LA County Bicycle Coalition www.la-bike.org

Click on this link for a printable flyer!
Flyer_letter

The LACBC has been working hard over the last few weeks to mobilize bicyclists and the groups that represent them—as well as individuals and organizations more broadly supportive of safe and connected streets—to rally for a stronger, better LA Bike Plan.

What’s wrong with the new proposed Bike Plan and what’s been happening with the Update process? What can you do to help out? Along with C.I.C.L.E, the LACBC has compiled a Bike Plan FAQ that will walk you through the questions you have about the Bike Plan update. We’ve also been reaching out to  diverse groups, from the AARP of Southern California and IDEPSCA (an immigrants-rights organization) to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and City Councilmember Jan Perry’s office, asking them all to voice their support for a Better Bike Plan.

So what’s a better bike plan look like? The LACBC has made two key asks, that there be a net gain in total number of all bikeways facilities from the 1996 plan, and that a rigorous system of goals and deadlines be part of making those in charge of implementing the Bike Plan accountable.

You too can sign our letter asking for a Better Bike Plan. Sign the letter TODAY! http://la-bike.org/action_items/bike_plan_email_letter.html

With your help, we’ll see that Better Bike Plan materialize in no time!

After a culmination of 6 years of research and community input, Burbank’s bike master plan was approved by city council last night! The newly adopted bike master plan, which was well-written and researched by Community Development planner staff Cory Wilkerson and David Kriske, now gives Burbank a framework upon which to build its bicycle infrastructure and community for the next 20 years.

Members of the Burbank and Burbank-adjacent communities offered their support in droves, citing the long-term needs of the community for safer and cleaner streets. They also lobbied for the current proposal to do a road-diet and stripe bike lanes on Verdugo Ave., which also received council approval, despite fears that car-driving residents would oppose the project.

Key in the Burbank bike master plan are 18 separate projects connecting streets in the city of Burbank to its adjacent cities including Glendale, North Hollywood, and Griffith Park.  Each of these projects will be up on a case-by-case review by the council and community members, but you can review it at burbankbike.org

Map of Proposed Bike Facilities

Unique in the plan were projects covering bicycle parking and bicycle safety education.  The bicycle parking requirements would include both bike racks for short-term parking and bike lockers for long-term parking along places of employment and transportation hubs.  Increased bicycle parking assures bicyclists of the safety of their bikes and increases the viability and visibility of biking as a transportation option.   Bicycle safety education would be taught in both BUSD (Burbank Unified School District) to youngsters and in adult education programs.

Recognizing the extraordinary reach, vision, and feasibility of the plan, Councilmembers Dave Golonski and Jess Talamantes and Mayor Gary Bric offered their full support.  Amidst initial concerns of the costlier aspects of the project, Councilmember Dr. David Gordon ultimately offered his support, making it a 4-0 unanimous approval.

While there was concerns of cost amongst council, Burbank’s master plan calls for the city to locate as much outside funding (while listing those sources) as possible.

The work on Burbank’s bike master plan offers a visionary model for bicycle planning in Los Angeles.  LACBC will make sure to keep up the inspirational momentum for better bike facilities  as the murky LA bike master plan saga continues.

At the Global Climate Summit in Copenhagen Mayor Villaraigosa was interviewed by  KPCC’s Patt Morrison yesterday.

When asked what he took away from what other cities are doing he stated, “Seattle and Portland have been green for a very long time.  In the  area of bicycling, I’ve got to do a better job and the city’s got to do a better job. We can do a much better job…we’re planning to…close down some streets in our city and we’re gonna give people, probably on a Sunday, the opportunity to just take over the streets. Much as we took over the freeways, you remember on the 110…Hey folks, we can do a much better job than we’ve done up to now.”

It looks like all of the bicycling community’s efforts here in LA have made a positive impact on the Mayor and he is starting to talk CicLAvia!  He made a bold statement on record to a wide audience, so let’s hold him to it!

Car-Free Friday is celebrating a successful year with a HOLIDAY BREAKFAST RIDE!

When: Friday Dec 18th at 8 am for breakfast, ride at 8:30.
Where: Meet at Echo Park Lake @ corner of Glendale Blvd/Park

Celebrating a successful year for our Car-Free Fridays Campaign, LACBC will be hosting a leisurely breakfast ride on Friday December 18th. Cyclists will meet at Echo Park Lake at the corner of Park/Glendale and enjoy hot pancakes and coffee!

LA Food not Bombs will be supplying pancakes and grilled cheese sandwiches cooked on their mobile kitchen and coffee from Highland Park’s Cafe De Leche will also be available. The route will head into downtown, around City Hall, over to LAPD Headquarters and then back to Echo Park. All proceeds from the ride will go to Food Not Bombs.

So come enjoy the cool weather, warm food, and bicycles with the LACBC and fellow commuters!

Please RSVP to let us know if you plan on attending: aurisha@la-bike.org

www.la-bike.org

Campaign Intern
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) seeks one or more interns to assist and focus on Campaign and PR work. This position is unpaid and requires a minimum of a one day per week commitment.

The ideal candidate is one who is enthusiastic about bicycling and seeks Campaign development experience. Candidates should be organized, self-motivated, be creative and think outside the box, ability to write, network, and want to work in a fun and fast paced environment. You will be working on cultivating relationships with businesses, media, community members and helping to organize campaign events. Please contact aurisha@la-bike.org, or 213-629-2142, by sending a résumé to apply.

LACBC City of Lights Intern
Looking for intern to help with Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s City of Lights Program, which conducts advocacy and safe riding outreach campaigns to Latino cyclists in the Macarthur Park area. Ideal candidate would be self-motivated and yet also be willing to collaborate. The goal of the program is to use bicycle transportation to leverage social equity for the Latino cycling community.

Need someone to help with various tasks: some admin (such as quarterly reports and emails/calls), some community outreach, and some research (grants and academic articles), and most importantly-be a Spanish speaker! Hours are flexible, though we are looking for someone to work 8-10 hours a week. Events and meetings vary weekly, so you can work from home on many things. If you are interested, send your resume to allison@la-bike.org.

Media Intern
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) seeks one or more interns to assist and focus on developing our blog and online presence. This position is unpaid and requires a minimum of a one day per week commitment.

The ideal candidate is one who is enthusiastic about bicycling and seeks journalism and blog writing experience. Candidates should have strong ability to write, be organized, self-motivated, have some time to attend important meetings, and want to work in a fun and fast paced environment. You will be working on regularly updating our Blog on news, meeting info and other bike related updates. Please contact aurisha@la-bike.org, or 213-629-2142, by sending a résumé to apply.

Please check out website for more information on the program and organization: www.ciudaddeluces.wordpress.com and la-bike.org