LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

October 25, 2012 

In this issue
LACBC Endorses Measure J
ACTION ITEM: Give the 3-Foot Passing Bill Another Shot
Bike Updates from Around the County: Alhambra Draft Bike Plan to Be Reviewed in Mid-November
Haunted Saturday Funday Ride
Bici Libre Needs You to Volunteer
New Bike Crash Support Group to Start Meeting Soon, Call to Join
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Cat Rides Human Riding a Bike
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
LACBC Endorses Measure J

LACBC is endorsing Measure J to extend the Measure R half-cent sales tax for transportation for an additional 30 years. In 2008, LA County residents voted to approve Measure R, which provided $40 billion for specified transit and highway projects, bus operations, and local transportation improvements. Many cities, like Los Angeles, are using its Measure R local returns to build out their bike networks. Measure J would accelerate these projects by providing a more predictable revenue stream against which Metro and local cities can bond to build projects now.

LACBC works closely with MoveLA, the coalition of labor, business, and environmental organizations backing Measure J. MoveLA shares our vision of a bikeable, walkable, and transit-friendly Los Angeles County and are working with us at Metro to ensure that our regional transportation policy supports these goals. As LACBC makes the case for greater investments in biking and walking ("active transportation"), Move LA will be right there with us. We encourage you to support Measure J on Election Day on Tuesday, November 6th.
ACTION ITEM: Give the 3-Foot Passing Bill Another Shot

LACBC Board member Ted Rogers (BikinginLA) is asking Mayor Villaraigosa to give the "Give Me 3" bill another chance by including it in his legislative agenda for the upcoming session. LACBC couldn't agree more. We all know what it's like when motorists don't keep their distance. Let's try one more time to make safe passing the law of the land. Who knows, maybe the 3rd time really is a charm?

Please take a moment to email ([email protected]) or call the Mayor at (213) 978-0600 or (213) 978-0721. Please also CC [email protected].

Subject: Give "Give Me 3" a 3rd Shot

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,

Thank you for your support for a 3-foot passing law each of the past two years. Your office has done more to advance bicycling in Los Angeles than any previous administration. Moreover, you have been a powerful voice in Sacramento for making bicycling safer throughout California. I'm asking you to give "Give me 3" one more go. As more of us are taking to the streets, it is more important than ever that we do everything we can to ensure their safety. A safe passing law will help educate motorists how to pass us safely, and help hold them accountable if they don't.

Please show your leadership once again by pushing new legislation in the next session.

Thank you,
(your name)
Bike Updates from Around the County: Alhambra Draft Bike Plan to Be Reviewed in Mid-November
 
Alhambra: The City of Alhambra will release the draft bike plan for public review at the Transportation Commission Meeting on November 14. The City of Alhambra will once again be presenting the draft plan at the City Council study session on Monday, November 19, at 5:30 PM at the Alhambra Civic Center Public Library's Ruth Reese Hall. Come out to supply feedback! More info here.
 
PCH: Last week, after the tragic death of Marisela Echeverria on Pacific Coast Highway, LACBC issued a call for safety on the fabled road. Earlier this week, we took this call directly to the Malibu City Council. The Council mourned Marisela's death and  reaffirmed its commitment to PCH safety.  Pacific Coast Highway needs a new vision that better serves residents and visitors traveling by all modes. LACBC is working with the City of Malibu on their bike lane project and the ongoing PCH Safety Study to ensure that bicyclist safety is a priority along the coast. If you would like to assist with the campaign, please email [email protected].
 
Westside: LA Streetsblog reports that bike lanes will be appearing on Motor Ave. on the Westside soon. The 0.75-mile section between Venice Boulevard and National Boulevard is currently being re-striped with bike lanes. 
 
 
Carson 
Carson: The Carson Master Plan of Bikeways is currently underway and the city is continually looking for your participation. This Wednesday, bicycle counts where held to gather existing bicycling and pedestrian information. The final counts will be held on Saturday, October 27 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and we still need a few more volunteers. To Volunteer, sign up on our VolunteerSpot page. Questions? Please email Alek at [email protected] or call him at the office at (213) 629-2142.
 

LynwoodCount
Lynwood: LACBC, the City of Lynwood, and the LA County Department of Public Health are conducting bike and ped counts in Lynwood in order to collect data to improve biking and walking. Thanks to all who volunteered this Wednesday and will be counting on Saturday. All the volunteer slots have been filled!
Haunted Saturday Funday RideSundayFunday

 

When: Saturday, November 3; meet at 3:45 PM, ride at 4:15 PM
Where: meet at The Georgian - 1415 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, 90401 (map)

 

Our Executive Director Jen Klausner wants to lead a fun and spooky nighttime ride, but she also wants to make sure that you don't sleep through your alarm when you have to get to work the next morning. That's why we're moving our monthly Sunday Funday Ride to the first Saturday this November!

 

We will be visiting some special haunted destinations including the Marquez Family Cemetery, Sullivan Ridge Fire Road, and the Murphy Ranch. Dirt-worthy bikes are recommended though, especially for one of our most scary destinations. Be aware that there's some climbing and descending required for this 16-mile route. Please bring front and back lights, as it will get dark. Join us later on for post-ride sustenance at the Basement Tavern at the Victorian at Main and Ocean Park.

 

RSVP: To RSVP or volunteer as ride support, please contact Carol Feucht, Membership & Communications Director, 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.

 

See more information on the LACBC website.

Bici Libre Needs You to Volunteer
 
Bici Libre, a bike co-op project of LACBC, needs volunteers! It is helpful if volunteers speak some Spanish but it is not required. With enough time volunteering, a volunteer can become a member and receive used bike parts for free for fixing his or her own bike! Stop by during open hours to learn more. 
 
Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 4 -7 PM
Location: Bici Libre is located in the Westlake neighborhood at 1205 W. 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017 (map), cross street is Lucas
Contact: Call the shop during open hours with any questions: 213-261-5626
New Bike Crash Support Group to Start Meeting Soon, Call to Join

Have you been in a bicycle collision and not feeling quite the same?

 

Join us in a space for individuals who have been involved in a bicycle collision, and come together to learn, heal and support each other.

  • Share your experiences and resources with others who may be suffering from similar symptoms.
  • Gain insight and understanding about emotional and psychological trauma and grief. 
  • Develop new coping strategies.
  • Participate in a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental environment.
  • All are welcome.

When: This group meets Saturdays, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Where: 6310 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 401, Los Angeles, 90048

Contact: Aurisha Smolarski, MFT Intern # 68603, at 323.203.1526 or [email protected] for more information.

 

This support group is brought to you by The Aten Group Comprehensive Psychological Services and LACBC.

 

Current LACBC members receive a discount.

 

The group will begin meeting soon, so call Aurisha to join!

What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Cat Rides Human Riding a Bike
My cat can ride a bike better than you can
My cat can ride a bike better than you can

Bicycles are our passion at LACBC, but if you were wondering what our other passions are around here, we might mention things like old time music, gardening, exploring Los Angeles, creating cheese sculptures, and finding cute cat-themed images and videos on the Interweb.

Well it didn't take long for our staff to find this video that combined that last passion AND bicycles. Here is a guy on a bike riding through Philadelphia with a cat on his shoulder. That cat knows how to live: riding around town while checking out its surroundings, feeling the wind blow through its fur, and going about life with the music Ratatat ringing in its tiny ears.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

   

Lynwood Bike & Pedestrian Count
When: Saturday, October 27; 12 PM to 2 PM
More info in newsletter.

Carson Bike & Pedestrian Count
When: Saturday, October 27; 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
More info in newsletter.

 

CicLAvia Pomona-Claremont Exploratory Ride 
When: Sunday, October 28; Registration begins at 9 AM, Ride leaves at 10 AM
Where: Meet at Claremont Metrolink Station - 200 W. 1st St., Claremont, 91711
Come out to a CicLAvia Exploratory Ride starting in downtown Claremont. PVBC is supporting the CicLAvia sub-committee and helping them host a ride to explore the proposed route. The ride will start in downtown Claremont to South Pomona and back. It should take less then 3 hours to complete the ride. Did we tell you it's Halloween-themed? Come in your best bike-able Halloween costume and join us on this fun ride. More info here and on the Facebook event page.
 
LACBC Civic Engagement Committee Meeting
When: Tuesday, October 30; 6:45 PM
Where: Johnnies Pizza in Museum Square - 5757 Wilshire Blvd.
This month we'll be turning our attention to the LA City Council races next March, as well as other important races in the Spring.
 
Haunted Saturday Funday Ride
When: Saturday, November 3; meet at 3:45 PM, ride at 4:15 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
Tour de Taste
When: Sunday, December 2
Where: Culver City
If you missed our last Tour de Taste last March, you'll get another chance this Fall! This next exploration of biking and dining will be December 2nd in Culver City. The ride times will be staggered, the views amazing, and the food delicious! Save the date and stay tuned for details. 
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 Director
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

[email protected]

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