LAStreetsblog

• Metro Board: Fare Gates, TAP and Even Some Regional Connector Drama
  It wouldn’t be the Metro Board of Directors without some drama.  Read the full agenda for tomorrow’s meeting of the Board by clicking here.It appeared that, despite some grumbling about the exclusion of a station at Fifth and Flower, that the R…
  - 2 hours ago, 22 Feb 12, 7:47pm -
• Move L.A. Hosts “L.A. on the Verge” This Friday, What Would You Do with Measure R+
  The current "Measure R" map.Is Los Angeles on the “verge of a transit breakthrough” as Move L.A. states in the promotions for Friday’s all day conference featuring Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other political leaders, labor organizers and en…
  - 3 hours ago, 22 Feb 12, 6:58pm -
• House Bill Delayed, But Transit, Biking, and Walking Aren’t Safe Yet
  Congress is in recess, and the House’s atrocious transportation bill has been dismembered and delayed, but if you want to preserve funding for transit and active transportation, don’t let your guard down yet. There’s still plenty to watch out f…
  - 3 hours ago, 22 Feb 12, 6:24pm -
• Top 10 Reasons to Oppose the House Transpo Bill
  Congress is in recess this week, but that doesn’t mean the furor surrounding the House transportation bill has died down.Under the House transpo bill, transit agencies that operate both rail and bus systems, like NJ Transit, would be forced to tak…
  - 5 hours ago, 22 Feb 12, 4:39pm -
• Origins of the Metro Code of Conduct
  If you have ridden a Metro bus or rail car you may have recently found in the holders for brochures and timetables (known in the industry as take-ones) a brochure for Metro’s Code of Conduct. The who/what, you may wonder?Read the full brochure by…
  - 6 hours ago, 22 Feb 12, 3:38pm -
• Berkeley Passes Bike Anti-Harassment Law
  Last week, Berkeley became the second American city to implement an anti-harassment law to protect bicycle riders and allow victims to sue offenders in civil court.Photo: EBBC/FlickrThe ordinance, which provides greater legal recourse for bicyclist…
  - 6 hours ago, 22 Feb 12, 3:35pm -

Biking in LA

• Indiana cyclist wins in court, loses on the streets; a lavish load of midweek links
  Simply heartbreaking. Yesterday I mentioned that an Indiana cyclist had his ticket for passing a school bus reversed after a judge ruled the law doesn’t apply to bikes; today, we learned that the rider was killed over the weekend. Sixty-two year ol…
  - 14 hours ago, 22 Feb 12, 7:54am -
• A jerk driver nearly takes off a cyclist’s arm, and shows the need to change the law
  The other night, I watched from behind as a cyclist did everything right. And still was nearly run down by an impatient driver. I’d already watched as the driver of a Porsche run a red light at Ohio and Veteran, making his right turn without stoppi…
  - 2 days ago, 21 Feb 12, 7:45am -
• A long and ever growing list of biking events, from a Dim Sum ride to bike lanes on a grand L.A. boulevard
  Bike Talk airs every Saturday at 10 am; listen to it live or download the podcast from KPFK. Bike Long Beach hosts Bike Saturdays every weekend; ride your bike to participating local shops and business throughout the city to get special offers…
  - 4 days ago, 19 Feb 12, 8:11am -
• It’s our first ever Presidential Weekend bike link clearance — all links must go!
  Haven’t been able to keep up with this week’s massive amount of bike news. So here’s a hot, steaming mound of delicious bike links to see you through the weekend. …….. Let’s start with today’s most popular item. A French cyclist set a n…
  - 4 days ago, 18 Feb 12, 9:46am -
• Are we failing our young bike riders?
  I recently received a link to an online story in which a driver threatened to kill cyclists. Or more precisely, he was afraid that he might. The link came from David Huntsman, a lawyer and fellow bike advocate from Newport Beach, who was naturally ou…
  - 5 days ago, 17 Feb 12, 6:58pm -
• San Diego cyclist killed; second Southern California fatality in just two days
  Another day, another Southern California cycling fatality. For the second time in just two days, a SoCal cyclist has been killed in a motor vehicle collision, as a 20-year old bike rider died after being hit by two cars on Wednesday. According to the…
  - 7 days ago, 16 Feb 12, 8:25am -

Brayj Against The Machine

• Who is Rick Santorum?
  I just heard that Rick Santorum is running for president, and that he was once a U.S. Senator.Who is Rick Santorum
  - 48 days ago, 6 Jan 12, 5:00am -
• What really grinds my gears: Larry Mantle's shows on the economy
  It is hard, sometimes, to stop myself from bashing my radio in when listening to public radio these days.One day, Larry Mantle on KPCC is talking with economic experts about how terrible it is that Americans are in debt up to their eyeballs. The host…
  - 55 days ago, 30 Dec 11, 1:53am -
• Quick thought before I head down to #OccupyLA
  We used to have a park in LA that was the place to be for people that wanted to spout opinions and ideology. But we turned it into a cement tombstone called Pershing Square. LAPD's HQ was going to be a central park until Jan Perry fought to make it B…
  - 85 days ago, 30 Nov 11, 8:09am -
• This is how I roll
  IMAG0218.jpg, a photo by ubrayj02 on Flickr.IMAG0218.jpgThis is how I drop off bikes and other stuff I sell through Flying Pigeon LA's online shop.
  - 14 Nov 11, 1:34am -
• Overcoming bicycle based myopia a key to future CicLAvia success
  I participated in the 2nd CicLAvia this past April 10, 2011 with my daughter and my wife. It was a really good time, a beautiful day, and it revived all that love for Los Angeles that I had during the first CicLAvia last October.This was the first ti…
  - 13 Apr 11, 5:14pm -
• FIDM Fail at MyFigueroa meeting on February 8, 2011
  The hosts of the MyFigueroa meeting on February 8, 2011, the lords of flash and glitter that run the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing (FIDM), left us wanting a bit more humane security and bike parking polict. FIDM is a bad place for a meeti…
  - 10 Feb 11, 3:37am -

Gary Rides Bikes

• Colorado Esplanade Design, With New Bike Route Proposals, Moves To Council Tonight
  Several weeks ago I attended a community meeting soliciting public input on design proposals for the Colorado Esplanade, although I had not yet blogged on this specific project until this post. For those unfamiliar this project proposal, it is a pro…
  - 8 days ago, 14 Feb 12, 3:30pm -
• Turtle Meets Bike
  I'm currently helping take care of a turtle for a friend out of town, named Funky Pajamas. He mostly hangs out in the water in his aquarium, but we recently let him outside for a little adventure and exercise.  He immediately took to wanting to…
  - 9 days ago, 13 Feb 12, 3:30pm -
• What Does Bikenomics Mean To You? (Zine Giveaway)
  Following up on the topic of bikenomics this week, I'd like to hear what it means to you. Everyone who contributes a brief comment of their own personal story, data point or other interesting thought on the role of bicycling in the economy, will be e…
  - 14 days ago, 8 Feb 12, 3:59pm -
• Elly Blue's Bikenomics
  Within the world of bicycle writers, there are few figures that have been more influential to my own thinking and writing than Eleanor Blue, based in Portland, Oregon. Elly was a long time contributor to the Bike Portland website, has written…
  - 16 days ago, 6 Feb 12, 4:00pm -
• The Santa Monica Patch Posts, A Year Of Writing
  In other news, I got a new bike! It's pretty.As I was writing columns for Patch, I'm sure those readers that have stuck with this blog even in times of drought, have no doubt noticed a lot less material posted here. Well my first professional wri…
  - 32 days ago, 21 Jan 12, 3:00pm -
• ██████ ████ █ #SOPA ████ #PIPA ██ #J18
  
  - 35 days ago, 18 Jan 12, 3:30pm -

Bikeside LA

• CEQA Myths Used to Destroy Bike Projects
  Bureaucrats cannot resist the desire to get nerdy every once in a while, so please allow me a quick opportunity to do so. How many times have you heard the response, “we can’t do that project because it will require an EIR.” (An EIR is an Envi…
  - 71 days ago, 13 Dec 11, 6:35pm -
• Santa Monica Bike Infrastructure Upgrades Rolling In
  Last Wednesday, the Bike Action Plan [PDF, 48.6mb] took center stage at Santa Monica’s Planning Commission. Here it enjoyed a warm reception. It is headed next to Tuesday evening’s City Council meeting for final ratification. With some fresh pain…
  - 98 days ago, 17 Nov 11, 7:28am -
• Pereyda: Provide Safe Bike Access to CD 15 Waterfront
  “For the LA Waterfront project to be totally successful, bike and foot traffic will have to be a major part of the planning process,” wrote Frank Pereyda, Council District 15 candidate, in Bikeside’s Survey on Biking and Walking. One of the key…
  - 8 Nov 11, 7:31am -
• Want Safer Streets in CD 15? Vote Pro-BikeTomorrow
  Bikeside asked candidates in the November 8, 2011 Special Council District 15 Election to take its bike friendliness survey and participate in the CicLAvia edition of Bikeside Speaks. Of the eleven candidates on the CD 15 ballot, the following eight…
  - 8 Nov 11, 12:11am -
• Buscaino: Clean Air and Safe Streets for Kids in CD 15
  “The most significant obstacle to CD 15 becoming more bike friendly is the amount of automobile traffic on our streets,” wrote Joe Buscaino, Council District 15 candidate, in Bikeside’s biking and walking survey.  “It makes biking more diffi…
  - 6 Nov 11, 3:55am -
• Chambliss: Engage Neighborhood Councils to Create Safer Streets
  “There are virtually no bike lanes on any streets in CD 15,” wrote Rebecca Chambliss, a realtor running for Council District 15.  “Many of the streets are narrow and it’s rare to see bikes on other than the main streets,” Chambliss noted i…
  - 4 Nov 11, 6:06am -

May is National Bike Month

Adventures of a Car-Less Valley Girl

• When It Rains...
  I forgot to bring my bicycle in from the rain. Again. This is the third rain in about two months. Thankfully, it's getting a much-needed shower; however, what I'm really worried about is its chain. I've heard that taking care to lube it and make sure…
  - 71 days ago, 13 Dec 11, 10:58am -
• Every Hour, Near the Hour
  I live a block away from a busy intersection on Balboa Blvd in the Valley. Balboa Blvd is an artery that services Nordhoff Blvd and Ventura Blvd - one being a major artery to California State University, Northridge; the other being a major, major art…
  - 22 Aug 11, 8:11pm -
• Hard Times
  One of the main reasons I ride my bicycle and take the bus instead of going out and buying a car is because, honestly, it's more money than I'd care to spend on insurance, car notes, and gas right now. It's been that way for a while, at least the las…
  - 16 Aug 11, 11:59pm -
• The Top Five Worst Things You Can Do On Your Bike
  Sometimes the most obvious of distractions are the ones least considered but when it comes to cycling, walking, or driving, however, eliminating them as best as possible would seem to be a good rule of thumb. Safer, walkable, livable streets - isn't…
  - 11 Aug 11, 6:20pm -
• A Car-Lite Lifestyle
  I was dorking around on NPR.com and found an interesting interview from a few years back with Chris Balish, author of a book entitled How to Live Well Without Owning a Car, something that I will probably pick up in coming weeks when I'm done reading…
  - 10 Aug 11, 9:59pm -
• Local Buses: Part One
  The other evening I was on my way home from Northridge when I saw a gentleman sitting on the northwest corner of White Oak and Saticoy waiting for the 239 bus to come. I was rushing home because I was about fifteen minutes late as far as getting read…
  - 3 Aug 11, 8:21pm -

This Girl's Bike

• Put a Bike on It.
  Perhaps you've heard of the brilliant Portlandia sketch "Put a Bird on It." Well in my world, if you Put a Bike on It, I'll buy it. :)I was powerless over resisting this adorable tote! The Timbuk2 website was out of them but I found one on eBay. I s…
  - 4 Aug 11, 4:52pm -
• New Bike Art.
  via Sophie Blackall on etsyRecently purchased on etsy. The artist is Sophie Blackall. This is from her Missed Connections project which uses as its inspiration the endlessly amusing craigslist personals listings.
  - 4 Jul 11, 7:39pm -
• Po Campo Loop Pannier has Arrived!
  I'll have to post a detailed review later after I've had some time with the bag, but my Po Campo Loop Pannier has arrived! via Po CampoI went with the "Chartreuse Poppy" which is a bit greener than I imagined it would be. It's very cute!Makeover com…
  - 2 Jul 11, 3:35am -
• Sold My Vintage Mixte.
  I made the decision to sell my 1983 Centurion Le Mans Mixte (Rose). I just didn't have the time to devote to restoring her, and it was a shame to have her sitting in my garage collecting cobwebs. Sadly, I was in over my head. I had one session over a…
  - 30 Jun 11, 4:41am -
• Pashley is Getting a Makeover Today!
  via PashleyBefore.My Pashley Princess Sovereign is out getting a makeover today at LA Brakeless.via leatherbicyclesaddles.co.ukI am replacing the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires that come with the bike with Schwalble Delta Cruisers in cream with reflect…
  - 26 Jun 11, 6:05pm -
• Po Campo Freebie!
  Last week was Bike To Work Week in Chicago. To celebrate, Chicago-based bike bag company Po Campo did a give away on facebook yesterday. If you posted a picture of yourself biking to work, they'd send you a free reflective pin. Sign me up! I had a f…
  - 19 Jun 11, 1:51am -