Happy Giving Tuesday!
It’s the day you give your hard-earned money to help one or more deserving organizations do some good in the world.
We listed a handful of local organizations that deserve your support yesterday, like CicLAvia, Streets For All and LA’s legendary Bicycle Kitchen.
Other deserving LA and California bike groups include Calbike, Streetsblog, BikeLA (formerly the LACBC), SAFE and Walk ‘n Rollers.
Then if there’s anything left under your sofa cushions, it’s also Day 5 of the 8th Annual BikinginLA Holiday Fund Drive.
So let’s give a special thanks to Andrew G, David R, Eric L and SAFE for their generous donations yesterday to keep all the best bike news and advocacy coming your way every day.
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Apparently, they heard us.
After transit users and advocacy groups rose up against Metro’s proposed new rate structure, which was presented as a “simplification” but would have resulted in a disguised rate increase for many riders, the LA County transit agency backed down.
Metro is now keeping the existing $1.75 fares and free transfers, while capping daily fares for multiple rides at $5, with an $18 weekly cap.
Which should work better for everyone.
Here’s a chart showing our new fare capping proposal in the right column compared to our current fares (left column) and what was originally proposed in October (center).
— Metro Los Angeles (@metrolosangeles) November 29, 2022
(4/8) The revised proposal still introduces daily and weekly fare capping in which no one will pay more than $5 a day or $18 a week for unlimited rides. We originally proposed $6 a day fare cap and $20 a week – we’ve lowered the price.
— Metro Los Angeles (@metrolosangeles) November 29, 2022
While we’re on the subject, Metro is recruiting members for the agency’s Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Are you passionate about creating a safer and more resilient transit system for Los Angeles County? Apply to join our Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC)! We’re accepting applications through November 30th––join us! https://t.co/s3SRMfUPdM
— Metro Los Angeles (@metrolosangeles) November 28, 2022
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It looks like LADOT is getting a jump on “Roadkill” Gil Cedillo leaving office.
After nine years of blocking most, if not all, bike infrastructure in LA’s CD1, new bike lanes are beginning to appear on the streets of long-neglected Lincoln Heights now that Cedillo has lost his bid for a third and final term, with incoming Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez set to take office in two weeks.
Let’s hope it’s just the first of many, starting with deadly North Figueroa.
New bike lanes in #CD1! 🚲
Mostly protected and buffered bike lanes on Avenue 19 between San Fernando Road and Pasadena Avenue with one block of regular bike lane between Pasadena Ave and Broadway. #bikeLA pic.twitter.com/KrjqPuOx8F
— Felicia G. (@hippierunner) November 28, 2022
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Apparently, it is possible to build a bike lane that’s actually protected from motor vehicles, without relying on those little car-tickler plastic bendy posts.
What a protected bike lane looks like when you care @LADOTlivable @LADOTofficial @BSSLosAngeles https://t.co/w0Jh8UJOoH
— Streets For All (@streetsforall) November 29, 2022
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Speaking of Walk ‘n Rollers, the Culver City-based kids bike safety and education group is hosting a fundraising donut ride this Saturday.
Tuesday is #GivingTuesday2022 help wrap up our 10th anniversary celebration on a high note w/a donation https://t.co/6NfX5H5IJx or join us on our #DonutRide and have fun while supporting. @JimPocrass @HelmsBakeryDist @PreveloBikes pic.twitter.com/4reG5WlMtN
— Walk 'n Rollers (@WalkAndRollers) November 29, 2022
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And speaking of CicLAvia, you can chase your donuts with America’s largest open streets event as it rolls through South LA on Sunday.
Fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain, though.
This Sunday, 12/4, @CicLAvia will open over seven miles of streets in #SouthLA for strolling and rolling. Check out the route map and plan your day at https://t.co/KaONaNiSFQ pic.twitter.com/kF1punKLmx
— LADOT Livable Streets (@LADOTlivable) November 29, 2022
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‘Tis the season.
Seventy-five students in a Colorado elementary school were surprised with new bicycles thanks to a local nonprofit, after the kids watched a performance by a retired BMX stunt rider.
Hundreds of 3rd graders at a pair of Greenville NC elementary schools got new bikes, thanks to the Poway, California-based Bikes for Kids Foundation.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
A Michigan judge faces a judicial ethics complaint after falsely accusing a bike shop owner of a racist assault after she demanded for a discount due to a problem with one of the bicycles; security video showed she was the one who actually assaulted the bike shop owner.
No bias here. Bike riders in Winnipeg, Manitoba were warned not to clear snow from city bike lanes or risk a fine, even if the city doesn’t do it.
A Toronto roadway vigilante asks if he was wrong to honk at a bike rider who started off from a red light during the Leading Pedestrian Interval, saying he’s tires of bicyclists making up their own rules; a columnist politely points out that there are too many traffic infractions at every intersection to enforce every one, and it ain’t his job anyway. Correction: I originally wrote that California bike riders are allowed to proceed along with the walk signal, in advance of the green light; however, Bryan J Blumberg explains that the rule won’t take effect until 2024.
No bias here, either. London cops took a bike rider to task for swearing after they parked their unmarked car in bike lane, forcing the rider into the street — even though bicyclists are required to used the bike lane, and even though he had no idea they were cops. The Metro police later apologized, admitting the cops were wrong.
Sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
The FBI is continuing to search for a 38-year old armed robber, despite removing him from Ten Most Wanted list 18 years after he allegedly shot a 24-year-old armored-car guard five times in the head, then fled on a mountain bike with $56,000 in cash.
Students at England’s Cambridge University have a tradition of ignoring the university’s one-way traffic regulations, according to a university fellow.
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Local
No news is good news, right?
State
Calbike offers suggestions on how young people can get started in advocacy to get more people riding bicycles.
More bad news this week, as a 71-year old man suffered critical injuries when he was struck by a driver while riding in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Oakland is moving ahead with a $295 million package of infrastructure improvements between the city’s Jack London Square and a proposed new stadium at the port, including a bike path, regardless of whether it actually gets built.
National
VeloNews examines whether MIPS bike helmets really prevent traumatic brain injuries, as the manufacturers claim. However, you’ll have to sign up for a free account to read the story.
Bicycling looks at the problem of ever-shrinking passing zones, as bike lanes have failed to keep up with larger private vehicles — let alone vehicle sizes that force bike riders who don’t take the full lane even further into the door zone. As usual, read it on Yahoo if the magazine blocks you.
Bike Portland takes an early look at Oregon’s proposed ebike rebate program, which would offer up to $1,200 to purchase a standard ebike, or up to $1,700 for a cargo ebike. Although that could change as the bill moves forward.
Utah has suffered a 30 year high in bicycling fatalities; 15 people have been killed riding bikes in the state this year, with over a month to go.
Once again, authorities have managed to keep a dangerous driver on the road until it’s too late. A Utah man faces up to 20 years behind bars after pleading guilty in the drunken crash that killed a 13-year old boy riding his bike in a crosswalk; he was still on the road despite three previous DUI convictions, as well as violating court-imposed alcohol restrictions.
A sitting judge, who was the co-founder of the nonprofit Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico, was killed by her husband in murder suicide; he also shot a number of their pets before taking his own life.
A defendant in Colorado’s Operation Vicious Cycle bike theft scheme agreed to a plea deal of three years behind bars, followed by another three years of probation; seven other defendants are also accused of stealing high-end bikes from Denver-area bike shops for resale in a Mexican bike shop.
Good news, as Christian singer Amy Grant returned to a Memphis stage for the first time since she suffered a traumatic brain injury hitting a pothole on her bike in August; she was reportedly unconscious for up to 15 minutes following her fall. And yes, she was wearing a helmet.
New York’s fire department will require landlords to post a notice warning about the risk of ebike and e-scooter battery fires when charging them indoors.
Prosecutors in North Carolina have charged a driver with killing an Asheville man riding a bicycle, even though the driver played the Universal Get Out of Jail Free card by claiming he just didn’t see him; police say the area was well lighted, so the driver should have seen the victim in time to avoid the crash.
International
Road.cc asks its readers what’s the scariest thing that’s happened to them on a bike that didn’t involve a driver, with responses ranging from rampaging cows to exploding rims. In my case, it was probably when a log resting on a Louisiana roadway started moving when I rode closer, and snapped his alligator jaws at me as I swerved around it.
A writer for We Love Cycling makes the case for why requiring registration plates for bicycles doesn’t make sense.
A Japanese writer takes on the new rinko trend, defined as taking a folding bicycle on a train to explore your destination at the other end.
Competitive Cycling
A British man has been sidelined in advance of this week’s Cyclocross Masters World Championships after someone broke into his home and stole his bikes.
Finally…
Build your own DIY bicycle turn signals and brake light. Your next ebike could be your caddie, although it probably sucks at selecting the right club.
And presenting the answer for everyone who ever wanted to pedal through the library.
Or in it, anyway.
How cool is this? A library in #Utrecht where you can charge your electric device by cycling!! 🚲 pic.twitter.com/4rZMUDe41D
— Michele Bryans (@Michele_Bryans) November 25, 2022
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And get vaccinated, already.
Oh, and fuck Putin, too.
Yesterday there was a report of a 71 year old bicyclist being hit and taken to a hospital in south Orange County in bad condition on one of the local internet news outlets.
The lack of incentive for retired to avoid peak travel times will be regretted if lost as is the Metro proposal still.
Just approve the cap and leave it as is beyond that even the monthly passes could remain there just is not cause to get rid of them. Change complicates but expanding incentives to more efficiency is why we have fares!!!
You said: “Never mind that California bike riders are now allowed to proceed along with the walk signal, in advance of the green light.”
This is not correct. The California law does not take effect until January 1, 2024! Gotta wait more than a year before we can roll when the Walk signal appears.
Thanks for the correction! I thought the law was already in effect, and had no idea we have to wait another year.
The monthly senior’s all mode pass isn’t good before 9:30 AM to avoid adding to rush hour traffic. It is easy enough to make appointments after that. I usually bike instead.