Election results have bikers pumped

"Bikes are going to be an integral part of our transportation network."

That's coming from Rep. Peter DeFazio, new chair of the surface transportation subcommittee, which plays an active role in overseeing the nation's roads and bridges.

Apparently this last election propelled a few cycling supporters into key transportation positions in the House. From a recent article in the Oregonian:

"Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., who helped author the 1991 law that opened the door to federal funding for bike projects, is in line to become chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee;

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., a one-time bike mechanic, expects to chair the surface transportation subcommittee;

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., founder of the Congressional Bicycle Caucus, will either hold a senior position on the transportation committee or move to the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee."

BTW, our president is also an avid bike enthusiast, evidenced by his wicked bike handling skills.

Hauliday Toys 'n' Mittens Ride

Dec. 2nd: to kick off a holiday season of low impact giving mixed w/ bikes, check out this event C.I.C.L.E is organizing:

Toys, Wheels, and Mittens!

*Bring toys and gifts - warm clothes, hats, unwrapped toys, etc:

*Bring your decked out bike, and

*Cruise around to some tunes from the bike-based sound system (wonder if its a soulcycle?)

*Meet at 12:30 PM at the Vermont / Sunset Red Line Station, 1500 N. Vermont Av. Los Angeles.

Ride benefits the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic's Children's Family Celebration and the Homeless Family Christmas Day Luncheon. The Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic has been in existence for 38 years and provides over 87, 000 medical, counseling, and related visits to homeless, poverty-level, and low income individuals every year.

Ode to the KITCHEN

Sadly, I missed the Bicycle Kitchen's latest fiesta/volunteer/cerveza session, which by the sound of it, was a PARTY.

Living vicariously through this poetic recap (below) by the Kitchen's famed founder Jimmy Lizama.Pretty sure this poem should turn into a song, maybe someones already on it?

Have yet to visit kitchen (!!!) which is just plain unacceptable. I'm in dire need, my Xtracycle is barely rideable, stuck in a super heavy gear.....I WILL go before 07! Thanks Jimmy and BK for your inspiration.















AND I NEVER ROLLED BY RIGHT PANT LEG DOWN

and there I am, there I am again
I ain't got no lights
I'm wearing my black woolie hoodie
black striped socks, which way don't matter

and

I'm riding home just past two thirty two in the morn' on a Saturday in L.A.
Aint no drunk driver can see me, but I'm safe
I'm safe
You know why?
Cause I never rolled by right pant leg down

and

I gots my black corduroys on
the right leg rolled up, you see
so it won't hit my one fly wheel there
and I never rolled it down this night

See I meant to go in there
to direct and to nail and to mount and to O'ganize
but it got so fast
so loud
so crrrrrazy

folks came from all parts with all their parts jiggling and jangling

artists and musicians and architects and cycle couriers and professors
and urban expansionists and regular ol' coffee drinkers
and some beer drinkers
and bikers!

bikers, the lot of them!

They came in and smiled
and toiled and grinned and grinded and for's I knows it
it's a bike party

and I never rolled my right pant leg down

I went in there intent
intent!
Intent on making a huge dent
but it was a little dent
We made

we got lots done
had us some bike-silly fun
and we used up a whole lot of energy

and then

we drank lots of beer
we made new and old friends
we laughed and hurrayed like old times

and I never rolled my right pant leg down

See, I wore my nice pants, thinking we'd get out
Find a place to roll that right pant leg right down
Somewhere where a party was
But the party
The Party

The party was right there the whole time

So here's to:

the teachers
the electricians
the nobodies
the somebodies
the environmentalists
the graphic artists
the manipulators of consciousness
the editors
the organizers
the administrators
the recyclers
the drunkards
the sober
the death rockers
the New Yorkers
the Angelinos
the homeless
the homefull
the hopeless
the instigators
the innovators
the pragmatists
the Cooks
the clients
the volunteers
the people who came
the people who didn't

for you I roll my right pant leg down
as I remove my weary socks from my weary feet
and slide into a warm bed and a warm dream

and I do this safe and sound
knowing that I never rolled my right pant leg down till now
cause y'all love the place as much as I do.

Surfin' cross the finish line

Por Fin!

Local cylists have all been eager for news of Tim Harvey's final stretch.

We learned about his amazing, cross-continental human powered journey months back, met him when he passed through LA, entertaining local greenies and biker types....and were inspired by his boundless energy and crazy committment.

Picture above says it all. He made it, in style! Now safely back home after close to 3 years on the road.

With his work still very much cut out for him. And for the rest of us as well.

The climate change scene: it's a bitch, and just heating up. Tim's message is a key reminder, to take some personal responsibility for reducing emissions, change up the petro habits just a wee bit, and use our bodies for some good clean fun in the process!


We'll look forward to reading his book, soon as his human-powered fingers crank it out!

Walk, Bike, Ride LA Campaign

Thanks to C.I.C.L.E. for spearheading this campaign - a forum for voicing your transport concerns to Tony V:

"Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaks about his efforts to make Los Angeles "the greenest and cleanest city in America", yet his vision for a sustainable Los Angeles continues to neglect an emphasis on walking and bicycling as being part of this future."

To chime in, download and send this ready-made postcard Villaraigosa's way. Let him know that a "green clean city" can only be so if alternative means of transport are supported. Even encouraged.


You can also email or call - important thing is that you let him know in one way or another that this image to the right is your vision of hell. And its only gonna get worse 'less we get off our gas and stop guzzling.

More of me to love......

LA cyclist hit, community rallies

I first learned about Jen Diamond at last month's Santa Monica Critical Mass, and have been a huge fan ever since. So when I found out that she was recently struck by a hit and run driver, I was stunned, disturbed, and tremendously thankful that she will be okay.

Jen is a very prominent member of the LA cycling community - an active advocate, photographer, bikesummer organizer, former NYC/Boston bike messenger-- the list goes on.

So when the hit and run elicited little reaction from the cops, cyclists all over the city roared. And its seems to have had an impact......

Feels trite to follow up such grave news with fashion talk, but at the same time, anyone supporting Jen will want to check out her amazing velo couture. Most cycling gear leaves much to be desired in the style department - garish, logo plastered affairs, fine for Lance but few of us are sponsored athletes.


Jen designed a line that's both functional AND funky, and even gifted our favorite Canadian zero-emissions traveler with a retro-styley green jersey. Which he sports with pride on this sandy Norcal catwalk.....

Our thoughts are with Jen. We are truly blessed to have such a dynamic, creative, dedicated spirit working to make LA a more livable community.

You can show your support by dropping her a line, checking out her gear, and sending her your positive energy. Best wishes guapisima.