LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

March 28, 2013 

In this issue
Climate Ride: Meet & Greet Next Thursday, Plus Win Free Registration and a Laemmle Theatres Movie Pass
Bike Updates from around the County: Support Still Needed for Bike Lanes on Lankershim
Ride Figueroa (& Colorado): Important Meetings Next Week
3-Foot Passing Bill Reintroduced for a 3rd Time
Lessons from How Bike-Friendly Places Are Made
CicLAvia - To the Sea Is in One Month
The 13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride Is on June 9th
This Week's Tip: Ride Outside the Door Zone
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: SoCal Connected Covers Local Bike Plan Progress
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Climate Ride: Meet & Greet Next Thursday, Plus Win Free Registration 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!      

ClimateRide
Meet and Greet with Climate Ride Director Blake Holiday
 

Are you interested in joining LACBC's Climate Ride California Team this May, but still have some questions first? Come to the Team LACBC Climate Ride Meet & Greet and have your questions answered by Climate Ride Director Blake Holiday, meet other Team LACBC members, and get a sneak peek on why Climate Ride is the ride of a lifetime!

 

When: Thursday, April 4: 7:30 PM

Where: Century City (RSVP to receive location information)

RSVP: RSVPs are required to Kelly Martin at [email protected]

 

Laemmle Theatres Contest

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.

Bike Updates from around the County: Support Still Needed for Bike Lanes on Lankershim

North Hollywood: The Daily News covered some of the arguments in support of and in opposition of the proposed bike lanes on Lankershim Blvd. While a proposal to install bike lanes on Vineland instead of Lankershim keeps being brought up, our own campaigns and policy manager Alek Bartrosouf sums up why these lanes need to be on Lankershim: "We find that this community has a real opportunity to connect people with two major (Metro) stations and local businesses. We're being offered an alternative that does not serve this goal in a safe and convenient way." Read the article here.
 
If you haven't already, please sign this online petition to support bike lanes on Lankershim and Cahuenga.

MyFig
South LA: This week the MyFigueroa project unveiled new streetscape designs that include cycletracks and transit lines. Come to the updated streetscape design presentation on Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30 PM at Andrew Norman Hall Orthopaedic Hospital at 2400 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, 90007 to learn more. More info.
 
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.
 
Glendale
Glendale: The April 2nd election in Glendale is NEXT WEEK and 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): Important Meetings Next Week
BikeFig  
Turnout to Wednesday's meeting to consider buffered bike lanes on Colorado 
was great! Twenty-nine people spoke in support of bike lanes on Colorado, but our job in NELA isn't over! There are two more meetings where bike lanes will be discussed. Can you attend next week and speak in favor of the proposed projects along Colorado and N. Figueroa?

Colorado Bike Lanes at Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
When: Tuesday, April 2; 7 PM
Where: Eagle Rock City Hall - 2035 Colorado Blvd., 90041

N. Figueroa Bike Lanes at Highland Park Neighborhood Council
When: Thursday, April 4; 7 PM
Where: Highland Park Senior Center - 5807 N. Figueroa St., 90042

 

Councilman Huizar is currently looking for feedback on these proposed projects. Help us help you convey our message of safety first for all road users. Please come!

And if you haven't already, please sign this online petition in support of bike lanes on Figueroa.
3-Foot Passing Bill Reintroduced for a 3rd Time 

This week, Steven Bradford of Gardena introduced another safe passing bill in AB 1371. Unlike SB 910 and SB 1464, the previous 3-foot passing bills, AB 1371 allows motorists to briefly cross a double yellow line to pass a person riding a bike. and even requires a minimum three-foot distance when passing people riding in bike lanes.

You can read more about the new 3-Foot Passing Bill at Cyclelicious


Rick Risemberg has prepared the following petition to show your support for the 3-foot passing bill. Sign it today!
  
Lessons from How Bike-Friendly Places Are Made

Many thanks to all who came to last week's How Bike-Friendly Places Are Made. Thank you to our special guest speakers Matt Benjamin, Brett Hondorp, and Ryan Snyder; our food and refreshment sponsors and donors Golden Road Brewing, Jarritos, Jessie Holzer, Ryan Johnson, and Herbie Huff; Michael MacDonald for the great poster design; and the entire Planning Committee!

 

Check out this recap from LACBC Member John Lloyd a.k.a. Boyonabike and check out photos on our LACBC Facebook Page.

CicLAvia - To the Sea Hits Venice Blvd. on April 21
CicLAvia

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].
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: Ride Outside the Door Zone

 

We don't have solid stats about how many dooring collisions happen in LA County each year.  Still, anyone with enough riding miles has seen the driver of a parked vehicle open his/her door without looking, potentially blocking the rider's path of travel and leading to a collision with the door. Such collisions can result in serious injuries and sometimes death. The risk is real, but you can protect yourself by riding outside the door zone.

  • Riding outside the door zone means staying at least 3 feet to the left of cars parked on the street. If someone unexpectedly opens a door, you can ride right past.
  • Know that the 3 foot distance is not absolute, many riders use 4 or 5 feet as a guide. A lot depends on the vehicle's door width, which you don't really know, but 3 feet should be your absolute minimum.
  • Riding further left of parked vehicles and more into the flow of traffic may feel strange or unsafe, but you are actually safer and it will feel natural over time.
  • When present, Sharrows help to guide you outside the doorzone, but you should always focus more on your distance from the parked vehicles.
  • To anticipate a door swinging open, notice cars that have just parked ahead or look for someone in the driver's seat.
  • Understand that your speed plays a factor in your door zone position. For example, if you are riding slowly uphill and can stop within a car-length or less, you probably don't need to ride outside the door zone. As with many riding situations, be alert and use your best judgement.
  • Know that CA Vehicle Code 21202 allows you ride further left to avoid hazards - the door zone is one of them. (Check out Metro's "Every Lane is a Bike Lane" campaign for more. Thanks Metro!)
  • You might get some honks or yells from angry motorists, but do your best to smile, wave, and keep your position.
  • If you get doored, CA Vehicle Code 22517 says the vehicle driver who opened the door is at fault.
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: SoCal Connected Covers Local Bike Plan Progress

This week, SoCal Connected on KCET covered the state of the Los Angeles Bike Plan, as well as some of the benefits and concerns that some have in implementing these bike facilities. Check out this fair and balanced segment, which features interviews with familiar faces like Don "Roadblock" Ward of MidnightRidazz and Wolfpack Hustle, Nate Baird of the LADOT Bike Program, and councilmember Paul Koretz.

In other news to get you excited about biking to work, Serena Williams, the No. 1 ranked tennis player in the world, biked to work in Miami to avoid traffic, and easily won her match. She even tweeted a photo of herself on a bike with some words of wisdom, "When traffic is bad jump on a bike and go to work." She plays in the semifinals of the Sony Ericson Open tonight.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

Youth Bicycle Safety Learn & Ride
When: Saturday, March 30; 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Palomares Park - 449 East Arrow Highway, Pomona
Join local chapter Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition at the PONY Family Day Event for helmet fittings, bike checks, and a group ride. 
 
Glendale City Election
When: Tuesday, April 2
More info in newsletter.

 

Colorado Bike Lanes at Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
When: Tuesday, April 2; 7 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
An Evening of Pedestrians and Parklets with Margot Oca�as
When: Thursday, April 4; 6 PM
Where: LACBC Headquarters, Edison Room (1st Floor) - 634 S. Spring St., 90014
Last year, Margot Oca�as was hired as the City of Los Angeles' first Pedestrian Coordinator to work on making the streets more inviting and safer for everyone who walks in LA. Join the Los Angeles Chapter of Young Professionals in Transportation for an evening with to discuss parklets and local pedestrian issues! Then check out two of the City's parklets right across the street. See Facebook event.

N. Figueroa Bike Lanes at Highland Park Neighborhood Council
When: Thursday, April 4; 7 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
Climate Ride Meet & Greet with Ride Director Blake Holiday
When: Thursday, April 4; 7:30 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.

  

MyFigueroa Streetscape Design Presentation

When: Tuesday, April 9; 5:30 PM

More info in newsletter.

  

Touring LA County with LACBC & Where to Bike: LA Roubaix
When:  Sunday, April 14; Meet at 8:30am; ride at 9:00am

Where: The Trails Cafe - 2333 Fern Dell Drive, Los Angeles

Join LACBC and Where to Bike for a 35-mile LA Roubaix, the Los Angeles equivalent of Paris Roubaix (pronounced 'ru-BAY' and a springtime, Easter tradition in France). The ride will take us into car-free, backcountry areas of Griffith Park, to Silver Lake, through the city's second-largest park, Elysian Park, and swing past Echo Park Lake. We'll finish our loop at The Trails Cafe, where we can dig into well-deserved treats like fresh-squeezed lemonade, great coffee, home-baked quiches, apple pie and cookies, plus amazing avocado sandwiches. More info.

 

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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