Category Archives: Bicycle

Why You Ride: Bicycle Edition — learning to ride at last

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To celebrate Bike Week LA, we’re publishing a Why You Ride series with the winners of the 2012 Golden Pedal Awards, Metro’s annual competition for great stories about commuting via bicycle.

Even if you don’t know how to ride a bicycle, cycling can still become a feasible way to get to work! Siobhan Dolan wrote to tell us how, at the age of 30, she learned to ride a bike just so she could commute to work. Now she bikes the 10 miles between Atwater Village and Mid-Wilshire twice a day, in under 45 minutes each way.

Name: Siobhan Dolan
Start: Atwater Village
End: Mid-Wilshire
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 45 minutes

Photo courtesy of Siobhan Dolan.

Siobhan said:

“I am a new bike rider—and when I say new, I mean that you can teach an old dog new tricks, because I just learned how to ride a bike at 30 years old. I learned how to ride because I wanted to commute to work by bicycle. My sole intention was to improve the public welfare by reducing car emissions in our already smoggy city.

“Who knew that I would grow to love it so much? My commute is peaceful. I now see some ‘regulars’ on 4th Street whom I wave to, and my overall quality of life has improved—and all because I chose to ride my bike. It has taught me that I can accomplish anything!”

Thanks, Siobhan, for proving that for those of us who weren’t taught to ride a bike growing up, it’s never too late to learn and even love it. And thank you also for making the air in Los Angeles a little cleaner for everyone! We’ve sent you a box of Clif bars to help you power your commute.

Reminder: free rides for cyclists on Metro today — it's Bike to Work Day

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As Metro noted in a recent news release:

On Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 17, Metro will offer free rides to bicyclists on Metro buses and trains throughout Los Angeles County. Culver CityBus, DowneyLINK, Glendale Beeline, LADOT, Montebello Bus Lines, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena ARTS, Santa Clarita Transit and Torrance Transit will also offer free transit rides to bicyclists who use transit for part of their commute. Patrons just need to board with a bicycle or bicycle helmet to ride for free.

Cyclists may bring their bicycles on Metro trains. Metro has removed its peak-hour restrictions for bicycles on rail, which means cyclists may bring their bicycles onboard Metro Rail during all system hours.

On Bike to Work Day, Metro is co-sponsoring more than 80 bicycle pit stops across Los Angeles County with local organizations. Bicyclists are invited to stop by for refreshments and free giveaways at various times of the day. For locations and times, go to www.metro.net/bikeweek.

Why You Ride: Bicycle Edition — navigating the Cahuenga Pass

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To celebrate Bike Week LA, we’re publishing a Why You Ride series with the winners of the 2012 Golden Pedal Awards, Metro’s annual competition for great stories about commuting via bicycle.

Given the scale of Los Angeles, bicycling to work can seem intimidating, but taking transit and using bicycle paths can make a cycling commute less stressful. Kate Mayerson wrote to tell us how her boyfriend, Jose Guzman, has replaced a “brutal” car commute through the Cahuenga Pass with a short trip on the Red Line and a sweet bicycle ride down the Chandler Bikeway.

Photo courtesy of Kate Mayerson.

Name: Jose Guzman
Start: Hollywood
End: Burbank
Distance: 5.5 miles bicycling + 2 miles on the Metro Red Line
Time: 40 minutes

Kate describes how Jose went from driving to cycling:

“We live in Hollywood and Jose works in Burbank. The Cahuenga Pass separates Burbank and Hollywood, and limits the number of routes Jose can drive to work. Commuting in the mornings by car isn’t so bad, but the evenings are brutal. Last summer, Jose found his evening commute stretching to over an hour to travel eight miles home. Almost daily concerts at the Hollywood Bowl meant that traffic was awful. He was coming home late, tired, and frustrated.

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Cyclists Discover New L.A. Environs on Expo/Mid-City Ride

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Have bike lanes, will travel: Expo/Mid-City Ride Group shot. Photos by Dave Sotero

This morning a group of 50+ cyclists from throughout L.A. participated in the “Expo/Mid-City Ride” as part of Bike Week L.A, a weeklong celebration of bicycling for work, school and other destinations throughout L.A. County.

The group ride followed fresh new bike lanes that parallel the recently opened Expo Line between Exposition Park and Culver City, and passed major destinations along the way, including University of Southern California, Jesse Brewer, Jr. Park, Rancho Cienega Sports Complex and Ballona Creek Bike Path.

The ride, organized by Metro and LADOT, was intended to help introduce new and seasoned bicyclists to the nearly six miles of new bicycle lanes now part of L.A.’s rapidly expanding bikeway network. Dan Dabek, executive director of C.I.C.L.E, served as ride leader. Members of the LAPD’s Bicycle Unit also joined the ride to provide ride support, although they did not cork intersections. The group obeyed traffic signals along the 10-mile round-trip ride.

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Blessing of Bikes 2012 draws cyclists from near and far

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The annual Blessing of the Bicycles at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, now in its ninth year, is a popular event during Bike Week L.A. Group photo includes Good Samaritan Hospital CEO Andy Leeka, center, in bicycle shirt, and L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge, far left. Photos: Dave Sotero
The annual Blessing of the Bicycles at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, now in its ninth year, is a popular event during Bike Week L.A. Group photo includes Good Samaritan Hospital CEO Andy Leeka, center, in bicycle shirt, and L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge, far left. Photos: Dave Sotero
Car-free cyclist Nate Baird, an LADOT bike program planner, wears his blessings at Good Samaritan Hospital bike week event.

Car-free cyclist Nate Baird, an LADOT bike program planner, wears his blessings at Good Samaritan Hospital bike week event.

Avid cyclist Andy Leeka, CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital, rides to his job in downtown Los Angeles most days of the week. He was there on cue to welcome scores of cyclists this morning arriving en masse for an interfaith blessing, breakfast and a bike check.

The interfaith ceremony bestowed blessings from a Catholic priest, an Episcopalian priest, an Iman, a rabbi, and a Buddhist monk on groups of bicycle clubs and cyclists from nearby and as far way as Ventura and the Channel Islands.

Why You Ride: Bicycle Edition

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To celebrate Bike Week LA, we’re publishing a Why You Ride series with the winners of the 2012 Golden Pedal Awards. The Golden Pedal Awards are Metro’s annual competition for great stories about commuting via bicycle. Our first winner is Jung Lee, a Metro intern who is seriously dedicated to biking to work.

Name: Jung Lee
Start: Torrance, CA           
End: Union Station
Distance: 18 miles, one way
Time: 45 minutes

Photo courtesy of Jung Lee.

Jung commutes from Torrance to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on his bicycle – an 18-mile ride. Clocking in at 45 minutes, his commute is as fast as it would be if he were driving during rush hour!

Jung was nominated by his colleague Joe Simpson, who writes:

“Jung is what I aspire to be someday. He arrives to work dripping wet and promptly cleans up for a very productive day. Because I’m a chicken, I ride the Santa Clarita bike paths on weekends, but Jung rides through traffic, over the hillside, on the river bikeways, and anywhere to get in to work. Sometimes he even does a workout ride before riding in. He doesn’t own a car and bikes EVERYWHERE. Very inspiring.”

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Bike Week L.A. to spotlight new Expo Line with Expo/Mid-City Ride May 16

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Expo/Mid-City Bike Ride Flyer

As Bike Week L.A. continues this week, there will be a rare occasion tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 16 to experience the connection between the Expo Line, L.A.’s newest rail line and L.A.’s newest bike lanes.

The Expo/Mid-City Ride, sponsored by Metro and LADOT, and led by C.I.C.L.E. Executive Director Dan Dabek, will provide a golden opportunity to discover the rail line’s route with fellow bicyclists as it travels through L.A., Crenshaw, Baldwin Hills and Culver City. Adjacent on-street lanes accompany the line starting from Expo/Vermont Station all the way to La Cienega/Jefferson Station, near the entrance to the Ballona Creek Bike Path that then travels to Marina Del Rey.

Cyclists should meet beginning at 8 a.m. at the Expo Park/USC Station, with the ride departing at 8:30 a.m. The the ride will last approximately 45 minutes.  Cyclists can return via bike lanes or take the Expo Line back to Exposition Park.

Here’s your chance to see Metro’s newest mult-modal transit corridor in a group ride!  Don’t miss it.

 

 

Bike Week L.A. Kicks Off at USC Galen Center

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L.A. Councilmember Bill Rosendahl Promotes Bike Week L.A.

Bike Week LA May 14-18 officially kicked off this morning at the USC Galen Center.  Local civic leaders, including L.A. City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and representatives from Metro, LADOT, , USC, LACBC, C.I.C.L.E. and others affirmed their support for two wheeled commuting, both today and every day.

“We think bikes and transit make a great team,” said Metro’s Deputy CEO Paul Taylor, while touting nearly six miles of new bike lanes along the new Expo line.  “LA’s evolving transit map now makes it possible for us to travel—with a bicycle, if we want– throughout many parts of Los Angeles County. Metro plus bikes equals freedom from cars.”

Make A Difference: Ride a Bike

Taylor also stressed Metro’s ongoing commitments to bicycles, which include lifting time restrictions for bicycles on Metro Rail,  removing seats for bicycles on the Red, Green and Gold lines, including bicycle racks and lockers at new Expo Line stations, and plans for future bicycle parking rooms at several transit stations, including El Monte and Hollywood & Vine. To date, Metro’s financial contribution towards bicycles tops $200 million.

Jaime De La Vega, general manager for LADOT announced that the implementation of the Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan is happening ahead of schedule. “We are well on our way to showing Angelinos that biking and transit make living car-free feasible.”

Barbara Sheppard from the education organization Safe Moves spoke about the importance of involving young people in the bicycle conversation. Only 13% of children currently walk or bike to school in Southern California, a sea change much higher percentages in years past. “The children we educate today are the commuters of the future” she said.

Dan Dabek from the nonprofit group C.I.C.L.E discussed the simple joys of riding a bicycle, as well as the economic benefits it brings to local communities. “If we want a robust economy in Los Angeles, we should support cycling, as many studies have demonstrated that cyclists make great customers.”

The kickoff today marks the beginning of a weeklong calendar of events to encourage cycling throughout L.A. County:

  •  Tuesday, May 15th will bring the blessing of the bicycles at Good Samaritan Hospital beginning at 8 a.m.
  • On Wednesday morning, C.I.C.L.E will lead a guided tour of the new Expo Line bike lane, an approximately 40 minute ride. Meet-up at 8 a.m. at Expo Park/USC station, depart at 8:30.
  • Thursday, of course, is national Bike to Work Day, and Metro is co-sponsoring over 80 pit stops throughout the County to help you get fueled up for your journey. All the stops are geocoded for easy reference.  Click here for link. Metro will also be offering free rides for bicyclists on all buses and trains all day long, so make sure to show the operator your bicycle or helmet.
  • Friday a “Bike to School Day” media event and bicycle safety demonstration will be held by Safe Moves at 8 a.m. at New Designs Charter School-University Park in Los Angeles

    Bicycle community members attend kick-off event.

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Airbag, Helmet – Cycling Fashion? Ja!

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A bit late for CicLAvia, but never too late for fun. From one of my favorite blogs, and straight out of Sweden (of course) – Hövding: the hidden, inflatable airbag helmet.

Hövding inflatable helmet - closed

Hövding inflatable helmet - closed

Hövding inflatable helmet - open

Hövding inflatable helmet - open

Industrial designers, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin began working on Hövding together as their joint master thesis:

The law that had just been introduced in Sweden making bicycle helmets compulsory for children up to the age of 15 had triggered a heated debate on whether it should be extended to include adult cyclists too. To people like us, who wouldn’t be seen dead in a polystyrene helmet, the thought that we might be forced to wear one by law was cause for concern. Producing a bicycle helmet that people would be happy to put on looked like a much better way to go than legislation forcing people to wear one or else. We realised that our industrial design master thesis was the perfect place to find out whether the traditional bicycle helmet could be improved on.

The helmet is currently sold in Sweden. What do you think? Could you see fashion-obsessed Los Angelenos sporting this ‘invisible helmet’?

Here’s video of the helmet in action in a testing environment: