LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

February 28, 2013 

In this issue
Sunday Funday Ride Exploring the Holllywood Hills Is this Weekend
Bike the Vote: Local LA City Election Is Tuesday, March 5th
ACTION ITEM: Submit Bike Lane EIR Comments by Monday, March 4th
Last Chance to Order New LACBC Team Kits Is Tomorrow, March 1st
'Greedy Lying Bastards' Screening on Monday to Benefit LACBC's Climate Ride Team
Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition Launches with Progress at Metro
Bike Updates from around the County: Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council to Vote on Colorado and North Figueroa
Thank Your for Biking Back to the '80s for LACBC's All-City Bike Prom
Vote for Walk 'n Rollers to Win $5,000 Grant
LACBC Is Hiring an Initiative Coordinator for Active Streets LA
The 13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride Is on June 9th
This Week's Tip: Passing on the Left
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Why I Ride
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Sunday Funday Ride Exploring the Hollywood Hills Is this Weekend

SundayFunday 

March's Sunday Funday will be an exploration of the Hollywood Hills. The 28-mile route involves about 4000 ft of climbing, featuring a climb up above the famous landmark Hollywood sign and photobombing tourists. Along the way, your ride leader Alex Amerri will share history of the Hollywood Hills, perspectives on the development of Los Angeles as a collision of development grids while overlooking dramatic views. This will be a somewhat challenging ride and is recommended for people who like to climb. Roads may be sometimes narrow and in poor condition; excellent bike handling skills are recommended. What goes up must also come down: confidence in descending is also recommended. 

 

When: Sunday, March 3; meet at 8 AM, ride at 8:30 AM

Where: meet in the parking lot of the Wilshire Federal Building in Westwood - 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90024

 

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.

Bike the Vote: Local LA City Election Is Tuesday, March 5th
BikeVote
Tuesday, March 5th, is the local LA City Election! We hope you're registered to vote, and plan on voting for people who will represent you well.

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. We encourage you to read the mayoral and council candidate surveys, and watch the Streetsblog videos with the mayoral candidates and CD 1 and CD 11 candidates.

Mayoral Candidate Surveys

 

Click on the names below to read the mayoral candidates' responses. They have been posted in the order in that they were received.

 

Wendy Greuel

Emanuel Pleitez

Jan Perry

Eric Garcetti

Kevin James

 

You can also check out the Los Angeles Streetsblog Mayoral Candidate Interview Series to see what each candidate has to say about active transportation.

 

City Council Candidate Surveys

 

Below is your list of leading Los Angeles council candidates. You'll find links to surveys from candidates that have filled out their candidates in the order they were received, followed by the other candidates that have not submitted a survey, listed in alphabetical order

 

Council District 1

Jose A. Gardea

Jesse Rosas

Not submitted: Gil Cedillo

 

Council District 3

Cary Iaccino

Not submitted: Elizabeth Badger, Bob Blumenfield, Joyce J. Pearson, Steven E. Presberg, Scott Silverstein

  

Council District 5

Paul Koretz (incumbent)

Not submitted: Mark Matthew Herd

 

Council District 7

Krystee Clark

Not submitted: Jesse David Barron, Nicole Chase, Felipe Fuentes

 

Council District 9

Terry Hara

Ana Cubas

Not submitted: Manuel Aldanna, Mike Davis, Ron Gochez, Curren D. Price Jr., David Roberts 

 

Council District 11

Mike Bonin

Odysseus Bostick

Not submitted: Tina Hess, Fred Sutton

 

Council District 13

Michael Schaefer

Josh Post

Mitch O'Farrell

Alex De Ocampo

Robert Haraldson

Not submitted: John J. Choi, Sam Kbushyan, Emile Mack, Robert Negrete, Octavio Pescador, 

Jose Sigala

 

Council District 15

Not submitted: Jose Buscaino (incumbent), James T. Law

  

Candidate Forums for CD 1 and CD11

 

As a reminder, you can view the the entire CD 1 forum on Streetsblog TV. Also, view post-forum interviews with each of the candidates: Gil Cedillo, Jose A. Gardea, and Jesse Rosas

 

You can also view the CD 11 forum on Streetsblog TV. Post-forum interviews with Mike Bonin, Odysseus Bostick, Tina Hess, and Fred Sutton are also up.

ACTION ITEM: Submit Bike Lane EIR Comments by March 4th

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. The city needs to hear from you.   

Send in your comments

 

If you haven't been able to make it to any of the four bike plan hearings, fear not! You can still go on record in support of the bike lane projects. Please feel free to use our words or your own in asking for more bike lanes. You can also mention specific projects by name that you particularly want to support. (A map of the projects is here.) 


Send in your comments to David Somers at City Planning at [email protected] by Monday, March 4th, at 5 PM.

 


Dear Departments of Transportation and Planning,

 

As a resident of (insert neighborhood here), I am writing in support of all of the proposed bike lanes under review.  The addition of bike lanes will only help increase safety and mobility options for people to visit prime destinations in the area and commute to work.  If we can make bike riding a safe, welcoming option, then we can relieve congestion, clean the air, and improve all of our health.

 

While I understand that these proposed bike lanes may require the removal of a travel lane, the benefits of bicycle lanes outweigh this cost.  On many of the streets, the bike lanes will reduce motorists speeding through our community to get to destinations elsewhere.  Bike lanes will also help people feel comfortable riding on the street instead of the sidewalk, which is safer for them and safer for pedestrians.  Bike lanes are good for my community, and give me and my neighbors an option to bypass traffic rather than sitting in it.

 

In the end, these bike lanes will make our community feel safer and have more travel options to help people get around on foot or on two wheels.  With adequate infrastructure on our streets, I'd be more willing to ride to work, recreate, and run errands.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Name
Address

If you would like more talking points on benefits of bike lanes and want to modify this letter, please feel free to look at the summary we have generated here.

New LACBC Team Kits Available for Order Through Tomorrow, March 1st

For the past few years, we've put together limited edition runs of cycling clothes - also called 'kits' - that have been highly sought after, and we are proud to announce that we have a new kit design for 2013! In order to make things easier on our busy staff, we set up a separate website where you can browse the product designs and place an order.

 

This year we are working with high quality manufacturers Capo Cycling and DeFeet who will be producing the clothing from their upper-range lines - yet we've managed to keep our prices incredibly low! Prices are nearly half those of what you'll find in retail shops! What is available? Jerseys both short and long sleeve, vests, jackets, arm warmers, knee warmers, socks, bibs, shorts, and more!

 

Check it out at teamlacbc.org!

 

Act soon as the order window closes on Friday, March 1st, 2013! Delivery is expected for early May, and there may not be a second order in the future!

 

Doing the Climate Ride for LACBC or interested? Raise $500 by March 1st, and you will receive a free top and bottom (jersey and shorts/bibs). Contact Kelly Martin at [email protected] to find out more.

Greedy Lying Bastards Screening on Monday to Benefit LACBC's Climate Ride Team

GreedyLying
When: Monday, March 4; 7:30 PM
Where: Laemmle Music Hall9036 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA  90211

Laemmle Theaters is generously offering an advanced benefit screening of the film Greedy Lying Bastards! They are donating 100% of ticket sales to LACBC's Climate Ride Team! Filmmaker Craig Rosebraugh will be present for the Q & A after the screening. Climate Ride's Blake Holiday will also be on-hand.

Tickets are $15, and 100% of all ticket sales to benefit Climate Ride California and LACBC. 

Purchase your tickets here.

One Earth Productions, in association with Executive Producer Daryl Hannah, is proud to present Director Craig Rosebraugh's timely and provocative documentary film, Greedy Lying Bastards. The film details the debunking, defunding, and denial of the effects of global warming financed by multinational oil conglomerates. For more info on the film, check out www.greedylyingbastards.com. Film opens March 8th at Laemmle Monica 4 and elsewhere. 

Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition Launches with Progress at Metro

LACATC
We all know that making walking and biking safe and attractive options in Los Angeles County will require serious investment from our transportation agencies to build out bicycle and pedestrian plans in the county's 88 cities and unincorporated communities. Walking and biking comprise 19% of all trips in LA County, yet only receive 1% of all transportation funding. We're excited to announce that LACBC and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership have begun a major policy initiative to increase dedicated funding for walking and biking and ensure that the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists are considered in every Metro-funded transportation project. And what better way to launch a campaign than with an early win?

The Metro board today passed a motion that takes a big step forward on these two policy objectives by directing staff to report back on funding recommendations for pedestrian and bicycle projects in this year's Call for Projects cycle. Almost half of all applications from cities were for walking, biking, and streetscape projects. We think that these projects should get funding proportional to this interest from local jurisdictions, rather than only the 15 to 23% they've historically received.  he motion also directs staff to analyze a variety of actions that could result in the creation of a complete streets policy for all Metro-funded projects. Is this a motion that only a policy wonk could love?  Maybe, but it plants a seed in fertile soil on these issues. You can read the language for yourself by looking at the motion.

The Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, March 27  at 2 PM at the Wallis Annenberg Building (800 Exposition Park, Los Angeles, 90037) with leaders from the business, labor, education, health, and environmental communities to discuss the next steps to improve the built environment for those walking and biking. To find out more and RSVP, check out the Safe Routes California blog.
Bike Updates from around the County: Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council to Vote on Colorado and North Figueroa

ERNC
Eagle Rock: On Tuesday, March 5th, come the the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council meeting to support bike lanes on Colorado and North Figueroa. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation will be presenting to the ERNC, and vote on whether to support the project will follow. Come to Eagle Rock City Hall at 2035 Colorado Blvd., 90041 at 7 PM on March 5th!

UCLA: The Bicycle Coalition at UCLA is partnering with UCLA Be Well, E3, UCLA Bike Shop, UCLA Transportation, and the Sustainable Resource Center to present 'Building Paths to a Healthy UCLA: Working to Make UCLA the Most Bike-Friendly Campus' on Tuesday, March 5th, from 12-2 PM. This workshop will include panel discussions and audience Q&A on the interplay between bicycling and health. Come learn how UCLA health experts, administrators, bike planners, and advocates are working to support bicycling on campus and the westside. Free food and door prizes. More info.
Thank You for Biking Back to the '80s for LACBC's All-City Bike Prom

The LACBC Bike Prom Committee would like to thank you for a totally awesome Bike Prom!

 

Thank you to our DJs Kenefunkport, Skramble, and Starskee Suav� for your sweet '80s sounds; photographer Jon White for shooting us in our '80s best in the Miami Vice-themed photo booth; our raffle prize donors that include Swrve/VeloLove, Golden Saddle Cyclery, Orange 20, Flying Pigeon, C.I.C.L.E., Kill Radio, Kriya Wear, Theo Chocolate, and Angelina Elise; the Good Girl Dinette, Wicked Kitchen food truck, Theo Chocolate, and Peddler's Creamery for keeping us nourished; the American Legion Hall for allowing us to dance the night away in its great space; the folks from Women/Trans/Femme Night at Bici Libre for making the excellent and reflective Bike Prom Queen and King crowns; and the Bike Oven for its support.

 

Thanks to our Bike Prom Committee members and volunteers, especially Alex Amerri for our Bike Prom material designs.

 

Check out our general photos and photobooth shots on the LACBC Facebook page!

 

The LA Weekly also has a slideshow up from photographer Nanette Gonzales! 

Vote for Walk 'n Rollers to Win $5,000 Grant

Cast your vote today to help Walk 'n Rollers win a $5,000 grant from the Lakers Youth Foundation! The $5,000 grant would help more schools start a walk/bike to school program and allow WNR to host a Walk 'n Roll Festival this summer.  


Voting ends March 15th, so get your vote in today, and spread the word!
LACBC is Hiring an Initiative Coordinator for Active Streets LA

 

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is looking to hire an Initiative Coordinator for an exciting new partnership with LADOT and TRUST South LA called "Active Streets LA."

 

The Initiative Coordinator is responsible for the management and delivery of the Active Streets LA Scope of Work, including the creation of a Bicycle-Friendly Street toolbox, coordination of community events and rides, and communication of initiative objectives to stakeholders. S/he will build partnerships with diverse individuals, community-based and neighborhood organizations, and local businesses to advocate for improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure on neighborhood streets. The initiative will be specifically focused on improving active transportation infrastructure in low-income communities with high rates of obesity. S/he will also be responsible for representing the perspective of LACBC and the broader bicycling community.

 

Please the see the full job description for more information about this position and LACBC.

 

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and three writing samples in one PDF file to: Eric Bruins, Planning & Policy Director, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, at [email protected]. The PDF file shall be named as follows: [LastName]_HEAL.pdf.

 

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, March 7th, at 5:00 p.m. PST. Applications must be submitted in the format indicated in order to be considered. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged with an email reply. Interviews will be conducted on or after March 11th. The position will be filled no later than April 1st.

 

Visit www.la-bike.org for more information about the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is an equal opportunity employer: people of color, LGBT, and women are highly encouraged to apply.

13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 9th

Mark your calendars! We have a little under 4 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:
  • 8 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, 25-mile Reverse Ride (from Long Beach), 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: 

Pass on the Left

 

California Vehicle Code 21202 allows you to move left when passing a vehicle or another cyclist going in the same direction.

  • Check behind you to make sure it's clear before moving left. Signal your move before you go.
  • Don't pass vehicles on the right, especially if they are slowing down at an intersection or driveway - they are likely to turn right. Look for a right turn signal, but assume they might turn even without the signal.
  • Don't pass buses or trucks that might be turning right. They make wide turns and might turn into you.
  • With buses, you might also hit passengers getting on/off the bus if you pass on the right. Remember your bus-riding friends.
  • Even stopping to the right of a truck or bus is risky.  The driver might not be able to see you and could turn right on a red, with you in the path of travel.
  • Stop well behind trucks and buses and pass left if needed.
  • Ring your bell or call "on your left" when passing another bicyclist. It's a courtesy you'll appreciate when someone passes you.
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Why I Ride
Why I Ride
Why I Ride

If you watched Sunday's Academy Awards, you may have seen clips from the many nominated films and taken some notes on which films to watch later. Well, here's your reminder to check out the work of Sean Fine, the director of Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Short Inocente.

Jamis Bicycles has just released the Sean Fine's short Why I RideSean first met Dominic in Uganda while filming his 2007 documentary War/Dance and helped bring him to United States. Now thousands of miles from war-torn Uganda, Dominic has developed a passion for riding a bike and says, "Cycling sets my mind free" and has new dreams for his future.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

 

Sunday Funday Ride through the Hollywood Hills
When: Sunday, March 3; Meet at 8:00 AM, Ride at 8:30 AM
More info in newsletter.

 

'Greedy Lying Bastards' Screening to Benefit LACBC Climate Ride Team
When: Monday, March 4; 7:30 PM
More info in newsletter.

 

Los Angeles City Elections
When: Tuesday, March 5
Bike the vote! Check out where your mayoral and city council candidates stand on improving the bicycling environment, then go out and vote for bike-friendly candidates.

 

Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Meeting
When: Tuesday, March 5; 7 PM
More info in newsletter.

 

Union Station Bike Counts
When:  Tuesday, March 19 and Saturday, March 23
Let's count some bikes at Union Station! We'll collect vital data on bike usage on Metrolink and Amtrak. Count shifts are: Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Saturday, March 23, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Email [email protected] to volunteer. Volunteers get a snazzy new LA Bike Count t-shirt!
 
Spring Street Parklets Study
When: Sunday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 26
Where: Spring Street (in between 6th and 7th Streets), Downtown Los Angeles
The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC) is seeking volunteers to help conclude the Spring Street Parklet Impact Study. Using classic techniques, you will survey public life to help understand how these new public spaces create change in our neighborhoods. Volunteers will count pedestrians and cyclists, conduct interviews and map user activities. Volunteers will receive a a gift certificate to a local cafe, and a citation in the final report. Shifts are on: Sunday, March 24 from 8-10 AM, 12-2 PM, and5-7 PM and Tuesday, March 26 from 8-10 AM, 12-2 PM, and 5-7 PM. Orientation sessions are on session first: Sat, 3/23 3 pm and Sun 3/24 thru Sat, 3/30 10-11 am, 12-1pm, 2-3pm, 4-5pm. Sign up here. Questions? Email [email protected].
 
Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition Meeting 
When: Wednesday, March 27; 2 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
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