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.

Sure! We’re talking about a family day of easy cycling fun.

Sunday, June 27th, Long Beach Cyclists will cycle to FOUR neat places here in Long Beach… and will even do a picnic. We’ll combine our regular Farmers Market Ride (the F.M.R.) with a special ride to the Patchwork Festival (P.W.F.), where we’ll enjoy a picnic. It’s a silly mouthful, but P.A.L.B.I.F. means pack a lunch because it’s fun! Join us!

We will meet in the morning at Portfolio Coffeehouse (Fourth Street at Junipero).

At 9:45 am we will cycle from Portfolio to Belmont Shore, stopping briefly at Jones Bicycles. (Discounts at Jones for ride participants!)

After Jones, we’ll cycle past Naples to the Farmers Market near the Marina. Fresh fruit and veggies so that your picnic lunch can be extra fresh!

Then we’ll cycle to the Patchwork Festival (at Marine Stadium Park, Appian Way at Nieto) for exploring and chatting… and for our cyclists’ picnic.

The Patchwork Festival is free. It’s about crafts, quilts, things of all sorts made by hand. It’s about mingling, strolling, talking, and shopping locally—celebrating who we are and what we make of our lives.

And our picnic will be as yummy as the ingredients we bring along in our bike baskets. Hope to see you!

Traffic Skills 101

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

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.

We learn about this in one of the three readings that will be discussed at the next session of the Long Beach Cyclists Reading Group. You are welcome to join us in a lively discussion. We meet at Portfolio Coffeehouse (Fourth Street at Junipero) on Sunday, March 21st, 6:00-7:00 pm.

One of the three readings to be discussed this month is a study about cycling popularity as impacted by perceived safety, as well as topography and attractiveness and comfort—Barriers to Cycling.

Another reading looks at anxieties felt by people who are “automobilised.” Some people who are not happy that their car-centric way of life is threatened in turn may claim that cycling in urban areas is too dangerous. The author wonders if separate lanes marginalize cyclists. How might we as a society help more people overcome the emotional barrier that is ‘fear of cycling’?

And of course we will discuss women’s professional cycling in the late 1800s, perhaps contrasting that with our sense of women cyclists today.

By the way, just as there was a journal for cyclists in the late 1800s called The Hub, the Long Beach Cyclists newsletter is ALSO called The Hub. Folks in the 1890s beat us with a great name for a cyclists’ newsletter. (Who knew?!!! Perhaps both of us were first.)  What’s more, the fantastic Long Beach bike-repair cooperative that will hold its grand opening April 3rd, (run by Pedal Movement and friends, Long Beach Blvd. just south of PCH), is called… The H.U.B.   With periods. Graham, correctly, really IS first.

For Reading Group contact information and to see a map, click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com web page, then scroll to the LBC Reading Group entry.

Many things related to cycling are happening these days. Click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com page to help plan your week. Rides. Meetings. Places to go for fun. Areas where you can pitch in.

The first official Long Beach Cyclists board meeting and election will be held March 9th. We are taking steps to complete our transition to tax-exempt, nonprofit corporate status.

Ladies Night at Jax Bicycles (March 10th) includes free workshops, and perhaps some wine and cheese. Life is good!

The folks who organized the recent Metro Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Audit invite you to look at the audit summary, provide feedback and give additional input. Meet them at Sipology on March 17th.

Participants in the ‘Bike-Camp-Train’ ride around San Luis Obispo are making preparations this week. And Long Beach Cyclists will do a ‘Fools Ride’ under the full moon at the end of the month.

CSULB Cyclists and Pedal Movement organize rides weekly. Meeting dates are also posted on the calendar. Allan leads a monthly Port Tour ride, and Cyclone Coaster does a monthly vintage ride. Local restaurants offer monthly discounts for cyclists on first fridays. The H.U.B. (the bike-repair cooperative and community space run by Pedal Movement) is getting ready for its grand opening on April 3rd; now is a great time to help. Race practices for beginners and advanced cyclists take place weekly at Douglas Park and at El Dorado Park. The Los Angeles Street Summit 2010 is scheduled for March 20th. Preparations are underway for the Long Beach Bike Fest and for Bike-to-Work Day, both scheduled for May.

And more!  Bike polo, sprints, fixies. Lightning Velo and Velo Allegro rides. What else?  Pitch in. Join us. Get YOUR event listed on the calendar. Happy cycling!

You could win a new Trek Bicycle!
All entries must be received by January 24th.

Contest Details

Ladies Night – 7pm
Jax Bicycle Center
3000 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90808
(562) 421-4646

The first 100 women through the door will get Trek drawstring nylon backpacks with bike industry goodies in them. The bags will contain:
• Jax socks
• Shimano socks
• Trek rear lights
• Gu packets
• Powerbars
• Raffle Ticket

Topics include: maintenance, riding tips, Bike Yoga, Bike Fit, Women’s Rides, Racing and more.

Beer will be provided by New Belgium Brewery.
Bottled water will also be provided.
Snacks will be on hand.

The raffle tickets are for our door prizes, which include a Trek road bike and a Shimano product.