LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

February 13, 2014 

In this issue
City of L.A. Announces 180-mile Network of Family-Friendly Bikeways
Updates from Around the County: Santa Monica Council Approves MANGo Project, and a Bicycle Friendly Business Districts Coming to NELA
ACTION ALERT: Support Complete Streets by Contacting the House and the Senate
Enter Laemmle Theatres' Ride with Greg Laemmle Contest by this Monday, February 17th
Neighborhood Council Elections Coming Up, Candidate Filing Periods Open Now
Party Like It's 1998 at Our Sweet 16 Bike Prom on February 22nd
Thanks for Attending Our 'Breaking Away' Screening and Supporting Operation Firefly
LACBC Members Save at Bar One in NoHo
Fundraise for LACBC at the 14th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 22nd
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Highlights from the West Valley Community Bike Ride
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
City of L.A. Announces 180-mile Network of Family-Friendly Bikeways 

Today the City of Los Angeles released two draft documents for 90 days of public comment that will prioritize safety and health in the City's General Plan: the Mobility Element and the Plan for a Healthy Los Angeles

 

LACBC, Los Angeles Walks and other stakeholders were involved in the development of both plans to ensure that the needs of LA's bicyclists and pedestrians were considered. The plans call for a layered network of complete streets that serve all people who travel on them, with special focus on vulnerable road users, including children, the elderly, pedestrians and bicyclists.

 

LACBC worked with the Department of City Planning to develop a 180-mile network of protected bikeways and high-quality neighborhood streets that will "provide safe, convenient, and comfortable local and regional facilities for cyclists of all types and abilities." This is another of LACBC's campaign goals we asked Mayor Garcetti to accomplish this year. (Sign the petition here.)

 

What else does the Mobility Element do?

  • Makes safety the City's number one transportation priority, particularly the safety of children walking to school
  • Sets design speeds for city streets and provides engineering and enforcement solutions to stop the constant increase in speed limits
  • Anticipates building 45 miles of protected bikeways every 5 years
  • Doubles the share of Measure R Local Return for walking and bicycling
  • Calls for annual bicycle and pedestrian counts by LADOT
  • Sets a performance metric of zero increase in car travel per person

We are thrilled to see complete streets and "8 to 80" bikeways embraced by the City, but this plan is only a draft and we need YOU to make sure it is adopted. How? By attending an upcoming workshop in your neighborhood and voicing your support for the Bicycle-Enhanced Network.

 

Workshops:

 

NORTH VALLEY

When: Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m. - 12 noon

Where: Granada Hills Recreation Center - 16730 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

 

CENTRAL

When: Wednesday, March 19; 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where: Metro Headquarters (near Patsaouras Plaza) - One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

SOUTH LOS ANGELES

When: Saturday, March 22; 9 a.m. - 12 noon

Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center - 3916 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062

 

EAST

When: Saturday, March 29; 9 a.m. - 12 noon

Where: Boyle Heights City Hall - 2130 E. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90033

 

WEST

When: Wednesday, April 2; 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Where: Westwood United Methodist Church - 10497 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90024

 

SOUTH VALLEY

When: Saturday, April 5; 9 a.m. - 12 noon

Where: Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center - 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401

 

HARBOR

When: Saturday, April 12; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: Peck Park Community Center - 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro, CA 90732

 

Read more on the LACBC Blog.

Updates from Around the County: Santa Monica Council Approves MANGo Project, and a Bicycle Friendly Business District Coming to Northeast L.A.

Santa Monica: On Tuesday, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway. Known as MANGo, the project aims to change the street design of Michigan Avenue and slow down traffic in order to make biking, walking, and getting around safer and more pleasant for people of all ages, from 8 to 80.

The City Council also approved a partner project to make Santa Monica High School safer to bike and walk to! You can learn more about these projects to make Santa Monica a safer place at Santa Monica Next

Thanks to our local chapter Santa Monica Spoke for their work with MANGo. If you would like to support making Santa Monica a healthy, safe, and fun place to ride a bike, support Santa Monica Spoke's work by becoming a LACBC/Santa Monica Spoke member.

Northeast L.A.:The City of Los Angeles will be introducing its first Bicycle Friendly Business District in Northeast L.A.! A BFBD is a partnership between the City, neighborhood and business organizations, and local businesses to improve bicycle infrastructure and local business promotions to people travelling by bicycle, which are beneficial to people on bikes. The district encourages short, local trips, which are beneficial to the businesses.

 

While we first saw BFBDs in Long Beach, this will be a first in L.A. The BFBD program is in its first pilot phase in NELA and will launch in 2015-2016.

The pilot targets NELA's primary business corridors: Colorado Boulevard, York Boulevard, Eagle Rock Boulevard, and N. Figueroa Street. The area was selected for study because of its recent additions of and plans for bike infrastructure.

 

You can read more about the BFBD on the LADOT Bike Blog.

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.

 

MyFigueroa: 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.

 
Several weeks ago, 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:

Read more on the LACBC blog.

ACTION ALERT: Support Complete Streets by Contacting the House and the Senate

Imagine if Complete Streets--streets that accommodate all users of the road, from ages 8-80--became the norm across the country. It's possible, with a couple of bills that are gaining momentum in the House and the Senate.

Last year, the Safe Streets Act (HR 2468) was introduced in the House, and last week, the same bill (S 2004) was introduced in the Senate. We need Complete Streets included now since both the House and Senate are drafting transportation bills! 

Back in 2012, the Senate passed a bill that included complete streets, but the House took it out. With bi-partisan support in the House and growing support nationwide (locally, Metro is soon adopting a Countywide Complete Streets Policy), 2014 is an excellent time to make it happen.
 
Please use this email template from the League of American Bicyclists to show your support today! 

Enter Laemmle Theatres' Ride with Greg Laemmle Contest by this Monday, February 17th

 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 Monday, 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 Monday, February 17th (that's in a couple of days). 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!

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!
Party Like It's 1998 at Our Sweet 16 Bike Prom on February 22nd
BikeProm 

Let's party like it's 1998! That was the year that the Apple iMac was born, people sported tattoo necklaces, and Dawson's Creek debuted on the now-defunct WB. 1998 also marks the birth of LACBC, making 2014 the year that we celebrate our Sweet 16!  

 

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 hereEach ticket includes one raffle ticket.

To you loyal newsletter readers with sharp eyes, use this special promo code to get $5 off: thedudeabides

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.

Thanks for Attending Our Breaking Away Screening & Supporting Operation Firefly

We had a great time watching Breaking Away at the Laemmle NoHo 7 with some of our favorite bike people last night! Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy a film classic to 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. Over 150 people came out, and we raised nearly $1,500!

Many thanks to Douglas John and the Valley Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors, Laemmle Theatres, our event volunteers, and all of our raffle sponsors (Pella Sportswear, Studio City Cycle CompanyUniversal CyclesPedalers WestPitfire PizzaDistrict Pub, The Counter, and Kevin Hopps).

You can check out some photos on the LACBC Facebook page.
LACBC Members Save at Bar One in NoHo

As an LACBC member, you can enjoy many great discounts from local supportive businesses. We're excited to welcome to Bar One, a beer and wine parlour in North Hollywood, to our growing list of businesses that offer discounts to LACBC members.

Show your LACBC membership card and but 1, get the 2nd item 50% off.
 
Bar One is located at 12158 Burbank Blvd. in North Hollywood
 
Thanks and welcome, Bar One!
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, including VBT's Tuscany by the Sea biking vacation and a limited edition New Belgium Brewing bike.

 

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
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Highlights from the West Valley Community Bike Ride
West Valley Community Bike Ride
West Valley Community Bike Ride

A few weeks ago, we teamed up with Councilmember Bob Blumenfield's office for a West Valley community bike ride. We had several great local groups out there like Cub Scouts from Troop 229, the Reseda Neighborhood Council, Ride Reseda, West Valley LAPD, the Rotary Club of Woodland Hills, and more!
 
Check out this video from the event, which includes an interview with our Policy & Campaign Manager Alek Bartrosouf!
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

  

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 benefiting LACBC & Challenged Athletes

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 someone driving 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