| | Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter September 11, 2014 |
| ACTION ITEM: DA Lacey's Failure to Prosecute Isn't Just About Milt Olin; Let the DA Know That Our Lives Matter 
Yesterday afternoon, LACBC received a response from District Attorney Jackie Lacey to our September 3rd letter requesting reconsideration of criminal charges against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy who hit and killed prominent entertainment attorney Milt Olin while he was riding in a bike lane during broad daylight on December 8th, 2013. This case has drawn widespread media attention due to Olin's high profile and the involvement of a sheriff's deputy. The District Attorney's office is maintaining its position that there is not enough evidence to convict Deputy Andrew Wood of vehicular manslaughter, despite the fact that he was texting in the minutes leading up to the collision and, while typing into his mobile digital computer (MDC), left his lane, entered the bike lane, and struck Olin from behind. As outlined in our letter, vehicular manslaughter charges require evidence of negligent driving, defined as driving in an illegal manner, or in an otherwise legal manner which might produce death. LACBC believes that Lacey is wrong in her analysis of this case, and that her failure to prosecute puts the lives of everyone who travels Los Angeles County's streets at risk. When someone is killed or seriously injured on our streets, every contributory factor deserves consideration so that future deaths can be prevented. When people walking and bicycling (and driving) are killed almost every day in Los Angeles County due to distracted, aggressive, or negligent driving, all relevant agencies must do their part to reduce traffic violence. The District Attorney is responsible for prosecuting individuals for behaviors that put our communities at risk and using the threat of prosecution as a deterrent to others who might engage in the same behaviors. In Milt Olin's case, we are now witnessing a failure of our criminal justice system to protect victims of violence. We cannot accept that traffic violence is OK and we cannot stay silent when our criminal justice system fails to protect victims. If the District Attorney won't prosecute a case as clear-cut as Olin's death, every potential victim of traffic violence is less safe. We invite Lacey to host a town hall with us to hear from victims of traffic violence and discuss ways that her office can partner with law enforcement and the community to end this epidemic. Please continue to put pressure on the DA's Office. Please write to District Attorney Lacey to let her know that our lives matter. Here is how you can contact the County of Los Angeles District Attorney's Office: 1. E-Mail: webmail@da.lacounty.gov, bcc: info@la-bike.org 2. Snail mail to: District Attorney's Office
County of Los Angeles
210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210 3. Phone: (213) 974-3512 4. Twitter: @LADAoffice We have a sample letter up if you would like to use our suggested wording: la-bike.org/milt-olin |
Three-Foot Passing Law Effective Next Tuesday
  The Three Feet for Safety Act will finally go into effect on Tuesday, September 16. The law requires motorists to give at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist traveling in the same direction. Existing law requires motorists to pass bicyclists while keeping a "safe distance." The new law defines "safe distance" as three feet. If not enough space is available, the motorist must slow down and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist. One key to making the new law effective is to make sure the driving public knows about it. LACBC has collaborated with AAA, Wire Media, and CalBike to create an "I Give 3 Feet" graphic for use to publicize the new law. This graphic can be downloaded from Wire Media here. We encourage all media outlets (big and small), bicycle groups, and interested parties to download and utilize this graphic, along with the associated bullet points about the law. You can download the "I Give 3 Feet" graphic from Wire Media here.  On Wednesday, we participated in a press conference with Assemblymember Steven Bradford, AAA, and the California Highway Patrol. Check out some photos on our Facebook page.
Key points to include with the Three Feet for Safety Act graphic are: - Existing law requires motorists to pass bicyclists while keeping a "safe distance."
- This new law defines "safe distance" as three feet when passing bicyclists traveling in the same direction.
- If not enough space is available, the motorist must slow down and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist.
- Violators will face a $35 fine, as well as a $220 fine if a collision occurs.
- Law takes effect September 16, 2014.
AAA has printed 10,000 window clings for public distribution utilizing the same graphic, and their roadside assistance will be handing out tip cards with the graphic starting in September. Our partners at CalBike are also offering two sticker designs to help promote the new law. You can request the window clings and the CalBike stickers directly from CalBike by following this link: calbike.org/bulkgiveme3form |
Governor Signs Bill to Allow 3-Bike Bus Racks
This Tuesday, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 2707 into law, which allows 40-foot-long buses to have bike racks that can carry up to three bikes. According to Los Angeles Streetsblog, Metro just placed a large order of 40-foot buses, so we may soon be seeing 3-bike-capacity racks locally. One more bike spot! Read more on Streetsblog. |
| Welcome Reception for LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds on September 23rd 
Join LACBC, L.A. Walks, Safe Routes to School National Partnership in California, Streetsblog L.A., and The Hub LA for this reception to welcome new L.A. Department of Transportation (LADOT) General Manager Seleta Reynolds. Last month, Seleta Reynolds took over as the general manager of LADOT. Formerly of the Livable Streets sub-division of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), Reynolds brings years of experience working on active transportation projects. Join us as we welcome her to Los Angeles and learn more about her vision for transportation here. Refreshments provided by Angel City Brewery. When: Tuesday, September 23; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: The Hub L.A. - 830 Traction Ave., 3rd floor, Los Angeles, 90013 (in the Arts District, see map) RSVP: Please RSVP here.
Have a question you'd like to ask Seleta Reynolds? Email us at eric@la-bike.org, or post it on our Facebook event page, and we may use your question. |
El Grande Fondo de Los Angeles Crest Early Bird Registration Ends Friday  The 1st Annual El Grande Fondo de Los Angeles Crest travels through the classic high country of the San Gabriel Mountains along scenic Angeles Crest Highway and up to historic Mt. Wilson. This super-sweet event, a partnership between LACBC and National Forest Foundation, is one you will want to say, "I was there for the first one!"
This epic ride travels through the unbelievable vistas of the Angeles Forest. Starting with a climb up secluded Big Tujunga Canyon, it then traverses Angeles Crest Highway. The ride includes: - a full century (100 miles)
- a metric century (62 miles)
- 30 mile route
When: Saturday, October 18, 7 a.m. Where: Crescenta Valley Park Register here. Early registration ends Friday, September 12th.
Weekly Training Rides
Our ride marshal and route planner extraordinaire Jon Riddle is leading weekly training rides to prep you for El Grande Fondo. Here's information about this week's ride.
El Grande Fondo Training Ride #6 When: Saturday, September 13; meet at 8:30 a.m., ride at 9:00 a.m. Where: Meet at the Culver City Metro Station parking lot - Venice Boulevard and Higuera Street, Culver City RSVP: strongly encouraged, via training4elgrande@gmail.com, so we can send you last-minute advisories, particularly about weather. Weather experts are forecasting really, really hot conditions in the San Gabriel Mountains and elsewhere this weekend--many places well over 100 degrees! So, a ride in the mountains is out of the question. Our best option is to stay where it's to be cooler-near the Ocean. We'll start from Metro's Expo Line Station in Culver City and ride through Westwood to our first climb up Sepulveda Boulevard. From there, we'll ride back through Beverly Hills and Brentwood to our second climb up Mandeville Canyon (a classic). After riding down Mandeville, we'll return to Culver City via the beach and Ballona Creek. The ride features two climbs (7.6 miles and 5.1 miles), some rolling terrain, and a flat second half. Roughly 60 miles, with 4,000 feet of elevation gain. Should take us between 5 and 6 hours. Bring at least two water bottles.
You can also get updates on the weekly ride by emailing him or checking our Facebook event page. |
| Vote for #LAGetsThere for the LA2050 Challenge
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership and LACBC are partnering through the Los Angeles County Active Transportation Collaborative to compete for a LA2050 grant that will change the narrative about mobility in LA County and lift up the voices of people who walk, ride a bike, and take transit. If awarded, the project will highlight how people across Los Angeles County are currently traveling and support a shared vision of not only regional success for mobility, but empathy and compassion for travel needs of all users-all ages, abilities and income levels. These stories can reframe the narrative on mobility in LA by Angelenos themselves, from their own experiences and hopes. By infusing important transportation policy conversations with real experiences from people throughout the region, particularly in traditionally underserved communities like Central, South and East LA, the Gateway Cities and San Gabriel Valley, we hope to unite diverse perspectives around common themes and galvanize support for a transportation system that improves safety and independence for all. Learn more about the project and vote here in the LIVE category. Some things to note: - Voting ends Tuesday, September 16th at 12 p.m., so you have about 4 1/2 days left to vote.
- You can vote for one project per category, which means you can vote for a total of 5 projects, as long as they are all in different categories.
- #LAGetsThere is in the LIVE category.
- Different categories means the you can support other great local projects.
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| Updates from Around L.A. County: Volunteer for the Malibu-Las Virgenes Bike Count
Malibu-Las Virgenes: On Saturday, September 27, and Tuesday, September 30, bicycle counts will take place in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, and Westlake Village for use in the Las Virgenes-Malibu Regional Bicycle Master Plan (www.regionalbikeplan.org). Volunteers are needed to help collect this valuable data at several locations in the partner cities. Learn more and sign up at: http://bit.ly/1rJe4IN
South Bay: Suggest locations for bicycle mini-corrals in the South Bay. The Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach are working on a plan to recommend locations for bicycle mini-corrals. Join them for a public input meeting TONIGHT on Thursday, September 11th, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to provide your suggestions. The meeting will be held in the Mt. Whitney Room of the Manhattan Heights Community Center at 1600 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach. You may also visit southbaybikecorrals.org to provide input.
Downtown, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach: Metro is leading a regional effort to develop a user-friendly bikeshare system to increase transportation choices for people traveling to and from transit stations and making short trips.
Metro is currently studying station locations in the Regional Bikeshare Implementation Plan and seeking input on areas identified for Phase 1 implementation: downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena and Santa Monica. The deadline for submitting input has been extended to September 15th. |
| Help Make Operation Firefly Possible this Fall - Donate Today! 
"Operation Firefly" (OperacÃon Luciérnaga) is an education and bike light distribution program intended to make sure people riding bikes in Los Angeles are riding safely at night. When riding at night in California, a white front light and reflectors are required by law (CVC21201). More importantly, riding without lights and reflectors is dangerous. Our goal is to seek out people riding without lights for various reasons, especially riders who may not have the means or time to acquire lights on their own. Sponsor Operation Firefly We need your support to help make Operation Firefly bigger and better, so we can reach even more night-time bicycle riders. Below are some fun levels at which you can join Team Firefly and receive a premium. And volunteers are always welcome! Lights, hats, and vests will ship beginning the first week of November 2014. Learn more and make your donation at la-bike.org/OperationFirefly! Operation Firefly Sponsor Levels & Premiums | BUY A SET OF LIGHTS, GIVE A SET OF LIGHTS - $25
| BUY A SET, GIVE A SET, GET A HAT - $50
| | GIVE 25 LIGHT SETS - $250
| BUY A SET, GIVE A SET, GET A VEST - $300
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| Thanks for Joining Us for the Carson Sunday Funday Ride Thanks to our local chapter Carson Bicycle Coalition for leading this past weekend's Sunday Funday Ride! And thanks to the 45 folks who came out to enjoy this ride!
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| What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Why 'Give Me 3' Is Important
 | | Give Me 3 |
Perhaps you've heard that the 3-foot passing law goes into effect on Tuesday. Well what does this all mean? Our Neighborhood Bike Ambassador Nathan Lucero put together this video to show why CVC 21760, also known as Three Feet for Safety Act, is important to everyone who rides a bike in California.
He uses lots of footage from the cycling perspective will be useful to show folks who do not yet ride a bike what it is like to be passed by motor vehicles. |
| | Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities El Grande Fondo Training Ride #6 When: Saturday, September 13; meet at 8:30 a.m., ride at 9:00 a.m. More info in newsletter.
Basic Bicycling Skills for LACBC Members When: Saturday, September 20; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: LACBC Headquarters, Edison Room - 634 S. Spring St., Downtown L.A. This 2-hour workshop will provide you with basic information you can use to safely ride your bicycle on the streets of LA County. The workshop for LACBC members includes a booklet and LACBC materials you can take home with you. Instruction is classroom only - we will not be riding. Bringing your bicycle is optional. RSVP here.
International Car-Free Day Ride & Refresh When: Sunday, September 21; 10 a.m. Where: Van Nuys Orange Line Bus Station - 6060 Van Nuys Blvd. (map) Join our Valley Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors for a 10-mile ride along the Orange Line Bike Path from Van Nuys Blvd. to Balboa Park. We'll take a loop around the park to see some of the sights including the R/C Planes and Miniature Airport. The ride will finish at MacLeod's Ale Brewing Company, just off of the Orange Line Bike Path. MacLeod's is the first microbrewery in the San Fernando Valley and the latest LACBC Business Partner! We'll get a tour of the Brewery, and LACBC members showing their membership card get 15% off drinks and merchandise.
Welcome Reception for LADOT GM Seleta Reynolds When: Tuesday, September 23; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pomona Teen Bicycle Education Event When: Saturday, September 27; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Where: Garey High School - 321 W Lexington Ave., Pomona, 91766 Thanks to the City of Hope's Foothill Fitness Challenge Grant, local chapter PVBC and City of Pomona will host a one-day bike education event that will teach teens basic bike road safety, run bike drills, and help teens feel confident riding on the road. League Cycling Instructors and curriculum will teach students the skills they need to ride to school more often and safely. PVBC is looking for volunteers, so please sign up here to volunteer. More info.
El Grande Fondo de Los Angeles Crest When: Saturday, October 18 More info in newsletter. Firefly Ball Awards Gala When: Thursday, October 30; 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. Where: Farmers and Merchants National Bank - 401 S. Main St., Downtown Los Angeles
Named for its timing with the seasonal launch of Operation Firefly, an education and bike light distribution program of LACBC, the Firefly Ball is a light-filled evening of art, music, food and drink. Celebrate with us as we honor community members doing good bike work while raising much needed funds for L.A.'s largest full-service bike advocacy nonprofit--the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition! This year's honorees are: Andy Leeka - Passionate Pedal Award; Alex Baum - The Alex Baum Award for Achievement in Advocacy; and Suja Lowenthal - The Innovator Award. Get your tickets here! California by Bike 2014 Surf 'N Turf When: Friday, October 31 to Wednesday, November 5 Where: Santa Barbara to San Diego Join the California Bicycle Coalition on its inaugural fundraising tour this Fall 2014 from Santa Barbara to San Diego. This phenomenal five-day fully supported tour will be the only in California to strictly raise funding to support advocacy groups. When you join the ride through this link, $250 of your total raised will be dedicated to LACBC. For more information, visit: calbike.org/surfnturf. |
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
carol@la-bike.org |
Let's be friends! Connect with LACBC: www.la-bike.org     |
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