Bicycling

Earlier this week I posted an article on the reforms coming to the city's official Bike Advisory Committee which implied that the BAC was out of touch and didn't do very much.  Not surprisingly, some members of the committee took exception to that characterization.

Like media outlets everywhere, CNNMoney.com is reporting with greater frequency on rising fuel prices, with headlines like "Six fixes for pricey gasoline" and "Bad news for Detroit: Miles per gallon." In a recent online poll, the financial website asked a question that is surely on the minds of many Americans: "The next vehicle I buy will be...?" In the non-random sample of 42,275 respondents, more people said they are leaning towards a bike than a truck or SUV.

Today is the last day to register online for Los Angeles’ most popular bike event, the 8th Annual Los Angeles River Ride.  You can register at the event, but due to the popularity of the River Ride and limited space it’s probably best to register online today if you’re interested but not already signed up. … Continued

 Via Brayj Against the Machine, Ed Reyes Talks Bike Policy Last night the Los Angeles Bike Advisory Committee, the official government body that provides the link between the city government and cyclists on the street, voted to accept all seven pieces of City Councilmember Ed Reyes’ motion, to reform the way the committee does business. … Continued

Sometimes a picture is just so horrifying that nothing else needs to be said.  The above shot is from a bike race in Monterrey, Mexico.  Amazingly, only one cyclist was killed.  The driver, an American, was drunk and asleep at the wheel.  Photo: Jose Fidelino Vera Hernandez / AP

Erik Knutzen and Kelly Coyne write the blog Homegrown Evolution, chronicling their adventures as urban gardeners and farmers. Kelly and Erik recently released their first book The Urban Homestead from Process Media.  Last Friday, Erik, who is also a board member of the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition, sat down with me in their garden to talk about their new book and sustainable transportation.  The part of the interview about transportation appears here.  The part about urban gardening is at Emerald City.  If you’re interested in getting your own copy of Urban Homestead make sure to order it at Homegrown Evolution.

Looks like we have a contender for Livable Streets Ad Campaign of the Year, courtesy of the Alabama-based Regions bank chain.

If you want a chance to help with bike planning in you area, tomorrow might be your chance.  With funds from a CALTRANS grant, the LACBC and Metro are teaming up to gather community input on how best to plan for better bike and pedestrian access to the Van Nuys Orange Line Station.   Here are the event details from LACBC's blog: