Reyes, bicyclists in fast lane for first bikeway in downtown L.A.

(Photo: Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Monica Valencia
September 7, 2011 (213) 473-7001
Monica.Valencia@lacity.org

Reyes, Bicyclists in Fast Lane for First Bikeway in Downtown L.A.

WHAT: Councilmember Ed P. Reyes, joined by bicyclists pedaling into MacArthur Park, will celebrate the first commuter bike lanes in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation will paint the final bicycle marking to complete the first phase of bike lanes on 7th Street. The 2.2-mile bike lanes are striped from Catalina Avenue to Figueroa Street through Downtown, Koreatown and Westlake—three of the City’s most densely-populated neighborhoods.
WHEN: Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: MacArthur Park(at 7th and Alvarado Street)
WHO: Councilmember Ed P. Reyes
Jennifer Klausner, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
Kang Hu, Senior Transportation Engineer, Department of Transportation
José Veliz, day labor organizer, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)

DETAILS: The 7th Street bike lanes are part of the City's Bicycle Master Plan, spearheaded by Councilmember Reyes. The next phase involves extending the 7th Street bike lanes an additional 2.9 miles through Downtown to Soto Street in Boyle Heights. The Plan lays out 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways and calls for more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years Citywide, including along the Los Angeles River. The Plan will be implemented in part using funds from Measure R, a half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008 to fund transportation projects. The Plan was developed to encourage alternative transportation options and promote safe and healthy living, especially in Los Angeles' urban neighborhoods.

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Reyes Helps Spanish-Speaking Cyclists Get Safer Commute

WHEN: Monday, November 9 2009, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Day Labor Center
1600 Shatto at Wilshire and Union
(Southeast corner of Home Depot Shopping Center)
Los Angeles CA 90017

PARKING: Fifteen complimentary parking spaces located in the lower level of The Home Depot parking
garage (accessible via ramp located off Wilshire directly in front of The Home Depot
store)

WHAT: With the increase of cyclists sharing the road with motorists and the recent daylight saving time change, there is a greater need for cyclists to be visible and to use safety equipment. Many of the cyclists are Spanish-speaking immigrants who rely on bicycles as their primary form of transportation because they cannot afford to own cars. Many are riding during early mornings or nights without lights and helmets and are not aware of traffic laws that can make their commutes safer.

"Countless residents traverse the City’s congested streets daily to get to work,” said Reyes. "Many do so more out of necessity than recreation. The safety of our City’s bicyclists, especially in my district, is just as important as that of our drivers and pedestrians. We need to do everything in our power to ensure their safety. That’s why programs like this are so important.”

To address that need, Kaiser Permanente has provided a $25,000 grant to the Los Angeles
County Bicycle Coalition. The grant will fund more bike safety supplies such as bike lights and helmets for the day laborer cyclists. It also enables LACBC to further its mission to bring together the diverse bicycling community in a united mission to make the entire L.A. county region a safe and enjoyable place to ride.

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Bicycle Plan Update Meeting TONIGHT in Highland Park

I will be holding a Bicycle Plan Update public meeting tonight in northeast Los Angeles in response to a great interest from you in making L.A. more bicycle-friendly. Join me tonight at Ramona Hall, 4580 N. Figueroa St., in Highland Park to learn about, and weigh in on, the City's Bicycle Plan. Tamales and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Jill Sourial at (213) 473-7001, or Jill.Sourial@lacity.org, or visit http://www.labikeplan.org/.

Northeast Los Angeles (Highland Park)

When: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.

Where: Ramona Hall, 4580 N Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042

Information: www.labikeplan.org