LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

December 12, 2013 

In this issue
Pedal and Sing with Us for the Annual Larchmont Holiday Caroling Ride on Sunday
Flame Your Frame: A Holiday Bike Parade of East L.A.
Highlights from the LACBC Open House
Updates from Around L.A. County: 2nd Street Bike Lanes Get Delineatos
Become and LACBC Member and Enjoy Great Discounts at Places like MGN Five Star Cinema in Glendale
Office Volunteers Needed
Give the Gift of LACBC Membership, Operation Firefly Bike Lights this Holiday Season
Walk Bike Glendale Hosts Bike Talk this Saturday
Support LACBC on Climate Ride California this May
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Operation Firefly Buzzes on Over in WeHo
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Pedal and Sing with Us Sunday for the Annual Larchmont Holiday Caroling RideCarolingRide

It's the Holidays! Kids young and old look forward to this special magical time all year, and now that it is here. Our 4th Annual Holiday Caroling Ride combines cycling fun with caroling, cookies, and cocoa in the beautiful Larchmont Village.

When: Sunday, December 15; Meet at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at Rotary Club Christmas Tree Lot - 568 N. Larchmont Blvd.

We will meet at 4:30 PM at the Christmas Tree lot on Larchmont Blvd. just south of Clinton street on the east side of the street. We'll ride approximately two miles around the neighborhoods surrounding Larchmont and Larchmont Blvd. itself, stopping to admire the dazzling decorations, sing carols to holiday shoppers, and enjoy some cocoa and cookies afterwards.

 

The route is flat and suitable for even the littlest riders. Please bring bike lights and helmets. Heavy rain cancels.

 

RSVP: Please RSVP to Carol Feucht at [email protected] or to our Facebook event.

 

Want to ride closer to Glendale? Local Chapter Walk Bike Glendale is also leading a family-friendly holiday bike ride on the same day!

Flame Your Frame: A Holiday Bike Parade of East L.A.
FlameFrame
LACBC and Red Bull present Flame Your Frame: A Holiday Bike Parade of East L.A. Trim your rims this holiday season and show off in the most Navidad of neighborhoods: East Los Angeles.

When: Saturday, December 21; Meet at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at the parking lot of 4801 Civic Center Way, East L.A. 9002 (Gold Line Stop: Civic Center)
 
Ride and show your pride through the streets of East L.A. with musical accompaniment. Music, tacos, Red Bull, and champurrado after the ride.The best decorated bikes, as judges by LACBC Luchador El Pedal, will be awarded prizes, including a bike for the 1st place winner.

Join us for this festive and free ride!
Thanks for Celebrating with Us at the LACBC Open House 

Many thanks to everyone who came out last night to celebrate bicycling in L.A. County and learn more about LACBC and the people who make it great! We were overjoyed with the turnout and enthusiasm you all had last Thursday, and we think it's safe to say that bikey people L.A. are the best people to party with.


Thanks to DJ Skramble; Madame Pamita; photographers Jon White, Vincent Ho, and CJ Aroche; and all of our local chapter leaders, Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors, interns, and Open House volunteers!
 
We had a great night full of highlights from the past year, goals for next year, great food, great drinks, great music, and great company. We honored Councilmember Jose Huizar with the "It's Not Easy Being Green" award for his dedication to keeping the Spring Street bike lane green. We also awarded Councilmember Mike Bonin with the "Bicycle Count" award for his council office's support of the City of L.A. Bicycle and Pedestrian Count and data collection. We also honored our top River Ride Fundraisers for their contributions to making L.A. County a better place to ride; they included two-time River Ride Fundraising Champion Tish Laemmle, fundraising runner-up Carrie Ungerman, fundraiser and Valley Neighborhood Bike Ambassador Doug John, and fundraiser Paul Des Marais. Lastly, we honored our Volunteer of the Year Andy Au for his years of spreading the LACBC word throughout the County, and bringing his family along with him. (You can read about Andy and the Au family on this profile on our blog from earlier this year.)
 
You can check out a few photos on the LACBC Facebook page. We'll have more up later, including excellent photobooth shots from Jon White.
Updates from Around L.A. County: 2nd Street Bike Lanes Get Delineators

Downtown L.A.: The 2nd Street bike lanes received delineators to complement the 4-foot buffer last week, making it L.A.'s first protected bike lane. Read more about it on the LADOT Bike Blog. 
 
West Hollywood: The process of updating the City of West Hollywood's Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan is nearing its end. City staff are scheduled to make presentations to Commissions in December, and it is important for bicyclists to attend and provide comments to the commissioners. 
 
There is also an on-line survey and interactive map created by the City of WeHo for community members to share their ideas at www.walkbikeweho.com/ideas.
 
The Plan is scheduled to be presented to the City Council in February, 2014. Now is the time for your voice to be heard!
 
Attend and voice your support of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Mobility Plan

When: Transportation Commission meeting on Wednesday, December 18
Where: Transportation & Public Facilities Commissions both meet at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Conference Room of City Hall located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard. 

Los Angeles: The City of of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department (RAP) is seeking public input on the future and funding of our City parks. This is being conducted through a series of public meetings, and an online Community Budget Discussion survey.

Concered Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) and LACBC are taking this opportunity to remind RAP of their obligations and duties as identified in the 2010 Los Angeles City Bike Plan. CORBA worked diligently to keep the meager provisions for off-road cycling in the 2010 Bike Plan, while the powerful equestrian lobby fought hard to have them removed.

 

To our knowledge, nothing has yet been done to implement the off-road cycling provisions identified in Chapter 4, Sections 3.3.5, 3.3.6, and 3.3.7 of the 2010 Bike Plan. The lead agency identified for those provisions is RAP. The Bike Plan calls for these provisions to be completed by 2015.

 

City of Los Angeles residents are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey is available at http://laparks.org, where a popup window will direct you to the survey. The survey can also be accessed directly at http://m.laparks.org/survey/#survey, but please read on before doing so.

 

El Monte and South El Monte: The San Gabriel Valley Bicycle Master Plan is currently in development. Part of this project entails the first ever comprehensive bicycle data collection effort for the region. Never before has the SGV embarked on such an endeavor, so needless to say this is HISTORIC and you can be a part of it! 

 

All volunteers will receive a complimentary bicycle accessory package (t-shirt, Monkey Lights, water bottle & more) upon completing the mandatory training (Friday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.) and at least 3 bike count time slots. 

Round 1: El Monte (7 locations along Tyler/Ramona Corridors)  
  • Saturday, December 14; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 17; 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
  • Tuesday, December 17; 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Round 2: South El Monte (5 locations along Thienes/Rush/Durfee Corridors)

  • Thursday, December 19; 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
  • Thursday, December 19; 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 21; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Reserve your spot today: http://doodle.com/x66wybp354f73x4f
Become an LACBC Member and Enjoy Great Discounts at Places Like MGN Five Star Cinema

As an LACBC member, you can enjoy many great discounts from local supportive businesses. We're excited to welcome MGN Five Star Cinema, a new dine-in movie theater in Glendale, to our growing list of businesses that offer discounts to LACBC members.

Show your LACBC membership card and receive 10% off at Frame128, the in-theater restaurant..

MGN Five Star Cinema is located at 128 N. Maryland Ave. in Glendale and can be contacted at 1-888-501-0101.

Thanks and welcome, MGN Five Star Cinema!
Office Volunteers Needed

We are looking for volunteers to process the 2013 Ped and Bike Counts we conducted in September. If you can come in to the office Monday through Friday for a few hours please contact [email protected].  We have endless snacks and Jarritos for our volunteers!  
Give the Gift of LACBC Membership, Operation Firefly Bike Lights this Holiday Season

This holiday season, give your friends and family something unique; Give them an LACBC Gift Membership or a set of Operation Firefly bike lights!

 

LACBC membership a gift that provides your loved ones with useful information, bike shop discounts, free or discounted admission to LACBC events, and a safer ride. Their membership packet also includes the LACBC Bicycle Resource Guide, an LA County Bikeways map, and a membership card for discounts. Not only does an LACBC membership make a great gift, but it supports LACBC's work to create a better, bike-able LA County!

 

If you want your gift membership to arrive at a local address by Christmas day, please make your purchase by Tuesday, December 17th, at the latest!

 


Purchasing a set of Operation Firefly bike lights will not only light up your bike ride, but it will also light up another person's! For every set you buy, we'll be able to give a set away to a bicyclist that really needs it and you'll support Operation Firefly.

Please purchase lights by Monday, December 16th to receive lights by Christmas!

Walk Bike Glendale Hosts Bike Talk this Saturday 

LACBC local chapter Walk Bike Glendale (WBG) will be guest-hosting Bike Talk on Killradio this Saturday, December 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Check out the program as WBG co-chair Katie Kurutz and steering committee members talk about the past year's accomplishments in Glendale, upcoming activities (including a bike ride on Dec. 15), and how you can get involved. Bike Talk will also be available as a podcast download on KPFK. LACBC and local chapters are the guest-host of Bike Talk on the second Saturday of every month.

Support LACBC on Climate Ride California this May

 

You're invited to join Team LACBC on Climate Ride California! We are once again a beneficiary and you can join the brand-new epic 4-day pedaling adventure in Northern California through wine country.

 

Right now, we're recruiting members for our new Team LACBC on the California ride. You can be part of the fun and raise funds for LACBC at the same time! Team LACBC was the top team in last year's California ride. Let's bring the trophy (OK, pint glasses) back home this year! If you join our team by December 4th, you'll be invited to our exclusive donor appreciation party on December 5th.

 

Climate Ride California (May 17-20, 2014) is a 4-day, fully-supported cycling adventure that begins in San Francisco, heads north up the coast and through Wine Country to California's Capitol in Sacramento. 

What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Operation Firefly Buzzes on Over in WeHo
Operation FireFly
Operation Firefly

Last week, the City of West Hollywood and local chapter West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition teamed up for an Operation Firefly-inspired bike light giveaway. Armed with bike lights, educational materials, and a fancy lit-up sign, bike riders learned to ride more safely at night and were equipped with bike lights to be seen.
 
WeHo TV was there to cover the bike light giveaway. Check out this short news segment and check out some photos on the WeHoBC Facebook page.
 
(You can also check out photos from yesterday's Operation Firefly distribution in Hollywood on our Facebook page. Thanks to Councilmember Tom LaBonge for sponsoring it.)
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

Dale Bros. Brewery Hoppy Holidays Fundraiser for PVBC
When: Saturday, December 14; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Dale Bros. - 2120 Porterfield Way, Upland
PVBC is excited to be part of Dale Bros. Brewery's Hoppy Holidays fundraiser this year. There will be live music, tacos and tamales, and fun raffle items of bike gear and Dale Bros. gift baskets. $5 entrance fee. Take the Metrolink and ride out to this holiday fundraiser! More information can be found on the Facebook event.

  

Larchmont Holiday Caroling Ride
When: Sunday, December 15; meet at 4:30 p.m., ride at 5:00 p.m.
More info in newsletter.

 

Glendale Holiday RideGlendaleHolidayRide
When: Sunday, December 15; meet at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Nibley Park - 1103 E. Mountain, Glendale  
Join local chapter Walk Bike Glendale for a family-friendly a holiday ride through the Rossmoyne neighborhood to admire all the beautifully decorated homes. WBG will ride around the neighborhood for 5 miles with a pit stop for some hot cocoa. Please bring a helmet and lights for your bicycle! Kids and families are welcome! See Facebook event.

 

Flame Your Frame: A Holiday Bike Parade of East L.A.
When: Saturday, December 21; Meet at 4:30 p.m.
More info in newsletter.
 
Touring L.A. County with LACBC and Where to Bike: Route 66

When: Sunday, December 22; meet at 8:30 a.m., ride at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Union Station in downtown Los Angeles - 800 N. Alameda, Los Angeles, 90012 (Meet in the garden courtyard on the south side of the main concourse of Union Station.) 

Route 66, also known as the Mother Road, Main Street of America, or the Will Rogers Highway, is one of our Nation's first interstate highways. Opened in 1926, it rolls west from Chicago. In our end of the country, it passes through Azusa, Pasadena, downtown L. A., and on to its unofficial terminus at the Pier in Santa Monica. On this 40-mile tour, we'll experience a bit of this historic highway by following a bike friendly version of Route 66 (the current official route is on the 101 Freeway from downtown to Hollywood) from Union Station west on Sunset Boulevard, then Fountain Avenue, then Santa Monica Boulevard and a few side streets to the ocean. Along the way, we'll ride down holiday decorated streets in Silver Lake, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica. After a short break at the Pier, we'll meander back to downtown on Main Street, Abbot Kenney, Venice Boulevard, and another Main Street. More info.

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