LACBC Weekly Newsletter | February 8, 2018
LACBC New Website Launch & Staff Additions
Last week we hinted at some exciting changes coming, and if you’ve wandered around LACBC’s online world, we’re sure you’ve already noticed that we have a brand new website! After months of working on a updated look, new content, and better resources for our community, we’re excited to share our new online presence with you!
Special thanks to WeAreGiants. for helping us build out this new world filled with a new resource section, more information about our advocacy and education work, fun new ways to get involved, pages for our chapters, increased accessibility, and a whole lot more! A lot of hard work was put in by our Communications Director Dana Variano, and special thanks also goes to Advancement team interns Dan Hanasono and John Perry.
And our big news doesn’t stop there – we’re excited to introduce you to two recent additions to our team: Kevin Claxton, our new Deputy Executive Director of Advancement, and Areli Morales, our Rides and Events Coordinator.
Kevin comes to us directly from Chicago, where he served as Development and Resource Manager at Intonation Music Workshop for seven years. In his first month here in Los Angeles, he’s already done a lot of exploring. If you’re out riding this weekend, you might see him biking around on his XL Surly that’s still accessorized for midwest winters.
Areli is well-known in the cycling community, having served as Outreach Lead at CicLAvia and contributed to many biking organizations and committees around the county. An LA native that’s committed to improving the environment, Areli is very familiar with how to get around the region on two wheels.
If you want to say hello, send them an email at kevin@la-bike.org and areli@la-bike.org.
RideSELA Community Bike Ride – February
Join us for our monthly #rideSELA community bike ride on the second Sunday of the month!
We’re riding through the Southeast Cities to meet with our SELA neighbors, including the city of Lynwood this month. Bring your bike and your smiles and come ride with us in Lynwood to enjoy the community. Sadly, this will be the last ride with our Local Advocacy Coordinator Elizabeth Alcantar, as she’s off to a new gig at CHIRLA. We are saying goodbye, but not farewell, as we’re sure she’ll continue to roll with us at #rideSELA.
Also, don’t forget to bring some cash because we’ll be stopping for some tacos at BALAM Mexican Kitchen! RSVP for the ride on our page here.
Volunteer for Operation Firefly next week in Glassell Park and Watts
We have about one month left in Operation Firefly, and we now have under 1,000 to hand out to reach our goal of 3,500 for the season. We hope you can help us out by volunteering during the home stretch.
Next week, we’ll be set up in Glassell Park on Tuesday (February 13) and in Watts on Thursday (February 15). We will also be posting more dates in the following days, so remember to check back on our Operation Firefly page.
RSVP below for one of our upcoming events:
Thanks to our season sponsor AARP in Los Angeles.
Team LACBC 2018 Training Ride #4: Franklin Canyon
Last weekend’s training ride had hills, speedy thrills and all around good times. This weekend, come take a big training leap with us as we ride above Beverly Hills up Franklin Canyon and pedal in the steps of the famous opening to Andy Griffith show!
If you’ve yet to join us on one of our 2018 training rides, you don’t want to get too far behind, as our mileage will continue to rise as we progress.
This Sunday, we’ll be meeting at Black Dog Coffee (5657 Wilshire Blvd.) a few blocks east of the mid-Wilshire area at 8:30 AM for training tips, gathering at 9 AM for route review, a pre-ride talk, and group photo, and rolling at 9:30 AM sharp. RSVP for the ride here!
TRUST South LA Sankofa Soul Ride
Sankofa: An African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana represented by a bird which has its body facing forward and its gaze looking behind it. The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” To the Akan, it is this wisdom in learning from the past which ensures a strong future.
Join TRUST South LA this Saturday in honor of Black History Month for their monthly SOUL RIDE: SANKOFA!! On this ride we’ll look back at the history of housing, land, and transportation from Central Ave. up to Crenshaw Blvd. and examine current housing policies. RSVP for the ride here.
What’s Ringing Our Bells: Giving Back
Cyclists care about being regarded with high esteem in the community, and when someone tarnishes that reputation, we definitely want to make things right. On Sunday, January 28, a group of cyclists mobbed the Mini Estrella Market in Pico Union and grabbed everything in sight. Even though cameras were recording, the group made off with roughly $3,000 worth of goods before fleeing.
Wanting to show everyone that cyclists care about the community, our chapter the Montebello Bicycle Coalition led a ride to support the store last week. While they were purchasing their fair share of food and drinks, NBC Los Angeles captured their pit stop on film.
If you want to do your part to support the Mini Estrella Market, roll by their location at the northwest corner of 12th & Union.
Santa Monica Spoke – Kidical Mass
When: Saturday, February 10, 9 AM – 12 PM
Where: Lincoln Park, Buena Vista & Verdugo, Burbank
Join Santa Monica Spoke and the City of Santa Monica for the next Kidical Mass Family Bike Ride. You never know what special guest might join! Demo a Razor Scooter at their booth, and enter to win a free scooter at their giveaway! Sign up and get more information here.
Walk Bike Burbank – Show Your Love for the Verdugo Bike Lanes!
When: Sunday, February 11, 12 PM – 4 PM
Where: Lincoln Park, Buena Vista & Verdugo, Burbank
Learn how to safely ride in bike lanes while visiting local businesses. Win prizes suitable for your best bicycling sweetheart. Certified bicycling instructors will be joined by Walk Bike Burbank members in the park adjacent to the Buena Vista library. All ages are welcome, but kids must be ready to ride in the street or be on a safe child-carrying device to participate on the route. RSVP here.
Draft: A PeopleforBikes Meetup
When: Thursday, February 16, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Where: Pure Cycles, 713 N. Victory Blvd., Burbank 91502
DRAFT brings riders, brands, bike industry and policy makers together and gives them a venue for bike news and networking! Come for a fast-paced hour of ideas, entrepreneurs, and bikes, capturing some of the exciting things happening for Los Angeles Bikes, Biz & Beer. This event features speakers from S.W.A.T., Thousand Helmets, the Crafty Pedal and CicLAvia’s Romel Pascual. RSVP here.
Join LACBC or Renew Your Membership
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is a member-supported organization that works to make L.A. County a healthy, safe, and fun place to ride a bike! Members are the backbone of LACBC. Help keep LACBC strong by becoming an LACBC member (or renewing your membership) and be part of the change! Support one of our local chapters when you join or renew:
Bicycle Coalition at UCLA | Bike Culver City | Carson Bicycle Coalition | Downey Bicycle Coalition | Montebello Bicycle Coalition | Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition | Santa Clarita Bicycle Coalition | Santa Monica Spoke | USC Bicycle Coalition | Walk Bike Burbank | Walk Bike Glendale | Walk Bike Long Beach | West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition
Connect With LACBC
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