Saturday, yours truly led the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s Ride for 4^th Street, a gentle jaunt from Pan Pacific Park on the west to Shatto Park on the east, designed to expose both the problems and possibilites of the 4^th Street Bicycle Boulevard to local cyclists and affected residents and business folk alike.

Despite my fears that a mostly online publicity effort might not bear much fruit, we had an excellent turnout, with what looked to be around 60 riders showing up. (There was also a walk that started at 4^th and Normandie for those who were interested but leary of riding, or who did not own a bike.)

Riders ranged in age from around 5 years old to quite elderly, with plenty of women and a couple of entire families. Folks showed up with road bikes, fixies, hybrids, cruisers, tandems, and at least one recumbent. There was also one tiny little bike fitted with training wheels (whose perky pilot insisted on riding the whole route, though her mother offered to lock up her bike and carry her the rest of the way in the kid seat).

Lots of bike culture folks showed up, including Mr. Rollers, Ross Hirsch, LADOT bike blogger Chris Kidd, and most of the LACBC staff, and we led the glittering cohort slowly along 4^th Street, pointing out its delights as well as its dangers as we went along.

At Shatto park, we listened to speeches from LACBC staff, council member Tom LaBonge, and various members of the communities served by 4^th Street, while noshing on free goodies–and of course had our pictures taken by various and sundry.

Everyone seemed exhilarated by the idea of making the project work, really work, for both cyclists and its residents, with what would really be a modest investment by the city.

If you weren’t able to be there, check out the project here; we’re sure you’ll be just as happy with it yourself.

Angeles Crest Highway closures cause confusion and frustration!

I know we’re frustrated with the closures…Mt. Wilson was always a go to ride on Wednesday for us.

Metro does a lot more than run buses and trains; it handles a lot of bicycle planning and infrastructure in the city and county. And they want you to help them do it. So come to this meeting on July 28th, as noted in the graphic below–the Metro Bicycle Roundtable–and do something for bicycling in LA!

And you’ll notice that, unlike most other agencies, they give you directions for finding bike parking when you arrive! Nice!

It may be in Michigan, but it’s always good: the Fixed Gear Gallery’s fifth annual Fixed Gear Symposium. Races, hillclimbs, rides, polo, contests, and more…read all about it here. August 24-29 2010, in Traverse City, Michigan.

It’s the third race…only one more so you best come out! We plan on shutting the doors around 7!

More info…HERE!

Schedule of events…HERE!

Hope to see everyone out!