Yesterday we received the surprising news that Culver City was awarded an honorable mention as a bike-friendly city by the League of American Bicyclists.
Something that would have seemed unthinkable just a few short years ago.
Much of the credit goes to the members of the LACBC affiliate Culver City Bicycle Coalition, who’ve worked with city leaders to make it safer and more inviting to those of us on two wheels.
So while I don’t normally reprint press releases, we’ll let them take a bow this one time.
Culver City Bicycle Coalition Applauds Bicycle Friendly Community Honorable Mention Recognition
The Culver City Bicycle Coalition (CCBC) is proud to announce that Culver City has been recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community with an Honorable Mention by the League of American Bicyclists. The award is a product of the hard work of City staff, community members, and, of course, Culver City’s elected officials. Since its adoption in 2010, the Culver City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) has led to concrete improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians throughout the City, with more on the way.
Being recognized by the League is no small tasks. Many cities apply each year, but without a formal bike-friendly foundation and plan going forwardI, many are rejected. Culver City was recognized for many improvements, including new bike routes and lanes, improved bike parking, successful Safe Routes to School programs, the addition of Shared Lane Markings (a.k.a. sharrows), effective education and outreach program and a supportive community.
“Culver City has always had many great places to walk and bike. In fact we are already considered one of the top cities for walking in the country. The BPMP is about connecting these places together into a network that allows people to feel safe and comfortable getting around on two wheels, or with no wheels. Today the League of American Bicyclists recognized Culver City for those efforts,” CCBC co-founder Jim Shanman said.
In addition to recognizing communities for their achievements, the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program is a valuable resource that offers guidance to local governments looking to become even more bike-friendly. As communities improve, they can be recognized with Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community status. The League has identified specific policies and programs that will keep our local community moving in the right direction. This Honorable Mention recognizes that Culver City is on the path to reach these higher levels. CCBC looks forward to working with the City to take these next steps.
“We are genuinely appreciative of City staff who guided development of the Master Plan and are now working diligently on its implementation. This award is primarily a recognition of their leadership,” Shanman continued. CCBC thanks the League for recognizing the City’s many accomplishments in the past two years.
And don’t forget that Culver City is looking for volunteers for their annual bike count this Saturday and next Wednesday.
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Don’t forget tonight’s Ride of Silence in memory of riders killed in traffic.
The nearest ride for those of us in the L.A. area will be the Pasadena Ride of Silence, an easy 12 mile, moderately paced ride starting at 7 pm at the Rose Bowl. The nationally featured ride takes place in Oxnard in memory of 6-year old Anthony Martinez. Other rides will take place in Rancho Cucamonga, as well as other cities throughout California. (Note: in an earlier draft, I mistakenly located the Rancho Cucamonga ride in Claremont.)
I’m committed to attend the LACBC board meeting tonight. But my heart will be with all those who ride tonight, and everyone they’re riding for.
Wherever you are, I hope you’ll take part.
Both to remember those we’ve lost, and send a message calling for safer streets for cyclists.
And for everyone.
Update: If you really want to understand what the Ride of Silence is all about, read this from Chris Phelan, founder of the Ride. But fair warning, you can expect to have a tear in your eye before you’re finished.
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If you read this early enough, you can still celebrate Bike Week by riding the new Expo Line bikeway.
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The fine for using a hand-help cell phone could go up a whole $10 to a whopping $30; yeah, that will certainly act as a deterrent. How about making the penalty the same as DUI, since studies show hand-held cell use is the equivalent of drunk driving?
The proposed law would also ban texting and hand-held cell use while biking, with a $20 fine.
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Peter Sagan makes it three in a row in the Amgen Tour of California, while Heinrich Haussler finishes second — also for the third time. Tommy Duggan has been spending more than his share of time leading the peloton in the Tour of California. And the race is even making news in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Joaquim Rodriguez takes the Giro d’Italia’s pink leader’s jersey on the streets of Assisi.
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Clif Bar invites you to celebrate their 20th anniversary by sharing your life-changing moment; five winners will have $5,000 donated to the non-profit of their choice, while all contestants will be entered in a drawing for a month’s supply of Clif Bars.
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Alex Baum gets a well-deserved Golden Spike award for a lifetime of bike advocacy; photo courtesy of George Wolfberg.
LADOT Bike Blog offers a look at Tuesday’s Blessing of the Bicycles, which honored L.A.’s original bike advocate Alex Baum with a very well-deserved Golden Spoke Award. One of my favorite writers for the Times offers her take, as well. More much-needed bike lanes sprout in long-neglected South L.A. Examined Spoke says sharrows schmarrows, and points out L.A. seems to pay more attention to shrubbery than bikeways. LAPD Central offers tips on how to protect your bike; instead of just saying “Learn how to lock your bike,” though, maybe they could explain how to do that. If you’re a member of the LACBC, you’re automatically entered in the Coalition’s May member appreciation raffle. Santa Clara County proposes spending $2 million to complete a key bikeway.
Electric and hybrid cars are 66% more likely to collide with cyclists than traditional gas-powered vehicles. The League of American Bicyclists says a quarter of all bike collisions are hit-from-behind wrecks, a far higher percentage than we’ve been told in the past. Hammacher Schlemmer promises to address that with a real-time rearview camera for bikes; I’d much rather have a three-foot passing law. People for Bikes invites you to meet their Western U.S. crew. Even Sitka AK earns a bronze level bike-friendly city nod; maybe someday, L.A., maybe someday.
Bike unfriendly Toronto claims yet another victim, as the mayor continues to rip out bike lanes. The UK seriously considers lowering speed limits to 20 mph in residential areas; something we should consider ever though current limits are universally ignored. Instead of bitching that cyclists don’t pay our own way, maybe it’s time drivers had to pay the full cost for the roads they use.
Finally, worse than the claim that over half of all cyclists run red lights is an unscientific survey showing nearly half of all cyclists have upset a kitten, the heartless bastards. Even though some of us claim to do it so they don’t get killed.
Jump red lights, that is.
Not upset kittens.
Cops who don’t ride bikes giving tips on their protection miss an important tip: When placing your bike on a bus rack, stand in the front of the bus and watch the bike or lock it to deter theft.
I think they always get a bit more of the population taking the option to text while driving every time they mention it’s $20 penalty. Nice work on curbing bad behavior guys!
“Oh look hun, it’s only $20 to text while driving!”
And don’t get me started on the cops and bikes in Culver City!!! HAHAHAHAHHA…….
Perhaps I didn’t word that well – note that the closest Ride of Silence to Claremont is the one in Rancho Cucamonga.
I take full responsibility for not reading closely enough in my rush to get this online last night, and am fixing it. Thanks for the correction Michael!
Back in the 70s when much of the research was done on bicycling accidents, We did not have all these electronic devises to distract us. Rear end collisions were a very small portion of bicycle car collisions. From recent experiences with motorists, I would not discount the claim of 25 percent. My biggest problem is with motorists attempting to make a left turn over me. I am not a small person and am riding a tandem. I do have a very loud voice though.