It’s summer and the weather’s great. Get out on your wheels!

Whether one is young or old or in between, and whether one is in great shape, not in great shape, or somewhere in between… now is the perfect time for a bike ride.

No Exit cartoons are reprinted at longbeachcyclists.com with permission. All Andy Singer / No Exit cartoons are copyright 1992-2010 by Andrew B. Singer. To see more of Andy Singer’s humorous, insightful work, visit www.andysinger.com.

We are very pleased that the entire city council is supportive of bicycle-friendly initiatives. The following three photos feature Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal. We wish everyone would opt to cycle often—especially for local activities.

In the first image, (taken by Diandra Jay of the Press-Telegram, dated June 5, 2009), we see Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal and other cyclists during a ‘First Fridays’ event. Suja rides her orange-colored beach cruiser—a fun bicycle for slow, easy, local riding. A cruiser can be a happy choice for stopping at local cafés… riding along the beach path… going to the library.

In the second image, (taken by GarySe7en, dated April 5, 2009), we again see Suja Lowenthal, this time riding a tricycle. It’s night time and Suja’s trike doesn’t have a headlight. Yikes! Yet if your knees can take it, we see that a child’s trike can be a delightful way to go. Perhaps not the most comfortable or efficient vehicle if you’re heading to the top of Signal Hill.

In the third image, (taken at Jax Bicycles, dated July 6, 2010), we see Suja (and Jax employee Holley Limpach, and LBC president Bernadette McKeever). Suja has selected a new hybrid bicycle—part racer, part urban friendly. Suja’s Trek is relatively lightweight, it has comfortable handlebars, it has upright geometry, and it has plenty of gears. A bicycle of this type feels sprite and nimble. Suja may soon be seen cycling to all corners of Long Beach with her new bike… and, who knows, she may even cycle to the park at the top of Signal Hill.

Might there be yet other types of bicycles in Suja’s future? We’re not going to encourage her to fill ALL the rooms in her house with bicycles… although perhaps this is just the beginning. There are many, many types and models of bicycles out there nowadays, each with its own riding characteristics and personality.

Which types of bicycles do you suppose YOU will be riding in YOUR future?

Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is taught by instructors (LCI’s) who are certified by the League of American Bicyclists. The course at CSULB Pyramid Annex is free, but advance registration is required. Click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclsts.com page for more information and to link to the CSULB web site to register.

This will be will be the last opportunity to take Traffic Skills 101 in Long Beach this summer.

By the way, the photograph was lifted from the cover of the Smart Cycling pamphlet of the League of American Bicyclists. Given that the League is based in Washington, D.C., can you identify which building we see in the background? And… can you identify who is the LCI in the photo? Hint, he is well known in the Long Beach cycling community.

The next time you cycle along PCH south of Long Beach, say hello to our friends Dominic and Jenny at Out-Spoke-N Cycles.

Out-Spoke-N is a new bike shop. July 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th is the grand opening. Hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Out-Spoke-N will give away one great prize to somebody each of the four opening days.

Out-Spoke-N is located in Sunset Beach (technically it is in Huntington Beach), along PCH near Anderson/24th Street. Address: 16400 Pacific Coast Highway, Suites 100-101. That’s about half way between Long Beach and the Huntington Beach pier. You can also reach Out-Spoke-N on Facebook.

Traffic Skills 101

The last opportunity to take Traffic Skills 101 this summer will be in July.

“Is it true that the veggie bike has been spotted in the Bay Area?”

                    ”Yes, Lee Tracy’s veggie bike is now known far and wide.”

“I’d certainly love to meet Lee. His drawing looks fun!

                    ”Lee’s veggie bike is NOT a drawing. This is a photograph.”

“You mean Lee’s bicycle really looks like that?”

                    ”Come see for yourself! The FMR: second and fourth Sundays.”

“Another question: Is Lee’s tomato wheel a bit low on air?”

                    ”It looks a bit soft, but we bet it’s quite yummy on a salad.”

“The FMR sounds like a lot of cycling fun.”

                    ”You bet! Click on the poster icon to the right for more details.”

Images of Southern California automobile traffic—including scenes shot here in Long Beach—are juxtaposed against images of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Bauch and his family have lived in both Long Beach and Amsterdam.

Come see a special screening of Bauch’s film at the Art Theater (Fourth Street close to Cherry Avenue) Thursday evening, 7:00 pm, June 10th. We hear that Michael Bauch will be present to talk with us about his film and respond to questions.

In terms of traffic conditions and lifestyle choices of most residents, the contrasts between Long Beach and Amsterdam are stunning.

Bauch’s film may fill us with hope. Our efforts locally to make Long Beach a more livable city aim us in the right direction.

For more information about Michael W. Bauch’s work, go to www.everydaybike.com.

Long Beach Cyclists meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:17 pm. Hope to see you at our next meeting… and at any or all other events. Click EVENTS at the top of the page to view our calendar and a map of how to get to Jax (corner of Bellflower and Spring).

Note that many of us cycle together to the meeting from near the shore. We depart Orange and Second Street at 6:30 pm.