LA County Bicycle Coalition www.la-bike.org

Please cut and paste this letter and email/fax it to:

Mayor Villaraigosa:
mayor@lacity.org, Fax: (213) 978-0750

Jaime delaVega, Deputy Mayor for Transportation
Jaime.delavega@lacity.org Fax: (213) 978- 0719

Borja Leon, Transportation Policy Office of Mayor
borja.leon@lacity.org, Fax: (213) 978-0719

Marisa Perez, Associate Director of Transportation
marisa.perez@lacity.org

———-
The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa

Mayor of the City of Los Angeles

200 North Spring Street, Room 303

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa:

Los Angeles faces the simultaneous crises of air pollution, traffic congestion, rising fuel costs and increasing rates of obesity and diabetes as a result of inactive lifestyles. Bicycle transportation is a vastly underdeveloped resource that can address all of these issues at once. The Sharrows (shared-lane markings) Pilot Project is a cost- effective, easy and safe solution that can have immediate benefits for Angelenos. Sharrow implementation is a shovel-ready green project.

We know that you, Mayor, are committed to making L.A. the greenest big city in the world and into an environmentally sustainable city. Sharrows are a cost-effective step in achieving your goal.

In your 2007 Green L.A. Plan you committed to reduce energy consumption, transition to renewable power sources, and change the ways that we commute to work and school. Your plan also calls for L.A. to cut smog, save money on energy costs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, and to create jobs and grow our economy by investing in green technologies. Sharrows further all your stated goals and more, by encouraging people to choose bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation. Implementing sharrows will demonstrate your commitment to introducing more green technologies in L.A. that will not only create jobs, as well as being cost-effective, highly visible and improving safety on our streets.

LADOT has committed to implementing sharrows on L.A. streets by end of 2009. We are concerned that the Sharrows Pilot Project is not being prioritized and that the project will continue to be postponed. Please do all that is in your power to ensure that LADOT implements the Sharrows Pilot Project as soon as possible, by no later than fall 2009. You will be making an important, visible step in putting Los Angeles on the map as a green city.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your commitment to improving the environment and the quality of life for all Los Angeles residents.

Sincerely,

LACBC submitted the following op-ed to the LA Times today:

Nicholas Goldberg

Deputy Editor of Op-Ed Page

Los Angeles Times

oped@latimes.com

Los Angeles Bicyclists Threatened by Unsafe Motorists

On April 20, 2009, police reported that a drunk driver who was driving with a suspended license struck and killed a Los Angeles bicyclist, then fled the scene.  The cyclist was 44-year-old Jesus Castillo.  A witness wrote down the motorist’s license plate number, and within hours, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested the motorist on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter.

Members of the Los Angeles bicycle community reacted swiftly to this incident.  On April 24, they organized a 300-strong group ride in Jesus’ honor and dedicated a “Ghost Bike” – an all-white bike that is erected when a cyclist is killed – at the site of the crash.  Cyclists and community leaders staged a “die-in” at the memorial, and issued a call for prioritizing public safety on Los Angeles streets.

During the same week, another unfortunate car-on-bike conflict occurred.  In this second incident, the evening of April 23, the driver of a Hummer maneuvered the sport utility vehicle into a group of about a dozen cyclists, injuring one and destroying several bicycles.  In this incident, the motorist was clearly at fault, and should be held responsible for personal injury and property damage.  There were numerous witnesses at the scene and plenty of evidence of the driver’s misconduct.  However, a responding LAPD officer apparently sympathized with the SUV’s driver and passengers, and let them drive away without pressing charges.

Both of these incidents illustrate the vulnerability of bicyclists on Los Angeles streets, something many drivers and even law enforcement officers may not always consider. Whether riding alone or in a group, cyclists are endangered by the actions of careless and inattentive drivers on the roads of Los Angeles every day.  Clearly, the City needs to do more to protect bicyclists from getting killed, injured, and intimidated by motorists. Members of law enforcement agencies are too often unaware or misinformed about the rights of cyclists on the road, and are sometimes reluctant to offer their help when incidents occur between motorists and bicyclists. The contrast in the police response to these two incidents is striking, and begs the question: does it take a fatality for law enforcement to take cyclists’ rights seriously?

In light of these recent incidents, and the hostile atmosphere that cyclists experience daily on L.A. streets, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition strongly recommends the following:

The City should support a State bill comparable to Kentucky House Bill 88 for Vehicular Assault of a Bicyclist or Pedestrian.  This legislation gives traffic police and prosecutors the opportunity to hold reckless motorists accountable when they hit pedestrians or bicyclists, and is designed to ensure the safety of all road users regardless of their mode of transportation.

The City of Los Angeles should release its now-overdue Bicycle Master Plan draft documents as soon as possible to ensure adequate time for thorough public review and input.  A strong, fully implemented Bicycle Plan is essential for bicyclists’ safety in Los Angeles.

The cycling community has been calling attention to these issues for years in an attempt to create meaningful change.  If Los Angeles is to become a world-class livable city, we need streets that facilitate safe cycling, and police that work to protect the public and support cyclists’ legal rights on the road.

Jennifer Klausner

Executive Director

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

How does it work?

It’s free to sign up! Every time you shop at Ralphs, using your Ralphs Rewards Card, a percentage of your purchase will go to the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. You’ll help to raise funds for LACBC while retaining all of your Ralphs Rewards Card benefits.

How can I sign up?

If you already have a Ralphs Rewards Card:

1) Complete a one-time registration form with the Community Contribution program:

http://www.ralphs.com/myralphs/703/Pages/community_contribution.aspx

2) Click the ‘Enroll’ button and fill out the online form. You will need your card number.

3) Login and enter LACBC’s Nonprofit Organization (NPO) Number: 83993 in the Community Contribution form.

If you have an outdated Ralphs Club Card,  or you DO NOT have a Ralphs Rewards Card:

You will need to upgrade to a Rewards Card. It’s free and you can do this online at https://www.ralphsrewards.com/ or in any Ralphs store. Then, just follow instructions (#1-3) up above.

Once registered, you’re all set!

Every September, you’ll have to re-register. Don’t worry, LACBC will remind you when that happens!

Forgot your Ralphs Rewards Card number? Call 1-800-443-4438 for assistance.

Thank you!

Feel free to use this sample letter:

Dear [insert recipient name here],
I am writing to express my support for legalizing off-road trail access for mountain bikes in City of Los Angeles parks and open space.    It is important that a change in the parks’ policy regarding mountain bikes be reflected in the current update to the City’s Bicycle Master Plan, and I urge you to consider the many parks throughout the city where mountain bike access is feasible and appropriate.

Allowing mountain bikes on park trails will fulfill a recreational gap in a densely built urban area, while allowing local advocacy organizations like Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) and Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) to develop mountain bike programs for children and teens, fostering in them a respect and appreciation for open space and undeveloped land that is accessible to be enjoyed by all.   In many trail systems throughout the country, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians share trails with minimal conflict, and those models are the ones that the City of Los Angeles should follow.  I urge you to join me in supporting open park trails for mountain bikers in Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

[your name and city/council district]

Please call and/or send letters to:

City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Board of Commissioners:
Barry A. Sanders, President
Luis A. Sánchez, Vice President
Maria Casillas, Member
Candy Spelling, Member
Johnathan Williams, Member

Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department
Office of Board of Commissioners
221 N. Figueroa St. Suite 1510
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Telephone: (213) 202-2640

Fax Number: (213) 202-2610

Email Address: rap.commissioners@lacity.org

Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manager
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
221 N. Figueroa St., Suite 1550
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213)202-2633

LA City Council:

Ed P. Reyes, Councilmember, 1st District

Los Angeles City Council

City Hall Office (213)-473-7001

Fax: (213) 485-8907
councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 410
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wendy Greuel, Councilmember, 2nd District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7002

Fax: (213) 680-7895

councilmember.greuel@lacity.org
200 N. Spring Street, Rm475
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dennis P. Zine, Councilmember, 3rd District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7003

(213) 485-8988 Fax

councilmember.zine@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 450
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tom LaBonge, Councilmember, 4th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7004

Fax: (213) 624-7810

councilmember.Labonge@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 480
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Jack Weiss, Councilmember, 5th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7005

Fax: (213) 978-2250

councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tony Cardenas, Councilmember, 6th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7006

FAX (213) 847-0549

councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org
200 N. Spring Street, Rm 455
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Richard Alarcon, Councilmember, 7th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7007

213.847.0707 Fax
No e-mail address

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 425
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Bernard C. Parks, Councilmember, 8th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7008

Fax: 213-485-7683

councilmember.parks@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 460
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Jan Perry, Councilmember 9th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7009

Fax: (213) 473-5946

Jan.Perry@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 420
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Herb J. Wesson, Jr., Councilmember, 10th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7010

Fax (323) 733-5833

councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 430
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Bill Rosendahl, Councilmember, 11th District
Los Angeles City Council
City Hall Office (213)-473-7011

(213) 473-6926 Fax

councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Rm 415
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Councilmember Tom LaBonge will be joining commuters this month for LACBC’s Car-Free Friday ride starting at the North Hollywood Metro Station. The ride will go along the Orange Line to the Van Nuys Metrolink Station where cyclists can grab a cup of coffee, have some breakfast and share stories.

PLEDGE TO RIDE!
This months goal: Get 2 friends or co-workers who do not ride regularly yet, to pledge to ride on Friday March 27th. ‘

Pledge today!

http://lacbc.wordpress.com/lacbc-car-free-fridays/

The Santa Monica Police Department needs your assistance in
identifying and locating a vehicle involved in a felony hit and run
traffic collision.

On January 17, 2009 at about 12:30, a 33 year-old male bicyclist
riding southbound on 20th Street at Arizona Avenue was struck by an
unknown vehicle. After striking the cyclist, the vehicle ran over the
bicycle and the rider’s body and then left the scene without rendering
any assistance or notifying the police. There is no description of the
vehicle at this time; however, it may have front scratches or dents
and possibly a cracked windshield. The bicyclist is currently in
critical condition at a local hospital

(Bulletin P-09-001 dated 19 January)

LA COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION IS LOOKING FOR INTERNS!

See below for intern/volunteer job descriptions.

We want to partner with all LA-area college students, including community colleges, CSUs and UCs! Learn about bicycle advocacy and planning and obtain valuable hands-on experience. The internships are unpaid, but students can obtain school credit.

1. Web Development Intern
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) seeks three interns to assist in our transition to a new website and internet-based database system. This position is unpaid and requires a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week. Work may be completed remotely, though the intern will be required to come to our Downtown LA office for project status meetings once per week.

Position Summary:
Interns will work with a development consultant on either of two projects:

1) WordPress CMS development – The intern will develop a custom content management system on top of an existing WordPress website platform, configuring the base system, coding new PHP modules, and theming the site using XHTML and CSS.

2) Salesforce database development – The intern will import existing data into a Salesforce.com database, configure the database for use by various stakeholders within the LACBC, and program custom interfaces to Salesforce using its web API.

Candidates should have some experience coding PHP and some familiarity with database concepts, or similar rudimentary programming experience and a willingness to learn new technologies.

Please contact intern@la-bike.org and reference this listing along with a current résumé.

2. Special Events Intern
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) is seeking an intern to assist the Special Events Coordinator with weekly office duties. This position is unpaid and is flexible, with 5-10 hours per week required.

Position Summary:
The ideal candidate is one who is enthusiastic about bicycling and seeks nonprofit event coordinating experience. Candidates should be organized, self-motivated, have a strong ability to write and want to work in a fun, social, and fast paced environment. You will be working on the River Ride and other monthly bike events (check http://www.la-bike.org for more info about our organization), helping with office duties, editing, data entry, gathering sponsorships and coordinating volunteers.
Please contact Aurisha Smolarski at aurisha@la-bike.org (send a résumé to apply) or 213-629-2142.

Due to LACBC’s and other bicycle advocates’ efforts, LAPD police chief William Bratton has issued a report recommending that the Bicycle License program be discontinued and an immediate moratorium be implemented on the enforcement of the program.

This is in response to the LA Transportation Committee requesting information from LAPD about the issue. LACBC and many bicycle advocates worked hard to bring this issue to the forefront of LA City Council. The LA Transportation Committee will meet at City Hall on Wednesday, January 14th, at 2pm to hopefully bring this issue to a final resolution. Cyclists are encouraged to attend.

“LACBC was very pleased to see the correspondence from LAPD today and we thank all the agencies and individuals involved in conducting the research that lead to this decision,” says Jennifer Klausner, Executive Director of LACBC.

Read the streetsblog article on this topic.
Click here for the complete report.

For more information on this issue, please contact aurisha@la-bike.org or call 213 629 2142.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As we shift into a new year, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition sends its members and the entire L.A.-area cycling community our best wishes for happy and healthy 2009! Thank you to our members and partners for supporting bicycle advocacy and our mission to make L.A. County better and more bike-able. Your generosity and involvement allows us to keep doing this important work. We wish you many safe and happy human-powered miles in the New Year!!

Best,
Jennifer Klausner
Executive Director

LACBC’s NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
Looking ahead to 2009

Campaigns, Advocacy and Planning