LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

February 7, 2013 

In this issue
Bike the Vote: Leading Mayoral Candidates Response to LACBC Survey, Plus CD 1 Candidate Forum this Saturday
Ride Westwood on February 9 & Sign the Petition
Ride Figueroa on February 10 & Sign the Petition
Speak Up and Show Your Support at LA Bike Plan Hearings in February
LACBC on Bike Talk this Saturday Morning
Bike Updates from Around the County: Celebrate Ocean Park Blvd. Green Lanes this Saturday
Thanks for Coming to the Pigskins & Pedals Sunday Funday Ride
LACBC's Bike Prom on February 23: Get Those Tickets
The 13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride Is on June 9th
This Week's Tip: Riding in Wet Weather
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Bike Love Inspiration for Valentine's day
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Bike the Vote: Leading Mayoral Candidates Respond to LACBC Survey, Plus CD 1 Candidate Forum this Saturday

Local elections are coming in March, and are you wondering where your 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.
 
Candidate Surveys for Mayoral Candidates

We have received responses from all 5 leading mayoral candidates in Los Angeles about bicycling in LA. CicLAvia, hit and runs, road maintenance,a and more!

Click on the names below to read the mayoral candidates' responses. They have been posted in the order in that they were received. To give you a preview of their survey responses, we have also included their answers to the first question: Please share a memory involving a bicycle that has had a lasting effect on you (whether or not you were the one on the bicycle).
 
"I have participated in CicLAvia each year since its inception here in Los Angeles. Last year, I was able to share the experience with my son and thousands of other Angelenos who enjoyed the day on their bikes and on foot. I remember a woman riding next to me yelling out "I love LA!" It was a moment when I was very proud to be from Los Angeles and I fell even more in love with the city. My experience illustrates the positive impact CicLAvia has had on the city. It allows Angelenos to gain a fresh perspective on streets they may have traveled by car or bus. Getting to know these streets on a bike allows for a more intimate view of the city and allows us all to pay more attention to details that we might otherwise miss. It is experiences like CicLAvia, biking on the city streets without motor vehicle traffic, that remind me how accessible, diverse and beautiful our city can be."
 
"Growing up in El Sereno, we didn't have a car. In fact, we were too poor for Section 8 housing and barely had a roof over our heads. Riding my bike was for many years the only way I could get anywhere I wanted to go quickly and for free. My neighborhood was dangerous and there was a constant gang presence, but I always felt safe on my bike. It helped me travel, stay in shape, and feel free. In college, I rode a bike every day. Cycling has been an important part of my life."
 
 
"One of my best memories was when I joined thousands of Los Angelenos on bikes at the Los Angeles Marathon. Biking across our great city alongside other Angelenos helped remind me of the diversity of our city. It was a way to explore the city from the street level, enjoying the unique neighborhoods, architecture, and community that make Los Angeles like no other. It was a moment I will never forget."
 
 
"I grew up on a flat street in the Valley, and I remember the freedom of being able to bicycle safely to the park, to Little League, and to the bus stop."
 
Kevin James
 
"A close friend told me about a close friend of his - Doug Caldwell. Doug was truly a rocket scientist. He designed the cameras for the space shuttle. He was working with LADWP to try to set standards for new homes that would usher in a new era in energy efficiency. My friend told me that Doug Caldwell was killed while riding a bicycle on August 20, 2010. Doug's story reminds me that bike safety isn't just a policy, it's about real people. Background: link."
 
Candidate Forums for CD 1
CD11 
Let's get ready for candidate forum for Council District 1! Following our Ride Figueroa event, we will be co-hosting a Livable Streets Candidate Forum for CD 1 with Los Angeles Streetsblog, Los Angeles Walks, and Occidental College's Environmental and Urban Policy Program. Council District 1, which is currently represented by Council Member Ed Reyes, includes the communities of Glassell Park, Cypress Park, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, Elysian Park, Echo Park, Westlake, Angeleno Heights, Chinatown, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Pico Union, Adams-Normandie, Mid-Cities, and MacArthur Park, among others.
 
All three leading candidates--Gil Cedillo, Jose A. Gardea, and Jesse Rosas--have confirmed that they will participate.
 
Livable Streets Candidate Forum for CD 1
When: Sunday, February 10; 1 PM
Where: Occidental College's Herrick Memorial Chapel Lower Herrick Room - 1600 Campus Rd, Los Angeles, 90041 (map)
 
If you can't make it to Occidental College, you can livestream the event on Streetsblog TV!
Ride Westwood on February 9 & Sign the Petition   
 RideWestwood
Ride Westwood is an LACBC West 
Neighborhood Bike Ambassador and Bicycle Coalition at UCLA campaign designed to educate and inform folks about 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 to accommodate for these enhancements.
 

Here are a few ways you can take action:

 

1. Join LACBC the Bicycle Coalition at UCLA for Ride Westwood! The ride is on Saturday, February 9 and will have two ride start locations:

 

Ride Westwood
Ride meet-up location #1
When: Saturday, February 9; 10:00 AM
Where: UCLA's Ackerman Bus Terminal
Ride meet-up location #2
When: Saturday, February 9; 11:00 AM
Where: Marshall P. Riddick Youth Center - 2634 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, 90064
RSVP and spread the word through this Facebook event. Special thanks to Pitfire Pizza of West LA, who will be feeding us on Saturday.

 

2. Sign our Ride Westwood Petition on change.org. We already have over 240 signatures. Let's get some more!

 

3. Join our mailing list--please contact Alek Bartrosouf at [email protected] to be placed on our Ride Westwood 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 Westwood campaign or are interested in volunteering,

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

Ride Figueroa on February 10 & Sign the Petition
 RideFigueroa
Ride Figueroa is an LACBC East Bike Ambassador campaign designed to educate and inform folks in Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Cypress Park, Mount Washington, and other surrounding areas 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've set a date for this ride, and it is Sunday, February 10 at 10:30 AM. This ride will end at Livable Streets Candidate Forum for CD 1 at Occidental College before 1 PM.

 
Ride Figueroa
When: Sunday, February 10; Meet at 10:30 AM
Where: Greayer's Oak Park (south side of Marmion Way and Figueroa - map) - across the street from the Bike Oven in Highland Park
RSVP and spread the word through our Facebook event.
 

2. Sign our Ride Figueroa petition on change.org. We already have over 500 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.

Speak Up and Show Your Support at LA Bike Plan Hearings in February
BikePlanHearings
Last week, the Los Angeles City Planning Department released the draft Environmental Impact Report for the next 5 years of Bike Lane implementation. This plan covers 39.5 miles of bike lanes.

Due to the passage of A.B. 2245 last year by Governor Brown, the EIR process will not be as lengthy as it has been in the past, but the City will instead be relying on public outreach. 
That's where you come in. Residents who would benefit from these improvements need to speak in favor of these bike lanes at these meetings. The city needs to hear from you. 

City Planning will be holding region-specific public bike lane hearings on the following dates:


Northeast Area

When: Wednesday, February 13; 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where: Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, California Building - 570 West Avenue 26, Los Angeles, CA 90065

RSVP and spread the word through our Facebook event.


Central Area

When: Thursday, February 14; 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where: Caltrans District 7 Building, Rm 1.040 A, B, and C - 100 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

RSVP and spread the word through our Facebook event.

 

West Area

When: Tuesday, February 19; 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where: LADOT Western Parking Enforcement Office - 11214 West Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

RSVP and spread the word through our Facebook event.  

 

Valley Area

When: Thursday, February 21, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where: North Hollywood Regional Library - 5211 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601

RSVP and spread the word through our Facebook event.

 

Additionally, a webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 20 at 2 PM.

 

In order to implement these bike lanes, a travel lane or parking may need to be removed in certain cases, and we need people like you who care about safer streets to come out to voice support for these projects.


You can read more about the draft EIR and the street segments aching for some bike lanes on Los Angeles Streetsblog. Many--Lankershim, Figueroa (and Colorado), Westwood--will be familiar to you through our Neighborhood Bike Ambassador campaigns, but we're sure you'll be excited about other streets. Venice! 7th! Martin Luther King Blvd.! Cesar Chavez! And beyond!

LACBC on Bike Talk this Saturday Morning
BikeTalk
This Saturday, LACBC will be hosting Bike Talk! As you can probably tell, February is a very busy month, and we'll be in the Kill Radio studios to talk about the upcoming LA bike lane hearings, biking the vote in the local elections, Ride Westwood and Ride Figueroa, Bici Libre, Operation Firefly, Bike Prom, the LA River Ride, volunteer opportunities, and more! We'll even have DJ Kenefunkport and DJ Starskee Suav�  to give you a preview of what you can expect at Bike Prom.

Listen live this Saturday, February 9, from 10 AM to 12 PM, via online streaming at
KillRadio.org

You can also listen to the podcast next week in the archives!
Bike Updates from Around the County: Celebrate Ocean Park Blvd. Grand Opening this Saturday
SMBikeLanes
Santa Monica: Now that the green bike lane has opened on Ocean Park Blvd., come celebrate at the Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, February 9th! Festivities begin at 11 AM at the Colorado Community Room at 502 Colorado in Santa Monica for the Bike Action Plan Review and Forecast 2013, at 12:15 learn more about the Michigan Ave. Neighborhood Greenway, and at 2:00 PM celerbate the grand opening. Also enjoy music, food, and free bike valet. See more information at smspoke.org.

Montebello: The city will be hosting a community meeting on Monday, February 11 at 6:00 PM regarding the bike feasibility study. The meeting will be held at Montebello City Hall at 1600 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, 90640. This is an opportunity for the community to give their comments and feedback regarding the study. Join local chapter Montebello Bicycle Coalition and see their Facebook event.

Downtown LA and Highland Park: This week, we saw the unveiling of 3 new parklets in Los Angeles. On Saturday, Highland Park welcomed the City's first parklet on York Blvd., also home of the City's first bike corral. This morning, we witnessed the unveiling of 2 parklets on Spring Street (in between 6th and 7th) in downtown Los Angeles. They just happen to be across the street from LACBC headquarters. Accompanying the Spring Street green bike lane, these parklets include additional seating, plants, stationary bikes, and even a foosball table at the one across the street from us! Our favorite feature is the sign showing how long it would take to bike to certain places from downtown LA in front of the stationary bikes. We hope those stationary bikes will encourage folks to ride the downtown LA bike network and beyond!
Thanks for Coming to the Pigskins & Pedals Sunday Funday Ride
 
Thank you to ride leader Greg Laemmle for planning and leading this past weekend's Sunday Funday ride, and thanks to the 30+ folks who came out for a pre-Super Bowl ride.Together we rode from the Coliseum to the Rose Bowl and back, all while learning some local history. Check out some of the photos on our Facebook page.
 
Save the date for the next Sunday Funday ride on Sunday, March 3rd.
LACBC's Bike Prom on February 23rd: Get Those Tickets!
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, Skramble, and Starskee Suav�There will be: Dancing! A raffle! A photobooth! Bike valet! And the crowning of a Bike Prom King and Queen! 8'0s 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.

 

Prices are $10 for LACBC members  and $15 for nonmembers. You can also purchase tickets at the door.

 

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!

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.

This Week's Tip: Riding in Wet Weather
Photo: Downey Bicycle Coalition / Downey Kiwanis Club

We've already seen a fair amount rain this season, and more is expected. Here are a few things to remember when riding in wet conditions.
  • Slow down. It's easier to lose traction, especially in turns, when the road is wet.
  • Avoid sharp turns so your bike won't slide out from under you.
  • Skidding is more likely when the road is wet. Modulate your braking force to avoid a skid.
  • Give yourself extra time and distance to stop.
  • Rim brake users - your rims are wet so it takes a little longer for your brake pads to catch. Pumping your brakes will help.
  • Be more cautious on (or avoid) surfaces that are extra slippery when wet: metal plates, manhole covers, train tracks, storm grates, and most street paint.
  • Avoid riding through standing water or piles of wet leaves, which might conceal road defects.
  • Visibility is reduced when it's raining. Wear bright, reflective clothing and use front and rear lights to enhance your visibility, even during the day.
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Bike Love Inspiration for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is in one week, and perhaps you want your Valentine cards to show off your bike love.

Our #1 recommendation would naturally be to give your loved ones a flier to the Central LA Area Bike Lane Hearing, which happens to be on Valentine's Day. These fliers have bikes and a map and scream, "Bike lanes, be mine!" Really, what more do you need in a Valentine's Day card?

If you want to put a little more time into your card and make your own, check out these bike cards from Lovely Bicycle as inspiration. Or look to French cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempe, whose 1981 book Displays of Affection features many displays of affection on a bicycle.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
  

Ride Westwood

When: Saturday, February 9; Meet at 10 AM or 11 AM

More info in newsletter.

 

LACBC on Bike Talk

When: Saturday, February 9; 10 AM - 12 PM

More info in newsletter.

 

Grand Opening of Ocean Park Blvd. Green Bike Lanes

When: Saturday, February 9; festivities begin at 11 AM

More info in newsletter.

 

Ride Figueroa

When: Sunday, February 10: Meet at 10:30 AM, Ride at 11:00 AM

More info in newsletter

 

Candidate Forum for Council District 1

When: Sunday, February 10; 1 PM

More info in newsletter

 

Montebello Bicycle Feasibility Study Public Hearing
When: Monday, February 11; 6:00 PM
Where: Montebello City Hall - 1600 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, 90640
The city will be hosting a community meeting regarding the bike feasibility study. This is an opportunity for the community to give their comments and feedback regarding the study. Join local chapter Montebello Bicycle Coalition and see their Facebook event.

 

Northeast Area Bike Lane Hearing

When: Wednesday, February 13; 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

More info in newsletter.

 

Central Area Bike Lane Hearing

When: Thursday, February 14; 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

More info in newsletter.

 

Touring LA County with LACBC and Where to Bike: Senor Vasquez

When: Saturday, February 16; Meet at 8:30 AM, ride at 9:00 AM

Where: Via Princessa Metrolink Station - 19201 Via Princessa, Santa Clarita. Meet in Metrolink's public parking near the train platform (map)

Join LACBC and Where to Bike LA for a 44-mile tour of the eastern Santa Clarita Valley. We'll head out on Soledad Canyon Road for several miles of low-traffic riding along rock-strewn arroyos, sagebrush-flecked hillsides and distant, snow-capped mountains. Our real destination is Vasquez Rocks, an iconic, canted formation of red and yellow sandstone that has provided the scenic location for countless TV shows and movies, from The Flintstones to Star Trek and Planet of the Apes. More infamously (and in real life), it was the 1870s hideout of the notorious bandito Tiburcio Vasquez, a dashing, guitar-playing, bank-robbing rogue--the classic character of any Western movie. More info.

  

West Area Bike Lane Hearing

When: Tuesday, February 19; 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

More info in newsletter.

 

Valley Area Bike Lane Hearing

When: Thursday, February 21, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

More info in newsletter.

 

LACBC Bike Prom
When: Saturday, February 23; 8 PM
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]

 

Let's be friends! 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