| | Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Newsletter September 25, 2014 |
Volunteer for the 2014 L.A. Bike and Pedestrian Corridor Count
 Your help is needed once more! But you must be thinking, don't LACBC and L.A. Walks do counts every other year?
Our official 2013 count was an enormous undertaking, and we thank our hundreds of volunteer for their help! The results are available inour report that has reached many elected officials and guide the way we advocate for more bike improvements. This year we are at it again. Our team of interns is looking at specific corridors to understand the needs of those travelling by bike and on foot. We hope to conduct bike and pedestrian counts for the following streets and have reports/recommendations by the end of the year. - Anaheim (San Pedro)
- Broadway (Chinatown)
- Central (Little Tokyo/South LA)
- Hollywood (Hollywood)
- Westwood (Westwood Village)
- Virgil (East Hollywood/Koreatown)
Doing these bike counts is a massive undertaking and we hope that you can participate this year as well. Can we count on you next month? Sign up here using Volunteer Spot. These are the count shifts you will be selecting from: - Tuesday, October 7th; 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, October 11th; 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 14th; 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, October 18th; 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All volunteers (except for those who attended a training for last year's bike and pedestrian count) must also attend a mandatory training on Monday, October 6th at 6 p.m. Those who participate will be entered into a drawing to win River Ride jerseys and other cool prizes! Questions? Email Alek Bartrosouf at alek@la-bike.org. |
We're Hiring: Executive Director and Bookkeeper
As many of you know, our Executive Director Jennifer Klausner will be stepping now at the end of the year to pursue new adventures. Thanks to our members, volunteers, donors, and supporters, LACBC is in terrific shape. Our search committee has begun looking for our next leader. We're looking for a leader who will direct our team to achieve more for bicycling in LA than we ever have before.This person will be our main spokesperson, strategist, and facilitator. See the full job description here, and share it widely. We're also hiring a part-time bookkeeper. We're looking for someone with accounting experience who is proficient in Quickbooks and Excel. See the full job description here, and share it widely. You can also check out our jobs board at la-bike.org/jobs. |
| California Bill Update: Governor Brown Signs 2 New Bike Bills
Some good news while we were out riding our bikes in the perfect weather this Saturday: Governor Jerry Brown signed two bills that will help bring better bike infrastructure to California: - AB 1193 will require Caltrans to create protected bike lanes standards, making them easier to implement.
- SB 1183 allows local jurisdictions to propose a small vehicle registration fee ($5 max) to fund bike trails and paths.
Our affiliates at CalBike have more on AB 1193:
Authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), and sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike), AB 1193 overturns an outdated Caltrans rule that had effectively prohibited local Californian agencies from building bike lanes with physical separation from car traffic. Instead, AB 1193 encourages the creation of modern, protected bike lanes that use planters, curbs, posts or parked cars to separate bikes from cars on busy streets.
In L.A. County, there are currently four protected bike lanes: 2 in Long Beach (3rd and Broadway), 1 in Temple City (Rosemead Blvd.), and 1 in L.A (through the 2nd Street tunnel). |
P Is for Parks! Support Prop P This November and Come to a Workshop Near You LACBC is proud to endorse Proposition P this fall, which replaces an expiring tax that provides $54 million per year for parks, greenways and open space throughout Los Angeles County. Proposition P is a $23 per parcel special tax that will fund many park improvement, water quality and maintenance projects for 30 years.
Many of our favorite parks and bike path amenities were funded by Prop P's predecessor, including pit stop locations for our LA River Ride, greenways along the Ballona Creek bike path and the Emerald Necklace in the San Gabriel Valley. Prop P will provide critical funding to complete the LA River Greenway by 2020, and build new trails along its tributaries. All for less than $2 per month! To find out more about Prop P, read this Fact Sheet or attend an information session near you.
Vote P for Parks on November 4th!
When: October 14; 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: Pacoima City Hall - 13520 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
When: October 21; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Santee Educational Complex Theatre - 1921 Maple Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011 |
| Felipe Fuentes Is First Councilmember to Sponsor Operation Firefly this Season 
We're pleased to announce that Felipe Fuentes signed on as the 1st L.A. City Councilmember to sponsor a bike light distribution this fall. The Operation Firefly season begins the first week of November, and Council District 7 is one of the areas in which we'll be organizing a light distribution. As we announced last week, the season sponsor for Operation Firefly is the Laemmle Charitable Foundation. The foundation benefits nonprofit agencies working to improve life in Los Angeles through addressing social and environmental issues critical to the region. Operation Firefly (Operacíon Luciérnaga) is an education and bike light distribution program intended to make sure people riding bikes in Los Angeles are riding safely at night. Thank you to CM Fuentes and the Laemmle Charitable Foundation for your support! Join the Laemmle Charitable Foundation and CM Fuentes in Sponsoring Operation Firefly Join the Laemmle Charitable Foundation in helping to make this next season of 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. (Lights, hats, and vests will ship beginning the first week of November 2014.) You can also make a general donation to the Operation Firefly program. Did you know that donating $10 means that 1 more person will soon be riding safely at night with lights? Donate $50 and 5 more people will be a little safer. $100 and that number jumps to 10. Give the gift of light today! |
| Updates from Around L.A. County: Metro Considers Complete Streets Policy on October 17th
Metro to Consider Adopting Countywide Complete Streets Policy in October: Last week, LACBC and Safe Routes to School submitted comments on Metro's draft Complete Streets policy recommending that it be strengthened. View our comments and letter here. Please save the date for Metro's Policy and Programming committee meeting on Wednesday October 17th at 2:30 p.m. when the Metro Directors will consider this policy for adoption. More info.
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 |
CicLAvia - Heart of L.A. Returns on October 5th
 
When: Sunday, October 5; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Echo Park, Chinatown, Downtown, Boyle Heights, East L.A.
CicLAvia will return to the Heart of L.A. with an almost entirely new route. Heart of LA will cross through downtown LA along parts of the first CicLAvia route, but will extend into new areas like Echo Park, the Historic Broadway Theater District, and through Boyle Heights all the way into the County of Los Angeles and into East Los Angeles.
The route will feature a pedestrian zone in the Broadway Theater District, a kids zone at the East LA Civic Center and will cross paths with the Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture, which is being held in Grand Park. More info.
Volunteer with LACBC
LACBC will have outreach booths at both the East L.A. and Echo Park Hubs. We'll also be providing bike valet in East L.A. and in Downtown L.A.
If you would like to volunteer with us for a few hours, please email Carol Feucht at carol@la-bike.org. |
Register for El Grande Fondo de Los Angeles Crest on October 18th 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. Register by September 30, to save $10!
Weekly Training Rides
Our ride marshal and route planner extraordinaire Jon Riddle is leading weekly training rides to prep you for El Grande Fondo, though we will be taking the next two weeks off.
Our dedicated ride leader Jon Riddle is traveling for work and won't be able to lead an El Grande training ride on the 27th. He encourages you to keep with your personal training plans so that you have legs of steel by October 18th. He will be home in time to lead training rides into the San Gabriel Mountains (weather permitting) or elsewhere on October 4th and 11th. If you would like training ride suggestions, write to Jon at training4elgrande@gmail.com.
You can also get updates on the weekly ride by emailing him or checking our Facebook event page. |
| Thanks for a Great Reception for LADOT GM Seleta Reynolds
This past Tuesday, we gathered to welcome the new LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds to L.A., celebrate her birthday, and convince her to become a fan of the now-National League West division champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Thanks to Seleta Reynolds for taking the time to spend her birthday with us and provide some insight on the local transportation landscape. The future of L.A. looks bright!
Thanks to our partners at L.A. Walks, Safe Routes to School National Partnership in California, and Streetsblog L.A. for putting on this collaborative event with us. Thank you to the event sponsors: The David Bohnett Foundation, The Hub LA for providing the great space, Angel City Brewery for the beer, Pitfire Pizza for the tasty pizza, and Big Man Bakes for the delicious mini cupcakes. Thanks to all who came out on Tuesday! You can check out event photos on our Facebook page. To learn more about Seleta Reynolds, read this recent interview with her on Streetsblog Los Angeles. |
| What's Ringing Our Bike Bells: Give 3 Feet for Safety (and Courtesy)
 | | Bike Smart, Bike Safe - The 3 Feet for Safety Act |
Last week, the 3-foot passing law went into effect and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) wants to remind everyone that are many reasons to give 3 feet: for safety, for courtesy, because it's the law, because it's just awkward not to. Check out this playful video that shows what happens when you don't give someone three feet in real life.
While you're at it, check out these images from The Bold Italic that help illustrate what 3 feet looks like. It can mean 4 nine-inch burritos, 2 outstretched cats, one acoustic guitar, or 3 foot-long sub sandwiches. |
| | Events, Meetings, & Volunteer Opportunities
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.
Jewel City Ride with Walk Bike Glendale and CICLE When: Saturday, September 27; meet at 9:30 a.m., ride promptly at 10 a.m. Where: Glendale Metrolink Station - 400 W. Cerritos Ave., Glendale, 91204 Through a sponsorship by the Metro, C.I.C.L.E., along with our local chapter Walk Bike Glendale, will lead a delicious and bedazzled 7-mile bicycle ride, "Glendale: The Jewel City Tour." Riders will pedal to the city's beloved Porto's Bakery, the iconic and regal Alex Theater and Golden Road Brewing. Participants will enjoy a sweet treat from Porto's to jumpstart the ride and will jump into the history of each establishment along the way. More info.
Bike to the Bowl for Pixies, Gogol Bordello, and Cat Power with LACBC Bike Valet When: Sunday, September 28; 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Where: Hollywood Bowl - 2301 N Highland Ave. LACBC and the Hollywood Bowl invite you to "Bike to the Bowl" again. Keep your bike safe during the show with LACBC's free Bike Valet in the Museum Patio on Peppertree Lane at the Hollywood Bowl. The valet will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Also, enjoy a free scoop of ice cream from Peddler's Creamery when you show your bike valet ticket or Metro tap TAP card at the Hollywood Bowl Museum Patio. More info.
CicLAvia - Heart of Los Angeles When: Sunday, October 5; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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     |
| | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment