Carlos Morales

(Following this weekend' high profile crash and fatality at Critical Mass, there's bound to be some discussion of fixed gears, "brakeless bikes" and helmet usage. Here at Streetsblog, we don't want to run away from the controversy or try and tell you how to think so we decided to run a series on the issue(s) raised by the events of the last 96 hours. If you would like to chime in, feel free to do so in the comments section, or if you are interested in publishing your own op/ed, drop me an email at damien@streetsblog.org - DN) 

The Salesian Boys & Girls Club teamed up with the Eastside Bike Club (EBC) to host a Community Garden Bike Ride on March 31 as part of Mayor Villaraigosa’s “Good Food Day 2012” -  A day of Service in recognition of the late Cesar Chavez.

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, the LAPD Central Traffic Division deployed eight motorcycle officers to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) in what was called a “Bike Lane Sting.”  The LAPD's mission was to educate and issue traffic citations to motorist, cyclist and pedestrians whose actions infringed on the rules of the road.   The focus was on bike lanes violations.  The task force deployed along both the green striped bike lane on Spring Street and soon to be striped Main Street.

Following last week's controversy about whether or not film crews can block bike lanes, specifically the green buffered bike lane in Downtown Los Angeles, you would think the film industry would have paid enough attention to try to actually follow the law.  You would be wrong.

Bike lanes began to appear in Boyle Heights during November 2011.  It was a joyous celebratory occasion to many cycling advocates who have lobbied city hall for years.  The lobbying is a result of several thousand incidents throughout the city in which cyclists have been involved in automobile traffic collisions.  These incidents have resulted in property damage, personal injury, and tragically, death.