Bikeside LA

My peeps have a saying: STILL GOT IT.  We say it when impressive HULK like action makes it clear that we still got it.  Still got that mojo that makes one an outstanding person.
The League of American Bicyclists still don’t get it, and they STILL DON’T GOT IT.  The League’s reputation was completely tarnished when [...]

Nate Baird discovered this gem in this long article by the SMDP on struggling businesses in downtown Santa Monica:
Two years ago, Owens-Amsden said she tried to have a bike rack installed, but hit another obstacle when City Hall told her that only six bicycle racks are granted per year. There was a waiting list, but [...]

There are few things that shock me as a bike activist anymore.  This discovery by Gary Kavanagh floored me – if you ride a bike without a bike license in Santa Monica it’s:
punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars per violation, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding [...]

(note that LAB is an abbreviation for League of American Bicyclists, not LA Brakeless, which is AWSUM!  Oh yeah, and BFC means Bike Friendly Community – you can read more about the BFC program here.)
Directors of the League of American Bicyclists,
The link below connects to a petition regarding the Bronze BFC Award conferred on Santa [...]

Two weeks ago I wrote about how the League of American Bicyclists gave an undeserved bronze award to Santa Monica for bike friendliness.  In doing so, they inoculated an already insulated City gov’t against criticism, making the job of local bike crusaders more difficult.
I propose a simple solution: withdraw the award.  If you agree, sign [...]

(Santa Claus is ticketed on Santa Monica Critical Mass by Santa Monica Police Department.  The ticket was later dismissed.  Photo by Gary Se7en.)

Last week the League of American Bicyclists, the oldest bicycle advocacy organization in the United States, gave Santa Monica a Bronze award for being a bicycle friendly community.  Despite the fact that Santa [...]

The steel beast that brought the F.U.N. to so many rides is no more.  The pedal-powered 4-seater that brought smiles to so many faces. Gone it is, as of 10pm today, Monday April 27th, from its parking spot in Santa Monica…

(Hal receives a ticket from the Santa Monica Police Department at Santa Monica Critical Mass)
Whether Santa Monica wants it or not, whether it’s true or not, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is perpetuating the message “cyclists aren’t welcome in Santa Monica.”  Probably the only people ignoring them are the participants in Santa Monica [...]

Yesterday approximately 6o cyclists protested police harassment (photos on Flickr & Ridazz) of Santa Monica Critical Mass.  In response to the 14 citations of Santa Monica Critical Mass (SMCM) riders last Friday we, the Crimanimalz, blocked 4 crosswalks for a cumulative period of 40 minutes.  By walking back and forth across crosswalks continuously the Crimanimalz [...]

Need I say more?  Yes, I do.  Critical Mass on the Westside has been amazing this summer.  Check out these pics and these pics from the SMCM and Firewerckx rides on July 4th, or these pics from Venice Critical Mass.  You should go.
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