Category Archives: Expo Phase 2

Expo II Station Celebrations Santa Monica

Expo More to Explore

Expo II Station Celebrations

More celebrating with Free ride time on Breeze Bike Share May 19th – 21st

Visit all three Santa Monica Stations, each is planned to be themed differently – Santa Monica Spoke is planned to be at all three stations. This historic event is one not to be missed. See event calendar for latest info.

Local Station activities will be hosted at all three Santa Monica stations at 26th St/Bergamot Station (at Olympic and 26 th Street), and 17th St/SMC Station (at Colorado and 17th Street), and Downtown Santa Monica Station (at Colorado and 4th Street) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and fares will be free on May 21 on the Expo Line as well as on Big Blue Bus and Breeze Bike Share. Each of the new stations in Santa Monica will celebrate the opening and various locations will provide information about local transportation options, and encourage attendees to get out and about to enjoy local businesses and activities happening throughout the day.
Updates posted as they are released.

more info at
http://smgov.net/expo/ and http://moreexpo.metro.net

Join the National Bike Challenge: Ride for team BIKE SANTA MONICA

BOGO = Buy One Get One FREE

BBB BOGO

For a limited time, buy one Big Blue Bus pass, and get a second pass for free (aka BOGO). During BOGO, it’s easy to try Big Blue as your connection to Expo.

How can I BOGO?

There are two ways to BOGO*:

  • Add any Big Blue Bus pass to a TAP (Transit Access Pass) card and we’ll provide you with another pass for free.
  • Add Stored Value on a TAP card and we’ll match your value for free so you can ride Big Blue Bus and Expo, up to $20 free value.

*Please note, to participate in BOGO you must load Big Blue Bus passes or Stored Value on TAP. TAP cards are available for purchase and cost $2 each. 

When can I BOGO?

Mark your calendar! BOGO starts on Friday, May 13th and is only available while supplies last.

Where can I BOGO?

Purchase BOGO and the Santa Monica limited edition TAP cards at:

  • Blue: the Transit Store (1444 4th St.) from 7:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday.
  • Mobility Center inside Santa Monica City Hall (1685 Main St.) from 7:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Thursday and Fridays from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Which passes are available during BOGO?

Big Blue Bus fare products included in the BOGO promotion are:

  • Regular Day Pass
  • Senior/Disabled/Medicare** Day Pass
  • Regular 7 Day Pass
  • Regular 13 Rides Pass
  • Senior/Disabled/Medicare 13 Rides Pass
  • Regular 30 Day Pass
  • Senior/Disabled/Medicare 30 Day Pass
  • Youth 30 Day Pass
  • Regular 30 Day Express Pass
  • Senior/Disabled/Medicare 30 Day Express Pass
  • TAP Stored Value

**Senior/Disable/Medicare riders may load reduced rate passes on special reduced-fare TAP cards. Click here to learn more about reduced rates.

What is Stored Value?

Stored Value is like cash on your TAP card that allows you to pay-per-ride. For seamless and cashless travel between Big Blue Bus and the Expo Line, use Stored Value on a TAP card for both systems. During BOGO, load a TAP card with Stored Value (up to $20 per visit), and you will receive an equal amount of Stored Value for free.

How does Stored Value work?

Stored Value is a pay-per-ride option recommended for riders who would like to pay for their Big Blue Bus cash fare and use other TAP-participating transit agencies. When you tap your card, the correct fare will be automatically deducted.

At this time, customers paying with TAP Stored Value will tap once and then pay the $1.25 Rapid 10 Express upgrade fee in cash.

What TAP card designs are available?

The City of Santa Monica commissioned three local artists’ work for commemorative TAP card designs as part of Expo celebrations. These limited edition TAP cards will only be available at the City Hall Mobility Center and at Blue: the Transit Store for $2 each until supplies last. Load your BOGO promotion onto one of these stylish TAP cards and GoSaMO! Standard TAP card designs will also be available for purchase.

Santa Monica Limited Edition TAP card designs

What are the details?

BOGO is limited to $110 free value, per person with ID, per week and will run while supplies last. All Big Blue Bus passes and Stored Value must be loaded onto a TAP card, which will be available for purchase for $2 each, including the three limited edition Santa Monica TAP cards. Click here to download the Business Rules. 

How do you transfer from Big Blue to Expo or vice versa?

BBB to Metro Rail: Ask the operator for a Metro Rail transfer when boarding. The cost is 50 cents. You will receive a special TAP-enabled transfer that you should tap on the validator/turnstile when you arrive at the train station.

Metro Rail to BBB: Purchase a “Metro-to-Muni’ transfer (same as an Inter-Agency Transfer) for 50 cents at one of the station ticket vending machines after you exit the train. These can be loaded on your TAP card. When boarding BBB, simply tap your card on the TAP validator to use the transfer.

Where can I reload my TAP card after BOGO?

You can reload Big Blue Bus passes and Stored Value online at taptogo.net, by phone at 866.TAPTOGO (866.827.8646), at TAP vending machines in Metro Rail Stations or at Blue: the Transit Store. Please note that online and phone fare orders may take up to 45 minutes to be ready on BBB, 24-48 hours to be ready on buses from other agencies that have farebox TAP validators, and up to 1 hour to be ready at Metro Rail stations.

Join the National Bike Challenge: Ride for team BIKE SANTA MONICA

CARLESS in LA: one woman’s car-free trek thru Los Angeles

Movie Screening: CARLESS in LA

Carefree in LA

In celebration of METRO’s new Expo 2 line to Santa Monica + Bike Month You are cordially invited to the premiere of the feature documentary

CARLESS in LA: one woman’s car-free trek thru Los Angeles

DATE: Wednesday, May 25th 2016
TIME: Doors 6:30 PM, screening 7:00 PM, Reception to follow
PLACE: Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Panelist and Q&A Discussion to follow featuring Diego Cardoso of METRO; Jonathan Parfrey of CicLAvia; Aaron Paley formerly of CicLAvia; Cynthia Rose Director Santa Monica Spoke and filmmaker Katie Rogers

PLEASE NOTE: This is a private screening with limited seating. RSVP to KatieRogers777@gmail.com with your name and email to ensure your seat.

We are organizing a group ride that will likely meet at the 17th Street Expo Station and ride to the Laemmle for the show!
Group ride info will be updated in future post and on the EVENT PAGE HERE

Join the National Bike Challenge: Ride for team BIKE SANTA MONICA

Breeze SM Community Bike Routes & Expo II Bike Path Tour

Breeze membershipStart Bike Week with a Bike Tour on Breeze Bike Share!
We’ll explore Expo II Bike Path.
Sunday, May 15th, 10am – noon

Breeze SM Community Ride is a monthly group ride for current and prospective Breeze members. The ride meets at 10 at Expo 17th Street Breeze Station. This week we’ll explore the Santa Monica’s bike infrastructure as we point our local bike friendly businesses and attractions. Additionally, we’ll learn helpful tips on how to better use
the Breeze bike share system, including checking out, locking, flexibility of “out of station” and “hold” features, multiple bike check out on one account, and Rules of the Road

Ride Breeze Bike Share or ride your own bike – all are welcome!
It promises to be a day of exploration and fun!

On the ride you’ll experience some of Santa Monica amazing bike infrastructure. Surely to be a day of fun and excitement.

Participants’ ride time will be credited FOR THREE HOURS and first time participants can receive a FREE helmet. You must be 16* or over to participate (*under 18 must accompanied by parent or guardian and wear a helmet).

Registration is FREE but required — Please click here to RSVP today!

May: National Bike Month, National Bike Challenge & More!

MAY: NATIONAL BIKE MONTH IS HERE!!!

TheLEAGUE-BikeMonthMay is National Bike Month, sponsored by the  League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.bike_month_250x250

Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.

Each year the number and diversity of Bike Month celebrations continues to grow, accelerating the momentum around bicycling nationwide.

Join us for the National Bike Challenge 

The National Bike Challenge is a nationwide event uniting thousands of current bicyclists — and encouraging countless new riders. In its simplest form it is a logging center for users to record miles ridden and be part of the national community of bicyclists. It is a free and easy way to challenge yourself, colleagues and the greater community to ride more. Users compete on a local, state and national level. The year the Challenge aims to unite 75,000 riders to pedal 35 million miles from May 1, 2015 until September 30, 2015. Now in its fourth year, the Challenge is a successful partnership between the PeopleForBikes and Kimberly-Clark’s Scott Natural Brand.

PeopleForBikes owns, operates, and maintains the National Bike Challenge website. PeopleForBikes mission is to making bicycling better for everyone by uniting millions of riders, thousands of businesses and hundreds of communities..

Join the Challenge and ride for team Bike Santa Monica!NBClogo-SCREEN

After you sign up for the National Bike Challenge. and create your account – join team Bike Santa Monica!

The National Bike Challenge officially starts May 1st. We are already warming up in April – don’t wait join now! This year there are 4 apps you can choose from to record your participation. Visit the app gallery here. IT”S EASY!

May 4th: National Walk Bike to School Day
& Bike it Walk it Week Santa Monica

Bike Walk to School

The first-ever National Bike to School Day took place on May 9, 2012, in coordination with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month. Almost 1,000 local events in 49 states and the District of Columbia joined together to encourage children to safely bicycle or walk to school.

The event builds on the popularity of Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October. Many communities and schools have been holding spring walk and bicycle to school events for years. National Bike to School Day provides an opportunity for schools across the country to join together to celebrate and to build off of the energy of National Bike Month.

Bike it Walk it Week Santa Monica, May 2nd -6th

Santa Monica and Malibu schools celebrate Bike it Walk it Bus it Week May 2nd-6thth. Join the fun by contacting SRTS Coordinator Cory Keen, your PTA President or the Bike it Walk it Bus it coordinator at your school to find out about how you can participate.

SMMUSD Bike it Walk it

  • Lincoln Middle School: May 4th
  • Franklin Elementary: May 5th
  • Will Rogers Learning Community: April 29th
  • Edison Language Academy: May 4th
  • Grant Elementary: May 5h 
  • John Muir Elementary: May 5th
  • SMASH: May 5th
  • McKinley Elementary: May 4th – 6th
  • Roosevelt Elementary: May 3rd
  • John Adams Middle School: May 5th
  • Samohi: May 18th

BIWIxBBB_2016_Web Graphic

Bike Week / Month 2016

Bike Week LA is an annual week of community events sponsored by Metro and local advocates all over the County of Los Angeles to promote bicycling as a sustainable and practical mode of transportation. Check Metro website for events all over LA.  In Santa Monica we have you covered, to get connected in your area look up LACBC, or your areas LACBC Local Chapter.

Santa Monica Spoke we will again participate and host rides and events through out the week! More info on these rides and events is coming soon Check out our Event Calendar for the latest. Here is an overview of Metro Events some of what we have planned locally to get you excited!
More are being added – check calendar for updates! 

  • Nation Bike Challenge Begins. Log miles over smiles from May 1st to September 30th. Join Team Bike Santa Monica in this National Competition. More info online.
  • Sunday, May 1st – Gear Up! as we launch Bike Month! Get ready to ride, learn to pedal safely, and win free stuff! 11am-2pm McKinley School, 2401 Santa Monica Blvd
  • May 2nd – 6th – Bike it! Walk it! Bus it! to School – SMMUSD. For more information contact Cory.Keen@smgov.net
  • Sunday, May 1st – Adult Learn to Ride bike class. For more info and to sign up visit smbikecenter.com/services/bike-classes/
  • Every Wednesday Camp Coffee, #CoffeeOutside at Ballona Creek 7:00-8:00am. Bring your camp brew kit or ready made, It’s a great way to start your day. On the jetty at the end of Ballona Creek Bike Path past the bike bridge.
  • Wednesdays in May Bike Maintenance Workshop – 4 part series, Santa Monica Bike Center , more info visit smbikecenter.com/services/repair/
  • Every Thursday in May Handlebar Happy Hour – Celebrate all things bike as we explore our Santa Monica Buy Local, Bike Local business. This month we visit the Most Loved SM Happy Hour Finalists. Areal, The Craftsman, Rusty’s and Upper West.
  • Sunday, May 8th LA Bike Festival: Grand Park, Downton Los Angeles
    CycloFemme Rides
  • Thursday, May 12th, BREEZE BIKE SHARE Handlebar Happy Hour 6 Month Anniversary Celebration at The Craftsman Bar and Kitchen
  • Friday, May 13th Big Blue Bus Buy One Get One stock up on your BBB fare!
  • Saturday, May 14th Expo II Bike Path Ride info as confirmed at SMSpoke.org
  • Sunday, May 15th CicLAvia Southeast Cities 9am-4pm ciclavia.org

Bike LOCAL WEEK Santa Monica 

  • Sunday, May 15 – Breeze Bike Share Community Ride & Bike Route Tour 10am – noon, meet at 17th Street Expo station.
  • Meatless Monday, May 16 – Ride & Fundraiser to the Veggie Grill We meet at Colorado Center Park at 5:30 to ride (or meet us) at Veggie Grill, 2025 Wilshire blvd
  • Tuesday, May 17th Ladies Choice Women and Biking discussions over morning coffee at Sidecar Donuts  — 7:30am to 9am, 631 Wilshire Blvd, SM
    12th Annual Blessing of the Bicycles
  • Wednesday, May 18th Special Edition Bike Week Camp Coffee #CoffeeOutside at Ballona Creek 7:00-8:00am. Bring your camp brew kit or ready made, It’s a great way to start your day. On the jetty at the end of Ballona Creek Bike Path past the bridge.
    Guided SM City Bike Tour. We’ll check out the new Esplanade & cycle track, then ride some of the great bike facilities that earned Santa Monica its Silver Level Bike Friendly City Designation. We ride to a bonus Handlebar Happy Hour, location tbd
  • Thursday, May 19th is Bike to Work Day! Sponsored by Metro Visit our website for a full list of Santa Monica pit stop locations. We will be at City Hall as well as several other locations.
    Bike From Work Handlebar Happy Hour: TWO in Santa Monica! We will be at Areal 2820 Main Street Main St and Public Bikes 2714 Main St is hosting a Bike From Work Handlebar Happy Hour that benefits Santa Monica Spoke. WOOT!! So FUN and so close – you can do BOTH!
    People on bikes Ride Metro and Big Blue Bus for Free today!
    Visit metro.net/bikes/bike-month/ for Bike events all over LA County
    Free ride time on Breeze Bike Share Thursday May 19 to Saturday May 21
  • Friday, May 20th Opening Expo II light rail line and Expo II Bike Path. Festivities are scheduled for noon at 4th Street Terminus station – smgov.net/expo
    Expo Trains are FREE Friday & Saturday, May 20th & 21st
    Bike to the Movies / Date Night at the Laemmle Theater. Meet at the 4th Street Expo Station and ride to the movies at Laemmle Monica Theater. Time tbd
  • Saturday May 21st Expo II Station Parties. Visit all three stations, each is themed differently – we plan to be at all three stations. This historic event is one not to be missed. 10am-4pm all stations.
  • Sunday, May 22nd Santa Monica Spoke Family Bikes on Expo Tour. Let’s go multi-modal with the whole family. We start at 17th Expo Station take a short ride on the Expo II Bike Path and then jump on Expo to Exposition Park for a short ride around the Rose Garden, then back to Santa Monica. Fun for the whole family. Start time planned for 10am, final details posted to the website soon.
    Bike + Train Tour SM Learn to connect bikes to transit with PUBLIC Bikes & Sustainable Streets, free Breeze ride and tap card! 10am- 4pm meet at 2714 Main St.
    Intermediate Learn to Ride bike class. For more info and to sign up visit smbikecenter.com/services/bike-classes/

Close out Bike Month with Bike Night at Union Station! 

  • Friday, May 27th Bike Night is more than just bikes: music from Jungle Fire,    raffles and games, awesome prizes from Public Bikes and Tern Bicycles, and the highlight of the evening, a bicycle fashion show!

Join the National Bike Challenge: Ride for team BIKE SANTA MONICA

More Bike Week, Bike Month & Bike Local SM Specials posted “linked here” soon!