LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

November 1, 2012 

In this issue
LACBC to Light Up the Night with "Operation Firefly"
Join Us for the Haunted Saturday Funday Ride
Bike Updates from Around the County: Even More Street Improvements Coming to Temple City
LACBC Endorses Measure J
ACTION ITEM: Give the 3-Foot Passing Bill Another Shot
Bici Libre Needs You to Volunteer
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Vancouver Melds Biking, Walking, and Transit Options
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
LACBC to Light Up the Night with "Operation Firefly"

Inspired by the changing of the seasons and the end of Daylight Savings time, we are proud to announce the launch of "Operation Firefly," a bicycle light distribution and safety education program in an effort to ensure Angelenos riding bicycles at night are seen by motorists and other users of the road.

 

LACBC's "Team Firefly" volunteers will be handing out front and rear lights during night-time street distributions all over Los Angeles. Operation Firefly's first street distribution will take place during the week following the November 4th time change. "Our goal is to seek out people riding without lights for various reasons, especially riders who may not have the means or time to acquire lights on their own," said Education Director Colin Bogart. LACBC has invested in a few hundred light sets and intends to continue weekly street distributions until all the lights are gone.

 

Also, with the Daylight Savings time switch occurring this weekend (set those clocks back an hour!), here's an important reminder to get lit when it gets dark: 

To enhance visibility:
Read more about Operation Firefly on the LACBC blog.

You can also purchase a set of LACBC lights (and give another) or make a donation to Operation Firefly here.
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.

Bike Updates from Around the County: Even More Improvements Coming to Temple City

Temple City: On top of the protected bike lanes set to break ground on Rosemead Blvd. in January, improvements will be coming to Las Tunas Drive as well thanks to $1 million dollars in grant money that has been awarded to Temple City. Read more in the Pasadena Star-News.
 
South Pasadena: A community input meeting on the Arroyo Seco Bike Trail in South Pasadena, which is going to be held on November 5th at 6:30 PM at the South Pasadena City Council Chambers at 1424 Mission Street. If anyone has any questions please e-mail,[email protected].us or call me (626) 403-7215 or you can contact Shelia Pautsch at [email protected].us.

 

Alhambra: The City of Alhambra will release the draft bike plan for public review at a 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.
 
East Santa Monica Mountains: Hey mountain bikers (and all open space lovers): The Nov. 6 election has two open space protection measures for those who live in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. Measures MM and HHwill provide for park and trail maintenance, fire protection, and open space conservation in our beloved local mountains. The measures are sponsored by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the most MTB-friendly park agency in LA County. Local gems such as the Mulholland Scenic Parkway (including dirt Mulholland) are maintained by the MRCA.

If you live in either of the two open space districts (Map of MMMap of HH) please vote YES.

 
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)
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
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Vancouver Melds Biking, Walking, and Transit Options

Perfect Match: Metro Vancouver Melds Bikes and Transit
Perfect Match: Metro Vancouver Melds Bikes and Transit
Last month, Streetfilms featured a film on how Vancouver is working to make bicycling a viable option to get around for riders of all ages. Last week, Streetfilms covered the robust transt system Vancouver sports that facilitates walking and bicycling (and vice versa). With all these options, Vancouverites are getting out of their cars and mixing and matching options to get around town. Check out both videos and all the possibilities in Vancouver!
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

   

Haunted Saturday Funday Ride
When: Saturday, November 3; meet at 3:45 PM, ride at 4:15 PM
More info in newsletter.

 

CCBC's 1st Annual "Cruise the Creek" Fun Ride & Membership Drive

When: Sunday, November 11; registration opens at 9:30 AM

Where: Syd Kronenthal Park - 3459 McManus Avenue, Culver City

Join local LACBC local chapter Culver City Bicycle Coalition for an intermediate fun ride and family picnic. Activities include a group ride to Manhattan Beach and back, kids' rides in the park, lunch, a raffle, plus Peddler's Creamery will be on-hand with freshly-churned ice cream. Event is free for CCBC members, $10 for everyone else. Become a member at the event and get in free! More info.

 

Touring LA County with LACBC & Where to Bike: Through the San Gabriel Foothills

When: Sunday, November 18; Meet at 8:30 AM, Ride at 9:00 AM

Where: Classic Coffee - 148 North Glendora Avenue, Glendora, 91741 (Meet in the public parking lot behind Classic Coffee)

Join LACBC and Where to Bike Los Angeles for a 50-mile bicycle tour in the San Gabriel foothills along the northeastern fringe of suburban Los Angeles. Rich in history, variety and natural beauty, the area is home to some of LA County's earliest small cities: Monrovia (incorporated in 1887), Azusa (1898) and Glendora (1911). RSVP to [email protected]. More info.

  

Glendale Mayor's Bike Ride

When: Sunday, November 18; 9 AM

Where: Glendale City Hall, Parcher Plaza - 613 E. Broadway, Glendale

Join Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero and local LACBC chapter Walk Bike Glendale for the 2nd annual ride with the Mayor! This family friendly ride is open to all ages. It will be a great opportunity to meet the Mayor and ride around town. See Facebook Event. 

 

Tour de Taste
When: Sunday, December 2; Registration opens at 9 AM
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! More info.
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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