LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

December 6, 2012 

In this issue
ACTION ITEM: Tell Chief Beck to Protect Bicyclists and Preserve the 1st Street Buffered Bike Lane
Ride Lankershim with Us this Saturday (Plus Sign the Petition)
Introducing Our New Ride Westwood Campaign
Thanks for Coming to Tour de Taste: Holiday Edition
Give the Gift of Membership, Light this Holiday Season
Educate, Activate, Calculate for a More Bike-Friendly Los Angeles County
Support LACBC on Climate Ride California or NYC-DC 2013
Bici Libre Needs Your Donated Bike
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Long Beach by Bike, Gandy Style
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
ACTION ITEM: Tell Chief Beck to Protect Bicyclists and Preserve the 1st Street Buffered Bike Lane
Photo: Roger Rudick, LA Streetsblog

It's more than a rumor: Just as LAPD officers seem to have finally learned to not park in the bike lane, LAPD has asked LADOT to remove the buffer on the 1st Street bike lane in front of LAPD's downtown headquarters so that their officers can park in front of the building.

Are these buffered bike lanes too good to last? LACBC doesn't think so. We think police officers can walk less than one block from their parking garage to LAPD HQ. Chief Charlie Beck has otherwise led the way on bike safety, including ensuring that every LAPD officer is trained in bicycle awareness. We want to know whether Chief Beck's words that that "bicyclists are particularly vulnerable and need our protection" and "protecting bicyclists is the law and the right thing to do" extend to providing a safe place to ride in front of LAPD HQ.

Please email or tweet Chief Beck (@LAPDChiefBeck) to ask him to keep the buffer on the 1st Street bike lane in front of LAPD HQ:

To: Chief Beck <[email protected]>
CC: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa <[email protected]>
LAPD Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger <[email protected]>
LADOT General Manager Jaime de la Vega <[email protected]>
LAPD Bike Liaison Officer Jeff Kievit <[email protected]>
LACBC <[email protected]>

Dear Chief Beck,

During Bike Week in May 2010, you said that "bicyclists are particularly vulnerable and need our protection." Since then, LADOT has installed a network of buffered bike lanes downtown to protect bicyclists from moving vehicles and opening doors from parked cars. Your spokesman erroneously stated that buffered bike lanes are only installed in unusual cases. Actually, they are one of the most advanced tools LADOT has deployed to make our streets safer for bicyclists and are one of the main reasons the City of Los Angeles was recognized as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community. Buffered bike lanes are preferred by all bicyclists, but are particularly important for inviting risk-averse people to also ride on our streets. LACBC bike counts showed that the proportion of women riding on Spring Street almost doubled after installing the buffered bike lane because it feels so much safer due to the separation from moving traffic.

I respectfully request that you honor your commitment to protecting bicyclists by withdrawing your request to remove the buffer from the 1st Street bike lane in front of LAPD headquarters.  There is plenty of parking less than one block away in the LAPD garage, yet too few miles of buffered bike lanes downtown. Please keep the 1st street buffered bike lane so that people of all ages and abilities will feel comfortable riding downtown.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Ride Lankershim with Us this Saturday (Plus Sign the Petition)

 

Ride Lankershim is an LACBC Valley Bike Ambassador campaign to advocate for proposed bike lanes on Lankershim and Cahuenga as part of the 2010 Bicycle Master Plan.

 

The addition of bike lanes on Lankershim will accent the people-oriented district this community has become and will ultimately make the area a more vibrant and livable community. Having bike lanes on Cahuenga will also address a gap in connectivity between the Valley and Hollywood communities. 

 

Join us in taking action! Spread the word to your friends who live in the area. Here's what you can do to help:

RideLankershim 

1. Join us on a ride and invite your friends! Ride Lankershim!

When: December 8; 10:00 AM

Where: Meet at Metropolis Bikes - 4660 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
Join us for a roughly 3.5 mile ride along Lankershim (proposed bike lanes), Colfax (existing bike lanes) and the Chandler Bikeway (bike path). We are also doing outreach to promote the proposed bike lanes on Lankershim and Cahuenga. See Ride Lankershim page and Facebook event for more details.

 

2. Sign our Petition

Express your support for bike lanes on Lankershim and Cahuenga. Add your voice here and let us know why bike lanes here are important for you.

 

3. Join our mailing list
If you are interested in signing onto our Lankershim & Cahuenga newsletter, let us know here . 

 

4. Volunteer

In the next few weeks we'll be canvassing pedestrians and businesses on Lankershim. Join our team - contact Alek at [email protected].
  
 

For more information about our Ride Lankershim campaign or are interested in volunteering, feel free to contact Alek Bartrosouf at [email protected] or (213) 629-2142. You can learn more about the campaign at la-bike.org/ridelankershim.

Introducing Our New Ride Westwood Campaign

 

Ride Westwood is an LACBC Valley Bike Ambassador campaign to advocate for proposed bike lanes on Westwood.

 

This proposed project is part of the 2010 Bicycle Master Plan and is meant to connect to a larger network of bicycle paths, lanes, and routes for everyone to use.  This particular project may require the removal of a travel lane or a parking lane to accommodate for these improvements.

 

The addition of bike lanes on Westwood will accent the people-oriented district this community has become and will ultimately make the area a more vibrant and livable community. 


There are three main ways for you to get involved with this new campaign:

 

1.  Sign the petition

Sign our online petition to show your support for bike lanes on Westwood.  Add your voice here.

 

2.  Join our mailing list
If you are interested in signing onto our Westwood newsletterlet us know here.

 

3.  Volunteer and help spread the word
We're looking for volunteers to help spread the word. Please contact Alek Bartrosouf at [email protected] for more information.

 

For more information about our Ride Westwood campaign or are interested in volunteering, feel free to contact Alek Bartrosouf at [email protected] or (213) 629-2142. You can learn more about the campaign at la-bike.org/ridewestwood.

Thank You for Tour de Taste

Thank you to our 100+ participants who came out to enjoy Tour de Taste with us this past Sunday. Together we rode down the Ballona Creek Bike Path. We had chicken and biscuits from Honey's Kettle, pizza from LaRocco's Pizzeria, tacos from Chipotle, tres leches from Kay 'n Dave's, bike-churned ice cream from Peddler's Cremery. We also received discounts at the Culver City Holiday Ice Rink, wine tasting at Bottle Rock, and food at  Rocco's Tavern.

Thank you to our sponsors, especially the City of Culver City, Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Culver Hotel, and all the participating businesses. Thanks to our volunteers, including our ride marshal team. Thanks to all the participants, and we'll see you next year!

Check out our photos on the LACBC Facebook page.
Give the Gift of Membership, Light this Holiday Season

It's the holiday season, and you're probably wondering to get that loved one in your life. Whether that person is a veteran cyclist or is just starting to ride, we have a few recommendations for you:

1. LACBC Gift Membership 

It's a gift that provides your loved ones with useful information, bike shop discounts, invitations to members-only events, and a safer ride. Their membership packet also includes the LACBC Bicycle Resource Guide, an LA County Bikeways map, and a membership card for discounts. Not only does an LACBC membership make a great gift, but it supports LACBC's work to create a better, bike-able LA County! If you want your gift membership to arrive at a local address by Christmas day, please make your purchase by Tuesday, December 18th, at the latest!


2. Operation Firefly Set of Bike Lights
Get a light set, give a light set! For the past few weeks, our Team Firefly volunteers have been making cyclists' rides safer by affixing lights to their bikes, making them more visible at night and educating them about safer riding. You, too, can own a set of LACBC bike lights (front and back) while also supporting this LACBC educational program. 

3. Where to Ride Los Angeles and Los Angeles MTB
If you know someone who enjoys recreational riding and exploring the County, give that person a copy of Where to Ride Los Angeles. Written by LACBC volunteers Jon Riddle and Sarah Amelar, this book is full of maps and color photographs. Plus, it features good-looking cover models in our LACBC Volunteer Coordinator Martin Lopez-Iu and volunteer Kelli Bachmann.

For the local mountain biker in your life, check out Where to Bike Los Angeles MTB!

Educate, Activate, Calculate for a More Bike-Friendly Los Angeles County

Here at LACBC HQ we are bursting with pride with how much we've grown as an organization while contributing to the progress of making a more a bike-friendly Los Angeles.

LACBC needs to build on our foundation, supporting that growth and becoming an even stronger voice for ALL bicyclists in LA County. We have devised a three-part program to successfully build neighborhood level support for bicycle projects. This comprehensive program can be summarized as Activate, Educate, Calculate


To successfully staff and implement this program we need to raise $125,000.

Please make a donation today!
Support LACBC on Climate Ride California or NYC-DC 2013

 

How can you enjoy an incredible 5-day bicycle ride in Northern California or on the East Coast while supporting LACBC? Climate Ride - the nation's largest environmental cycling event and 'green conference on wheels' is coming. 

 

The exciting part for LACBC is that anyone who signs up for the ride gets to choose which organization they will be raising money for - and you can choose LACBC!

 

First you register, reach the fundraising minimum and train for the ride, then come along and discover why Climate Ride is the premiere green event in the country. Amazing riding, epic scenery, and great speakers all combine to make this a remarkable experience. 

 

Climate Ride California (May 19-23, 2013) is a 5-day, fully-supported bicycle ride from Fortuna to San Francisco under towering redwoods, through the Russian River Wine Country, and along the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route - one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. Join the LACBC Team or make a general team donation.

 

Climate Ride NYC-DC (Sept. 21-25, 2013) is a grand cycling adventure that connects two of the nation's most important cities - New York and Washington, DC - by bicycle. The ride begins with an exciting departure from Manhattan by ferry, then travels through charming towns in rural New Jersey and Amish Country. The finale is a hero's welcome and rally at the steps of the US Capitol.  

Climate Ride also features nightly speakers who focus on bicycle advocacy, sustainability, and renewable energy. If you are interested in forming and joining the NYC-DC team, please contact Kelly Martin at [email protected].  

 

Find out more and register at www.climateride.org. If you have questions about joining the LACBC team or donating to the team, please contact Kelly Martin at [email protected]

Bici Libre Needs Your Donated Bike 

 

It's almost the holiday season and that means it's time to make room for your new bike! Bici Libre, a bike co-op project of LACBC, needs donated bikes! We will take any bike though it's helpful if the frame is in tact. We especially love road bikes! Your bikes can be a tax-deductible donation through LACBC. Stop by during our open hours to drop one off.

 

Come to Bici Libre and drop off your bike!

Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Time: 4-7 PM
Location: Bici Libre - located at 1205 W. 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017 (map)

What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Long Beach Beach by Bike, Gandy style
BikeProrz
BikeProrz

Not only has the City of Long Beach dazzled us with green sharrows, a separated bike lane, and the innovative Bike Saturdays program over the past few years, Long Beach continues to remind everyone that bicycling is fun! Just check out the creative bike racks that you can find around town.

Today we discovered this fun Long Beach on Bike music video of what we like to call The Charlie Gandy Experience. Charlie Gandy, the former Mobility Coordinator for Long Beach, will often give entertaining and informative bike tours of the bike infrastructure and highlights around Long Beach. We at LACBC have been on this tour a few times, with Glendale delegation, bike club leaders, folks visiting from across the country for Pro Walk / Pro Bike, etc.
 
And now, here's a short and silly summary of the tour in video form, all set to the tune of Gilligan's Island and sung by Helene Weinberg. Plus, there's some bonus footage at the end of "Gandy Style" (as opposed to "Gagnam Style").
 
Here's what people are saying about the video:
 
"Good times." - Kelly Martin, Development Manager, LACBC
"Sick harmonies."- Martin Lopez-Iu, Volunteer Coordinator, LACBC 
"They've clearly lost their minds." - LA Streetsblog Lite
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

PVBC at Pomona Christmas Parade
When: Saturday, December 8; 9 AM
Where: corner of 3rd and Gibbs, Pomona
Join local LACBC chapter PVBC at the Pomona Christmas Parade. PVBC will be decked out in the parade theme of Olympic Gold and White and want everyone to join us at this fun event! PVBC will also have a booth at the holiday festival after the parade. If you want to volunteer, please email [email protected]. 
 
Ride Lankershim
When: Saturday, December 8; 10 AM
More info in newsletter.
 
East LA Ride 
When: Saturday, December 8th; 10 AM - 1 PM
Metro and planning consultants have contracted us to organize this ride and sharing session to prioritize proposed bike lanes in the County's Bicycle Master Plan, specifically those that serve as access routes to the following Gold Line Stations: Indiana, Maravilla, East LA Civic Center, and Atlantic Stations. We'll take a short 2-3 mile ride around the stations, stopping at certain intersections and along certain streets to chat and take notes. Then end with a free lunch at King Taco to compile our thoughts and map out our findings. RSVP to [email protected] for ride meeting location. We only have 30 spots available!
 
Santa Monica Family Bike Fest
When: Saturday, December 8; 10 AM
Where: Santa Monica Auditorium - 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, 90401 
This event will help families discover fun new ways to use bicycles for everyday trips. Kids can learn new cycling skills from certified instructors, receive a quick bike safety check, and decorate their helmet and bike. Parents and kids can also try out cool cargo bikes and innovative child-carrying accessories. And many organizations, like our local chapter Santa Monica Spoke, will be on-hand to share useful tips and resources. More info. Plus, volunteers are needed, so sign up here.
 
ARTCRANK Los Angeles
When: Saturday, December 8; 6 PM
Where: Orange 20 Bikes4351 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 90029
ARTCRANK, a bicycle-inspired poster and art show, is coming to Orange 20 bicycle shop in the East Hollywood. In addition to awesome bike art, we'll be serving craft beer by Widmer Brothers Brewing in ARTCRANK pint glasses, with proceeds benefitting LA Streetsblog. More info.
 

Touring LA County with LACBC & Where to Ride: Lighthouses--The Palos Verdes Coastline and Historic San Pedro

When: Sunday December 9; Meet at 8:30 AM, Ride at 9:00 AM
Where: West end of Convoy St. at Pacific Avenue., Playa del Rey (map) - Meet in the public parking lot at the basketball court.

Wide, flat beaches may seem like quintessential LA, but this County's long stretch of coastline (comprising 10% of California's oceanfront) is actually far more varied. Join LACBC and Where to bike for this 50-mile ride that takes in a range of coastal experiences. We'll pass two remarkably different historic lighthouses en route to the vibrant working port of San Pedro (a spectacle in its own right). More info.

 

Glendale Narrows Riverwalk Grand Opening

When: Wednesday, December 12; 10:30 AM

Where: Riverwalk Entry Park at the corner of Paula and Garden Streets, near Bette Davis Park, in Glendale

You all are invited to the grand opening of Phase I of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk project. Please bring your bikes! Phase I of the project includes the entry park, a picnic area along the river, an equestrian facility, and a half-mile of recreational trail.In the future, Phase II of the project will continue the bike path east and south to the Verdugo Wash. It will also include a confluence park, a river overlook area, and an entry portal at Flower Street. The final phase of the project will create bridges for bicyclists, pedestrians, and possibly equestrians that will connect Riverwalk to Griffith Park across the Los Angeles River, and possibly across the Verdugo Wash to North Atwater. When all three phases are complete, Glendale will be the only city along the entire Los Angeles River to devote one hundred percent of its river frontage to recreation. See flier here.

 

Toluca Lake Holiday Bike Ride

When: Sunday, December 16; 10 AM

Where: Meet at 10225 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake

Join councilman Tom LaBonge and the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council for this ride and then enjoy the holiday market with handmade items, food trucks, kids' activities, and more. See flier here.

 
Holiday Caroling Ride
When: Sunday, December 16; 5 PM
Where: Larchmont area, exact location TBD
Save the date for our annual caroling ride around Larchmont! This family friendly ride will travel 1-2 miles and allow you to admire the festive homes in the Larchmont neighborood. More details to follow! 
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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