LA County Bicycle Coalition www.la-bike.org

LACBC had it’s Board retreat this weekend. It was a great way for us to get to know each other better as a new Board and come up with some strategic goals and objectives for the next year!

Pictures will be posted soon!

Check out Bicycle Magazine’s article on Los Angeles and it’s potential to be bike friendly:

Despite everything that comes to mind when you picture L.A.–gridlock nightmares, a sprawling footprint, smog, swelling population, lack of a centralized downtown–the nation’s second–largest city has great potential for biking. It has been toiling away for years building bike lanes and paths; there are more than 350 miles’ worth already. Now it’s trying to make a sensible, safe network out of them and has hired Alta Planning + Design, a national, progressive transportation planning consulting company, to help design the plan, which is set to be implemented next year. That may sound dull, but Alta has worked closely with cities such as Portland and San Francisco. And its hiring is part of a sea change taking place: For the first time, elected officials are calling L.A.’s bike coordinator to ask about putting in bike facilities, instead of the other way around. “I’ve been riding a bike in L.A. for 44 years, and doing this job for 14,” says Michelle Mowery, senior project coordinator for the city’s bicycle program. “And this is the first time I’ve ever seen excitement like this.”

Let’s work to make this a reality!

What are you doing Thursday morning?

Celebrate Bike to Work Week with LACBC!

WHAT: Whether you bike everyday already, or this is your first time out, enjoy beverages, Mama’s Hot Tamales, fresh coffee by Coffee Cellar and Live Brazilian music performed by Thiago Winterstein.

WHERE: SiteLA at 2522 Sunset Blvd. Corner of Sunset/Rampart in Silverlake.

WHEN: Thursday, May 15th, 6am-10am, Ride at 10am to Downtown.

SUPER SPECIAL: Ride downtown with LACBC on Bike to Work Day. Meet us at our pit stop at Site LA @ 2522 Sunset Blvd/ Rampart by 10am and ride with us to work.

Go to http://www.midnightridazz.com/viewStory.php?storyId=1298 for more details.

See you then!

LACBC’s Earth Day Social in the Valley was a great success!

We had some great music (Thank you DJ Skramble, Super Karma and Triple Chicken Foot!), great beer (Thank you New Belgium Brewery!), and great people!

Thanks to all those who volunteered, participated and came out!

Here’s a link to the recap of the event from streetsblog: Partying in Noho with LACBC

See you at our next social!

Come Celebrate Earth Day with LACBC!

This is a perfect way to support your local bike advocacy group, enjoy some bike films, live music, and DJs as well as a wonderful way to meet other cyclists in your area.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 30th, 6:30-10pm

WHERE: NoHo Gallery LA in the historic Lankershim Arts Center located at 5108 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601

COST: Support LACBC and it’s advocacy efforts.

$8 for LACBC members

$10 for non-members

Join LACBC at the door and get in for free!

RIDE TO THE SOCIAL:

If you are riding from Downtown Los Angeles/Chinatown, here is a ride route:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1807974

Come join LACBC’s Dorothy Le and other riders with this fun and festive Sunday ride!

WHEN: April 27, 2008, 3pm-10pm

3pm-6pm: BIKE RIDE

6pm-10pm: DJ, Live Bands, free refreshments!

DJ SKRAMBLE http://skramble.com

THE WOUNDED LION www.myspace.com/wlion

SUPER KARMA www.myspace.com/superkarmalove

THE BROTHERS LANDAU www.myspace.com/thebrotherslandau

THE ACTIVE SET www.myspace.com/theactiveset

WHAT: We will explore the many musical roots of Los Angeles through a bike ride around Silverlake’s musical venues and sites

Come out dressed as your fave rock star, enjoy some snacks after, and hear some great local bands.

This ride is going to kickoff for our bike mentorship program! Whether you’re a newish rider or you’ve been riding for years, come out for our April ride! All riders and skill levels welcome!

WHERE: Starting and ending at siteLA

2522 Sunset Blvd.

Look for the white building on the corner of SW sunset and rampart

FOR MORE INFO: http://sitela.org/?p=214

Or contact Dorothy at Dorothy.Le@gmail.com 424 212 9327

Other info: Plan to mingle after the ride. Snacks and light refreshments will be available at end of ride.

Approximate Distance: 5-10 miles total.

LACBC’s Dorothy Le is explaining about her bike project, which works to empower more women to safely cycle around Los Angeles.

…but only when they’re thrown from the River path. Scripts lobbed at Steven Spielberg’s back door from within the compound are apparently preferable, as Universal execs would rather see you riding on their bike path - a looping detour through the Universal compound - than to concede the continuation of the River path along their property.

Jennifer Klausner, LACBC’s Executive Director, champions the continuation of the River plan: “The beauty of the river path is that it’s basically flat and separated from the road for people who want a quieter ride and don’t want to hump it over a hill.”

Read the story in the LA Times

Join Ride Captain Ed Begley Jr. for a day of cycling fun along the Los Angeles River! It’s five great rides in one: 100, 70, 50, 10 or 1 mile Kids’ Ride. Enjoy rest stops with music, food and fun, plus cool prizes, an Eco Expo and our new international food fair at the finish.

REGISTER BY MAY 15 & SAVE!
Register online at Active.com

For more information, visit www.la-bike.org

Sunday, February 24, 1-4pm
“GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD” BIKE RIDE
Ladies and Gents,
Dress up as your favorite Hollywood icon and explore the roots of Hollywood in Silverlake.
When: Sunday February 24th, 1pm-4pm
Where: Start at Site LA (2522 Sunset Blvd, 90026, Corner of Coronado and Silverlake), Loop around Silverlake neighborhood. End at Site LA.
Other info: Plan to mingle after the ride. Snacks and light refreshments will be available at end of ride.
Approximate Distance: 5-10 miles total.
More Info: Contact Dorothy at Dorothy.LE@gmail.com or call 424-212-9327. Also check out www.sitela.org.
Added note: LACBC’s own Dorothy Le has been chosen by Quiksilver as one of six women to be a “Visionary in Residence.” Each of these women, from musical artists to designers, will be able to implement a project of their own. Dorothy’s project will focus on empowering women to safely cycle around Los Angeles. Her first event will be this “Golden Age of Hollywood” bike ride.