Bikeside LA

(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. SMCM on Facebook

I was talking with Mike Feinstein (former mayor of Santa Monica) on Tuesday about a bike related project.  We finished our plans and then we got off the phone and went about our business.  Shortly afterward I miss a call from Mike, and when I listen to the voicemail I find out that he came [...]

Two weeks ago myself, and seven other cyclists visited the Santa Monica City Council (Flickr set) to speak in favor of improving cycling conditions. Specifically we spoke in support of the recommendations contained within the draft Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE.) As I’ve written before, the LUCE will influence transportation policy, and therefore bike [...]

Tuesday, at 7:30pm (leave – 8:00pm sharp), we’ll meet at Bikerowave to ride to Santa Monica City Hall.  There, cyclists will speak in support of the cycling policy recommendations in the Land Use and Circulation Element draft (LUCE), and in general support of more aggressive action by the city to improve cycling conditions.  You can [...]

I’ve written a few times now about the LUCE update process in Santa Monica.  LUCE stands for Land Use and Circulation Element, and it is a key planning document for cyclists in Santa Monica. To try to help explain how the LUCE update is relevant for cyclists I worked on this entry on the ibikeu [...]

I wrote Monday about an important Santa Monica City Council meeting on Tuesday where the council discussed the Land Use and Circulation Element draft (LUCE). When the LUCE is approved it will act as the guiding force for transportation planning in Santa Monica for decades, so it’s important that cyclists make their voice heard. This [...]

I will be attending an important meeting of the Santa Monica City Council today, Tuesday, at 6:45 pm.  If you are concerned about bicycle planning in Santa Monica please show up and speak in support of cycling.  If you’re unable to make it this Tuesday, there is another similar meeting next Tuesday.

Why do I have to travel around this great city of ours in fear? Why do I not deserve equal treatment and protection under the same laws that govern non-cyclists? Why is public transportation such a joke in Los Angeles? Why does a Beverly Hills police officer think it’s a good idea to turn off [...]