The photos above are from earlier bike rides led by Metro and C.I.C.L.E. Photos by Erial Tompkins.

From Rubina Ghazarian in Metro’s Countywide Planning and Bicycle Program:

The “Made in LA” Los Angeles River Bike Ride will explore Cypress Park and the Los Angeles River bike path tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 21. The ride will be led by C.I.C.L.E. and the LA River Revitalization Corporation. Riders will meet at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, near the Metro Gold Line Lincoln/Cypress Station, at 10:30 am. The ride will depart at 11 am. Participants will ride 8 miles roundtrip, visiting three local businesses that produce products made by and for Angelenos, before returning to the starting point at 1:00 pm.
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Some background on the ride:

In May 2013, Metro announced a partnership with Cyclists Inciting Change Thru LIVE Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) to sponsor 20 community bicycle rides throughout neighborhoods in Los Angeles County over a two-year period. To date, three rides have taken place and three more are scheduled.

​The inaugural “Bikes, Baseball and Dodgers Blue Ride” was held on May 11th. It kicked off Bike Week L.A. 2013 and the partnership between Metro and CICLE with a 5-mile roundtrip ride from Union Station to Dodgers Stadium. The hill was steep, but all bicyclists including children, were able to climb the gradual incline. At the top, participants were greeted by Tommy Lasorda, led on an exclusive stadium tour, and treated to a Dodgers victory.

​The second ride, “Bike Path Beach Bash to Marina Del Rey” took place on June 29th, a scorching hot weekend. Despite the weather, a group of 80 bicyclists of all ages including children and doggie trailers congregated at the Culver City Expo Line station and rode 12-miles roundtrip along the Ballona Creek Path to Marina del Rey.

More than 60 people took part in the third Metro-sponsored ride, the “Rock’n Two Wheel Rollin’ Concert Ride” on Saturday, July 20th. The group met at the Expo Park/USC Expo Line Station and rode 8-miles roundtrip to a concert at the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park.

All three rides have successfully attracted a large number of families and bicyclists of all abilities, from novices to the skilled. Prior to departure, organizers discuss rules of the road and ride etiquette. Rides are generally slower-paced allowing all who participate to enjoy their surroundings while riding comfortably and legally with traffic.

This program helps implement the 2006 Metro Bicycle Transportation Strategic Plan policy to promote bicycling as a legitimate and healthy means of transportation. In addition, these rides are designed to encourage bicycling locally. About 40% of all trips are 2 miles or less, yet 90% of those trips are made in cars. By promoting neighborhood rides, Metro seeks to encourage bicycling for short trips to reduce reliance on automobiles and close the first-last mile gap to transit.

A complete list of upcoming bicycle rides and bicycle safety classes can be found on the Bike Metro Website.