With nine days left until the Livable Streets Candidates Forum at Hollywood United Methodist Church, excitement for the event is rising. Social media is buzzing. Rides are being planned. Many people are pitching in beyond the original sponsors.
But before the forum, held on February 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., make sure to make a reservation at Event Brite so we get the right-sized space for the audience. The forum is sponsored by Streetsblog Los Angeles, Los Angeles Walks and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.
So far, five candidates have responded to our invitation: Carolyn Ramsay, Fred Mariscal, Tara Bannister, Tomas O'Grady and Mike Schaefer. The exact format will depend on how many candidates accept the invitation, but every candidate will have a chance to address local issues, city-wide policies and regional transportation needs.
While it's gratifying to see so much candidate interest, the community of Livable Streets activists is even more excited:
- Bike the Vote, a collection of bicycle advocates who use information made available through public records, candidate questionnaires and public forums to endorse bike friendly candidates is promoting the event as a major event in the CD 4 election on their social media channels.
- Pocrass and De Los Reyes LLP, a personal injury law firm that sponsors Santa Monica Next and LongBeachize, is sponsoring light snacks and beverages for the short after-reception.
- Wolfpack Hustle organizer Don "Roadblock" Ward has organized a ride to the event and is offering free Wolfpack Hustle t-shirts to attendees. Other bicycle advocacy groups are picking up the call to ensure a large and diverse audience for the forum.
The forum is about more than bicycling issues, even if that will be a major discussion point. While the final question list isn't completed, we are making sure to ask about sidewalk repair, public safety, protected bike lanes, the public process, changes to the Orange and Red Line, and more.
We'll have more on the forum as we get closer to the event, including our online broadcasting plans. In the meantime, make your in-person reservations at Event Brite.
