LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

April 25, 2013 

In this issue
Hundreds of Thousands of Angelenos Jam Venice Boulevard at CicLAvia. . . and Love It!
Bike Week Is Coming May 13-19
Bike the Vote: CD 13 Meet and Greet with City Council Candidates
Sunday Funday Ride: L.A. State Historic Park Out 'n' Back
ACTION ITEM: Keep the Spring Street Bike Lane Green
Bike Updates from around the County: NBCUniveral to Fund L.A. River Path Extension
Climate Ride: Meet Team LACBC Climate Rider Lisa Liberati
LA River Ride: Fundraise and Win Great Prizes
$3 Billion Streets Bond Goes on the Road
This Week's Tip: What to Bring When You Ride
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Towering Over CicLAvia
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Hundreds of Thousands of Angelenos Jam Venice Boulevard at CicLAvia. . . and Love It!
Photo: Kelly Martin

This past weekend's CicLAvia - To the Sea was a hit, smashing previous CicLAvia attendance records and previous CicLAvia records for smiles (and sunburns that were totally worth it). The Los Angeles Times estimates that over 150,000 people came out to bike, walk, run, rollerskate, and enjoy the 15-mile route that connected Downtown L.A. to Venice, but most are in agreement that the number was much, much higher. 

Thanks to all the organizers, volunteers, traffic officers, businesses, supporters, sponsors, and participants who made this ambitious route possible. Thanks to all who stopped by our booth at the Culver City Hub and/or visited our Rolling Advocacy Trailer along the route. You can check out some of our CicLAvia photos on the LACBC Facebook page. Plus, we also have photos of folks in front of Metro's "Every Lane Is a Bike Lane" banner.  


Can't wait for the next CicLAvia? It's sooner than you think! The Iconic Wilshire Boulevard route is set for Sunday, June 23rd! In the meantime, we hope to see more folks riding regularly on the streets in the CicLAvia afterglow. Join LACBC to support safe biking every day. We'll see you on the streets!
Bike Week Is Coming May 13-19
BikeWeek
Bike Week is every week, but the officially designated Bike Week when you get free stuff and high-fived for biking is May 13th to May 19th! We hope you'll join LACBC and tons of others organizations and groups for come key events happening to celebrate biking and encourage others to join in on the biking fun. (Just use the CicLAvia afterglow to encourage them.)

Also, if you are a business or organization in L.A. County, please consider hosting your own Bike Week event like a bike repair workshop and/or a Bike to Work Day pit stop. Learn more about Metros Bike Week events at metro.net/bikes/bike-week.

 

Metro's Fix Your Bike Day

When: Monday, May 13

Where: throughout L.A. County

Want to hold a bike repair workshop or event? Sign up!

 

Good Samaritan's Blessing of the Bicycles

When: Tuesday, May 14; 8 AM to 9:30 AM

Where: Good Samaritan Hospital - 616 S. Witmer Ave., Westlake

Get blessed! Get breakfast! Get a free bike checkup! More info. 

 Counter

LACBC Fundraiser at The Counter in Studio City

When: Tuesday, May 14; 11 AM to 10 PM

Where: The Counter Studio City -  12117 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 91604

Give this flyer to your server (and pass another one to a friend) before you get your custom-built burger at The Counter in Studio City all day on Tuesday, May 14th! A portion of your bill will go towards the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and maker our streets safer for all people who ride bikes!

 

Metro's Guided Ride Day

When: Wednesday, May 15

Where: throughout L.A. County

Want to lead a guided ride along bike lanes or routes in your community? Sign up!

 

Metro's Bike to Work Day Pit Stops

When: Thursday, May 16; morning

Where: throughout L.A. County

Want to put on a Bike to Work pit stop? Sign up!

 

Bike from Work After Parties with LACBC and Local Chapters

When: Thursday, May 16; late afternoon and evening

Where: throughout L.A. County 

 Hammer

Bike Night at the Hammer

When: Friday, May 17; 6 PM

Where: Hammer Museum - 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90024

The Hammer Presents Bike Night! Grab some friends and pedal on over for an evening celebrating all things bicyclistic! Free festivities include bicycle portraits, a screening of the 1983 Australian action movie BMX Bandits (starring a young, not-yet-famous Nicole Kidman), bicycle-centric crafts, and free admission to LLYN FOULKES. Guest hosted by artist and bicycle enthusiast/activist Lisa Anne Auerbach. More info.

 

Metro's Bike Local Weekend

When: Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19

Want to be a bicycle-friendly business and provide a discount to bicyclists who mention "Bike Week"? Sign up!

Bike the Vote: Council District 13 Candidate Meet and Greet
CD13

CD 13 Council Candidate Meet and Greet  

Join LACBC's Civic Engagement Committee for an informal meet and greet with CD 13 City Council candidates Mitch O'Farrell and John Choi to discuss bicycle and pedestrian issues, enjoy great food, and kick back with $4 pints specials of Golden Road's Anytime Beer (Point the Way IPA, GR Hefeweizen, and Get Up Offa that Brown).


CD 13 Council Candidate Meet and Greet
When: Saturday, May 4; 1 PM to 4 PM 
Where: Golden Road Brewing5410 West San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, 90039
 
We'll also be organizing a short bike ride to the event, so we encourage to ride with us!
 
Ride to CD 13 Council Candidate Meet and Greet
When: Saturday, May 4; Meet at 12 PM; Ride at  12:15 PM
Where: Meet at Sunset Triangle Plaza - Sunset and Maltman, Silver Lake (map)
 
Run-Off Election Is Tuesday, May 21st
 
Your vote can make a difference! In the City of Los Angeles, you'll be voting for the Mayor and City Council Candidates in CD1, CD6, CD9, and CD13. Check out la-bike.org/vote to see responses to our candidate surveys, and remember to vote on May 21st.
Sunday Funday Ride: L.A. State Historic Park Out 'n' Back

SundayFunday 

When: Sunday, May 5; Meet at 10:30 AM, Ride at 11:00 AM

Where: L.A. State Historic Park,- 1245 N. Spring Street, Chinatown, Los Angeles

Join us for a fun little 12-mile out and back ride through the Arroyo Seco to enjoy the nice weather and safely navigate this area's city streets on bikes. Led by board member Trent Strong, this ride will help you discover a few of the gems of Northeast L.A. All are encouraged to stay afterwards for a BBQ (carnivore and vegans both provided for) and refreshments (potluck additions encouraged but not required!).

More info.

ACTION ITEM: Keep the Spring Street Bike Lane Green

Many thanks to Councilmember Jose Huizar of Council District 14 for issuing a motion last Friday to have the bike lanes on Spring Street repainted green! While the bike lane has been in threat of fading away through an intentional lack of maintenance, Huizar's motion demands that the green lane be repainted.

 

Huizar tells Los Angeles Streetsblog: "I support the green bike lanes in Downtown Los Angeles. They help keep bicyclists and motorists safe, promote multi-modal transportation Downtown and are widely used. I understand the film industry's concerns and am open to discuss ways to improve the lanes, but I do not support removing them entirely. They serve a distinct purpose and we should continue to make them available to a growing Downtown community."  

 

If you haven't already, please continue to voice your support to keep Spring Street green! We need the support of the L.A. City Council to vote in support of Huizar's motion.

 

Please encourage the L.A. City Council to support Huizar's motion!

 

Bcc: [email protected]

Subject: Keep Spring Street Green!

 

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilmembers,

 

As cities from coast to coast add color to their streets, I'm disappointed to hear that LA is considering removing ours. I urge you to keep the Spring Street bike lane green so that it can continue to attract "interested but concerned" bicyclists to ride downtown. Our city streets shouldn't just be accessible to people at special events like CicLAvia. We need to use the best tools available to make riding our streets safe and welcoming every day.

 

While Downtown LA is a stand-in for cities around the world, it is also a neighborhood for over 50,000 Angelenos. Other cities are competing for our creative talent that increasingly seeks out the urban lifestyle available in Downtown. We can't afford to be held back by an industry that refuses to adapt. The green bike lane, parklets, and continental crosswalks all contribute to a vibrant streetscape that makes Downtown worth living and working in. The ultimate irony is that our peers in New York, Chicago, and many other American cities are ahead of us in implementing these street projects, yet we are told that we can't improve our streets because then we wouldn't look like them on the silver screen.

 

Please keep LA competitive as a bike-friendly city by keeping our most distinctive piece of infrastructure and giving it a fresh coat of paint.

 

Sincerely,

 

<your name>

<your address>

Bike Updates from around the County: NBCUniversal to Fund L.A. River Path Extension

Universal City: NBCUniversal has agreed to provide Los Angeles County with $13.5 million in funding to fully complete an initial leg of the L.A. River Bike and Pedestrian Path between Griffith Park and Lankershim and Barham boulevards, near the Universal Studios backlot. Currently, a 6.5-mile gap between Griffith Park and Studio City exists in the L.A. River Path. The remaining amount of the $13.5 million will be used for remaining stretch to Whitsett Avenue in Studio City and a 1-acre trailhead park along the river. More info on Zev Yaroslavsky's website.
Climate Ride: Meet Team LACBC Climate Rider Lisa Liberati

LACBC has a team for the upcoming Climate Ride happening next month. We are currently showcasing riders and having them share their experience with riding not only to us but also to you!


This week's post is featuring 
Lisa Liberati. She is an avid cyclist that has an interesting goal of riding 50 miles in 50 states on her 50th birthday! She is currently working really hard preparing for this ride on top of pushing towards her fundraising goal. You can read more about her story on riding on the LACBC blog, and if you would like to contribute to the LACBC team, you can do so here.

 

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.

LA River Ride: Fundraise and Win Great Prizes

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 or Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach

The Los Angeles River Ride is:
  • 8 great rides for all ages and abilities! All rides are supported with volunteer ride marshals. We have: 
    • 100-mile Century Ride
    • 70-mile Park-to-Playa Ride
    • 70-mile Playa-to-Park Reverse Ride (starting and ending in Long Beach)
    • 50-mile Half-Century Ride
    • 36-mile Training Ride
    • 25-mile Long Beach Loop Ride (starting and ending in Long Beach) - NEW this year
    • 15-mile Family Ride
    • Kids' Bike Rodeo
  • 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.

 

Become the Top Fundraiser and Win a Bike Trip to Tuscany

 

Want to support the work of LACBC and our efforts to complete the LA River Bike and Pedestrian Path by the year 2020? Ask your friends, family, and acquaintances to support you as you ride the LA River Ride and become a River Ride Fundraiser.

 

Thanks to our friends at VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, our top fundraiser will win a bike trip to Tuscany, Italy. We also have a prize for the fundraiser who gets the most people to donate to the cause: a bike from DTLA Bikes. Runner-up prizes include a New Belgium Brewing Cruiser Bike and signed copies of Where to Bike Los Angeles. Prizes are guaranteed for meeting fundraising minimums at:

  • $100: a pair of LACBC socks
  • $250: a 2013 River Ride Jersey
  • $500: entry into the River Ride VIP tent and beer garden, which includes New Belgium beer, food, massages, and some very important people
  • $1000: recognition for your fundraising at the LACBC donor and supporter party in December
  • $5000: a custom vintage cocktail mixology, tea ceremony, or dinner with our Executive Director Jen Klausner and Board President Alex Amerri

Register to become a fundraiser here. Click on "Individuals: Click Here to build your personal fundraising page" on the right side to begin fundraising!

 

Learn more about fundraising and the prizes, get tips, and more at la-bike.org/RRfundraising.

 

Volunteer for the River Ride

 

YOU make the LA River Ride possible! We need volunteers on the day of the ride for marshaling, registration, set-up, and more, but we'll also need your help before the event for things like the REI wristband pick-up and goody bag stuffing. Check out River Ride volunteer opportunities at la-bike.org/riverridevolunteer and email [email protected] to sign up. River Ride volunteers may have the opportunity to ride the River Ride for free.

$3 Billion Street Bond Goes on the Road

 

Councilman Joe Buscaino (CD15) announced that he is taking his Public Works Committee on a series of hearings around the City to gather public feedback on his proposal for a $3 billion general obligation bond to reconstruct the 8,700 lane-miles of streets that are in failed or near failed condition. When the idea was first floated in January, LA Walks and LACBC, along with over 20 other advocates and organizations, responded swiftly, calling for any new revenue to be put toward complete streets, not just rebuilding our 20th century infrastructure.

 

Now it's your turn to call for complete streets when the hearings reach your neighborhood. You can read our policy brief or jump straight to some talking points to use at your local hearing.

 

Please email [email protected] for more information.

 

Public Works Committee Special Meeting - Last One Left!

    

East

When: Tuesday, April 30; 6 PM
Where: Aliso Pico Recreation Center - 370 S. Clarence St., Los Angeles, 90033 
This Week's Tip: 

What to Bring When You Ride

 

May is National Bike Month and it's just around the corner. It's a time to celebrate everything velo and the signature event is usually Bike to Work Day. New or non-commuting riders are encouraged to try riding to work, often for the first time ever. Of course, everyone is encouraged to ride a bike, for any reason. It's a good time to get back to basics, so this week we're focusing on gear you should always have with you when you ride.  Most of this can be carried in a small saddle bag or attached to your bike frame.

 

First and foremost, you need to carry the tools to fix a flat tire, otherwise you'll be walking or catching a bus when you get a flat. Here's what you need:

  • Tire levers for getting your tire off the wheel
  • Patch kit for repairing a punctured tube
  • Portable pump (make sure you get one that works with both types of tube valves)
  • Spare tube if you can't fix the damaged tube or if you want to fix the damaged tube later.
  • Wrench - if you don't have quick release wheels, you'll need a wrench to remove the wheel.

Other items you should always have:

  • A bike specific multi-tool for tightening loose bolts, screws, etc. (a chain tool is a bonus)
  • A set of blinky lights if you get caught out after dark
  • Water
  • A good lock
  • Spare change for a bus or money for a taxi if you get stranded
  • An I.D. along with emergency contact info just in case something bad happens
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Towering Over CicLAvia

We saw crazy costumes and crazy bikes. One of those strange and exciting sights at this Sunday's CicLAvia had to be Richie Trimble and his 14.5-foot tall bike! Did you see him roll by?

Check out this interview with him on Los Angeles Streetsblog, and view the video from his own point-of-view up high.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

 
7th Annual Sights and Sounds of DJ Dusk Festival
When: Saturday, April 27; 3 PM to 7 PM
Where: Mar Vista Family Center - 5070 S. Slauson, Culver City
Come out and support the Mar Vista Family Center.  Enjoy good bands, DJ's, homemade tacos and drinks, live silk screening, raffles, arts & crafts for kids, and multiple exhibits showcasing work done by MVFC's children and youth.  For the past seven years, family and friends of Tarek Captan, who died as the result of a hit-and-run collission, have been coming together to celebrate his life and the impact he left at MVFC through his leadership and mentorship. Thanks to this tradition, MVFC can continue to transform the lives of youth and their families.  It's right along the Ballona Creek and Bikerowave will be providing free bike valet! See Facebook event. 
 
River Bike & Walk Spectacular
with LACBC Bike Valet
When: Saturday, April 27; 4 PM
Where: Marsh Park - 2960 Marsh Street, Elysian Valley
Enjoy a fun-filled day with family activities and an outdoor movie screening right along the L.A. River. Bike valet provided. Bike+Walk at 4 PM, Community Fair at 6 PM, and Bike-in Movie Screening of Beetlejuice at 8 PM. LACBC will provide free bike valet! More info and Facebook event.
 
Streetsblog Fundraiser
When: Saturday, April 27; 6:30 to 9 PM
Where: Silver Lake
Join Los Angeles Streetsblog at the Silver Lake home of Deborah Murphy for a 5th birthday party and a celebration of the 2012 Streetsie Award winners. More info.
 
Council District 13 Candidate Meet and Greet
When: Saturday, May 4; 1 PM to 4PM.
More info in newsletter.
 
Sunday Funday L.A. State Historic Park Out n' Back 
When: Sunday, May 5; Meet at 10:30 AM, ride at 11:00 AM
More info in newsletter.

 

Bike-In Movie Night: The Big Lebowski
with LACBC Bike Valet
When: Tuesday, May 7; event opens at 6:30 PM, movie starts at 7:30 PM
Where: 1749 Vine Street, Hollywood (in the parking lot across from Capital Records)
Bike over with your low chairs and blankets for Millennium Hollywood's free bike-in movie screening of the Coen Brothers' L.A.-set dark comedy The Big Lebowski! Food trucks will also be on-hand. More info.

 

Metro's Bike Week
When: Monday, May 13 through Friday, May 17
More info in newsletter.

 

LACBC Fundraiser at The Counter Studio City
When: Tuesday, May 14; 11 AM to 10 PM
More info in newsletter.

 

United Riders Ride Of Silence

When: Wednesday, May 15; 6:30 PM

Where: Rowley Park - 13220 Van Ness Ave., Gardena

The Ride of Silence remembers fallen cyclists in our community through a silent ride. United Riders, along with Ghost Bikes LA, has put up several Ghost Bikes in the community and would like to ride to all the areas where these bikes are placed. This ride will start in Gardena (Benjamin Torres), then make our way to South LA (Sergio Rodriguez), after that Watts (Sylvester Henderson), and we will end up in Compton (Ovidio Morales). After paying our respects we will escort the crew back to Gardena for final thought and departures. More info at rideofsilence.com.

 

Bike Night at the Hammer
When: Friday, May 17; 7 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]

 

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