LACBC
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter

February 27, 2014

Fundraise for the L.A. River Ride and Win Great Prizes! 

In this issue
Los Angeles Times Endorses MyFigueroa Project
ACTION ALERT: Support Bike Lanes on Santa Monica in Beverly Hills on Tuesday
Register for Finish the Ride by Tomorrow for Early Bird Price, Support LACBC and Challenged Athletes
Participate in an Upcoming Community Planning Forum
Updates from Around the County: Pomona Active Transportation & Bike Master Plan Head to City Council
Santa Monica Spoke Director Cynthia Rose Named Finalist for Alliance Advocate of the Year Award
Thanks for Celebrating our Sweet 16 at Bike Prom
Still Time to Join Our Climate Ride Team, Plus Eric Vs. Alek
Fundraise for LACBC at the 14th Annual Los Angeles River Ride on June 22nd
What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Local Bicyclist Shares Her Venice Story
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Los Angeles Times Endorses MyFigueroa Project

Yesterday, the L.A. Times editorial board declared its support for the MyFigueroa project, noting the need to create a complete street that accommodates all kinds of road users at this important corridor. The MyFigueroa project would cover the 4-mile stretch between Downtown L.A. and Exposition Park and include the City of L.A.'s first protected bikeways.

While some businesses and institutions in the area have shown resistance to the project due to the removal of car lanes, the L.A. times notes the important linkage that the MyFig project would create between Downtown L.A. and USC/Exposition Park:

[C]ars should not get veto authority. The city's 2010 bicycle plan identified Figueroa as part of the Backbone Bicycle Network, those streets identified as key arterials for cyclists. Figueroa has the added benefit of providing a straight, safe route between two established biking communities - USC and downtown. This is exactly where Los Angeles should be replacing car lanes with cycle tracks and buffered bike lanes.

In recent years, California law and Los Angeles policies have established that streets are not meant for automobiles alone. Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City Council should not let fears of traffic congestion turn this transformative project into another incomplete street.

What's next, and how can you get involved?
ACTION ALERT: Support Bike Lanes on Santa Monica in Beverly Hills on Tuesday 

BevHills
With bike lanes in West Hollywood and Los Angeles on Santa Monica, the missing gap along this important east/west corridor is Beverly Hills.


A Blue Ribbon Committee has officially recommended to council that they widen Santa Monica and stripe in bike lanes, but the council may still need convincing as detractors have been attending meetings in the past. Can you attend the council meeting and speak in favor of bike lanes on Santa Monica Blvd.?

Courtesy of Mark Elliot of Better Bike Beverly Hills, here are the full details:

On March 4th City Council will review the Santa Monica Boulevard Blue Ribbon Committee recommendations. The Council will provide direction on project design. The two issues to be discussed are whether to:

(1) Widen the existing curb-to-curb width to improve conditions for motor vehicles and bicycles. This requires widening beyond the existing northern curb face. If City Council approves the widening, the Blue Ribbon Committee recommends striping the pavement for bicycle lanes.

(2) Add landscaped medians to the Boulevard.

Take Action!

1. ATTEND!
Beverly Hills City Council
When: Tuesday, March 4; 7:00 p.m.
Where: 455 N. Rexford Dr.Beverly Hills, California 90210
Facebook Event: See Facebook event and spread the news.
Feeder Ride: Mark Elliot will meet with whomever wants to ride together to City Hall before, at 5:45 at Peets, 258 S. Beverly. Depart at 6:45.
 
2. EMAIL: Correspondence can be addressed to Council in advance of the meeting: [email protected] - bcc: [email protected]

3. CALL: Council can be reached by phone: 310-285-1013 

Register for Finish the Ride by Tomorrow for Early Bird Price, Support LACBC and Challenged Athletes

 FinishTheRide

On Sunday, February 17th, 2013, Damian Kevitt and his wife were riding their bikes around the streets around Griffith Park 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. Rides include a 6-mile ride, a 12-mile ride, and a 23-mile ride. More ride details here.

 

When: Sunday, April 27; registration starts at 6:30 a.m.

Where: start at Fountain Ave at L Ron Hubbard Way in East Hollywood 

 

Register by tomorrow, February 28th to get the early bird price! More info at finishtheride.org.

 

Also, please join Damian and LACBC as we work to combat the prevalence of hit and runs in L.A. County. You can learn more about Damian and the Finish the Ride movement through these pieces on KABC, KCBS, KTLA, and Streetsblog.

 

Damian will also be be organizing a vigil for all hit-and-run victims at the Critical Mass on Friday, March 28th (postponed from tomorrow's ride).

Participate in an Upcoming Community Planning Forum 
 PlanningForum

The Plan for a Healthy Los AngelesMobility Plan 2035, and the re:code LA have teamed up  offer seven community planning forums, where residents can give feedback on the proposed vision for the city's future. As Los Angeles prepares for the urban challenges of the 21st century, health and mobility are important to ensure that every Angeleno has the opportunity to thrive. Please check out the website and get involved to help shape the city's future vision. 

 

Forums:

 

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

Updates from Around the County: Pomona Active Transportation & Bike Master Plan Head to City Council
Pomona

Pomona:  The Pomona Active Transportation Plan and Bicycle Master Plan will go to City Council on Monday, March 3rd, and our local chapter PVBC needs everyone there to support the plan! If the plan is approved, it will show Pomona is committed to making the streets safer for bicyclists.  

 

Pomona City Council Meeting
When: Monday, March 3; 7:00 p.m.

Where: Pomona City Hall

See Facebook event.

  

Long Beach: This Tuesday, Longbeachize hosted an mayoral candidate forum on livable streets in Long Beach, which LACBC participated in. Over 100 people attended, and we heard from each of the 5 participating candidates: Richard Camp, Robert Garcia, Bonnie Lowenthal, Doug Otto, and Gerrie Schipske. Read more on Streetsblog.

  

LAX: Help LAX determine future bicycle facility needs! If you ride your bike there or want to ride your bike there (particularly if you work there), take this survey here.

 

Eagle Rock:  A serious injury has been reported due to a dangerous condition in the center of the westbound bicycle lane on Colorado Boulevard, between Vincent Avenue and Mount Royal Drive, in Eagle Rock. The condition is a deviation in the center of the lane that runs for several yards parallel to and directly between the lines that delineate the bicycle lane. It consists of an undulating ledge that has formed where the asphalt of the roadway dips into a shallow trench where it meets the concrete that forms the gutter and sidewalk. Cracks also exist between traffic side lane line of the bike lane and the number two vehicular lane (and bus lane).
 
If you experienced this dangerous condition or know someone who has, please call Josh at (323) 937-7105, or email him at [email protected].
Santa Monica Spoke Director Cynthia Rose Named Finalist for Alliance Advocate of the Year Award

Next week, several of our LACBC staffers, local chapter leaders, and partners are traveling to Washington DC for the National Bike Summit. Among them will hopefully be Santa Monica Spoke Director and founder Cynthia Rose.

Along with the with Summit, the Alliance for Biking and Walking will be honoring its 2014 Advocacy Award winners. This year, the Alliance has revealed the finalists for each category and we're proud to say that Cynthia Rose is one of them!

She has been named one of the finalists for the Alliance for Biking & Walking's Advocate of the Year award! As a volunteer, Cynthia has spent countless hours making Santa Monica a better place to bike and live and helping to develop LACBC's local chapter program. Congrats to Cynthia and all the nominees! The winners will be announced next week.

Also, if you want to help support Cynthia's trip to the National Bike Summit in Washington DC next week and help bring Santa Monica's progress to the national conversation, you can make a donation to fund her trip here.
Thanks for Celebrating Our Sweet 16 at Bike Prom 
 
Thanks to all who came out to Bike Prom this past Saturday night. We busted out our gowns, tuxes, plaid, and combat boots for a night to remember that included dancing, sweet treats, prom photos, a live performance from La Muff, a raffle, the crowning of the Rolling Prom Court, and a giant cake!

 

Thank you to our Bike Prom committee and bike valet volunteers; the American Legion Hall Post 206 for hosting us once again; our DJs Evan C, Trickmilla and Skramble for the sweet tunes; La Muff for wowing us with a fun and upbeat performance; Jon White for running the photobooth; volunteer Trent Whittaker and Sweet Lady Jane for providing us with a yummy birthday cake; F8 Productions for providing the lighting; Peddler's Creamery, Pretzel Crisps, and Theo Chocolate for feeding us yummy snacks; AIDS/LifeCycle for partying with us; Velo LoveMatrushkaThe CounterThe District Pub NoHo, Pitfire PizzaPedaler's West, and Yoga World Studio for providing raffle items.

 

We'll have more photos on the LACBC Facebook Page, so please check back soon!

Still Time to Join Our Climate Ride Team, Plus Eric Vs. Alek

 

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. We'll announce the winners of our 'Ride with Greg Laemmle' Contest soon.

 

Also, two of our staffers--planning &policy director Eric Bruins and policy & campaign manager Alek Bartrosouf--are on the team. We're having a little office competition at LACBC headquarters to determine who can raise more money and be crowned King of the Mountain at LACBC.

 

YOU can help us settle this battle!

 

Donate to Eric Bruins's fundraising campaign here.

 

Donate to Alek Bartrosouf's fundraising campaign here.

 

What to support someone else's campaign? Support one the many Team LACBC members here.

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 personalized fundraising 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: Local Bicyclist Shares Her Venice Story
Venice Story : Beth Allyn : The Venice Bike
Venice Story : Beth Allyn : The Venice Bike

Thanks to all who came on the on the Venice-Mar Vista Ride on Sunday! Special thanks to our West Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors and ride organizers John and Kevin, as well as our LACBC Ride Marshals.
 
The Venice-Mar Vista area has a vibrant bike community, and one of the local bicyclists you may run into is Beth Allyn. Beth combines her love for biking with her love for Venice by always riding with a mini Venice sign. Watch this video to hear more about her Venice story.
Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities

 

Critical Mass Vigil for Hit-and-Run Victims - Postponed to March 28

When: Originally set for February 28, this has been postponed to March 28.

 

Pomona City Council Meeting for Active Transportation & Bike Plan

When: Monday, March 3; 7:00 p.m.

More info in newsletter.

 

Beverly Hills Council Meeting for Santa Monica Blvd.

When: Tuesday, March 4; 7:00 p.m.

More info in newsletter.


Active Living Plugged In Training

When: Saturday, March 15, & Sunday, March 16

Where: LACBC Headquarters

This innovative new training from Women on Bikes California is geared to measurably grow your aptitude, polish your skills, hone your voice, grow your network, and learn to own your power as an active living advocate for California. Register by March 3rd to save money. Learn more here

  

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

More info in newsletter.

 

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