Can Buses and Bikes Share the Road?

The LA Metro and LADOT Bikeways Program's fall another step behind Chicago. This past summer of 2009 I attended a couple of meetings held at LA Metro where there was some inertia to produce an education module for bus operators. Six months later and no further discussion has come forth on the training program for LA Metro bus drivers.

Instead we get more inspired work from the Chicago DOT and the Chicago Bicycle Program with another video production aimed at making the streets safe for all roadway users. Previously Chicago released a great video entitled Traffic Enforcement for Bicyclist Safety, now they bring us Share the Road - Buses and Bicycles.

For the most part, this latest education video is generic enough to apply in any city. Maybe the LA Metro Bike Program could use it as a model for their alleged training program? Bus operators and cyclists can get along out there, but LA Metro must do more to train its employees on the importance of sharing the road with cyclists, and cyclists need to be mindful of the challenges faced by bus drivers in Los Angeles.

Enough said, enjoy the video.

Share the Road - Buses and Bicycles from Chicago Bicycle Program on Vimeo.

LA Greensters Hauling Bike Valet to SouthBay 350 Climate Action Day

Video produced by JeremyGrant.com

International Day of Climate Action - October 24!

This is your opportunity to join the Amazing Waving Human Tide Line on October 24, 2009 at 3pm in Manhattan Beach, CA. Learn more and RSVP to be part of climate history at www.350.org/SouthBay350.

Bike- and People-friendly Boulder, CO

Boulder Bike Story from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.

Watch this video to learn how Boulder created its transportation systems not only for cars, but rather for all modes. How many examples like this will it take for the Los Angeles area to get with it and provide its citizens with multimodal choices?

Crenshaw Crush - give your bike a hug!

Come ride the Crenshaw Crush, sponsored by the LA Greensters this Sunday, Sept. 27. Meet up at 8 AM Leimert Park: Crenshaw Blvd. and Vernon Ave. where we will begin a 22 mile cultural discovery ride of the Crenshaw District. The ride departs at 9 AM and will conclude at approximately 1 PM back at Leimert Park. Bring water, sunscreen and portable snacks in addition to your bike and helmet. Faster riders can sign up for the Poker Ride at the meet up. See you Sunday.

Genetic Engineering: The world's Greatest Scam?

Greensters Provide Transportation Support for "At What Price"

Watch out for Load[ing] Zone on Sept. 18

Park[ing] Day LA is here again and the Greensters are putting a new twist on their park's theme with a mobile Load[ing] Zone that will travel around Los Angeles distributing Pocket Park[ing] seed bombs and tasty treats to park visitors. Anyone is welcome to come along for the ride, on a bike of course. In the morning you can meet us at Media Park in Culver City we will be pulling out around 10am to set up our first park, the location will be disclosed at the meet up. If you are not a morning person, come join us at Hel/Mel at 2 pm or meet us at Echo Park around 7pm.

It's Time for Another Smart Cycling Class, Get Ready to Ride!

Smart Cycling 101 is offered once again beginning Sept. 13, 2009 at Bikerowave in Mar Vista. Register with Santa Monica College Continuing Community Education at http://commed.smc.edu or call 310-434-3400 and ask for Smart Cycling.

Click the announcement for more details.

Bicycles as a tool for development

Worldbike Slideshow: Bicycles as a tool for Development from Ross Evans on Vimeo.

Watch this inspiring video, it's just another example of how utilitarian bicycles are changing the world for the better. What are you waiting for, get yourself an Xtracycle and feel the flavor of freedom while helping to support Worldbike projects around the globe.

Cash For Clunkers Bill Driven by Auto Lobby

The recent passing of the "Cash-for-Clunkers" Bill signals another short-sighted attempt to keep Americans addicted to oil for the sake of the economy. This Bill is nothing but a clever way to give the auto industry more taxpayer money. At best this program will bring only marginal environmental benefits with weak requirements such as a new car getting at least 4 more miles per gallon than the old car will be eligible for a $3,500 voucher. Give me a break, why can't this country move forward with sustainable transportation policies?

Conversely, the Scrap-It program in British Columbia, Canada takes its trade-in program several steps further with vouchers for transit, bicycles and car shares. Now this is a real attempt to get people on the path to sustainable mobility. Once again U.S. policy makers show they are pawns to big industry and public opinion means almost nothing at the end of the day.

Winning video of the Congress for The New Urbanism, by John Paget

"'New Urbanism' aka 'Old Urbanism' aka 'Traditional Neighborhood Design' = Built to Last"

They're Here! Sharrows: Implemented in Belmont Shores.

For those of us that are highly trained on vehicular cycling techniques Sharrows seem unnecessary, however this treatment can be a good learning tool for beginning and intermediate level cyclists who are untrained and often times take a dangerous path on the street or avoid the street all together. Vehicular cyclist are a lot like a professional golfer who has the ability to see the line from his ball on the green to the cup and doesn't require special markings to identify the correct path.

On the other hand, intermediate and beginning cyclists are like amateur golfers who stray all over the place on the journey to the cup. The difference is when cyclists stray from the proper position they can end up in a life threatening situation while the amateur golfer just has an elevated score. In my view, Sharrows provide a sense of belonging and safety while simultaneously training cyclists the best slot to ride in on the street. It would be interesting to see if novice cyclists take the correct lane position on unmarked streets after using lanes marked with Sharrows for awhile. Only time will tell, cheers to Long Beach for leading the charge and thanks to Russ Roca for the video footage.

Sharrows FAQ's

This comes to us from Long Beach, CA. The city is making strides to be more bike-friendly following in the foot steps of its recent Bronze award from the League of American Bicyclists.

If anyone has had a chance to bike on the new Sharrows please let us know if they help or hinder your forward progress.

Pedestrian-Friendly Cyclist

Tips for "civic cycling" in the Spring 2009 issue of Reclaim from Transportation Alternatives NYC. This is a great reminder that cyclists must also yield to the most vulnerable street users - Pedestrians.

Food, Inc. premiers in Los Angeles June 12, 2009 before going nationwide starting June 19. Check out the trailer above. This is a critical issue for everyone, especially cyclists since food is our primary source of fuel.

Beverly Hills Proclaims Bike to Work Month!

Beverly Hills City Council proclaimed May 2009 as Bike to Work Month in the city during its May 13, 2009, regular meeting. Pictured above is me on the left with Mayor Nancy Krasne and Council Member Dr. William Brien.

The proclamation states the following:

Whereas, for more than a century, the bicycle has been an important part of the lives of Americans; and

Whereas, the month of May is National Bike Month, which is recognized by cities and counties across the United States of America as an opportunity to promote the health and environmental benefits of riding a bicycle for transportation; and

Whereas, the education of cyclists and motorists as to the safe operation of bicycles and sharing the road is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all travelers.

Now, Therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Beverly Hills, do hereby proclaim May 2009 to be Bike To Work Month in the City of Beverly Hills and further encourage all citizens to ride their bicycles and promote cycling as good for our health and our environment.

Dated: May 13, 2009

Tokyo: Robot Bike Parking

Have a look at this innovative bike parking solution from Tokyo, Japan.

Culver City Bike/Ped Counts & Audits

Check out the schedule for volunteering in the upcoming bicycle and pedestrian counts and audits in Culver City. Note, volunteer training is on May 12 at the Culver City Sr. Center beginning at 6pm.

Santa Monica Continuing Community Education

SmartCycling is at SMC, click on this link to sign up for my next class in July.

Bike to Work Week

Here is the schedule of events for Bike to Work Week, we need everyone on board so get your bike ready to ride.

CAR FREE FRIDAYS! CALLING ALL CYCLISTS!

Come join us Friday, April 24, 2009, for the monthly Car-Free Friday ride. This month we ride with LA City Councilman Ed Reyes. Meet up at MacArthur Park 8am. I'll see you there.

Idaho Rolling Stop Video

Check out this nicely done video on the Idaho Rolling Stop Law, it's not legal in Cali - YET.


Bicycles, Rolling Stops, and the Idaho Stop from Spencer Boomhower on Vimeo.

Culver City Bicycle & Pedestrian Initiative

Please join the Culver City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Public Advisory Committee on April 4, 2009 from 11am - 1pm. 

We need your input and your ideas for making Culver City more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Also, if you live, bike, walk or work in Culver City please complete the online survey at www.ccwalkbike.org. 

Murder of Mass Transit in America!

Have a look, Bike Jax posted this 1996 documentary by Jim Klein and Martha Olson on the Murder of Mass Transit in America.

Fuel use by transportation mode comparison.

How much fuel is used per passenger traveling 350 miles? The chart reveals the results by modal choice. Drum roll please... the bike wins again, no big surprise.

 

FUEL Ride

FREE Tickets to the First 100 Bicyclists! Come and ride with like-minded people on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 to the opening of FUEL in Santa Monica, CA.

Car-Free Fridays!

Today is the official kick off of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition's "Car-Free Fridays" campaign. The concept is simple, on the last Friday of the month you transport yourself around the city using alternative modes such as public transit and biking. Have a listen to the KFI report, Thanks LACBC.

I will be riding in the 2nd annual Tour de Ballona this Saturday, please join me if you can make it.