Author Archives: Dr Michael Cahn

Santa Monica, Go for Gold!

Joe Linton and CICLE, or rather C.I.C.L.E. have weighed in the dispute about the Bronze Award for Santa Monica: More specifically they issue a recommendation in 5 points:

1 – Establish Measurable Goals for Increasing Bicycle Transportation (read: BIKE COUNTS)

2 – Build Better Relationships between Police and Bicyclists (read BIKE THEFT, EDUCATION, TRANSPARENCY)

3 – Extend the Bikeway Network (read BIKE BOULEVARDS)

4 – Increase Bikes-on-Buses Capacity

5 – Host a Series of Ciclovía Street Festival Events (read COMMUNITY CYCLING AS A FORM OF ENCOURAGEMENT)

Great suggestions, – and to facilitate this (and such important issues as bike parking, bike programs at the schools, and educate the beach path cyclists to become safe urban cyclists) it probably needs one or two full time bicycle coordinators at city hall.

Read all about it here.

This sounds like fun, how can I join

Well, there are different ways of joining the effort: Facebook easy, if you are into this kind of thing, that gives your a first idea where all your friends are hiding.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have a Google Group where we keep an email list with insider messages: Just knock at the door and become part of our little group. Bring your own project, and let us help you to make it come true: The agenda is not fixed in stone, not at all, we like to grasp the opportunities that are thrown into our path, and run with them! At the moment we are busy with bike to school events, on the horizon is a collaboration with a local newspaper, bicycle parking is always hot, and where to put these bicycle boulevards that have been given
You can also send us an email (velocipedus at gmail dot com) – we look forward to hear from you!
And don’t forget to update your membership with the LACBC: that’s where your money really counts!

Bronze Ride Friday Recap

We had a good dozen or so cyclists who braved the early hour. Ron lead the group, Bryan spoke about single file riding, Kevin stoped at stop signs, Michael brought a beautiful fixed gear, sadly a bit too small, Steven came in the full roadie gear, Denny all the way from Orange County, and the rain (just a few drops) came from nowhere!

Riding down California (note the wings!)

Riding down California (note the wings!)


Joni represented the LACBC volunteer fraction very effectively, Dwight had to catch his art class, and Mihai sent his apologies. Alison was wearing the angel wings to great applause, Kevin McKeown met us at Lincoln, and at City Hall a nice group was waiting for us, including Roger and James.

On the podium Michael Cahn made some remarks about laurels to rest on, and laurels to whip with, but forgot to mention the upcoming bike to school days. Then Flavia handed the framed award to McKeown, and McKeown and Bloom made gracious and inspiring remarks. Great stuff.

Flavia Explains Safe Cycling to the assembled group of politicians

Flavia Explains Safe Cycling to the assembled group of politicians

Outcomes. Issues.
Police: An exchange with Tim Jackman who confessed that his deputy Phillip Sanchez, is an avid cyclist

We met Lucy Dice from Planning who signalled availability for a meeting, at City Hall, where she would explain to our group the structure and current projects in bicycle planning. I think this will be a great opportunity for us to better understand the institutions involved.

Bicycle Parking: It was noted that funds for more bike parking are imminent. I believe it may be a good idea to have a bike parking working group to give advice: The plan seems to be to get more of the “steel single pillar two ears” models

Phil Brock, Commissioner for Recreation and Parks also is interested in bicycles, and wants to talk about Paris bike loaner programs.

In front of Samohi, the source of much of the bicycle trouble in town

In front of Samohi, the source of much of the bicycle trouble in town


Then off to more planning of the Bike to School Days

Ride Bronze Friday

Car Free Fridays are coming to Santa Monica, and our ride on the 29th of May is scheduled to precede the ceremony when the city of Santa Monica receives the award as a bicycle friendly city. Congratulation folks, well done! Now the hard work is starting.
The route is in place: We meet at Santa Monica College, in front of the Library off Pearl Street, just across the Road from Sustainable Works. @ Meet at 8:00am ride at 8:10 sharp. The route takes us around John Adams School, across town around Lincoln School. From Lincoln we will leave at 8:35, then back to SAMOHI, and arrive at City Hall @ 9:00 for refreshments and weighty words.
Join us, all ye early risers, and let us start this important political process with a bit of a show of force. Bring a bell, a whistle, and all your friends. The bronze medal is our foot in the door, California Legislation to reduce Greenhouse Gases will be our lance, and us being just like normal people will make the bicycle an irresistible winner. To get there, we will compile our very own bicycle wish list for the future.

Santa Monica Bike Award Withdrawn

Withdrawn? Canceled? Before it was even awarded?
In a secret memo it was revealed today that one of the main reasons for granting the award to Santa Monica was the nice weather here. It has also been leaked that the city has plans to permanently valet park all bicycles and withdraw them from circulation. They will be permanently parked on the airport tarmac, solving some of the more serious problems of bicycle circulation.
Let’s not get carried away: An award is not the truth about a state of affairs: Every award is the result of a political process, we all know that. The beauty of it is, that it is also the beginning of a political process. These are not laurels to rest on, these are branches good for whipping. One Two Three.
The political process can be conducted in different ways. Let’s see how you want to do it.