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.

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

Riding Bikes With The Dutch—Thurs June 10

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MichaelB, June 9th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in advocacy, event

Bike Movie at the Art—Thursday, June 10th

Don’t miss this special screening of Michael Wolfgang Bauch’s film “Riding Bikes With the Dutch.”

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.

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MichaelB, June 7th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in event

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.

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

Pedestrian and Bike Safety Workshop for professionals

Attention transportation, planning, engineering and design professionals, (and others interested in gaining an insiders view of the latest bicycle and pedestrian design tools): Register before May 3rd for the MAY 17th training workshop called Designing for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety.

Click on the image for details.

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LBCyclists, April 27th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, advocacy

L.A. Street Summit builds momentum for change

Livable cities! Cities for people! Streets and community spaces for pedestrians and cyclists!

Long Beach, California is embracing cycling and pedestrian life more now than anytime in recent decades. The month of May 2010 is one filled with numerous cycling-related activities—City-sponsored activities on one hand, and the initiatives and rides of numerous cycling clubs and organizations and individuals on the other. The Long Beach Bike Fest—with races, artists, fixed gear and gold sprints fun, bike valet, easy rides, a film festival and more—will take place May 7th, 8th and 9th. Bike-to-Work Week will take place the third week of May. Other rides and cycling fun take place almost every other day throughout the entire month.

Make sure your bike tires are inflated, your chain is oiled and your brakes are properly adjusted because there will be many great reasons to get out on your bicycle this spring. Click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com page to see just some of the fun coming up. 

We all can see that cycling is catching on in Long Beach… and we know that what’s happening is part of something even larger. People in many cities across the U.S. and in other countries around the world are talking bicycles as a significant component of making our communities more livable.

Recently, more than 500 people from around Southern California met up at Occidental College and at Los Angeles Trade Technical College to talk about making more of the southland great for “walking, biking and beyond.”

To get a sense of the positive energy seen at the recent L.A. Street Summit, (held March 20th, 2010 in Los Angeles), check out the streetfilms.org video produced by Clarence Eckerson. Long Beach was present as well; many of us boarded our bicycles aboard the Metro Blue Line to make the trip to Los Angeles easy and fun.

www.streetfilms.org/l-a-street-summit-2010-building-momentum-for-change/

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LBCyclists, April 27th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in advocacy

City Council approves cycle-friendly projects

Soon we will be able to drive our bicycles through the heart of downtown Long Beach along separated lanes. Also, an east-west residential street will be improved for traffic calming, to become our first ‘bike boulevard.’

On April 20th, during its regular meeting, City Council approved construction of two street improvement projects that are part of larger efforts underway to make Long Beach a great city for travel by bicycle. City Council approved construction of separated bike lanes downtown along 3rd Street and along Broadway. And it approved the ’bike boulevard’ project along Vista Street, which will improve neighborhood calm and provide a new, quiet, safe, east-west cycling route. The Vista project will serve as a model; other neighborhoods can view it and may wish to then convert one of their own streets into a ‘bike boulevard.’

Long Beach Cyclists was present at the meeting. More than a dozen LBC members sat in the City Hall chamber, and prior to the council vote, member Chris Quint spoke at the podium on our behalf. Quint thanked the many individuals who are helping to improve the livability of our city, including Sumire Gant of Public Works. Quint pledged our support to help City planners and engineers address minor concerns so that these projects be as well designed as possible.

Having learned how to travel all roads in our city safely and legally, experienced vehicular cyclists are generally not intimidated by motorized traffic. On the other hand, cyclists who are less comfortable driving near motorized traffic will especially love the approved projects. New lanes in the downtown area will be built that are physically separated from motorized vehicles, and traffic calming features will be created along a street in Belmont Heights.

A great BIG ‘thank you’ goes out to the following Long Beach Cyclists who were present at the April 20, 2010 Long Beach City Council meeting: Bernadette McKeever (president of the LBC board), also Travis, Chris, Donald, Tom, Lee, Amanda, Allan, Scott, Jessica, Josh, Cal and Michael.

Click above right to read the two City Council motions as recorded in the draft of the meeting minutes. To watch a video of the entire board meeting, click on the link below. Look for April 20, 2010 City Council meeting. Chris Quint started speaking 3 hours, 5 minutes and 35 seconds into the meeting… so you may wish to fast forward:

http://longbeach.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=12

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LBCyclists, April 22nd 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Current News, advocacy, meeting

Andy and Gandy in Long Beach

Drew Reed’s report about Andy Clarke’s recent visit to Long Beach, California is now on line. Clarke is the Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists—the national cycling advocacy and education organization based in Washington, D.C. Reed’s report and photos are now posted at LA.StreetsBlog.org.

On April 16th, many local cyclists and interested citizens, including numerous members of Long Beach Cyclists, met and cycled with Long Beach Mobility Coordinator Charles Gandy and Andy Clarke. In the morning, we were even accompanied by Jeff Mapes, the author of Pedaling Revolution. Throughout the day, we cycled along many Long Beach streets, contemplated traffic infrastructure improvements, and enjoyed local cycling life.

In addition to checking out Reed’s report, be sure to also watch Clarence Eckerson Jr.’s wonderful video, “Long Beach Shifts Cycling in to High Gear.“

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LBCyclists, April 21st 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in advocacy, event

North Long Beach Access to the Metro — March 25

City representatives seek your input regarding Metro Blue Line station access. On March 25th, Audit findings will be discussed near Del Amo Blvd. and Atlantic Avenue.

A few months back, many of us participated in the assessment of Metro Blue Line stations in Long Beach. We visited various stations and surrounding neighborhoods, observed conditions and made recommendations to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists.

You are invited to meet at the NPAC (adjacent to Scherer Park, at 4891 Atlantic Avenue near Del Amo Blvd.) on March 25th, 6:30-7:30 pm, to review the Audit Summary and to provide your input. To see a map, click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com page and scroll for Metro Audit Assessment at Atlantic/Del Amo.

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LBCyclists, March 24th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Current News, advocacy
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