike lanes have appeared on Weymouth Avenue and on 13th Street. The Weymouth bike lanes stretch 0.2-mile from 9th Street to 13th Street, and then the the street turns into 13th where 0.6-miles of bike lanes stretch from Weymouth to Alma Street. (LA B.I.K.A.S.)

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. Our next winner could be you!
 
Our first winners for Thursday, May 24th, are:
  • Anothony C.: winner of a limited-edition Tu Familia screenprint
  • Albert A.: winner of a copy of Where to Bike Los Angeles
  • Henry H.: winner of a 2011 LA River Ride jersey 
We'll have our final set of winners next week!

12th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 10th: Become the Top Fundraiser and Win a Bicycling Tour of the Tuscan Coast

  

Become the Top Fundraiser & Win a Trip to Italy

 

Courtesy of VBT Walking and Biking Vacations, this year's highest fundraiser will enjoy a 10-day biking tour of Tuscany's spectacular coast, complete with 8 nights of accommodation in 3-to 4-star hotels and a country resort! This prize package includes airfare from New York, most meals, VBT bicycles and helmets, daily route maps and directions, and the assistance of two bilingual trip guides.

 

Set up your fundraising page when you register on Active.com. If you have already registered, but would like to be a fundraiser, click the link to register again and simply scroll down to the Become a Fundraiser category. Active will send you an email letting you know when your page is set up and giving you further instructions on fundraising.

 

Other high fundraisers will win prizes including a new set of DT Swiss wheels and our beautiful River Ride jerseys!

  

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)
Facebook Event: link
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].

LACBC Is Hiring a Policy & Campaigns Manager 

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is looking for an energetic and hard working Policy & Campaigns Manager. This person will primarily work on campaigns and community organizing in the City of Los Angeles. We are looking for someone passionate about working with the diverse communities that make up the City of Los Angeles, as well as city and county partners to continue LACBC's efforts to transform Los Angeles into a more bikeable and livable place. In addition, 15% of this position's efforts will be spent organizing outreach and community events in the City of Carson in support of the city's bicycle master plan. 

A detailed description of the position and responsibilities is available here. Please forward this job announcement far and wide!

To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and three writing samples in one PDF file to: Alexis Lantz, Planning & Policy Director, at [email protected] and Jennifer Klausner, Executive Director, at [email protected]. The PDF file shall be named as follows: [LastName]_[FirstName]_PolicyCampaigns12.pdf.

 

Receipt of applications will be acknowledged with an email reply. Telephone inquiries are not accepted. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted in the format indicated in order to be considered. The positions will be open until filled, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Visit www.la-bike.org for more information about the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer, people of color, LGBT, and women applicants are highly encouraged.
Bike Month Riding Tips: Planning Your Bike Route
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The best route by car might not be the best by bicycle. Always consider road and traffic conditions when planning your route! Read our tips and resources for planning your bike route on the LACBC blog.
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What do a wooden comb, a menagerie of deer, and a tomato all have in common? In some places, you can lock your bike to them! Check out this photo gallery of "25 Awesome and Unusal Bike Racks" where the fun meets functional. We would also like to point out that the coffee mug racks found in Washington D.C. can also be found more locally in Long Beach.
 
As a reminder, several local cities in the County have a rack request program or contact (LADOT has been especially busy installing racks this Spring in LA). You may not be able to request an egg beater bike rack, but your bike will be safer with a bike rack! So make those requests!
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

  

(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 LACBC Executive Director Jennifer Klausner, former LA District Attorney and the photographer/author of Paris: Women & Bicycles, BikeSGV's Wes Reutimann and CICLE's Dan Dabek. 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.

 

SGV River Loop

When: Sunday, May 27; begins at 9 AM

Where: San Gabriel River Path

BikeSGV would like to invite you to the SGV River Loop the last Sunday of each month. The ride travels South on the San Gabriel River path and North on the Rio Hondo River path. The ride is FREE to all families, friends & neighbors. There are feeder ride check points along the route and a Bike SGV pit stop at Legg Lake with booths, music, mechanics, snacks, water and other goodies. See Facebook event for start locations and times.

 

JazzReggae Festival at UCLA

with LACBC Bike Valet

When: Sunday, May 27, and Monday, May 28, 11 AM to 8 PM

Where: UCLA Intramural Field

The 26th JazzReggae Festival hits the UCLA campus this holiday weekend, and event organizers are encouraging you to avoid the Westside traffic and ride your bikes there! LACBC will be providing free bike valet near the main entrance, so park your bike with us and say hello. More info

 

LACBC Civic Engagement Committee Meeting

When: Tuesday, May 29; 6:45 to 8:45 PM

Where: LACBC Headquarters, Mezzanine Level - 634 S. Spring St., Suite 821, Los Angeles

The newly formed LACBC Civic Engagement committee meets for the first time! The committee will allow LACBC to play a role in local elections in the city and county of Los Angeles, as well as other cities within the county, by hosting candidate forums and getting candidates on the record for their stands for or against bicycling. The non-partisan committee will not endorse or work for individual candidates, but will provide the information you need to make an informed choice before casting your vote. More info.

 

Downtown Bicycle Network Open House

When: Wednesday, May 30; 5 PM to 8 PM

Where: Plaza at Judge Aiso Street and 1st Street in Little Tokyo

Join Council District 14 for this community open house event is to learn about the expansion of the bicycle network in downtown Los Angeles and what the increased connectivity can mean for residents, workers, and visitors. Council District 14 is hosting this open house in partnership with the Downtown LA Neighborhood Council, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. More info.

 

East Valley Hansen Dam Sunday Funday Ride

When: Sunday, June 3; Meet at 8:30 AM, ride at 9:00 AM

Where: Meet in front of the entrance to the North Hollywood Metro Station on Lankershim and Chandler in North Hollywood

Save the date for our next Sunday Funday Ride that will explore the San Fernando Valley over roughly 23 miles. We'll have more details in upcoming newsletters.

 

Taking Back the Boulevard Public Meeting

When: Tuesday, June 5; 7 to 9 PM

Where: Eagle Rock Center for the Arts - 225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock

Take Back the Boulevard is holding a public meeting to share recommendations for Colorado blvd, including removing travel lanes and adding bike lanes. 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]

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