LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

January 17, 2013 

In this issue
Three CicLAvia Dates and New Routes Announced for 2013
Bike the Vote: Candidate Surveys for LA's Next Mayor and City Council, Plus CD11 Candidates' Forum
Bike Parking Ordinance Passes LA City Council
$3-Billion Road Bond Stalled for 2013
Thank You for Supporting Activate, Educate, Calculate
Pgskins & Pedals: A Sunday Funday Tour of LA's Historic Stadiums
LACBC's Bike Prom on February 23: Early Bird Tickets Now Available
LACBC Wiki Now Up and Running
ACTION ITEM: Get Ready to "Ride Figueroa" with NBA East
The 13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride Is on June 9th
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Highlights from Last Year's Climate Ride
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Three CicLAvia Dates and New Routes Announced for 2013

Last week, the organizers for CicLAvia, LA's best party that opens up the streets to people, announced that 2013 would see 3 CicLAvias, each with a different route. Mark your calendars for:
  • Sunday, April 21: CicLAvia to Venice Beach
  • Sunday, June 23: Fairfax/Wilshire CicLAvia 
  • Sunday, October 6: Extended Classic CicLAvia
While each route has yet to be finalized, it is exciting to see to see CicLAvia heading to new places and adding an additional CicLAvia this year in June. Read more about each CicLAvia on Los Angeles Streetsblog.
Bike the Vote: Candidate Surveys for LA's Next Mayor and City Council, Plus a CD11 Candidates' Forum

Local elections are coming in March, and are you wondering where you candidate stands on bike and pedestrian policy? How about the hit-and-run epidemic? Bike Plan implementation? Road maintenance?

While LACBC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and cannot endorse candidates, we can get candidates' views on bike planning and policy to better inform voters on where these candidates stand on issues that affect you..   

Earlier this week, we sent out our candidate surveys to all of the mayoral candidates and all of the ciyty council candidates. We'll post up responses on our blog beginning on January 31st for the mayoral candidates and beginning on February 7th for the council candidates. Stay tuned for updates from our candidates.

Additionally, we have partnered with Los Angeles Streetsblog, Occidental College's Urban & Environmental Policy Program, the Bus Riders Union, Los Angeles Walks, and Southern California Transit Advocates, to get the five leading mayoral candidates on film to answer questions posed by our partners and us. All five leading candidates--Eric Garcetti, Wendy Greuel, Kevin James, Jan Perry, and Emanuel Pleitez--have committed.
CD11
Also, if you live in Council District 11, we are co-hosting a
Livable Streets Candidate Forum for CD11 with Los Angeles Streetsblog, Los Angeles Walks, and Bikerowave. All four candidates--Mike Bonin, Odysseus Bostick, Tina Hess, and Frederick Sutton--are scheduled to attend.

When: Tuesday, January 22; 7 PM 
Where: St. Andrew's Lutheran Church - 11555 National Blvd., Los Angeles, 90064

 

Lastly, if you want to be more involved in influencing candidates, join LACBC's Civic Engagement Committee. The next meeting is 6:45 pm on Tuesday, January 29th at the Pitfire Pizza on Second and Main in Downtown L.A. Email Ted Rogers at [email protected] to be added to the online discussion list. 
Bike Parking Ordinance Passes LA City Council

On Wednesday the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed the long-awaited Bicycle Parking Ordinance. This new law sets minimum standards and design guidelines for bike parking at all new developments in the City. It allows businesses to satisfy their bike parking requirements by sponsoring on-street bike corrals, which will dramatically increase the supply of bike parking in congested retail districts. We are especially excited about the bike-car parking swap that incentivizes developers to go above and beyond the minimum by allowing a reduction of one car parking space for every 4 bike parking spaces provided.

This important law is bike-friendly, business-friendly, and environmentally-friendly. A win-win-win! Congratulations to the Department of City Planning, LADOT, and advocate extraordinaire Rye Baerg for their hard work getting this new law passed. LA's new standards are among the best in the nation and we hope to see this model ordinance adopted countywide.

$3-Billion Road Bond Stalled for 2013

Last week, we reported on a proposal to issue $3 billion in bonds to pay for reconstruction of failed streets across the City. 8,700 lane-miles (31%) of streets are rated D or F for pavement condition. As we explain in our policy brief, bringing these failed streets up to a state of good repair saves money in the long run on both street and vehicle (and bicycle) maintenance. However, the initial proposal was to rebuild streets as they are, rather than as they could and should be. Sidewalks were only addressed if there was money left over from repairing the streets, which is neither efficient nor equitable in a city in which well over 20% of all trips are on foot.

LACBC and other organizations and advocates have been following this closely to ensure that any large-scale investment in our streets is multimodal and comprehensive. On Tuesday, the City Council  voted not to put the proposed measure on the May 2013 ballot as initially planned and instead conduct extensive outreach with neighborhood councils and other stakeholders around the city.

It will be up to local advocates like you to attend these hearings in your communities to ensure that your voice is heard. We'll keep you informed as hearings are scheduled over the coming weeks and months. If you live in the City of LA, you can always join your local Neighborhood Bike Ambassador group to find out what's going on in your part of the city.
Thank You for Supporting Activate, Educate, Calculate
   
Thank you to all of those who donated to this campaign! Thanks to your support, we raised nearly $56,000!

Your generosity in donating to Activate, Educate, Calculate, will lead to a more robust Neighborhood Bike Ambassador program; expanded education program that includes Operation Firefly; and much-needed bike data through bike counts.

Our fundraising campaign for Activate, Educate, Calculate may be over, but you can make a donation for a more bike-friendly LA County at any time and/or become a member at any time. 
Pigskins & Pedals: A Sunday Funday Tour of LA's Historic Stadiums 
SundayFunday 

When: Sunday, February 3; Meet at 9:30 AM, Ride at 10:00 AM

Where: Meet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - 3939 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. Meet near the double peristyle entrance at the East end of the Coliseum.

 

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and what better way to spend it than riding your bike and checking out the Coliseum (host of the first Super Bowl in 1967) and the Rose Bowl (host of 5 Super Bowls)! Will Farmer's Field be built near the LA Convention Center? Will it have bike parking? Which vagabond NFL franchise may end up becoming LA's third NFL team? Who knows? These, and other questions will not be answered on the ride. But we will travel between the two stadiums for a roundtrip total of about 35 miles, and faster riders may have time to toss around the pigskin while waiting for others to catch up before departing to Super Bowl viewing parties. Team jerseys encouraged ...even if your team isn't playing in the big game.

 

RSVP: To RSVP or volunteer as ride support, please contact Carol Feucht, LACBC Membership & Communications Director, at [email protected].

 

About Sunday Fundays: Sunday Funday Rides are free 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.

LACBC's Bike Prom on February 23rd: Early Bird Tickets Now Available
BikeProm

Time to get footloose for a totally gnarly bike prom!

 

Did you skip your actual prom? Are you glad you did or wish you hadn't? Do you long for the Eighties? Or do you wonder what they were like AND what an 80s prom even means?

 

Well, now's your chance to do it up right... on your bicycle!

 

Join LACBC as we get down with the RAD sounds of DJs Kenefunkport and Skramble. There will be: Dancing! A raffle! A photobooth! Bike valet! And the crowning of a Bike Prom King and Queen! 80s prom attire is strongly encouraged. 

 

LACBC Bike Prom

When: Saturday, February 23; 8 PM - 12 AM

Where: American Legion Hall Post 206 - 227 N. Ave. 55, Los Angeles, 90042 (4 blocks west of the Highland Park Gold Line Station) - map

 

Purchase your tickets here.

 

Early bird prices for the month of January are $5 for LACBC members  and $10 for nonmembers. Prices become $10 for members and $15 in February.

 

Interested in volunteering on our Bike Prom Committee? We'll need help with decorations, registration, and bike valet. Please email Martin Lopez-Iu at [email protected] if you're interested in joining the Bike Prom Committee!

LACBC Wiki Now Up and Running

The LACBC Planning Committee is proud to present the new LACBC Wiki page! The Planning Committee has put together a Wiki space to help local advocates navigate the complex waters of bicycle policy and planning in Los Angeles County. We made this space as a resource so that our Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors, our local chapter leaders, and all local advocates will to be able to plug in easily and become effective, knowledgeable, savvy leaders. 


Find the Wiki at la-bike.wikia.com.

You are invited to create a profile and edit pages, move things around, add new pages, instigate conversation, add photos, go buck wild. Put better information on the internet for all to see so that we can have a better and more bike-able world.
ACTION ITEM: Get Ready to "Ride Figueroa" with NBA East
 
Ride Figueroa is a LACBC East Bike Ambassador campaign designed to educate and inform Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Cypress Park, Mount Washington, and others about a proposed bike lane on Figueroa between Colorado and San Fernando. 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 to accommodate for these enhancements.
 

Here are a few ways you can take action:

  1. Join us on a ride and invite your friends! Ride Figueroa! We're working on finalizing a route and date for our Ride Figueroa event. Stay tuned for more info.
  2. Sign our Ride Figueroa petition on change.org. We already have over 400 signatures; help us get even more!  
  3. Join our mailing list--please contact Alek Bartrosouf at [email protected] to be placed on our Ride Figueroa mailing list. You will be notified of upcoming meetings, events, and other critical info related to the campaign. Thanks for your help!

For more information about our Ride Figueroa campaign or are interested in volunteering,

feel free to contact Alek Bartrosouf at [email protected] or (213) 629-2142.

Get Ready for the 13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 9th

Mark your calendars! We have a little under 6 months until LACBC's biggest ride returns on Sunday, June 9th. Perhaps your goal for 2013 is to ride a Century or to get your whole family out on bike ride together. Let us help!
RiverRide
13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride
When: Sunday, June 9, 2013
Where: Start at the Autry Center at 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park

The Los Angeles River Ride is:
  • 7 great rides for all ages and abilities! We have a 100-mile Century, 70-mile ride, 70-mile Reverse Ride (starting in Long Beach and ending there), 50-mile, 36-mile, 15-mile Family Ride, and Kids' Bike Rodeo. All rides are supported with volunteer ride marshals.
  • A great way to explore the Los Angeles River and Los Angeles as a whole. This County is more connected than you think, and LA really does have a river. Learn more about what Los Angeles has to offer on this ride. 
  • LACBC's biggest fundraiser. Your registration fees help us work for a better, more bike-able LA County. Want to do more? Sign up for LACBC membership with your River Ride registration and get $10 off the regular membership price.

Registration is now open! Learn more about the River Ride at la-bike.org/riverride.

What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Highlights from Last Year's Climate Ride
Climate Ride 2012
Climate Ride 2012

We've been posting about the Climate Ride for a past few months. Perhaps you've been considering joining LACBC's team to ride for sustainability and bike advocacy but aren't completely sure what it's all about. This video from the 2012 California Climate Ride features interviews from some of the participants, as well as some of the scenery you'll experience on the California ride.

You too can join us for this once-in-a-lifetime experience! The California Climate Ride is May 19-23, and you can learn more here. Email [email protected] to learn more about joining our LACBC team.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
 
"Share the Path" River Bike Ride and Walk
When: Saturday, January 19; 10 AM to 1 PM
Where: Ride and Walk begins at north end of Ripple Place in the Elysian Valley
The pedestrians and bicyclists of the Elysian Valley community are preparing to join as one along the LA River Path. They will ride and walk together, embracing the concept to "Share The Path." After numerous accidents occurring along the bike path, many members of the community were losing their sense of trust and unity within the area. Elysian Valley Neighborhood Watch (EVNW), with the participation of LACBC, will be host their first annual "Share The Path" bike ride and walk. "I'm truly looking forward to seeing a change in our community.  This event is a great way to educate cyclists and pedestrians and prevent any future incidents from happening. I'm really excited to see the outcome," says neighborhood watch member David De La Torre. For more details, visit the EVNW website.

Livable Streets Candidate Forum for CD11
When: Tuesday, January 22; 7:00 PM
More info in newsletter. 
 

Downey Bicycle Coalition's Inaugural Monthly Community Bike Ride

When: Saturday, January 26; Meet at 8 AM, Ride at 8:30 AM
Where: Southwest parking lot of Apollo Park - 12544 Rives Avenue.,  Downey

Join LACBC's newest chapter, the Downey Bicycle Coalition, for its inaugural monthly community bicycle ride! This first ride is family-friendly and will feature a 5-mile loop through the City of Downey. Questions about the ride or the DBC? Feel free to contact Roger Pardo at [email protected].

 
Carson Master Plan of Bikeways Workshop
When: Saturday, January 26; 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Where: Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center, Multi-Purpose Room #111 - 801 E. Carson Street, Carson
We encourage everyone to attend our 2nd public meeting on the Carson Master Plan of Bikeways. Our first meeting in 2012 wrapped up with important suggestions from the community, consultants, and staff. Now with a draft of the plan, we want to reach out to the community once again and get more feedback on the proposed bikeways.

�Avancemos! Move LA Forward!
When: Friday, February 1; 8 AM
Where: Los Angeles Union Station, Main Concourse
Join Move LA for an exciting day full of presentations and discussions about transit in the region to move Los Angeles forward. LACBC will be providing complimentary bike valet. Email martin@la-bike to volunteer for bike valet, and the first 3 volunteers will receive free admission. Register for Avancemos here
 
Sunday Funday Ride
When: Sunday, February 3; meet at 9:30 AM, ride at 10:00 AM 

More info in newsletter.

 

LACBC Bike Prom
When: Saturday, February 23
Where: Highland Park
More info in newsletter.
 
LA Chinatown Firecracker Run and Bike Ride
When: Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24
Where: Chinatown
Bike the 20-mile or 30-mile bike ride, or run the 5K or 10K run. LACBC's bike valet will be available once again after the bike ride on Saturday. Also, if you sign up to participate, make sure to add that LACBC referred you so that part of your registration fee will benefit LACBC. More info at firecracker10k.org.

13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride
When: Sunday, June 9
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 Director
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

[email protected]

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