Expo Phase II Bikeway Planning

We look at bikeway planning along the Expo Line Plase II rail corridor. We cover some of the challenges highlighted in a recent Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition alert, discuss the opportunities that await cyclists and cycling advocates who want a say on this $1.5 billion public project, and talk about the systemic barriers to true grassroots participation and how a progressive culture of planning may overcome these barriers. This show aired September 1, 2012.

News

California Bicycle Coalition honcho Jim Brown returns to hip us to the latest developments in Sacramento, including the safe-passing bill (SB 1464) that’s gone to the Governor’s desk; a proposed an anti-harassment ordinance for Sonoma County pushed by the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition; and a new bill that would allow testing of driverless cars on public roads (like Nevada’s law). Call it the Google bill!

Biking in LA blogger Ted Rogers gives the heads up re: last night’s Critical Mass fatality and updates us on the LACBC Civic Engagement Committee’s efforts to hold our elected officials accountable for street safety.

In-studio guest:

Gary Kavanaugh, Streetsblog LA writer and the fast thumbs behind @GaryRidesBikes on Twitter, talks about his perspective on the Expo Line bikeway as a member of the appointed Bicycle Advisory Committee. He recaps his streetsblog post about the design challenges at Pico Gateway (definitely worth a read).

Call-in guests

Monica Born, Expo Line Authority Project Manager for the Phase II extension talks about the state of the project. With design 30% complete and concrete now getting poured, she touches on already-identified problem spots (Pico-Gateway, Westwood Plaza station) and talks about the budgetary constraints – and compromises – that seem to be a part of every mega-project in Southern California.

Paul Backstrom, Transportation & Planning Deputy for Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl (CD11) talks about the office’s support for the bikeway and identifies “critial points” and other opportunities where the cycling public can get involved to ensure that we get the best possible facility. You can reach Paul with any questions about Expo bikeway planning at the City Hall office: 213-473-7011 or by email: councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org.

In our bonus hour, Kent Strumpell, member of the City of Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee and longtime transit advocate, talks about his perspective on Expo Phase II from his position as an informal liaison between the Expo Authority and the cycling community. And Don ‘Roadblock’ Ward calls in to grieve about that Critical Mass crash. A packed show! Read more in an extended post about the Expo bikeway on Better Bike. 

Next week: West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition takes the slot for our monthly LACBC regional chapter show.

Upcoming Events

Sunday: join LACBC’s own Herbie Huff for a ‘FunGay’ ride (yes you read that right!) TOMORROW Sept. 2nd. This easy 12 – 15 mile ride from Downtown’s Pershing Square to brunch at Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood will explore local gay history along the route.

Saturday Sept. 8th at 10 am. ArtsFest 2012 East L.A. Bicycle Ride (Register at 8:30 am). Bike co-ops in the house, bike valet, & farmers market. East LA Civic Center 4810 E. 3rd St.

Saturday, September 15th at 10 am. New Belgium’s Tour de Fat Los Angeles rolls on This all-day adult ride benefits local bike orgs like the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (ride leader & provider of complimentary bike valet), C.I.C.L.E., and the cooperative Bicycle Kitchen.

October 12-13 the Bicycle Film Festival returns with a screening of The Contender at the Cinefamily theater on Fairfax (on 10/12) with screenings the following day, all day, at the Downtown Independent theater, our city’s newest fine art theater.

September 29-30th Carmageddon 2 westside rides in the planning stage. Look for more details as they’re available. We hope to have SM Spoke, Culver City Bicycle Coalition, West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition (and yours truly, Betterbike.org) celebrating with a series of community rides.

Same weekend, Wolfpack Hustle invites cyclists citywide to meet at the L.A. River bike path for the first-ever All-City LA River Ride, which is more likely to keep to the spirit of this event’s namesake video game, Carmageddon (one in a host of ‘Carpocalypse’-themed games). (Stay tuned for details.)