longbeachcyclists.com

The Mission Statement of Long Beach Cyclists, as found in our Bylaws, reads as follows: Long Beach Cyclists promote cycling as a fun, valued, and sustainable transportation choice in Long Beach through community, advocacy and education.

The Purpose Statement of Long Beach Cyclists, as found in our Bylaws, reads as follows: Long Beach Cyclists is organized and operated exclusively for the charitable and educational purposes that follow: a) promote and protect the road rights of bicyclists, b) inclusively advocate for the interests of the full spectrum of bicyclists, c) support bicycling skills education, d) promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, e) promote societal acceptance of bicyclists as equal road users.

Long Beach Cyclists appreciates your input. What should/could/might/can we do to help forward cycling in Long Beach, California?  Your ideas, observations and volunteer input is appreciated by Long Beach Cyclists as an organization and can benefit the entire city. E-mail us at lbcyclists@gmail.com, or click CONTACT US at the top of the page to leave a message now or anytime.

While each month Long Beach Cyclists enjoy participating in fun activities, we also enjoy addressing serious advocacy and educational work.

STRIVING TO IMPACT CYCLING AT THE CITY LEVEL

Long Beach Cyclists provided input nearly a decade ago that helped shape the Bicycle Master Plan created by the City of Long Beach. In the past year or two, as the City announced that it is determined to make Long Beach the most ‘bicycle friendly’ city—contracting the services of Mobility Coordinator Charles Gandy, for example—many Long Beach Cyclists members have provided a new burst of input and cooperation with some of our City leadership. We hope that whenever possible City efforts take into account the concerns and suggestions of people with abundant experience cycling Long Beach streets.

ENCOURAGING LEGAL, SAFE, COURTEOUS VEHICULAR CYCLING

We recognize that some people cycle every day as responsible drivers—mindful of traffic law, striving to be safe in their interactions with other road users. Yet we all have observed some road users who drive less responsibly, less safely. And we know that some people cycle like ‘Sunday drivers’—fearful of motorized traffic, perhaps oblivious to traffic law, perhaps meandering left and right without regard to the safety of others. Driving a bicycle the wrong way down a one-way street is against the law no matter what, and the police are right to give warnings or write citations to encourage safe cycling. Long Beach Cyclists embraces safe, predictable vehicular cycling—driving one’s bicycle in ways that are consistent with California law. We advocate for safe infrastructure, and we offer Traffic Safety courses, taught by LCI certified instructors, to encourage cyclists to be lawful, safe road users.

LONG BEACH AS AN INCREASINGLY ‘BICYCLE FRIENDLY’ TOWN

Our advocacy work can amount to merely bringing attention to a pot hole or place along an existing road or trail where City workers might make improvements. Advocacy work sometimes takes place during ongoing meetings with citizens, with City leaders, with engineers. In recent months, Long Beach Cyclists brainstormed ideas of what we think might be some good directions in the future. As there are many districts and neighborhoods in our city, and many types of cyclists, it is reasonable that one size, one solution, cannot fit all needs and wants. Consider joining a committee that can focus on areas of your interest.