There are two projects of the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition that haven't received as much attention on Streetsblog as they should, although CicLAvia did get a belated review last week after reviews in the Times and television.
Photo: LACBCBut first, the Bike Coalition has been pushing a unique outreach program to immigrants and day-laborers to encourage cycling that is safer and more enjoyable. While these communities make up a large portion of Los Angeles' bike community, they are under-represented in policy discussions, the bike culture scene and with the organizations that represent cyclists interests both locally and nationally.
The City of Lights program's outreach model has been to provide day laborers and others in less-affluent communities the items and information that they need to bike safely. Coalition staff and volunteers have handed out lights and helmets, sometimes with the support of City Councilman Ed Reyes and others, and information and tips on safe cycling. In order to promote a sense of community, they have also programmed rides to celebrate cycling such as September's Latinos and L.A. History Ride. The rides and equipment aren't the end of the campaign; the goal of City of Lights is to help empower some of these veteran riders to become the next wave of bicycle advocates.
CicLAvia in Los Feliz?CicLAvia is also using a blog to update interested parties on their work. Following their star-turn in the Times and on television, CicLAvia posted a "what is CicLAvia" post to make sure anyone interested knew who and what the campaign is. They also have picked up a Streetsblog theme by looking at major street parties, in this instance the Gold Line Eastside Extension Opening, and asking why we need excuses to have street parties. Isn't living in Los Angeles enough?
If you'd like to help either of these groups out, you can contact Allison Mannos for the City of Lights Campaign at allison@la-bike.org, and Adonia Lugo for CicLAvia at adonia.lugo@gmail.com.
