Bicycle Parking Ordinance Has Passed!

Expect to see more of this!

The LADOT Bike Program is happy to report that the Los Angeles City Council has passed the long awaited Bicycle Parking Ordinance. This will mean improved bicycle parking standards citywide at commercial, industrial and residential-type locations. The ordinance includes a number of forward-thinking changes  including:

• Formal definitions for different types of bike parking 
• New standards for different types of bike racks including long-term and short-term bicycle parking
• Improved standards for where bike racks are located on a property
• Clearer  requirements for short-term and long-term bike parking.
• New provisions allowing bike parking to be substituted for car parking for up to 20 percent of  the total automobile parking required for non-residential uses or up to 30% of the auto parking required near Transit Oriented Developments (TODs). Residential buildings will be able to swap up to 10% of their car parking, and if located within 1,500 feet of a transit facility, up to 15%. This exchange would occur at a rate of four bike parking spaces, per automobile space.
• New standards requiring properties with  20 or more long-term bicycle parking spaces to also include 100 square feet of bicycle repair and maintenance space for residents and employees.
• A Permitting process for allowing bike corrals to be installed in the public right of way.

Read Full Post »

Alex Baum Bridge re-dedication ceremony this Thursday (You’re invited!)

Making way for the new plaque to be installed

On Thursday, from 11 to 12 p.m. LADOT and Councilmember Tom LaBonge will be re-dedicating the Alex Baum Bicycle Bridge in a ceremony from 11 to 12 at the bridge, located above Los Feliz Blvd. The dedication ceremony will showcase new bronze plaques (unveiled earlier this year at the Blessing of the Bicycles) honoring Alex Baum and his role in promoting bicycling in Los Angeles (just in time for his birthday.) Parking will be limited so we are encouraging attendees to bike, take transit or carpool to the ceremony. Join in the celebration to get a first-hand look at the plaques and a chance to hear guest speakers honor Alex’s accomplishments and L.A’s long bicycling history.

Please note, that the bicycle bridge will be closed to bicyclists from 10:30 to 11:30 for the purpose of the ceremony. A clearly signed detour will be available for bicyclists passing through the area at this time.

Read Full Post »

Ride Lankershim tours existing and proposed NoHo bicycle infrastructure Dec. 8th

A campaign of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. Click the image to go their project site.

Ride Lankershim is a community campaign that aims to inform, educate, and celebrate as plans progress for bicycle improvements in the neighboring communities of North Hollywood, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Valley Village and others. The group is kicking things off Saturday, December 8^th with a community bike ride. The ride will be a 3.5 mile mini-tour of existing and proposed bicycle infrastructure in the North Hollywood area, focusing especially on Lankershim Blvd. and Cahuenga Blvd., where LADOT plans to install bicycle lanes in the near future.

Ride Lankershim will be meeting at Metropolis Bikes in North Hollywood and departing at 10:00 a.m. From there, the bicycle ride will transverse Lankershim Blvd., Colfax Ave. and the Chandler Bikeway. The ride will end at the NoHo farmers’ market. You can find more details of the route here. Riders will have the opportunity to sign a petition supporting the bike lanes and get on a mailing list for updates on the projects. You can r.s.v.p. or invite friends via the facebook event.

Read Full Post »

League of American Bicyclists Awards Los Angeles as Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze Level

Andy Clarke, of the League of American Bicyclists, announces the City of Los Angeles’ bronze level award as a Bicycle Friendly Community.

This morning, LADOT Bikeways staff, Councilmember Reyes, and representatives from the Mayor’s Office, gathered with bicycle advocates including members from the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition at Mac Arthur Park to witness the League of American Bicyclists President, Andy Clarke recognize the City as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the bronze level. While Los Angeles was only one of several dozen new bicycle friendly communities to receive an award, the League recognized the City’s distinct challenges, affirming that,  ”Leaders like Los Angeles serve as a great example that even cities known for Carmageddon can take cost-effective steps to start making cycling an integrated part of the transportation system.”

Read Full Post »

Bicycle Parking Ordinance goes before PLUM Committee, Tomorrow

Some innovative bike parking from the Know How Shop in Highland Park

Tomorrow afternoon, the Planning & Land Use Management Committee will review an ordinance that aims to vastly improve bicycle parking requirements in the city.  If adopted, the Bicycle Parking Ordinance would increase the amount of bicycle parking required in new commercial, industrial developments while for the first time requiring bicycle parking in new multifamily residential developments, as well. The ordinance proposes set standards for signage, lighting, and access; and, addresses different types of bike parking, including the need for both short and long-term parking.

The proposed ordinance was reviewed and passed by the Transportation Committee last week. Please consider attending the meeting tomorrow to show your support for improved bicycle parking requirements in Los Angeles. The meeting is set to be held at the Board of Public Works Edward R. Roybal Hearing Room 350, City Hall, 200 North Spring St., at 2:30 pm.

Read Full Post »

Help decide on a new East-West route in the Valley — Polls Included!

A bicyclist rides along a sidewalk on Sherman Way

At the last Bicycle Plan Implementation Team (BPIT) meeting back in July, participants reviewed a draft list of bike lane projects likely destined for more extensive environmental review, known affectionately as “Priority Package 2.” Of particular interest to BPIT attendees was a choice in the San Fernando Valley between two very important corridors: Sherman Way and Roscoe Blvd.

While the 2010 Bike Plan calls for the installation of bike lanes on both Sherman Way and Roscoe Blvd. in the San Fernando Valley, the Five Year Implementation Strategy highlights Sherman Way for more immediate implementation consideration. Roscoe Blvd., though, could make a good substitution for a variety of reasons. While both projects are similar in terms of distance and direction, key differentiating issues include connectivity to different types of destinations and the practicality (politically) of each project. We’re encouraging additional public input as we decide which project to pursue (see polls and comments section below).

Read Full Post »

LADOT Pro Walk Pro Bike Posters

Several LADOT Bike Program interns (current and former) presented posters at Pro Walk Pro Bike last week (far left: Cullen McCormick, second left: Ricardo Gutierrez, front center: Eve Sanford)

Thanks to everyone who came by during last week’s Pro Walk Pro Bike event to check out our poster displays. We received a lot of positive feedback and had a lot of great conversations with bike/ped professionals from around the country. Many attendees asked if our posters would be available online so we’ve gone ahead and embedded them here for your viewing pleasure. The posters are shown by day starting with Monday, September 10th and continuing through Thursday, September 13th.

Read Full Post »