Author Archives: Santa Monica Spoke

On #CarFreeFriday Santa Monica – Community Voices: Why Is Everyone Else Traffic?

By: Community Voices, re-posted with the permission.

This post originally appeared on the blog of local community activist and organizer Luke Klipp. It was republished on Santa Monica Next and their sister site, Longbeachize. Klipp serves as a Metro Board Deputy to Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and he is the President of the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council. He is also the founder of online organizing efforts “Greater LA” and “Happy Urbanists.” The opinions expressed here are his own

Mis-an-thro-py (noun): A dislike of mankind
Mis-an-thrope (noun): A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society
Mis-an-thro-pic (adjective): Disliking humankind and avoiding human society

Why is everyone else traffic?

It’s a simple question, really, but it belies a much bigger challenge in a culture that relies so heavily on the most inefficient means of transportation: cars.

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Go to any community meeting discussing a possible new park or creative space or commercial venture or new housing, and the chief concern will be traffic and parking. Watch the local news about a big event coming to town, and the primary areas of focus will be traffic and parking. Traffic reports are as frequently provided on every radio station and every television station as reports of the weather, and more frequently than anything else.

So, again, why is everyone else traffic?

I reflected on this as I sat in the window at our bed and breakfast in Copenhagen, overlooking a street filled with patrons of the bakery downstairs, enjoying their baguettes and pastries while jazz music filtered up the street and a violin could be heard playing in the distance.

There was not a car in sight or in sound, and there were people everywhere. And it was delightful. Oh, and we got to our bed and breakfast from the airport with ease; no congestion, no honking, no exhaust fumes, and no brake lights.

I reflect on this today as I sit at my Los Angeles home, listening to cars roaring past, hearing nary a human voice or instrumental sound.

Engines purr and growl, and an occasional bus makes its presence known with an automated announcement whenever it pauses at the stop across the street. Handfuls of humans churn past in their climate-controlled, self-contained pods, and not one of them can be heard except for the sounds of their engines.

And I reflected on this at a recent community meeting, where the possibility of an outdoor patio at a restaurant was enough to turn out several neighbors in opposition, even though the adjacent street sees tens of thousands of cars, motorcycles, and buses churning past 24/7, creating much louder noise.

Somehow the much-louder sounds of engines barely registered, while the possibility of people audibly enjoying themselves was enough to motivate people to come to community meetings and express their opposition. Recent research has shown that the sound of cars and trucks burdens life, leading to negative health outcomes, and yet that never registers a single comment, despite people’s clear sensitivity to sound.

Misanthropy: A Dislike of Humankind

Our reliance on our cars makes us into misanthropes. But then, every single day, the vast majority of us step into isolated rolling rooms.

When you see this, do you think about everyone else you’re doing this trip with? Or do you just want to get out of this as soon as possible?

By our nature, we are social beings. Yes, some portion of us are naturally more introverted, meaning we recharge when we have space to ourselves; ultimately, however, we know from myriad studies that even just a few days of social isolation will inflict lifelong, permanent emotional and mental trauma upon a person.

  • We see only the backs of others’ heads and we are terrified to look directly into the eyes of another person, because it means that we are headed straight for each other.
  • We communicate through turn signals and brake lights, and almost the only time we hear each others’ voices is on the occasion that we’re yelling a crude remark or expressing frustration (and certainly almost never joy).
  • We are never physically close to each other, needing to leave lots of room to avoid a possible collision that would result in thousands of dollars in damage.
  • We don’t see faces and human interactions; we see brands and driving patterns, learning things like how BMWs and Benzs tend to be reckless, and getting restless when other drivers take time to be thoughtful and careful.
  • We get upset at the inconvenience of someone walking across a street or biking ahead of us, even as their choices mean fewer cars traveling on the street.
  • We want wider streets and faster speeds, with as much space between us and others as possible.

If you were to create a technology with the intention of turning a socially-inclined species against itself, you could hardly do better than the automobile. Neighbors get upset at the prospect of a new local attraction. Shipping interests support efforts that displace thousands from their homes. And people just going to and from work feel empowered to organize in opposition to any effort to save lives and spare many others from a lifetime of medical bills and bankruptcy.

Early in its infancy, the automobile was viewed as an affront to humanity.

But as the technology was promoted by an industry determined to defeat the odds, and as more and more people adopted it, the rules that had once been created to save human lives were co-opted by rules intended to give the automobile industry supremacy, even as that shift has meant the loss of millions of human lives.

We have widened lanes, widened roads, obliterated our street trees, pushed out residences and businesses in droves, and sacrificed untold numbers of human lives, all in obeisance to the great automobile. And where has it gotten us? To hear many people say it, we’ve apparently not done nearly enough, given how much more parking/roadways/et cetera we need.

Finding Our Humanity Again

Rather than not enough, we have already done way, way too much to accommodate cars.

Rather than recognize the value and importance of our neighborhoods, we have turned them into drive-thrus, even banning things like kids’ street games to facilitate faster driving.

Rather than focus on the safety of our most vulnerable street users who travel on foot or on bikes, we have turned them into obstacles that must be minimized.

Rather than confronting and addressing the daily carnage that would be considered horrifying statistics for any other industry, we have and continue to turn a blind eye – over and over – even going so far as to claim that any efforts to stop the bloodshed is “exploitation” of those whose lives and livelihoods it claims.

Yes, our automobiles turn otherwise rational human beings into misanthropes. The question is whether we understand and recognize this and are ready and willing to reassert our humanity.

Which do we value more: our speed or our safety? Which do we recognize as giving back more to the community: our local businesses or our big-box and chain shops? Which do we see more as representing our neighborhoods better: our local, walkable streets or our freeways? What is more meaningful to us: space for our cars or space for our lives?

It’s time for everyone else to stop being traffic and to just be, well, everyone else.

Multiracial Group of Friends with Hands in Stack, Teamwork

Protest/Rally Against Santa Monica Airport’s Extreme Negative Impacts

RALLY FOR SATURDAY IS STILL ON



North Side of Douglas Loop North
(between 28th St. and 31st St. - near the Business Park off of Ocean Park Blvd)

You are invited, along with friends, family and neighbors to come out and show support and unity to stop the continuation of the extreme harmful impacts from Santa Monica Airport (SMO).

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS will include: Santa Monica Mayor Ted Winterer, Congressman Ted Lieu,  Los Angeles Council Member Mike Bonin and other political representatives, as well as community activists from Santa Monica, Ocean Park, Venice, West Los Angeles and Mar Vista.

While the settlement agreement of the law suit with the FAA has been announced, allowing The City of Santa Monica to close SMO December 31st 2028 (still 12 years away)  – The urgency for this protest is because due to start February 2017, JetSuite – funded by JetBlue is scheduled to begin offering commercial jet service of 30 seat jets out of Santa Monica Airport. SMO has short 5000′ runway that is not designed for jets and has no safety runway area to protect immediately adjacent neighborhoods and homes.

UPDATE: JetSuiteX Delays Service to Santa Monica Airport
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2017 JetSuiteX announced today that they have entered into a Standstill Agreement with the city of Santa Monica concerning JetSuiteX’s planned operations at Santa Monica Airport. The agreement is designed to give the parties time to come to a final agreement. 
Flights to Santa Monica Airport were originally scheduled to launch on February 6th, with destinations including Carlsbad, San Jose and Las Vegas. In the interim, JetSuiteX has agreed not to operate at Santa Monica prior to February 15th, 2017. To avoid uncertainty and confusion, JetSuiteX has cancelled all flights to/from or connecting through Santa Monica from February 6th through February 24(th) and will issue full refunds for all affected customers.
CEO Alex Wilcox said, “Given the uncertainty surrounding the status of the airport we have entered into this standstill agreement to provide time for an orderly process to negotiate with the city. We apologize to our clients…”

This new service was scheduled prior to the recent settlement and at a time when the Santa Monica City Council has moved to evict Atlantic Aviation the jet service provider. The Council has voted unanimously to protect our community and neighbors and reduce the harmful impacts of the airport by closing it as soon as legally possible. Santa Monica has committed to a vision to replace SMO with a healthy and sustainable park that would be open to all and accessible to everyone.

According to SMO records, in recent months jet flights out of the airport have increased dramatically to where the city is now pumping over 3 million gallons of aviation fuel and generating up to 60 million lbs. of C02 annually. Currently at this shocking 15% annual rate of increase - jet flights, noise and pollution would increase by a massive 100% by 2023 presuming existing airport configuration. In the City’s announcement of the settlement with the FAA it was stated the City of Santa Monica is within its legal rights to immediately plan and reduce of the current length of the runway to 3500′. This length of runway is too short and would prevent flights of many (current) jet aircraft under FAA rules. Find our more at the rally this Saturday.

The it of Santa Monica has been making progressive strides toward protecting the environment and continuing its leadership by making Santa Monica a more sustainable place to live, work and play.  This is exemplified with the launch of Breeze, LA first public bike share, opening of Metro’s new Expo Line and updated Big Blue Bus service connections. The aviation industry (without regards to the safety and against the wishes of the community or the City) want to transform the existing, small general aviation airport into a major – unsafe commercial airport.

We join groups that are supporting this Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution event. These include: No Jets – Santa Monica, Airport2Park Foundation, Friends of Sunset Park, Venice Residents Against SMO, North Westdale Neighborhood Association, Mar Vista Community Association, CASMAT and SMO Future.

For more information – contact: Martin Rubin, (310) 479-2529 - martinrubin@earthlink.net

Any updates will be posted HERE

Cynthia Rose and Mobility Plan 2035 Are LACBC’s National Advocacy Award Winners!

We are thrilled to announce that Cynthia Rose and LACBC have been awarded multiple Advocacy Awards by the Alliance for Biking & Walking at this year’s National Bike Summit & Women’s Forum in Washington DC!

After receiving five nominations, Monday night we took home:

  • Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award - Cynthia Rose, Santa Monica Spoke
  • Winning Campaign of the Year - Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Mobility Plan 2035


Cynthia Rose rides a Breeze Bike Share bike with Countri Bike's Jeffrey Tannenhaus around Santa Monica. Photo: Santa Monica Spoke.

Cynthia Rose rides a Breeze Bike Share bike with Countri Bike’s Jeffrey Tannenhaus around Santa Monica.

Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award

This award commemorates Susie Stephens, one of the Alliance’s founders and an enduring inspiration for many members of the bicycle and pedestrian movement. The honor goes to an individual who carries on Susie’s passion for advocating for bicycling as a fun and economical means of transportation, as well as creating a safe biking and walking environment for all.

  •     Cynthia Rose, Santa Monica Spoke

I feel so incredible honored to have received this award that commemorates the dedication and inspiration of Susie Stephens. I am so grateful to her and her inspirational mother who has carried on her daughters enthusiasm with her own commitment and dedication. With that I must say that like any successful advocacy – there are many to thank. Those that preceded us and make our work and successes possible, those that continue today working with us side by side, and in Santa Monica to our wonderful, talented community and civic partners that help and support us in creating a safer environment that encourages more people to walk and bike. I am deeply appreciative of all these partners every single day. 

Thank you to the Alliance of Biking and Walking and the League of American Bicyclists for their national leadership and support of local advocacy — and to our regional and state partners at LACBC and the California Bicycle Coalition. 

“Together We Lead” our communities to a healthier, safer, more equitable future biking and walking.

Cynthia Rose 

From the Alliance for Biking & Walking: “Cynthia Rose, a co-founder of Santa Monica Spoke, is also known to many in the Los Angeles area as ‘Purple’ (her favorite color) — but her vibrance spans the spectrum of bicycle advocacy. She played a key role in helping launch the first public bike share program in Los Angeles County: Breeze Bike Share, and pioneered the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Local Chapter program. She is an educator, an advocate and a rider leader, but even her actions are outdone by her joyful enthusiasm. Her bright smile and infectious attitude have invited countless new riders into the movement by making bicycling welcoming and fun. As her nominator summed up: ‘Cynthia truly is an inspiration.'”


Winning Campaign of the Year

This award goes to an organization for a winning campaign, in the last year, which has had the biggest impact on walking and biking. Their victory will dramatically increase active transportation in their state/ community or will dramatically shift the way that walking and biking are considered.

  • Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Mobility Plan 2035

LACBC_Mobility_Plan__2035_logo.jpg

From the Alliance for Biking & Walking: “With 300 miles of protected bike lanes, the adoption of Vision Zero and a central commitment to safety, the Mobility Plan 2035 passed by the Los Angeles City Council in 2015 marked a major transformation for big city transportation. Behind the scenes, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition helped to lead that charge with a thoughtful, strategic and multi-year campaign to increase access and safety for all. Their inside-outside game, rallied the public and LACBC members to engage with their policymakers, brought new partners to table and authentically considered the need of all road users, from bicyclists to bus riders. Read much more about their effort here.”


We would like to thank all of our members, partners, and supporters for making these wins possible! These wins (plus our additional nominations) are recognition of every call to action you’ve responded to, every meeting you’ve attended, every letter or email you’ve written, every public comment you’ve made, every hour of time you’ve volunteered in the office or on the streets, every hashmark recorded for our bike and ped counts, and every bike light installed as a member of Team Firefly, not to mention every mile you’ve pedaled either with us or on our behalf. We hope you’ll help Santa Monica Spoke, LACBC and all our local chapters continue this work to make Los Angeles County a great place for all people from all communities to ride their bikes everywhere, safely and conveniently, by becoming a member of LACBC and a local chapter or renewing your membership.

Congrats to Cynthia and all the other winners: Living Streets Alliance (Tucson), Fernando Martinez, and Community Cycling Center (Portland). Read more about all the winners on the Alliance for Biking & Walking blog.

Your support is NEEDED to get to National Bike Summit 2016

Santa Monica Spoke’s Cynthia Rose finalist for National Advocacy Award: 

Forget Hollywood. The Oscars may be over, but the best awards show is yet to come. Next week, on the first night of the National Bike Summit & Women’s Forum, the Alliance will open the envelopes for the 2016 Advocacy Awards, honoring excellence in the walking and biking movement.

Help send our Director to the Summit!

We need your support to send our Director Cynthia Rose to National Bike Summit and the 4thNational Forum on Women & Bicycling 2016! To share our local successes and learn from other advocates what exciting successes are building the momentum around the country.
The Summit has shown it’s real impact, leveraging increased investments in bicycling at the federal, state and local levels. This year, with the theme of “Together We Lead,” the Summit will activate and elevate leaders from all areas of the movement. The Summit will propel this unified and diverse voice for change on Capitol Hill and and beyond.

Santa Monica Spoke is led by 100% volunteers, including our full time Director Cynthia Rose. This dynamic event includes keynote addresses from top government officials, members of Congress, and leaders from advocacy and industry; workshops that highlight innovative advocacy ideas and trends from around the country; and an organized Lobby Day to bring our message about the benefits of bicycling to our elected officials on Capitol Hill.
We are requesting donations to cover costs to send Cynthia to the Summit 2016.

Our goal is to raise $1500.00 to cover the Women’s Forum, National Bike Summit, and travel expenses. PLEASE PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT Click HERE
or email your 
pledge amount to Donate2@SMSpoke.org  we will reply to complete the pledge. Donations are tax deductible. 

The voice for cycling is growing stronger on Capitol Hill, and with your support, our director can share lessons learned and gain experience in professional advocacy from top experts from all 50 states and bring it home to Santa Monica & LA County.

summit_2016_small_header
National Bike Summit 2016: Together We Lead

Last year’s theme – Bikes+ –. Launched the conversation to change the equation for bicycle advocacy. To build a bicycle-friendly America for everyone, we can’t stop at bicycling as an end in itself. We must consider how bikes can add value to other movements and how our movement can expand to serve broader interests. The 2016 National Bike Summit will again unite the voices of bicyclists on Capitol Hill to advance bicycle safety, funding and equity. More than 700 participants from all 50 states will build momentum in Congress for a Bicycle Friendly America

Local Streetsie Nominations!!

EXCITING LOCAL NOMINATIONS FOR STREETSIES
Vote for LOCAL LEADERS 2015
Then Donate to Streetsblog!

Streetsie2015

THREE FABULOUS LOCALS IN THE RUNNING:
Don’t wait VOTE NOW!

2015 Streetsies: Vote for Livable Streets-Friendly Businesses

2015 Streetsies: Vote for Civil Servant of the Year

2015 Streetsies: Vote for Elected Official of the Year

Vote TODAY

This year there are six categories: Elected Official, Civil Servant, Business, Media/Journalism, Advocacy – Individual, and Advocacy – Group.
Voting HAS ALREADY STARTED and will close on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at noon. Reader voting accounts for one half of the scoring this year, with one quarter going to SBLA staff voting, and another quarter going to a SBLA steering committee vote.

See the other categories at StreetsBlogLA. Another familiar category is Advocate of the Year – nominated this year is LACBC’s own Tamika Bultler!