LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

February 6, 2014 

In this issue
Our Breaking Away Screening & Operation Firefly Fundraiser Is Next Wednesday, February 12
Enter Laemmle Theatres' Ride with Greg Laemmle Contest and Come to a Climate Ride Meet & Greet Next Wednesday
Get Your Earlybird Tickets for Our Sweet 16 Bike Prom by Tomorrow, February 7
ACTION ITEM: Send a Letter of Support for MANGo in Santa Monica
Updates from Around the County: Rails to River Meeting Coming Up
LACBC Members Save at Yoga at the Village in Glendale
MyFig Update: Two Steps Forward and One Step Backwards for Protected Bikeways
Neighborhood Council Elections Coming Up, Candidate Filing Periods Open Now
Fundraise for LACBC at the 14th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 22
Highlights from the Active Streets L.A. Community Event
Highlights from the Super Bowl Sunday Funday Warm-Up Ride
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Sweet Ride Consumes Bike-Churned Ice Cream and Cronuts
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Our Breaking Away Screening & Operation Firefly Fundraiser Is Next Wednesday, February 12
BreakingAway

LACBC is partnering with Laemmle's NoHo 7 to screen the 1979 cycling classic Breaking AwayBreaking Away tells the story about a bicycle enthusiast in a small college town spending his post-high school summer trying to sort out his future, while chasing after the girl of his dreams, and training for the two biggest races of his life. 

When: Wednesday, February 12; 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Laemmle NoHo 7 - 5240 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601 (Take the Red Line or Orange Line there!)
Purchase tickets: Our earlybird tickets are now sold out.  Please purchase tickets directly from Laemmle Theaters for $11.
RSVP and spread the word through our Facebook event.

Proceeds from the screening will benefit Operation Firefly, our education and bike light distribution program intended to make sure people riding bikes in Los Angeles are riding safely at night.

A raffle will also accompany the screening and will include:
  • Cinzano Cycling Kit (2)
  • Bell Bicycle Helmet
  • Pedalers West Cycling Jersey
  • Saddle Bag and Studio City Cycle Co. Gift Card
  • Coppi - Inside the Legend of the Campionissimo book
  • Italian Racing Bicycles book
  • District Pub Gift Card & Water Bottle
  • Pitfire Pizza Gift Card & Water Bottle
  • The Counter Gift Card & Water Bottle
Support LACBC in what we do best: Making the communities of L.A. County healthy, safe, and fun places to bike!

If you have any questions about the event, please contact [email protected].

Enter Laemmle Theatres' Ride with Greg Laemmle Contest and Come to a Climate Ride Meet & Greet Next Wednesday

 ClimateRide

You're invited to join Team LACBC on 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! We are once again a beneficiary and you can be part of the fun and raise funds for LACBC at the time.

 

Right now, we're recruiting members for our new Team LACBC on the California ride. Sign up now, or enter the 'Ride with Greg Laemmle' Contest.

 

Laemmle Theatres' Ride with Greg Laemmle Contest

 

Do the Climate Ride as part of Team LACBC and Win a 2014 Movie Pass to Laemmle Theatres! Enter at www.laemmle.com/ride by February 17th!

  

For this Sweepstakes One GRAND PRIZE Winner will receive:

  1. An Unlimited Laemmle Movie Pass for the remainder of 2014!! This pass is good for you and a guest to ANY regular screening at ANY of Laemmle Theatres' seven locations.
  2. Free Registration for Climate Ride California, May 17-20. 
  3. Ride with our LACBC board member and Team LACBC Captain Greg Laemmle as part of TEAM LACBC. Riding with Greg Laemmle is an experience you will not soon forget!
  4. Receive a $2500 contribution toward their Climate Ride fundraising goal from the Laemmle Charitable Foundation.

Two SECOND PRIZE Winners will receive:

Same as Grand Prize Winner EXCEPT...

Receive a Climate Ride fundraising contribution of $1250 from the Laemmle Charitable Foundation.

 

Two THIRD PRIZE Winners will receive:

Same as Grand Prize Winner BUT WITHOUT a guaranteed Climate Ride financial contribution.

 

To be ELIGIBLE you must:

Enter the contest using the form here by February 17th. You must include a STATEMENT on WHY YOU WANT TO RIDE WITH GREG. Winning statements will be chosen by an outside panel of judges. Winners will be announced on March 2nd.

 

What are you waiting for? Enter today!

 

Meet & Greet

with Blake Holiday (CR Director) and Greg Laemmle (Team LACBC Captain)

 

Come to The Federal Bar for a Meet & Greet with Climate Ride Director Blake Holiday and Team LACBC Captain Greg Laemmle before the Breaking Away screening, and hug two kittens with one arm*! It's your chance to ask questions and possibly meet fellow Team LACBC riders in preparation for May's Climate Ride California.

Team LACBC Climate Ride Meet & Greet
When: Wednesday, February 12; 6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Where: The Federal Bar - 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
Please RSVP to [email protected] so we can get a head count.
Get Your Earlybird Tickets for Our Sweet 16 Bike Prom by Tomorrow, February 7
BikeProm 

Let's party like it's 1998! That was the year that Tara Lipinski skated to Gold at the Nagano Olympics, Matt and Ben became our new celebrity crushes, and Britney Spears debuted ". . . Baby One More Time." 1998 also marks the birth of LACBC, making 2014 the year that we celebrate our Sweet 16!  

 

Get your earlybird tickets by tomorrow to save some money!

 

Sweet 16 Bike Prom Benefiting LACBC

When:  Saturday, February 22; 8:00 p.m. to 12 midnight

Where: American Legion Hall Post 206 - 227 N. Ave. 55, Highland Park

Purchase tickets: Purchase tickets hereEarlybird tickets are $8 for LACBC members and $16 for nonmembers if purchased by February 7th. Each ticket includes one raffle ticket.

RSVP and spread the word via our Facebook event.

 

You're invited to our second annual Bike Prom, where we'll be dancing, crowning the bike prom queens and kings, having a mega raffle, taking our official prom photos (check out photos from last year), and dressing in our best late-'90s attire.

 

We've now confirmed our DJs and special guests: DJs Skramble, Trickmilla and Evan C, PLUS a special set from electronic pop artist (and former LACBC Outreach Coordinator) La Muff!

 

Need some late-'90s inspiration? Check out this 1998 pop culture retrospective from Vulture.

ACTION ITEM: Send Letter of Support for MANGo in Santa Monica
MANGo

The Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo) concept plan will be presented to City Council on February 11th. Please send a letter of support for MANGo today, and if you can, please come to the City Council Meeting and voice your support!

Santa Monica City Council
When: Tuesday, February 11; 7:00 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica City Hall Council Chambers, room 213 - 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica
 
Support Santa Monica's first Neighborhood Greenway: MANGo with an email to Santa Monica Mayor Pam O'Connor, City Council, Commissioners, and staff. Even with this awesome project,there is opposition from those who still want vehicles prioritized over people, our health, and safety. To help, our local chapter Santa Monica Spoke has created some template letters that you can use for inspiration or to cut and paste.

We encourage you to customize with your personal comments or please feel free to simply cut and paste and email to the list on the SM Spoke website. You can see more about MANGo in the drop down menu here on our website. "Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway"

Support letters:
Read Santa Monica Spoke's letter of support sent to City Council here
If you live in the Pico Neighborhood, use the a specific letter here.
If you have children, use a letter from that perspective here.

Get more information on Santa Monica Spoke's website.

You can support local bike advocacy in Santa Monica when you sign up for LACBC membership and join Santa Monica Spoke at no extra cost.
Updates from Around the County: Rails to River Meeting Coming Up

South L.A.:  Last year, Supervisors and Metro Board Members Mark Ridley-Thomas and Gloria Molina began promoting a proposal to build an 8.3-mile bike and pedestrian path to connect the future Crenshaw/LAX Line to the L.A. River.

 

There is a meeting for stakeholders on Wednesday, February 26 at the Los Angeles Academy Middle School's multi-purpose room, 644 E. 56th Street, Los Angeles, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check out Metro's The Source for more information.

LACBC Members Save at Yoga at the Village in Glendale

As an LACBC member, you can enjoy many great discounts from local supportive businesses. We're excited to welcome Yoga at the Village, a local yoga studio, to our growing list of businesses that offer discounts to LACBC members.

Show your LACBC membership card and pay only $12 per class or 10% off of a regular series.

Yoga at the Village is located at 1306 Sonora Ave. in the Kenneth Village section of Glendale.
 
Thanks and welcome, Yoga at the Village!

MyFig Update: Two Steps Forward and One Step Backwards for Protected Bikeways

 

We've been focused on My Figueroa, which promises to be the City's first true protected bikeway (a.k.a. cycletrack), distinguished by a curb to separate bicyclists from traffic and dedicated bike signals at intersections.


Last week, L.A.'s Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) deferred to the Councilmember Price by continuing the item for 30 days to address the motion and instructed city staff report back to the committee. Councilmember Price has proposed to delay the project and exhaustively study alternatives. Major institutions along the corridor, including the California Science Center, Natural History Museum, California African American Museum, USC, and Shammas Auto Group cited congestion concerns and supported the Price motion to further study the project.
 

The MyFigueroa project has been developed with robust community input, context sensitivity and compromise, when warranted. Like protected bikeways all across the country, it will be a boon to business along the corridor. It is a project worthy of being Mayor Eric Garcetti's first "Great Street." Los Angeles is on the cusp of reinventing itself in the public realm. This is no time for delay.

 

If you are a regular visitor to any of the institutions along the Figueroa Corridor, please let them know that you support making Figueroa walkable and bikeable without delay:

Special thanks to our partners T.R.U.S.T. South L.A., Community Health Councils, Los Angeles Walks, and the USC Bicycle Coalition.

 

Read more on the LACBC blog.

Neighborhood Council Elections Coming Up, Candidate Filing Periods Open Now

While the fate of Lankershim Bike lanes remains uncertain, LACBC realizes the importance of effective community outreach and engagement.  As folks working tirelessly to get bike lanes in North Hollywood, you have learned firsthand that Neighborhood Councils (NC's) play a big role in accomplishing that objective.

LACBC encourages you all to get engaged with your local neighborhood council elections.

How can you get involved?
  1. Get to know your neighborhood council. They have discretionary funds to spend on local events, (bike rides!!!), and other projects they deem worthy. They also advise elected officials who ultimately determine how the 2010 Bicycle Master Plan will be implemented, among other important mobility objectives.
  2. VOTE in your upcoming NC election. Check election dates. North West Valley and North East Valley elections are coming up in early March.
  3. Consider running for a seat on your NCIf you want to run for your NC, use this as a reference for the filing deadline and election date. Dates differ based on the 'region' that you're in. Mark your calendars and get involved.
If you need any help navigating their page or have ANY questions about the process, please let our policy & campaign manager Alek Bartrosouf at [email protected] know. We would love to hear if you decide to run!
Fundraise for LACBC at the 14th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 22
RiverRide
We recently opened up registration for the 14th Annual L.A. River Ride. Want to go the extra mile and help make the L.A. River a healthier, safer, and more fun place to ride a bike? Become a River Ride Fundraiser!
 
Your fundraising supports our work to connect and complete the River path by the year 2020 as part of the Greenway 2020 campaign.
 
When you meet certain fundraising milestones, you can earn River Ride registration, as well as other great prizes like LACBC and River Ride bike gear.
 
Also, let's not forget about the biggest prizes for our top fundraisers!

Grand Prize

VBT's Tuscany by the Sea biking vacation

VBT's Tuscany by the Sea biking vacation takes you to the untouched Maremma region, where ancient Etruscan roads lead to white-sand beaches, protected wetlands teem with birdlife and ancient castles overlook timeless villages. We drink it all in as we cycle through magnificent coastal vistas, stay at rustic agriturismi (converted farm houses) and sample regional wines and olive oils with inviting local hosts.

 

VBT's Tuscany by the Sea biking vacation includes:

  • River Ride Fundraising Champion Tish Laemmle enjoys her prize!
    Roundtrip international airfare from New York
  • 8 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels and a country resort
  • 15 meals - 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Free use of custom VBT bicycle and helmet
  • Service of two local, bilingual VBT Trip Leaders
  • Full van support
  • Daily route directions and maps
  • Guided sightseeing as described in the tour  itinerary
  • Unique authentic, cultural activities

Our two-time fundraising champion, Tish Laemmle, went on the bike tour through Tuscany and had this to say about her experience: "My husband and I had never gone on an official' bike tour before winning the VBT trip last year. I can honestly say that it was one of the best vacations of our lives. What could be more fun than biking through the beautiful gentle rolling hills of Tuscany? We loved everything about the trip. . . the group leaders, the other participants, the delicious Italian cuisine, the cooking class, the charming hotels, the gelato, EVERYTHING. It was a perfect vacation!"

 

Runner-Up Prizes

Other Guaranteed Prizes

Raise at least any of the amounts below and you are guaranteed the following:

  • $50: the first 20 folks to raise $50 get an LACBC pint glass
  • $100: registration for the 14 Annual L.A. River Ride
  • $175: a pair of LACBC socks
  • $250: the 2014 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
  • $5000: a custom vintage cocktail mixology, tea ceremony, or dinner with our Executive Director Jen Klausner and Board President Alex Amerri
Learn more about fundraising here.

Set up your page here.

More on the 14th Annual L.A. River Ride:
 
When: Sunday, June 22, 2014
Where: start at Autry National Center in Griffith Park or the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
Register here by May 27th and save $10.
LACBC Members save an additional $10.
Kids 12 and under ride for free.
10 great rides with 2 start locations (one at the Autry and one at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
Highlights from the Active Streets L.A. Community Event

This past Saturday, LACBC, Trust South LA, L.A.D.O.T. Bike Program, and Los Angeles Public Library joined forces for another Active Streets L.A. community event at the Vermont Square Library and Park. Over 100 people came out, and we had a great walk, bike safety training, raffle, and bike repair from El Maestro Bicycle Shop.

Check out some photos on the LACBC Facebook page.
Highlights from the Super Bowl Sunday Funday Warm-Up Ride

Many thanks to the 35+ folks who came out for our pre-Super Bowl ride on a crisp Sunday! We met at the NoHo Red Line Station, came up the Chandler Bike Path, and took the L.A. River Path to Los feliz before returning through Griffith Park.

Many thanks to our ride leader Greg Laemmle. And thanks to LACBC Ride Marshal Mike Newton for providing ride support!

You can see photos on the LACBC Facebook page.
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Sweet Ride Consumes Bike-Churned Ice Cream and Cronuts
Bikes & Desserts - Sweet Ride USA EP3 (Full Episode)
Bikes & Desserts - Sweet Ride USA EP3

Our favorite show about biking and desserts is out with a new episode, so of course we're watching it and becoming very hungry. The latest episode, hosted by LACBC member Steve Isaacs, takes viewers to taste the bicycle-churned ice cream of Peddler's Creamery (the site of many LACBC field trips) in Downtown L.A. We also learn more about L.A. Bike Trains and Safecast and visit Orange 20 and the Witch's House before burning some calories on the way to DK Donuts in Santa Monica.

Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

MANGo Reviewed at Santa Monica City Council

When: Tuesday, February 11; 7 p.m.

More info in newsletter.

 

Team LACBC Climate Ride Meet & Greet

When: Wednesday, February 12; 6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
More info in newsletter. 

 

Breaking Away Movie Screening & Operation Firefly Fundraiser

When: Wednesday, February 12; 7:30 p.m.

More info in newsletter.

  

Tour L.A. County with LACBC and Where to Bike: Through the San Gabriel Foothills - River Bikeways and Historic Towns

When: Sunday, February 16;  Meet at 8:30 a.m., ride at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Classic Coffee - 148 North Glendora Avenue, Glendora, 91741 (Meet in the public parking lot behind Classic Coffee)

January's Touring ride--a tour in the San Gabriel foothills along the northeastern fringe of urban Los Angeles--has been rescheduled. Rich in history, variety and natural beauty, the area is home to some of LA County's earliest small cities: Monrovia (incorporated in 1887), Azusa (1898) and Glendora (1911). Two river bike-path systems - along the San Gabriel and the Rio Hondo - tie together the ride, passing along the Emerald Necklace, an evolving string of pocket parks and greenways. The route also includes the Royal Oaks Bike Trail (a rails-to-trails path on the old Red Line trolley right-of-way) and a foray into Monrovia Canyon Park, with its forest and streams. More info.

 

Los Angeles Bicycle Commuter Festival & Summit

When: Sunday, February 16; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: The Village at Ed Gould Plaza - 1125 N. McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, 90038

Come to this day-long festival with fun workshops, vendors, food, and beverage to entertain, educate, and connect the 'bike curious' of Los Angeles to the joys of riding bicycles for transportation. LACBC is just one of many local bike organizations participating. See Facebook event and get your tickets here.

 

Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Ride & Run

When: Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23

Where: L.A. Chinatown

Ring in the Lunar New Year by riding or running, and celebrate the Year of the Horse! We've partnered with the exciting Chinatown Firecracker Ride & Run the past few years by providing bike valet for the event. And once again this year, register with this link so that LACBC will receive a $7 donation for each registration.

 

Sweet 16 Bike Prom benefiting LACBC

When: Saturday, February 22; 8:00 p.m. to 12 midnight

More info in newsletter.

  

Venice-Mar Vista Bike Ride

When: Sunday, February 23; 10 a.m.

Where: Meet at Mar Vista Farmers' Market - 3826 Grand View Blvd, 90066

Join LACBC West Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors Kevin and John for a leisurely 8-to-10-mile bike ride in the Venice and Mar Vista area. Check our Facebook event for more details.

  

CicLAvia - Iconic Wilshire Blvd.

When: Sunday, April 6; 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Wilshire Blvd.

The first CicLAvia of 2014 comes back to one of L.A.'s favorite streets: Wilshire Blvd.! Bike, walk, run, skip, play, and eat. More info.

 

Finish the Ride

When: Sunday, April 27

Where: on Fountain Ave at L Ron Hubbard Way

On Sunday, February 17th, 2013, Damian Kevitt and his wife were riding their bikes around the streets of Los Angeles and along the L.A. River Bike Path when a light colored mini-van struck Damian and pinned him underneath the mini-van. Damian suffered road burns and lost his right leg, and has since vowed to Finish the Ride that he started on that day. Please join Damian on an organized ride called Finish the Ride on April 27th, as proceeds benefit Challenged Athletes and LACBC. More info.

 

14th Annual Los Angeles River Ride

When: Sunday, June 22

More info in newsletter.

LACBC Local Chapters - Join when you become an LACBC member or renew your membership!


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]

 

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