LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

March 21, 2013 

In this issue
Contest: Win Free Climate Ride Registration with LACBC and a Laemmle Theatres Movie Pass
LACBC Presents: How Bike-Friendly Places Are Made TONIGHT
CicLAvia - To the Sea Is in One Month
Bike Updates from around the County: Sharrows Extended along Fountain in West Hollywood
Ride Figueroa (& Colorado) Update: Community Town Hall Next Wednesday, March 27
Provide Input on LA's Draft Bicycle Enhanced Networks by End of the Month
The 13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride Is on June 9th
This Week's Tip: Where to Lock Your Bike
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Crashing the LA Marathon
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Contest: Win Free Climate Ride Registration with LACBC and a Laemmle Theatres Movie Pass

It's our first year participating in Climate Ride, and we are so excited to have our team together! 

As part of Laemmle Theatres' commitment to green energy and sustainable transit, Laemmle has a new contest that could have you riding the scenic Northern California coast as part of Team LACBC, with Laemmle making the $2,400 required donation and/or covering registration for your ride and granting you a Laemmle Theatres pass for the rest of 2013! 


Here's your chance to ride with LACBC board member Greg Laemmle and Team LACBC on the ride of a lifetime!

There are 4 prizes in total, including:
  • 3 Second Prize Winners
    • win an Unlimited Laemmle Movie Pass for the remainder of 2013 (good for you and a guest to any regular screening at any of Laemmle Theatres' seven locations)
    • win free registration to Climate Ride California, May 19-23, and ride with our fearless leader and cycling advocate Greg Lemmle as part of Team LACBC. Riding with Greg Laemmle and the team is an experience you will not soon forget!
  • 1 Grand Prize Winner
    • win all of the above, plus receive $2,400 as a contribution to their Climate Ride from Laemmle Theatres.

To be eligible, you must enter the contest using the form. You must include a statement on "why you want to ride with Greg Laemmle." Winning statements will be chosen by a panel of judges.

 

Enter the contest by Friday, April 5th at laemmle.com/Ride.

    

How Climate Ride works: 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. First you register, reach the fundraising minimum and train for the ride, then come along and for an amazing riding, epic scenery, and great speakers for a remarkable experience. There is still time to join the LACBC team and/or make a donation to our team.

LACBC Presents: How Bike-Friendly Places Are Made TONIGHT

BikePlaces

 

The LACBC Planning Committee has invited three of the region's most prominent experts--Matt Benjamin, Brett Hondorp, and Ryan Snyder--to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the making of bicycle plans, bicycle policy, and bicycle facility design. They will share insight on how bike planning processes really work and pinpoint the key areas where advocates can push to make the most difference. You're invited to this roundtable discussion!

 

When: Thursday, March 21; 7 PM

Where: LACBC Headquarters, The Edison Room (1st Floor) - 634 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, 90014
Admission: $10 General Public / FREE for LACBC Members 
Refreshments courtesy of Golden Road Brewing

 

Find more information on the LACBC Website and the Facebook event.

CicLAvia - To the Sea Is in One Month
CicLAvia
Can you believe that we're one month away from CicLAvia - To the Sea on April 21? Well, get ready for 15 miles of open road that will connect downtown Los Angeles to the beach through Venice Boulevard's transformation into a car-free, linear park for strolling, biking, playing, and exploring the city from a new perspective.

Free of charge and open to everyone, we hope you come and invite your friends.

CicLAvia - To the Sea 
When: Sunday, April 21; 10 AM to 3 PM 
Where: Venice, Mar Vista, Culver City, Mid-City, MacArthur Park, Downtown Los Angeles (map)

 

Volunteer for CicLAvia
 
LACBC is once again coordinating volunteer efforts for CicLAvia. If you'd like to help with pre-production or during the event, please email [email protected].
Bike Updates from around the County: Sharrows Extended along Fountain in West Hollywood

Fountain
West Hollywood: Sharrows were recently painted on the West Hollywood portion of Fountain Ave. Save the date for a ride with local chapter West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition on Sunday, April 7th at 10 AM. Meet at WeHo City Hall parking lot; loop around Fountain and end back at City Hall for an easy 4-mile ride! More info.

West LA/Beverly Hills: New Class II bike lanes were installed on Burton Way in Los Angeles last month. On the north side (west-bound), these are between San Vicente Blvd. and Doheny Dr., and on the south side (east-bound), between Robertson Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd. The remainder of Burton Way, between Robertson/Doheny and Rexford Dr., lies in Beverly Hills and will be installed by June. Thanks to Kevin Burton for the Burton Way tip.

Silver Lake: Last week, bike lanes were striped on Rowena Ave., between Hyperion and Glendale, in Silver Lake. Councilmember Tom LaBonge welcomed the lanes last Friday. Check out The Eastsider for photos. The LACBC YouTube page also has a short video up.
 
Glendale: The April 2nd election in Glendale will include the city council election, with 3 seats up for grabs. Local chapter Walk Bike Glendale has received responses from some of the candidates in response to its walking and bicycling candidate survey. Check out the responses from Jefferson Black, Sam Engel, Laura Friedman, Roland Kedikian, Herbert Molano, and Ara Najarian, and remember to vote on April 2nd!

Ride Figueroa (& Colorado) Update: Community Town Hall Next Wednesday, March 27

Colorado 

A town hall meeting has been scheduled by the Councilman Huizar's office to gather input from the community about proposed bike lanes on Colorado.

 

Specifically, the west end of Colorado (west of Eagle Rock Blvd.) is being considered to have a traditional 5-foot bike lane instead of the originally proposed buffered bike lane, which is what the rest of Colorado will get. This option of a traditional bike lane is being considered to maintain the existing 3-lane in each direction configuration of Colorado to address perceived congestion concerns. Both options (keeping a buffered bike lane as proposed or going with a traditional bike lane) will be presented at the meeting and the community will have the opportunity to chime in.

 

LACBC will continue to push for a buffered bike lane along the entire Colorado corridor and we hope you can help us with that message. A traditional bike lane does not provide a low-stress environment for new bicycle riders. Furthermore we understand the community's desire to calm the street and make it more people-oriented. Reducing travel lanes along this stretch from 3 to 2 in each direction will make the street safer for all users.  

 

When: Wednesday, March 27; 7 PM

Where: Occidental College, Norris Hall of Chemistry, Mosher #1 - 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, 90041

RSVP: RSVP required to [email protected]

 

For additional information (map and parking info), see the event flyer.

Provide Input on LA's Draft Bicycle Enhanced Networks by End of the Month

LACBC encourages you all to provide input on Los Angeles'  draft Bicycle-Enhanced Networks by Sunday, March 31. Your input will shape the proposals that will be studied in the environmental review process, which will kick off in April 2013 with scoping meetings. We will let you know when this meetings take place. Until then, take the online survey and contribute to the city's mobility plan.
13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 9th

LACBC's biggest ride returns on Sunday, June 9th. 
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: Where to Lock Your Bike 

Last week we gave you tips on how to lock up your bike. Here's a few tips for where to lock your bike.
  • Keeping your bike indoors is ideal, but make sure the indoor location is truly secure. Consider locking your bike even if indoors.
  • Parking your bike in your garage is a great idea, but know that thieves will expect to find your bike there. Don't leave your garage door open, lock your garage and lock your bike.
  • Parking garages in multi-unit complexes are generally not secure. If there's a bike rack located near a main entrance with lots of activity, that should be okay, but still be wary.
  • In some places, like Metro stations, bike lockers might be available. Some are first come first-served, others require a rental/membership fee or key deposit. Metro's lockers are rented. You can get the details on Metro's website.   
  • If outdoors, lock up in a high visibility location with lots of foot traffic. The presence of people can help deter thieves.
  • If you are locking your bike daily, for long stretches of time, consider changing the location you lock up each day and check on your bike now and then if you can. Thieves notice if they see the same bike in the same location day after day for long periods.
  • Avoid secluded locations where it would be easy for a thief to work unseen. Bike racks are often placed in such locations but you are not obligated to use them.
  • Be sure you do not block doorways or pedestrian access when you lock up. CVC 21210 says you cannot block pedestrian access and that bike parking can be prohibited in public if signs are posted.
Next week: riding outside the door zone.
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Crashing the LA Marathon
LA Marathon Crash Race 2013 in 15 Minutes
LA Marathon Crash Race 2013 in 15 Minutes

Congratulations to all who completed the LA Marathon this Sunday, whether your ran it, walked it, wheelchaired it, or, of course, biked it at 4:30 AM with 3000 other adventurous riders! With the roads shut down in preparation for the LA Marathon, Wolfpack Hustle organized another Marathon Crash Race for the wee hours of the morning. Some people raced it, while others just enjoyed a good time with friends and strangers on the mostly car-free roads. Check out this sped-up video from the Crash Race to see how the streets streets turned into a sort of bicycle highway early Sunday morning.

Many thanks to Wolfpack Hustle for organizing the ride and law enforcement and paramedics for keeping riders safe!
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

 

LACBC Presents: How Bike-Friendly Places Are Made
When: Thursday, March 21; 7 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
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
Where: Wallis Annenberg Building - 800 Exposition Park, Los Angeles, 90037
The Los Angeles County Active Transportation Coalition will hold its first meeting 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. More info.
 
Colorado Blvd. Community Town Hall
When: Wednesday, March 27; 7:00 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
Glendale Mayor's Bike Ride
When: Saturday, April 6; 9 AM
Where: Glendale City Hall, Parcher Plaza - 613 E. Broadway, Glendale
Join Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero and local chapter Walk Bike Glendale for a leisurely morning ride around Glendale. See Facebook event.
 
Fountain Ave. Bike Ride
When: Sunday, April 7; 10 AM
More info in newsletter.
 
CicLAvia to the Sea
When: Sunday, April 21; 10 AM to 3 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
Bike to Work Day
When: Thursday, May 16
Where: throughout LA County
Save the date for Bike to Work Day! While every day is Bike to Work Day, May 16th is the day when we celebrate biking to work and getting free stuff on your route.
 
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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