LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

September 12, 2013 

In this issue
Join LACBC or Renew Your LACBC Membership by Midnight to Score a Trip to Tour de Fat - San Diego
Los Angeles Bike and Pedestrian Count: Saturday, Here We Come!
Bike Updates from Around L.A. County: Count Bikes+Peds in Glendale in Two Weeks
Hollywood Blvd. Bike Ride this Sunday
ACTION ITEM: 3-Foot Passing Bill and Hit-and-Run Bill Await Governor Brown's Signature
Thanks for Attending the East L.A. Ride
Take a FREE Bicycle Safety Class Before the Summer Ends
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Timelapse of a Bike+Ped Count
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

Join LACBC or Renew Your Membership by Midnight to Score a Trip to Tour de Fat - San Diego

 

One more LACBC member! 

 

Join LACBC or renew your LACBC membership to help make L.A. County a healthy, safe, and fun place to bike and for a chance to score a trip for two to Tour de Fat - San Diego on September 28th!
 
If you've been meaning to renew or join LACBC (and one of our many awesome local chapters), do so by TONIGHT at 11:59 p.m.!

 

Anyone who becomes an LACBC member or renews a membership by the end of TODAY (Thursday, September 12, 2013) will automatically be entered 5 times into a drawing to win a trip for two to New Belgium's Tour de Fat in San Diego. The winner and a guest, plus their bicycles, will travel on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train, enjoy two nights at the swanky Omni San Diego Hotel, and follow their folly at New Belgium's Tour de Fat - San Diego, a bike and beer festival that has no equal.

 

 

Tour de Fat - San Diego takes place on Saturday, September 28th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Golden Hill Park and benefits our friends at the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and the San Diego Mountain Biking Association.

 

Get more information about the sweepstakes here.

 

Many thanks to Amtrak California and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition for sponsoring the sweepstakes.

Los Angeles Bike and Pedestrian Count: Saturday, Here We Come!

BikeCounts

   

It was a gorgeous Tuesday in Los Angeles, and all the minutes of count training would lead to this: the first two shifts of the 2013 L.A. Bicycle and Pedestrian Count. Each member of the the joint LACBC-L.A. Walks bike+ped count team put on their game faces, wore their yellow bike+ped uniforms, and made sure they had their working pens, timers, clipboards, and performance-enhancing coffee.

 

Councilmember Mike Bonin came out to help and cheer on the team for the first shift! Even with a few bobbles, our yellow-clad bike+ped count team stood our ground and came up with the morning victory. Fans and team members went wild on social media! Things went so well that we even had our mascot sub in for an interval. Many thanks to shift #1 MVP Drew Heckathorn for coming off the bench to pinch-hit as a standby volunteer in the first interval and then hustling over (along with Vanessa Gray and Kevin Hopps) to collect count forms from volunteers throughout the City.

 

Photo: Office of Councilmember Mike Bonin

Our afternoon shift proved to be just as successful. Bikes and pedestrians were out in full force, and our team captured them with unbelievable skill for another victory!

 

"We gave it 110% today," bike+ped count team manager Martin Lopez-Iu was not quoted as saying on Tuesday. "Now we just have come back and do it again on Saturday for the 3-shift sweep."

 

"Our team came to play and take it to the next level," bench coach Carol Feucht did not add. "We're riding the wave of momentum, but just need to take it one shift at a time. We can't rest on our laurels, and we'll continue practicing our tally marks in the meantime."

 

*    *    *

 

In all seriousness, THANK YOU to the 300+ volunteers out there on Tuesday! Your dedication to collecting data and making L.A. a better place to bike and walk was on full display on Tuesday (CBS, LAist, Streetsblog, La Opinion were among the news outlets that took notice), and you all looked great in your yellow bike+ped count t-shirts.

 

Go, team, go! Let's do it again on Saturday! 

  

We have one L.A. Bike & Ped Count time period to go!

  • Saturday, September 14, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
How you can help:
 

1a. Volunteer!

 

We have over 120 locations (see map) all across the City of Los Angeles with a total of 438 shifts. Most locations only require 1 volunteer, some require 2. 

 

Saturday, September 14, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

We have all of our count shifts filled for Saturday, but you may check on ones that open up and sign up for a count shift if one becomes available.

 

If you're interested in being an on-call standby volunteer for Saturday's shift (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), please email [email protected] with the following:

  • your name
  • phone number
  • what section in the City of L.A. you would be willing to cover (east, west, central, valley, south ---but you can also let Martin know specifics)
  • how late we can contact you (i.e. "Please call me by Friday at 9 p.m." or "I'm available to be summoned right as a shift is about to start at 11 a.m.")

Make-Up Counts

  • Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, September 18, 7:00 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 21, 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Would you like to make sure we get data for all locations? Due to cancellations and such, we may have to conduct make-up counts next week at certain locations. If you are available to count at any of the above time periods, please email [email protected] with the following:

  • your name
  • phone number
  • the time period(s) you are available for
  • what region in the City of L.A. you would be willing to cover (east, west, central, valley, south) 

All volunteers will get a super fresh Bike & Ped Count t-shirt and an exclusive invite to our bumpin' post-count volunteer party! Plus, you'll be entered into a drawing for each shift you complete and each person you refer to volunteer.

 

Want to volunteer for a bike+ped count, but neither of the above options work for you? Consider volunteering for the Glendale Bike+Ped Count on Wednesday, September 25, and Saturday, September 28! 

 

1b. Are you signed up for Saturday's Shift?

 

You should have received an email from Martin Lopez-Iu ([email protected]) with instructions. (Check your spam folder if you haven't.) Here's a link to those instructions, which include assignments, count forms, instructions, form drop-off locations, and more!

 

1c. Did you already count on Tuesday?

 

Submit your form! Fax, email, snail mail, or drop off by Friday, September 20th.

 

Also, if you weren't able to make it to your volunteer shift on Tuesday, please contact Martin at [email protected] right away so we know where we need to have make-up shifts next week. 

 

2. Spread the Word.

Share this link or our Facebook event with your friends.

 

3. Donate to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Count.

It takes time, energy, and resources to make the bicycle and pedestrian count happen! It costs roughly $25 to fund a count location, and we have over 120 locations this year. Make a donation to LACBC for a donation that really goes a long way and counts.

 

Thank you to our amazing sponsors: Pocrass & de Los Reyes, Fehr & Peers, Stantec, and Flying Pigeon.

 

Thank you to our partners: TRUST South L.A., Community Health Councils, Advancement Project, Pacoima Beautiful, Bikerowave, Bike Oven, CM Mike Bonin's Office, and CM Bob Blumenfield's Office.

 

Thank you to our individual donors who have sponsored an intersection: Bruce Chan, Kevin Burton, and John Hall!

 

We're getting our data collection on!

 

Quick Links:

Bike Updates from Around L.A. County: Count Bikes+Peds in Glendale in Two Weeks

  

GlendaleCount
Glendale: Our local chapter Walk Bike Glendale and the City of Glendale are organizing a bike and ped count this month! 
 

There are 65 locations in Glendale and there are three counts times for each one (use this map to find a location convenient for you). That means that 100+ volunteers are needed to make sure that people on bikes and people on foot are getting counted.

 

Count dates are:

  • Wednesday, September 25, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Wednesday, September 25, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (only 2 locations near schools)
  • Wednesday, September 25, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
More information on the count (including information on how to volunteer) can be found on the Walk Bike Glendale blog.
 
MANGo 
Santa Monica: The Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway in Santa Monica is intended to create an inviting streetscape along Michigan Avenue and adjoining streets. The potential, three-mile Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo) would connect residents to schools and community destinations via an inviting streetscape of sidewalks, calm roadways, increased trees and landscape.

The City of Santa Monica hosts Pop-Up MANGo (Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway) on September 21st, a fun, family-friendly event that will provide community members with a interactive understanding of the project and its many elements. You won't want to miss this exciting opportunity to take part in the planning of this beautiful new Greenway.
 
When: Saturday, September 21; 11:00 a.m. tp 3 p.m.
Where: Michigan, between 9th & Euclid, in Santa Monica
More information at SMSpoke.org.

  

Virgil Village:  Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell and his staff conducted a meeting in Virgil Village on Tuesday to discuss the proposed bike lanes on Virgil between Santa Monica and Melrose.  The meeting had about 40 people in attendance, with none expressing opposition to the plan. With Councilman O'Farrell in attendance, business owners, members of neighborhood councils, and Virgil residents expressed their favor for the upgrade, citing dangerous speeds and reckless drivers as their number one concern. With new bike lanes and a turning lane, traffic will be calm and will encourage more ridership along Virgil. See Curbed L.A. for a recap of the meeting.
 
Mid-City: Transportation Committee Chair Scott Epstein of the Mid City West Community Council championed a motion through the board on Tuesday that passed unanimously supporting a bike-friendly Rosewood and Cochran/Alta Vista/Formosa/San Vicente. This neighborhood council-driven project was a grassroots effort by residents who want to make their streets safer. 
 
L.A. River: Due to the Caltrans I-710 widening project, the LA River trail will be closed between Imperial Highway and Clara Street, and a signs will be posted for a detour. The closure for the I-710 project is expected to last 4 months.
 
Pasadena: The City of Pasadena's Department of Transportation is seeking volunteers from all neighborhood associations to sit on a Bicycle Transportation Plan Advisory Committee as it begins to modify the Pasadena Draft Bicycle Transportation Plan. DOT was given direction from City Council to take a bold approach to our future bikeways. Interested individuals please contact Rich Dilluvio, Senior Transportation Planner, at 626-744-7254 or [email protected]. More info.
  
Malibu: The City of Malibu, in collaboration with the Southern California Association of Governments, is conducting the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Safety Study along PCH to examine current road conditions, determine accident patterns, assess traffic conflicts, and develop strategies to improve safety. 
 
Be sure to provide input on PCH safety through Malibu's interactive online website by September 16th.
 
West Hollywood: If you live or ride in West Hollywood, take this short survey from our local chapter West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition to share your thoughts on biking and walking in WeHo! 
 
Marina del Rey: Do you live/play/work in Marina Del Rey? The County of L.A. wants to hear from you!  Contribute ideas on how to make Marina Del Rey more bike-friendly at http://www.envisionmdr.com.
Hollywood Blvd. Bike Ride this Sunday
RideHollywood
When: Sunday, September 15; Meet at 10 a.m.; Ride at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Meet at Sunset Triangle (map)
 
Join the Central Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors on a short exploratory ride down historic Hollywood Blvd. in anticipation for our soon-to-be-launched Ride Hollywood campaign!
 
We'll meet at the Sunset Triangle and roll down Hollywood to the Farmer's Market. There, you can go shopping, stop by our outreach table, (and even volunteer) and perhaps participate in a yoga class or cooking demonstration. The ride is about 3.5 miles and 20-30 minutes long.
 
ACTION ITEM: 3-Foot Passing Bill and Hit-and-Run Bill Head Await Governor Brown's signature

3-Foot Passing Bill
 
AB 1371, the 3-foot passing bill, was passed by the California State Senate last week, and now heads to Governor Brown's desk. 

AB 1371, known as the Three Feet for Safety Act, establishes a buffer zone of at least three feet that motorists must maintain between their vehicle and bicycles they wish to pass.

 

Twenty-one other states already have laws that specify a minimum passing distance for drivers passing bicyclists.

 

In the next few weeks Governor Jerry Brown will consider a bill that will help make bicycling safer for millions of Californians. The California Bicycle Coalition is supporting Assembly Bill 1371 that will require drivers to give bicyclists at least three feet of clearance when overtaking them from behind in the same lane.

 

Send Governor Brown an email urging him to sign AB 1371 and make California the 22nd State to require three feet here.

 

Hit-and-Run Bill

 

Assemblyman Mike Gatto's hit-and-run bill, AB 184, heads to Governor Brown's desk and now awaits his approval!

 

The bill would extend the statute of limitations for hit-and-run crimes from three years to six years. Read more about it at KCET.

Thanks for Attending the East L.A. Ride 
LACBC and specifically our Ride Marshal Team were proud to team up with Supervisor Gloria Molina's office again to bring you the 2nd Annual East L.A. Bicycle Ride on Saturday, September 7th! Thanks to everyone who came out, and thanks to our ride marshals for doing such a great job in keeping everyone together and safe.  
You can check out photos on the LACBC Facebook Page.
Take a FREE Bicycle Safety Class Before the Summer Ends

Through the end of September, LACBC and Metro are proud to offer a series of FREE bicycle safety classes. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  
 
LACBC is offering two different classes to choose from. "Street Cycling Skills" is an in-depth 8-hour course that will teach you how to safely ride in all traffic conditions, check your bike for common mechanical problems, and covers a range of bicycle handling skills including emergency maneuvers. All classes are led by certified instructors and include classroom instruction as well as instruction on the bike. All students will receive a free helmet, bike lights, and educational materials. Pre-registration is required for all classes.

Go to our Bicycle Safety Classes page for more details and to register for a class today! Check the website, as well as the "Need to Know" and "Street Cycling Skills" Facebook events, for updates.
 
For more information on classes offered through the OTS Grant awarded to METRO, please visit the following page.
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Timelapse of a Bike+Ped Count

Timelapse: Silver Lake Bike/Ped Count
Timelapse: Silver Lake Bike/Ped Count
So what exactly happens during a bike+ped count shift? Honestly, sometimes not a whole lot. Our counts are about accurately counting data, and the number of bikes and peds at different locations varies.
 
Our volunteer Will Campbell has volunteered for all three of our L.A. bike+ped counts, and this year, he created a timelapse video of his shift in Silver Lake. Thanks, Will!
 
We've already noticed that some volunteers at locations without heavy bike and pedestrian volumes started counting variables not required of them. People with mustaches, people riding with no hands, tricycles, and puppies got counted by some. We're glad you all are having fun out there!
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

  

L.A. Bike & Ped Count
When: Saturday, September 14; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More info in newsletter.

  

Touring L.A. Count with LACBC & Where to Ride: West Fork to the San Gabriel River
When: Sunday, September 15;  Meet at 8:30 a.m., ride at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Veterans Freedom Park in Azusa - Go east on the 210 Freeway to the Azusa Avenue/Highway 39 exit, drive north to Foothill Blvd, turn right one block to Alameda, and then turn left for about half a block. Veterans Freedom Park and public parking is on the right.

Our destination is the West Fork of the San Gabriel River National Scenic Bikeway: seven miles of single lane, paved road closed to automobile traffic, situated right next to a swiftly flowing stream fed year round by Cogswell Reservoir. Nestled in the mountains north of Monrovia, the West Fork is by far one of the best bicycling ventures into L. A. County's backcountry, featuring spectacular scenery of the Angeles National Forest so close that you can touch it. Sheer rock walls, fragrant chaparral, an abandoned fishing lodge, and vintage bridges are some of the many sights we'll pass as we ride the Bikeway. To get there, we'll start by gradually, steadily riding up Highway 39 past two major reservoirs and occasional views of Mt. Baldy. This road goes nowhere, so car traffic will be light. More info.

 
Hollywood Blvd. Bike Ride
When: Sunday, September 15; Meet at 10 a.m.; Ride at 10:30 a.m.
More info in newsletter.
 
MANGo Pop-Up
When: Saturday, September 21; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More info in newsletter.
 
Party for Pomona Valley
When: Saturday, September 21; 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Sculpture Garden in downtown Pomona - 538. W. Second St., Pomona,
Local chapter Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition thanks all of its supporters and volunteers by throwing a thank-you BBQ. It's not only a chance to party and hang out, but also a chance  to get excited for upcoming fall events, share ideas, and to continue building PVBC support. Free hot dogs and veggie dogs and snacks and drinks and for those 21+ we will be serving Pomona Queen Beer from Dales Bro Brewery. See Facebook event.
 
Glendale Bike & Ped Count
When: Wednesday, September 25; 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. & 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
More info in newsletter.
  
Glendale Bike & Ped Count
When: Saturday, September 28; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More info in newsletter.
 
Tour de Co-ops
When: Saturday, September 28
Where: L.A.-area co-ops
Save the day for Tour de Co-ops, a bike ride to visit all of the local co-ops (including LACBC's own Bici Libre) and raise funds for them. See Facebook event.

  

New Belgium Tour de Fat - San Diego
When: Saturday, September 28; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Golden Hill Park, San Diego
Take a weekend trip down south to support our friends at the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and the San Diego Mountain Biking Association for beers, bikes, and bemusement for Tour de Fat. Remember, you can enter for a chance to win a trip for two to Tour de Fat if you join LACBC or renew your membership by September 12th!

  

Walk to School Day - L.A.
When: Wednesday, October 9
Where: Across Los Angeles
Walktober kicks off with "Walk to School Day" on Wednesday, October 9th, 2013. The City of Los Angeles is joining the global community for  "International Walk to School Month."  The goal is to celebrate the benefits of walking and to educate kids about pedestrian safety. Register your school at walktoschoolday-la.org
Other Events Around Town

LACBC Local Chapters

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