Category Archives: Press

Another tragedy: cyclist killed, CHP says just an accident?

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From Ted Rogers BikingInLA

No wonder we continue to die on California streets, when CHP says killing a cyclist is just an accident

This morning I received the following email from Chris Willig regarding thetragic death of Hollywood writer/producer Carol Schreder while riding on Mulholland Hwy last Saturday.
A public spokesperson for the CHP West Valley station stated in a phone call Monday that no citation has been issued nor is there likely to be one in the December 3rd death of cyclist Carol Schreder in a tragic traffic incident on Mulholland Highway in Malibu.
He indicated that it was a “unfortunate accident” caused when a possibly inexperienced driver of a van towing a trailer applied the brakes too hard. This caused the trailer to force the van to the right in a jack-knife. The rear end of the van caught Carol who was riding on the right of the fog line severely injuring her. She later died in hospital. Because there was no “criminal intent”, charges against the van’s driver are not being considered.

Wait a minute.

Since when has “criminal intent” been a required element for a traffic infraction?

Under that standard, no one would ever be held accountable for any traffic violation in California. No tickets for running red lights. No violations for driving drunk, since it would be impossible to ever prove intent.

Not even a ticket for distracted driving, since drivers could claim they just broke the law without thinking, and didn’t really mean to do it.

You know, just one of those things.

Like killing a cyclist.

Read the complete story in 3 current post:

Breaking news — cyclist killed on Mulholland Hwy

Give your loved ones the gift of peace of mind this holiday season
The tragic news about Carol Schreder brought a lot of responses this morning.

No wonder we continue to die on California streets, when CHP says killing a cyclist is just an accident

Santa Monica has a new Bike Action Plan!

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An enthusiastic mayor, council and City staff were all pleased when last night council voted unanimously to approve the Bike Action Plan with all the amendments recommended by the planning commission and supported by the bike community.

click to download .pdf

Amendments suggested by Planning Commission, supported by Spoke and adopted by council:

    • Add to the 20 year vision the opportunity for a recreational cycle track at Santa Monica Airport – with connections to the remaining and proposed bike networks.
    • Pursue implementation of Bike Share prior to the Metro-funded project in 2016
    • Establish criteria to measure bicycle mode share to inform on-going investments and activities
    • Include at least one “central” east-west and north-south separated bike facility in the 5-year instead of the 20-year vision.
    • Establish a much greater priority for working with schools and Safe Routes to Schools programs
    • Provide annual reporting on the plan implementation
    • Highlight language about the potential for “open” street events like CicLAvia

Also the last of the 7 cities to vote for the South Bay Bike Master Plan, Torrance also passed that plan unanimously last night. Now we have West Hollywood on the December 5th and work on the LA County Bike Plan.

Happy Thanksgiving !

Bike Center Opens, BAP Presentation & more important dates

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Santa Monica Bike Center Opens this weekend

Friday November 18th

·   Bike ride to ribbon cutting meets on the lawn at City Hall, 9:15am, roll out 9:45am
·   Ribbon Cutting Event at Bike Center, (2nd and Colorado)  10:00am
·   Bike Center Open House, November 18th to the 20th.  During open house – Free bike rentals and parking

SM Bike Center Tour and Bicycle Action Plan presentation

Saturday November 19th, 10am -2pm

·   At 10:am we invite you to join us for coffee, pastries and more!- additional info HERE  Location – Colorado Community Room (corner 5th and Colorado)
·   At 11:00am we will get a presentation on the Final Draft Bicycle Action Plan by Lucy Dyke.  Lucy will take questions and get community input to help make this plan the best it can be, we would love for you to be there to give yours!  You can also submit your input to BikePlan@SMSpoke.org
·   After that we head over to the new Bike Center and get a tour.  In addition to our usual door prizes – All attendees are eligible to enter for a drawing of a free months membership to the Bike Center.

BAP goes to City Council

·   November 22, 6:30pm, Tuesday, Santa Monica City Hall, council chambers 2nd floor

More important meetings in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood

Beverly Hills

·   November 16, 5pm, Public Works, 345 Foothill Bl., Beverly Hills
Better Bike Beverly Hills want to bring to your attention to this meeting between the Beverly Hills ad-hoc Bike Plan Update Committee and bike advocates. This meeting should indicate whether the city is committed to bike safety, or to “continuing a cynical effort to merely kick the can down the road” according to Better Bike BH’s Mark Elliot.  More info HERE
For greater context about these meetings, see HERE

West Hollywood

·   December 5: 6:15pm, West Hollywood Library
West Hollywood Bike Coalition urges you to join them in telling the West Hollywood City Council to vote “YES” on the recommendations of the Bicycle Task Force!  More meeting this week, info HERE

 

 

Bicycle Action Plan meeting and tour the Bike Center

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The Bicycle Action Plan final draft has been released
Bike Center opening weekend  November 18 -20th.

Click to download .pdf

On Saturday November 19th we will again host an event for the community to get a first hand look at the Final Draft of the Bicycle Action Plan.  Lucy Dyke along with city staff  will present the plan and take our questions and input before the plan goes to City Council on the 22nd for final approval. We will discuss a plan to collaborate further with the city by hosting rides of the planned BAP projects in order to solicit continued input as the plan gets implemented and “before actual striping” goes down.

Please come and participate in this great collaboration of city and community to make this plan the best it can be.

The plan will be presented in Council Chambers at City Hall:

  • November 9th, 7:00pm to the Planning Commission
  • November 22nd, 6:30pm to City Council
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Our meeting will be Saturday, November 19th at 10am for coffee and pastries.  One lucky attendee will get a free month membership to the Bike Center!
Presentation to start at 11am followed by Q & A.  After that we will head over to the Bike Center for a tour and to draw our lucky winner.
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Date: Saturday, November 19th
Time: 10am – 2pm
Place: Colorado Community Room (5th and Colorado)

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Bike Center Opening Weekend November 18th – 20th

Opening weekend hours 11AM-5PM.
Secure bike parking, shower and locker facilities, during your visit you can sign up for a membership.
Try a rental bike or park your own bike free during opening weekend.

More info HERE

 

 

 

Be a part of making Santa Monica’s Bike Plan the best it can be
Send your input to: BikePlan@SMSpoke.org

This address will send a copy of your input to us at SMSpoke and to Lucy Dyke, City of Santa Monica.

Art + Bike tour with SMMoA – Westside Pacific Standard Time

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Pacific Standard Time Santa Monica Bike Tour, Saturday 10/22

Peddle over to SMMoA for a bicycle tour of four Santa Monica Pacific Standard Time exhibitions. Hit the breaks for private walkthroughs at SMMoA, the Sam Francis Gallery at Crossroads School, Eames Office, and the 18th Street Arts Center.

SM Spoke joins the Santa Monica Museum of Art in a special art + bike tour of four Westside Pacific Standard Time exhibitions on October 22 from 1pm-4:30pm*. There will be stops with guided tours of the Sam Francis Gallery, the Eames Office, and 18th Street Arts Center. This event is part of the Pacific Standard Time Westside Focus Weekend. 

More info www.pacificstandardtime.org & PDF of  Westside program HERE
For more information about the Santa Monica Museum of Art, visit www.smmoa.org

Required: Some cycling experience, a bicycle in good running order, helmet (optional but recommended), lock, and bike lights. Bike tour leadership is provided by Santa Monica Spoke, a regional chapter of the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition.

Free Admission, space is limited
Registration required; click here to register


Meet at:
SMMoA       2525 Michigan Avenue, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica
Time:         12:30 – 1st tour starts at 1:00

*Bike tour participants have the option of returning to SMMoA or remaining at 18th Street Arts Center for a panel discussion from 4:30 to 6 pm. Who Got More Naked? And Other Insider Stories from the Early Days of LA’s Notorious Artist Space Scene will feature a conversation focused on 18th Street’s exhibition with specific references to ‘artist spaces’ by Rachel Rosenthal, Barbara T. Smith, Leslie Labowitz-Starus, Michael Masucci, and Suzanne Lacy. Riders who remain for the 18th Street Arts Center event will be accompanied back to SMMoA/Bergamot Station post-panel discussion.

Pacific Standard Time is a collaboration of more than sixty cultural institutions across Southern California, coming together for six months beginning in October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the Los Angeles art scene and how it became a major new force in the art world. Each institution will make its own contribution to this grand-scale story of artistic innovation and social change, told through a multitude of simultaneous exhibitions and programs.  Exploring and celebrating the significance of the crucial years after World War II through the tumultuous period of the 1960s and 70s, Pacific Standard Time encompasses developments from L.A. Pop to post-minimalism; from modernist architecture and design to multi-media installations; from the films of the African-American L.A. Rebellion to the feminist activities of the Woman’s Building; from ceramics to Chicano performance art; and from Japanese-American design to the pioneering work of artists’ collectives.

Pacific Standard Time is an initiative of the Getty. The presenting sponsor is Bank of America.

HERE’S THE VIDEO FROM SMMoA’S Summer art + bike event Tour da Arts, vol. 3 Tour de Arts