Category Archives: Kids

Save the date: June 1st Santa Monica Festival

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Santa Monica Spoke’s 3rd Annual Bike Exhibition at the
Santa Monica Festival

Plus lots more – stay tuned for more info on our events at the festival.
Don’t miss the 22nd annual Santa Monica Festival! Experience an eclectic mix of live music and dance, DIY art workshops with recycled and repurposed materials, guilt-free shopping featuring earth-friendly artistic wares and local services offered by City, environmental and local non-profit organizations. The Festival is a celebration with a purpose, highlighting the dynamic connection between the City’s communities, businesses, art, culture and the environment while offering ideas and options for a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

Supporting the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy in Santa Monica.
SM Festival

National Bike to School Day & Bike it Walk it Week in Santa Monica

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National Bike to School Day, May 8th
Bike it Walk it Week here is Santa Monica, May 6-10th

Bike Campus Practice Skills, Saturday May 4th

Drop in on the Bike Campus to practice your skills on Saturday, May 4th from 12:30PM to 3PM.  bike-skillsSanta Monica Bike Campus is located at:
1 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

The City will provide free lemonade and help plan your bicycle route to school when you stop by to test your abilities at the bicycle skills course.

 

BIKE IT! WALK IT! WEEK, May 6-10th

Students, parents and staff from Santa Monica and Malibu schools are gearing up for Bike it! Walk it!2012-10-05-07-53-06-1 Week occurring May 6-10. All sixteen SMMUSD schools are expected to participate, with each picking a day during that week to provide rewards for school students who walk, bike, scoot, skate or take the bus to school car-free.

Check for your school’s participation and date and join in on the fun.

Tuesday May 7:  Roosevelt Elementary 
Wednesday May 8:  Lincoln Middle School, SMASH, John Muir ES,
Friday May 10:  John Adams MS, Franklin ES, Juan Cabrillo ES, Malibu HS, Olympic HS, Grant ES, McKinley Elementary, Edison Language Academy, Will Rogers ESHere are the SRTS pilot schools events -
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Roosevelt  
Tuesday May 7
Walking School Buses
Departs: 4th and Montana at 8:00 am
Departs: 14th and California at 8:00 am
Departs: 4th and California at 8:00 am
Car Free Awards Presented at 8:30
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Lincoln MS 
Wednesday May 8
Bike Train
Departs: Douglas Park Playground at 9:15 am
Car Free Awards Presented at Front Gate at 9:30
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Will Rogers 
Friday May 10
Walking School Bus
Departs: 18th & Pico (in fornt of SMC) at 8:45
Car Free Awards Presented at Play Yard near 16th at 9:20
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JAMS  
Friday May 10
Bike Train
Departs: Grant Elementary at 8:20 am
Car Free Awards Presented at new entrance at 8:50
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We don’t want to leave without you.
Please contact Peter Dzewaltowski at Peter.Dzewaltowski@smgov.net or 310-458-8292 if you are planning to join one of these walking school buses or bike trains during Bike it! Walk it! Week. Reservations not required, but appreciated.

CicLAvia: Feeder Rides from Santa Monica & the Westside UPDATED

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CicLAvia is THIS SUNDAY, April 21st. 3 Feeder rides

Whether you ride with us or get there on your own – don’t miss it!
CicLAvia celebrates the streets of Los Angeles for everyone!  Temporarily limiting the access of motor vehicles and opening the streets to all users – walking, wheelchairs, skates, bikes, scooters, skate boards, strollers – you name it!
For more info visit CicLAvia’s web site, CicLAvia to the Sea on Facebook

Santa Monica Spoke: Meet at the Colorado Center Park,
Entrance at corner of Broadway & 26th Street
Pre-CicLAvia Kick off party Coffee and breakfast,
8:00am party, roll out 9:15am. 

We are SUPER excited about this CicLAvia to the Sea! Instead of starting our usual feeder ride at the Santa Monica Pier Canon, this time we will start further east at the Colorado Center Park at Broadway and 26th (across from Helen’s Cycles). We will partner with our friends at Helen’s to host a Morning Pre-CicLAvia kick-off party! We’ll serve coffee and snacks, and we will have PRIZES! Helen’s is sponsoring a special CicLAvia prize raffle as a fund raiser for Santa Monica Spoke. YUP! you can have your coffee, snacks, win prizes, enjoy a day of Open Streets at CicLAvia and help Santa Monica Spoke all on the same day! SUPER RIGHT???
Our route will travel west on Broadway and go by the Santa Monica Bike Center, the Canon at the top of the Santa Monica Pier, and the Santa Monica Beach Bike Campus. You can meet us at any of those locations if you miss the kick off party. We would love to have a GREAT BIG GROUP as we travel to the Windward Circle Hub where we join the
CicLAvia Route!
facebook event here
Question? Email us here

Bike it Walk it: Meet at the Santa Monica Beach Bike Campus
9:30am – roll out 9:45am

This group will gather to bike together to CicLAvia at the Santa Monica Bike Campus, 1 Ocean Park Blvd (across from Perry’s). Family/Cyclist can park at Beach lot 5 South (usual fee). They will decide the route based on the skill level of the group. (Beach Path or Main Street bike lane)
This group will also lead a return ride that meets at the Windward Circle Hub at 12:30pm. They will ride back to the Beach Bike Campus together from there.
Please click here to RSVP for this ride

UCLA Bike Coalition: Meet at the Bruin Bear
9:15am roll out 9:30am

The UCLA Bicycle Coalition is collaborating with LACBC to do a feeder ride from UCLA through Westwood to Venice. They meet at the Bruin Bear at 9:15 and roll out at 9:30. They’ll ride down Westwood Blvd to pick up folks from nearby neighborhoods. Everyone is welcome, please spread the word! facebook event here

If you know of other local rides let us know we will post it.
Also CicLAvia has a TRIP PLANNER PAGE with all kinds of info on the many ways to connect to the event. 

Info on light rail & bus routes to or from CicLAvia

Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 takes the frwy downtown LA to Santa Monica FAST!
Metro 720 route DT Santa Monica south, Venice Blvd to downtown & Union Station
Light Rail: Connect to the Expo Line Culver City Station (timetable) then 
Big Blue Bus Rapid 20 to DT SM, Rapid 12 (to Westwood) or Route 12 (Westwood and Palms)
Bike Venice Blvd Bike lane west.  
Metro 733 route to Santa Monica on Wilshire Blvd from downtown LA

Stuff to bring:

  • helmut (for feeder ride or children under 18)
  • sun screen
  • cash
  • spare tube/ patch kit
  • hydration
  • any special tools your bike requires!

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Santa Monica High School Improvements for Safe Routes to School

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Santa Monica High School Improvements for walking, biking and Safe Routes to School

March 11, 2013, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Civic Center Auditorium

SRTS Santa MonicaPlease join us for a discussion on improving the area around Samohi to encourage more walking and biking. Good for kids – good for the community!

Light snacks will be served.
Bike Parking will be provided.
Big Blue Bus Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9

Civic Center Auditorium
1855 Main St., (access parking through Main St.)

RSVP and Questions: Michelle Glickert at michelle.glickert@smgov.net or call 310.458.2204

1st Santa Monica Bike Fest, December 8th, 10am – 2pm

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We join the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Safe Routes to School Program collaborative, Santa Monica Bike Center/Sustainable Streets, and  C.I.C.L.E. along with other event partners to organize a Family Bike Fest on Saturday, December 8 from 10 am to 2 pm. Santa Monica families are invited to attend this free event and enjoy fun and educational activities, see facebook event here

Some of the great activities include:

  • Youth Bike Skills Course
  • Meals on 2 Wheels, Family Fun Ride (approx. 3 miles) departs at 1:00pm
  • Bike Swap and Donation Station
  • Bike Check-Up Station
  • Tasty Food from Local Vendors, including Peddler’s Creamery, making ice cream by bike!
  • Family Bicycle Test Rides
  • Helmet and Bike Decoration Station
  • Bicycle Safety and Route Planning Information
  • Walking School Bus/Bike Train Booth
  • Snap Yourself Photo Booth
  • …and much more

Volunteer with us for the event! volunteer@SMSpoke.org We need help tabling and assisting with the Youth Bike Skills Course. For more volunteer opportunities see below.

Location: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St.
Time: Drop in any time from 10 am to 2 pm.
Cost: Free to the public

Parking: Free valet bike parking, or on-site garage parking (cost: $1/hour)

Event Partners: City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Safe Routes to School Program collaborative Santa Monica Bike Center/Sustainable Streets, SMMUSD PTA Council, C.I.C.L.E., Santa Monica Spoke,  Active Santa Monica, Santa Monica Community and Cultural Services

How can you help? Spread the word! Volunteer?!

We are reaching out to community members at this time for three reasons:
1. Please put the event on your calendar, and spread the word to friends and contacts! (Flyer here: http://bit.ly/UkNsB1)
2. We would like your suggestions about how to publicize the event. Do you manage any lists in which you could publicize this event? Are there any blogs, Facebook groups, local groups/leaders, or others that we should reach out to? If you could make use of a full-color poster or handbill flyers, just let us know and we’ll send you some.
3. We will also need volunteer help to pull off an event this big! We hope that you can consider volunteering, and help us find other potential volunteers. You can view volunteer shifts and sign up here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4793777317/eivtefrnd.
You can always contact us if you have any unanswered questions.

1st Anniversary Party Santa Monica Bike Center this weekend!

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First Anniversary Celebration for Santa Monica Bike Center

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
November 16th – 18th, 2012

The Santa Monica Bike Center is happy to announce it’s one year anniversary.  Please join us this weekend at any of the events listed below or simply stop by to say hello.
Stay tuned for some more celebrations coming soon!
Please also Save the Dates:
December 1st & 8th as we plan the anniversary of the Santa Monica Bike Action Plan and a Santa Monica Bike Festival!  ….Details will follow!

This weekend’s events:

Friday, November 16th, (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Members and visitors will enjoy lunchtime snacks from the Border Grill and vegan cupcakes from the kitchen of Ms. Cynthia Rose, aka Purple, (while supplies last). Can’t make it for lunch, then join us at 6 p.m. for a dinner ride led by SMBC staff to one of our favorite watering holes, Wurstkuche, where we’ll plow the froth and grab a bite to eat.

Wurstkuche address: 625 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291;
(213) 687-4444.

Saturday, November 17th, (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

SMBC Members and visitors are invited to the inaugural Santa Monica Sweet Spots tour. This 3 – 4 hour tour features a range of culinary sweets from local bakeries, ice cream shops and chocolatiers along an easy 10-mile route. This guided tour is free for members and guests, bring your own bike or rent one from SM Bike Center.  Helmets required for participants under the age of 18.

Sunday, November 18th, (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Join head mechanic Emily for a 5-hour 17-mile mountain bike adventure.  The ride will feature a long steep climb to a spectacular view of the Santa Monica Bay, followed by a thrilling descent back to SMBC, so please be prepared for a non-technical, highly aerobic ride that will burn off some pre-Thanksgiving calories.  Mountain biking experience is recommended.  Bring your own off-road bike or rent one from the SM Bike Center, and don’t forget to bring water and snacks!

Tour da Arts vol. 4 at SMMoA: Registration NOW OPEN!

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Tour da Arts vol 4 Header

Cause for Creativity: Tour da Arts, vol. 4
Sunday, August 19, 12 – 6 pm

Beat the pump, cycle the town, and enjoy Santa Monica’s sights and sounds withCause for Creativity: Tour da Arts. The Santa Monica Museum of Art’s fourth annual event takes place Sunday, August 19. Tour da Arts underscores the creative side of bike culture and takes you on a ride filled with music, dance, and art.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Bike tour and festivities are FREE. Registration is required.
Art Reflector Workshop Admission: $5 non-members; FREE for SMMoA members
Activities are open to all ages. Space is limited.
3 lil piggies
What to bring: A bike in good running order. Sunscreen, water bottle recommended. Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children under 9 should be on a tag-along, bike trailer, tandem, or other safe child-carrying device.

Bike rentals: FREE bike rentals while supplies last! Reservations available in the registration form

Tour da Arts schedule: Noon – 6:pm

 

Noon – 2 pm: Festival, check-in, art workshop, food, innovative bikes, and more!Start at  SMMoA:
Stop 1 (begin and end your tour here at SMMoA)

* Tours of SMMoA’s current exhibitions: Mickalene Thomas: Origin of the Universe and
Park Studio: Complex Elements

* Shopping: Dog Days of Summer sale at GRACIE, SMMoA’s gift shop

* Art Reflector Workshop: Build an original reflector spoke card for your bike. FREE for SMMoA members; $5 for non-members

* Bike Advocacy: Learn fun and safe biking tips from Santa Monica Spoke/Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, CicLAvia, Clif/Luna Bar/Clif Kids, LA Metro, and C.I.C.L.E.

* Bike Tune-up: Get a complimentary bike tune-up from Bikerowave, LA’s volunteer-run community bike repair shop, and Luna Chix, a women’s cycling advocacy team with Clif Bar

* Free Bike Rental: Courtesy of Perry’s Café and Bike Rentals. Reservations required. First come, first reserved. Reservations available in the registration form.

* Food and Drink: Enjoy delicious options from Peddler’s Creamery, Valentino’s Taco Truck, and Sunny Blue, ONE Coconut Water, Clif/Luna Bar, Whole Foods Market Santa Monica, and IZZE

* Innovative Bikes on Display: View one-of-a-kind bikes, including Carole Frances Lung’s (aka Frau Fiber) Collaborative Bicycle Powered Sewing Machine Bike, the Peddler’s Creamery Ice Cream Bike, with ice cream for sale, the Santa Monica Beach Barcycle, iZip hybrid electric bikes, and more!
2 – 6 pm: Cultural bike tour. We leave SMMoA by bike and ride to the following stops

STOP 2
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club

* Old-time string trio Triple Chicken Foot with Square Dancing called by Maggie Lind

STOP 3
4:15 – 5:15 pm: John Adams Middle School Auditorium

* The Matchbox Puppet Shows by world-renowned raconteur Laura Heit

STOP 4
5:30 – 6:00 pm: Return to SMMoA

* Popwagon’s mobile art and theater space performance by Dirt Bird, a folk-meets-classical music duo.

6:00 pm: End of event
For information, visit smmoa.org/tourdaart
Join Today Large Button
.
Become a SMMoA member today!
_____________________________________________________________
Congratulations to Alison Guh, winner of SMMoA’s Bike Critter Art Contest! Guh’s drawing is the mascot for Tour da Arts, vol. 4.
Tour da Arts vol 4 Sponsor logosCause for Creativity: Tour da Arts, vol. 4 is made possible in part by the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts 
Commission, the Eileen Harris Norton Foundation, and Los Angeles County 
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.Event Partners:

 

Bike Fest, this Saturday April 14th at REI

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Santa Monica Spoke joins REI for a day of cycling education and fun.  In addition to all the great stuff outlined below representatives from Santa Monica Spoke will be there to ask questions and get information about the new Bike Action Plan and all the new bike infrastructure in our city. Also JJ Hoffman, LACBC River Ride coordinator will be there so you can register for the River Ride on June 10th and get info on LACBC’s projects around LA county.

Just one more way you can prepare for CicLAvia on SUNDAY, April 15th.

WHAT: During a free Bike Fest on Saturday, April 14th from 11 am – 3 pm, REI will host the local cycling community.  REI’s Bike Fest is a fun day of events for everyone whether you are a commuter, a first-time rider or weekend warrior! Get educated and inspired as you meet vendors, community bike clubs and non-profits. REI will help you maximize your ride, teach you how to plan your route, and let you test ride some of their newest bikes. Come join us as we celebrate how much fun it is to be on two wheels!  REI Expert Staff will teach a variety of 30 minute classes to meet the needs of all levels of cyclists.

        • 11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Getting your Family Cycling.
          We’ll help you navigate the variety of choice of child carriers and safety equipment to find what’s right for you and your family
        • 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm – Maximize your Ride with GPS.
          GPS is everywhere, from bike computers to your phone.  Learn how to maximize this tool in your rides.
        • 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Learn how to Fix a Flat.
          Bring your own wheel and learn how to fix a flat tire and ride with confidence.
        • 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Using the Internet to Connect.
          We’ll help you map your ride and plan your route using the latest internet tools.

WHO:        All cyclists are encouraged to attend free of charge.

WHERE:   Santa Monica REI, 402 Santa Monica Blvd.

WHEN:      Saturday, April 14th, 11 am – 3 pm

HOW:         To register for the event or for information on other upcoming classes, visit REI.com/SantaMonica.

 

ABOUT REI:
REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.

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Presidential Commendation for SAMOHI juniors for Bike it! Day

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A Presidential Commendation from President Barack Obama has been awarded to Samohi juniors, Jenna Perelman and Charlotte Biren.
This rare honor is for environmental leadership of Bike It! Day and excellence in student achievement.  The US Environmental Protection Agency described their work as ” inspiring” and “motivating others through their example”

Jenna and Charlotte are co-presidents of the Samohi Solar Alliance, the biggest club at Samohi.

Both walked into the SMMUSD School Board meeting last night as part of the Samohi Solar Alliance. They were highly excited;  ready to receive a School Board Commendation to their organization.

The Board Commendation to SSA was for initiating and leading Bike It! Day at Samohi, and across the SMMUSD District. (Bike It! Day is now a California leading environmental and bike effort in every Santa Monica school and across the District)

They knew the School Board Commendation was a big honor; fifteen other Alliance members were there to receive their certificates.
The Presidential Commendation were announced after the Board Commendation ceremony.

It was a deeply stunning surprise. A highlight moment for bikes, the environment, and two wonderful Samohi students. Santa Monica Spoke has supported Bike It! Day from the outset and really helped build it up to what it is. Thanks!

Congratulations Charlotte and Jenna!


Richard McKinnon
Bike it! Day Chair

 

Charlotte & Jenna with some history on Bike it! Day
Also covered in the Santa Monica Patch
Bike it! Day info, invitation letter