Traffic Skills 101—Wednesday eve, July 21

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.

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MichaelB, July 12th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education

Traffic Skills 101—Wednesday June 16 and 19

Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is offered only a handful of times each year. 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.

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

1 Comment

MichaelB, June 13th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education

Cyclists and Motorists Sharing the Road

“Share the Road” is one of many online videos produced by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Share the Road” lists several ideas that can help the motorist avoid a collision with a cyclist. The video encourages motorists to anticipate that cyclists will use hand signals to make turns, for example. Also, the video encourages motorists to opt for adequate distance between the car and the bicycle.

Of course, the urban nature of Long Beach means that cyclists and motorists often must share tight spaces. Given that road conditions in our city often make for a rather snug fit, the cyclist is safer by cycling predictably rather than erratically… using hand signals, for example… and obeying the same traffic laws as motorists, including the same notions of right of way at intersections.

In the video, we see a cyclist who ignores a stop sign, passing a car that intends to turn right. The cyclist violates the law by failing to stop. Furthermore, he cycles into a dangerous ‘blind spot’. What if the motorists doesn’t know he’s there? Who is at fault if the cyclists gets struck?

Cyclists who recklessly ignore traffic law put themselves in danger and cause some motorists to feel angry at cyclists in general.

When we use the road as motorists, we need to respect cyclists and pedestrians.

When we cycle, we are wise to cycle legally, predictably and courteously so that motorists and pedestrians are not surprised by our presence… and so that we don’t place ourselves in unnecessary danger.

Click to view the “Share the Road” video.

2 Comments

MichaelB, May 24th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, advocacy

Traffic Skills 101 for cyclists in mid-February

The next Traffic Skills 101 course taught by League-certified Cycling Instructors (LCI’s) is scheduled for February 17 and 20. You need to register in advance. The February course will meet at CSULB Pyramid Annex, (Atherton, between Bellflower and Palo Verde).

For details and to register online, click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com web page.

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LBCyclists, February 9th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education

Reading Group discusses cycling issues Sunday, January 31

January 31st at 6:00 pm, join us at Portfolio Coffee House on Fourth at Junipero for an additional opportunity to discuss interesting ideas found in Jeff Mapes’ book Pedaling Revolution.

The Long Beach Cyclists Reading Group, organized by Kevin Flaherty, meets monthly to discuss books and news of interest to the local cycling community.

Click EVENTS at the top of the page, and scroll to the January 31st calendar entry to view a map pointing to Portfolio.

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LBCyclists, January 30th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, advocacy

Bicycle Advisory Committee in Long Beach?

Click on this must-read letter. It’s from Russ Roca. Russ writes to friends and to all those who look forward to Long Beach becoming an even better city than it already is.

 

www.pathlesspedaled.com

Charles Gandy is the City of Long Beach Mobility Coordinator. Gandy is a nationally known cycling advocate who for the next year or two has made Long Beach home while contracted to assist the City of Long Beach in its efforts to make Long Beach a better, more livable city for all.

A League Certified Instructor (LCI) leads traffic skills courses for cyclists and other road users. Several members of Long Beach Cyclists are LCIs. Long Beach offers Traffic Skills 101 at CSULB Pyramid Annex. Click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com web page for more details and to find out how to sign up for an upcoming course.

Russ Roca and Laura Crawford have been on a cross-country cycling adventure called Path Less Pedaled since August of 2009. They send us updates, this time from Arizona. For several years, Russ made a living here in Long Beach as the Eco-Friendly Bicycling Photographer. Daily, Russ was seen cycling here and there around Long Beach and beyond on his cargo bike—a long bike with an enormous rack to carry lots of specialized photo equipment. Many of Russ’ photographs have been featured in the District weekly and other publications. Both Russ and Laura were active participants in Long Beach Cyclists and cycling advocacy when they lived in Long Beach.

Russ and Laura, we send you a ‘hello’ from Long Beach, California!  We miss you. We wish you continued safe travels and more wonderful adventures!

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LBCyclists, January 19th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, advocacy

BikeTalk, on radio station KPFK-FM, December 29th

BikeTalk can be heard any time by scrolling through the KPFK Pacifica Radio Audio Archives of recent, previously-aired programs and clicking BikeTalk.

Tune in Tuesday evening, December 29, 11pm, for the first live broadcast of BikeTalk on KPFK, 90.7 FM. Bike culture, politics, technology, sport and friendliness. BikeTalk has been a weekly internet show for several months already, and Tuesday evening will be its first on-air broadcast.

KPFK 90.7fm logo

BikeTalk celebrates bike rides, bicycle collectives, activists, artists, commuters, enthusiasts, professional cyclists, inventors and repairers, and, of course, the bicycle itself as an alternative human-powered mode of transportation. Hosted by Nick Richert and guests, including Jim C of Orange 20 Bikes, Steve Bowers, and Jim Bledsoe and Eric Potter of Bicycle Kitchen.

The first live broadcast is Tuesday evening, December 29, 11pm. You can hear BikeTalk live every Saturday, 10am-Noon, at www.killradio.org. And you can download all nineteen previously recorded shows at www.kpfk.org. Click Programs at the top of the page, then click Audio Archives, and scroll for BikeTalk. Or click List of Programs, All Programs in the left margin to find the BikeTalk general description and contact information. Click on Program Highlights this week to see the announcement and details about the December 29th broadcast.

2 Comments

MichaelB, December 28th 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Bicycle equipment/gear, Current News, Education, Featured, advocacy

Part 1: Cyclists Eye View

We’re ready for your questions and concerns, please ask!

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bmckeever, November 26th 2009 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Education

Forester… vehicular cycling… mutual respect

The following interesting tidbits were published recently in the Los Angeles Times:

latimes.com/features/health/la-he-biking2-2009nov02,0,2055848.story

A few highlights..

“Forester is the father of the “vehicular cycling” movement — a philosophy that views the bicycle as a form of transportation that belongs on the streets alongside cars.

According to Forester and others in the vehicular cycling camp, efforts to push bikes into separate lanes or bike paths reinforce the notion that bicycles don’t belong on the street and relegates them to separate and not-quite-equal status. Segregating cyclists to their own paths reinforces motorist resentment toward cyclists and may encourage drivers to view cyclists on the road as scofflaws unworthy of their courtesy, Forester says.”

and…

“Mutual respect is the key to safely coexisting in traffic, Blumenthal says. His group’s new slogan, “Bikes are on your side — we’re closer than you think,” is intended to create a common identity between motorists and cyclists.

“People on bikes aren’t out to get you or slow you down,” he says. “We also drive — and, in fact, we are you.”

Comments LB Cyclists?

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bmckeever, November 5th 2009 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, Featured, advocacy

Don’t Run Red Lights — (Duh!)

RED LIGHT : Biking Rules PSA

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ddougherty, September 29th 2009 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Education
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