LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

May 23, 2013 

In this issue
ACTION ITEM: Sign Petition to Keep Spring Street Green
ACTION ITEM: Save the Westmont Bike Lanes in San Pedro
ACTION ITEM: Send Letters of Support for N. Figueroa
Bike the Vote: Congratulations to L.A.'s Newly Elected Leadership
Climate Ride: Thank You and Congratulations to Team LACBC for Completing the Climate Ride
Bike News from around the County: Caltech Awarded Bronze as Bike Friendly University
Arroyo Seco Sunday Funday Ride for Kids and Parents
LA River Ride: Wristband Pickup at REI Announced
Looking for Bike Buddies to Commute With? Join L.A. Bike Trains
LACBC Kit: The Super Secret Bottoms Sale
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Hey, I'm Walking Here!
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
ACTION ITEM: Sign Petition to Keep Spring Street Green

The green Spring Street bike lanes are once again being considered to be stripped of its paint. Despite reports showing a 40% increase in ridership along the downtown corridor since last year, City Council may let the green fade away permanently. LACBC hopes to work with the film industry to come up with a solution that works for everyone, but we are still at risk of losing everything.  

Yesterday, City Council's transportation committee heard from Councilman Huizar about repainting the green bike lane after meeting with members of the bicycling community and various film industry stakeholders. Despite what we believed to be a compromise, the film industry continues to express concern about repainting the bike lane and want to further discuss options. The committee voted to move the issue to full city council in June, and we will send an action alert when the time is right if you sign our online petition below.  

Take action! Sign our online petition and urge your council member to support the green bike lane the downtown community has grown accustomed to and depend on for safety. This increasingly bustling residential community has become people-oriented and pedestrian-oriented, throw your support behind keeping these lanes green!
ACTION ITEM: Save the Westmont Bike Lanes in San Pedro

San Pedro's newly added buffered bike lanes on Westmont Drive continue to take the heat from some residents who don't like the change. We are gearing up for an online and local campaign to urge Councilman Buscaino to keep the bike lanes in place as it creates an added level of safety for all users of the road. With traffic-calming measures and safer streets, the same folks who are stuck in traffic for 45 minutes driving half-a-mile to bring their kids to school could consider walking 10-15 minutes with them instead.

Take action: Please sign our online petition and let your San Pedro friends know that Westmont bike lanes are at risk.  

Lastly, we ask that you all join us in attending a community meeting.

 

San Pedro Community Meeting

When: Tuesday, June 11; 6 PM

Where: Peck Park Recreation Center - 560 N. Western Ave., 90732

 

Attendance to this meeting is critical. Please spread the word and share this Facebook event with your friends! 

ACTION ITEM: Send Letters of Support for N. Figueroa

 

The proposed N. Figueroa bike lanes continue to hang in the balance. Last Thursday and Monday, advocates came out to support the proposed project to the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council local issues committee and board. On Thursday, the committee did not reach quorum and so could not recommend to the board on how to vote. Regardless, 32 people came in support of the project and 27 came opposed. Several people spoke from both sides, and LACBC presented the committee with a petition signed by 1,400 stakeholders. No action was taken and the committee said the issue will come back again soon.  

 

On Monday, the board heard comments during public comment of the meeting and people again on both sides spoke on the bike lane issue. LACBC again presented their petition to the board and urged for their support. No action was taken but board president Martha Benedict recommended people send comments to [email protected] so that they take your feedback into consideration.  

 

Take action! Please sign our petition if you haven't already and send an email to the following people. We are almost there with having a safer N. Figueroa - keep it positive - we're almost there!

 

Please email [email protected] with your feedback and cc: the following folks...

 

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

 

If you want to help out with outreach in the community in the next month or two, please Alek Bartrosouf directly at [email protected].

Bike to Vote: Congratulations to L.A.'s New Elected Leadership

 

Congratulations to those elected in Tuesday's election. We look forward to working with the City of L.A.'s new leadership and Eric Garcetti in his new position as Mayor-Elect of Los Angeles!

 

Here are the newly elected councilmembers:

  

Council District 1: Gil Cedillo

Council District 6: Runoff between Cindy Montanez & Nury Martinez

Council District 9: Curren Price

Council District 13: Mitch O'Farrell

 

Thank you to all the candidates who have filled out our candidate surveys, participated in forums sponsored by LACBC and our partners, and brought living streets to the forefront of their agendas.

Climate Ride: Thank You and Congratulations to Team LACBC for Completing the Climate Ride

Team LACBC is still the highest fundraising team so far for the California Climate Ride that has been riding along the Northern California this week! The team finished its 5-day ride earlier today by arriving at City Hall in San Francisco.

Thank you to Yvonne Ascher, John Cork, Kathy Gelardi, Laurie Gelardi, Marc Horwitz, Leonard Laub, Lisa Liberati, Michael Rippens, and our team captain Greg Laemmle for raising over $35,000 for LACBC and other environmental nonprofits.

 

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. There is still time to make a donation to the LACBC team.

Bike News from Around the County: Caltech Awarded Bronze as Bike Friendly University

Pasadena: Congratulations to Caltech, which has been awarded Bronze Bike Friendly University status by the League of American Bicyclists. The Pasadena campus has recognized for its high percentage of students and faculty that bike to work. The Caltech Bike Lab hosts a bike repair space and just recently helped incubate the creation of the new DIY bike repair station that is open 24 hours. Read more on the Caltech Bike Lab blog. Thanks to LACBC member Marge Ho for the heads up.
Arroyo Seco Sunday Funday Ride for Kids and Parents
SundayFunday
The next Sunday Funday Ride will be the perfect ride for young children and their parents and guardians! Led by LACBC board member Lourdes Lopez, this short 2-mile ride will take families down the bike path from Arroyo Seco Park to Hermon Dog Park and back!

Arroyo Seco Sunday Funday Ride for Kids and Parents
When: Sunday, June 2; meet at 9 AM, ride at 9:30 AM
Where: Meet at Arroyo Seco Park's parking lot by Arroyo Seco Stables - 118 Marmion Way, South Pasadena

Children must be accompanied by an adult and wear their helmets. Bring water and sunscreen. The ride should be finished by 11 AM.
L.A. River Ride: Wristband Pickup at REI Announced

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.

Learn more about the River Ride at la-bike.org/riverride.

 WristbandREI

Pick Up Your Wristband at REI

 

If you'd like to pick up your wristband early or register in person, you can do so at local select REIs the first weekend in June! Picking up your wristband at REI has special benefits! Not only will you avoid lines on Ride Day, you will get free swag (like a water bottle) courtesy of REI and be entered into a special raffle to win a bike commuter package.

 

Find the nearest REI on the following dates for wristband pickup:

 

Saturday, June 1, 10 AM to 2 PM 

 

Sunday, June 2, 10 AM to 2 PM 

  

Fundraising Update: Carrie Ungerman Surges Ahead

  

Not only did Carrie Ungerman claim the top spot over Tish Laemmle last week in pursuit of the VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations bike tour of Tuscany, but Carrie is building on her lead with over $300 now separating the two! Other contenders Douglas John, Paul Des Marais, and Team Hopps are still doing well. And Sebouh Asparian is very close to earning entrance to the VIP boothl. Only time and money will tell who will be our River Ride Fundraising Champion!  

 

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) and $5000 (a custom vintage cocktail mixology, tea ceremony, or dinner with our Executive Director Jen Klausner and Board President Alex Amerri).

 

There's still time to join this competition! 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.

Looking for Bike Buddies to Commute With? Join L.A. Bike Trains

A new website is up and running to help you with your bike commute! Started by a few of our Central Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors, L.A. Bike Trains gathers people to ride to work or school together. If you or someone you know has been hesitant about riding to work, this could be a great resource to encourage you and that someone you know to ride.

Right now, L.A. Bike Trains has 5 conductors leading 5 different bike commute routes. Don't see your route on here? Take the commuter survey to help determine which routes need to be developed. Or even sign up to lead your own route as a conductor!

All aboard the L.A. Bike Trains!
LACBC Kit: The Super Secret Bottoms Sale

We're putting on a "Super Secret Bottoms Sale!" of the LACBC Clothing after popular demand. This is a sale of bottoms only for people who only ordered tops but now want matching shorts, or for those that have been buying their jerseys which are for sale a Helen's Cycles. The sale is limited to: bib shorts, women's shorts, men's shorts, and socks. The order window is from now until Friday May 31st, expected delivery early August or maybe sooner! Local pick up available, and shipping has been reduced to $10! Order now at teamlacbc.org!
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Hey, I'm Walking Here!

Do you walk in L.A.? Odds are, you do (because you need to get off your bike at some point)! Check out this video from our friends at Los Angeles Walks about making streets accessible for all users, whether you ride a bike, walk, use public transportation, drive, etc. And while you're at it, support Los Angeles Walks' "Hey, I'm Walking Here" Kickstarter campaign by the end of May to celebrate walking in Los Angeles through design, awareness, events, and action.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
  
Bike Repair Workshop hosted by Bici Libre and LAPL
When: Saturday, May 25; 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Central Library, Thornton Courtyard - 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles (Enter on 5th through gate)
Bring your bicycle and learn basic repairs at this free workshop hosted by the Central Library! More info.

10th Annual Inner City Sports Festival & Health Fair
When: Saturday, June 1; Registration opens at 7:30 AM for 23-mile ride
Where: Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park - 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles
Join City Lites Nework on for the 10th Annual City Sports Festival and Health Fair! This includes a 5k walk, 5-mile bike tour, 5-mile skateboard, 5-mile wheelchair roll, and a 23-mile bike tour! LACBC will be at a booth for this event! See Facebook event.

River Ride Wristband Pickup at REI: Manhattan Beach, Arcadia, & Huntington Beach
When: Saturday, June 1; 10 AM to 2 PM
More info in newsletter.

Arroyo Seco Sunday Funday Ride for Kids and Parents
When: Sunday, June 2; meet at 9 AM, ride at 9:30 AM
More info in newsletter

River Ride Wristband Pickup at REI: Santa Monica & Northridge
When: Sunday, June 2; 10 AM to 2 PM
More info in newsletter
 
13th Annual Los Angeles River Ride
When: Sunday, June 9
More info in newsletter.
 
San Pedro Community Meeting
When: Tuesday, June 11; 6 PM
More info in newsletter.
 
LA's Got Mojo 2: Celebrating LA's Transportation Mayor 
When: Wednesday, June 12; 5 to 8 PM
Where: Los Angeles Union Station
Celebrate Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's remarkable transportation accomplishments with Move LA's business-labor-environmental-community coalition. Join Move LA for music, food, drinks, and a tribute to Mayor V. More info
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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