The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is joining the nationwide celebration of bicycling as Bike Month kicks off in May. A number of local events designed to showcase the many benefits of bicycling are planned throughout L.A. County.
Metro strongly supports bicycling for short trips such as errands or to connect to transit for longer commutes. Metro will be sponsoring events throughout May, including CicLAvia Southeast Cities on May 15, Bike to Work Day on May 19 and the popular Bike Night at Union Station on May 27.
Bike Month activities will also include group rides, workshops and community-sponsored events for people of all levels of bicycling experience. Below is a list of major Bike Month events:
- May 5 – Pasadena Roseways Ride. Community ride to the Huntington Gardens hosted by BikeSGV.
- May 12 – Tips of the Trade: “How to commute to work by bike in and around Glendale” class hosted by Walk Bike Glendale.
- May 13 – Music In Motion. A happening of transport, dance and music at Union Station.
- May 15 – CicLAvia Southeast Cities Presented by Metro. Open Streets event will travel through the communities of Huntington Park, Walnut Park, South Gate, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, and Watts.
- May 16-20 – Bike to Work Week. Includes Blessing of the Bikes on Tuesday, May 17 at Good Samaritan Hospital.
- May 19 – Bike to Work Day. Free rides on Metro Bus and Rail for transit riders who bring their bikes or helmets onboard. Countywide workday pit stops and more.
- May 22 – Bike + Train Tour Santa Monica. Community education event on biking and transit, hosted by Sustainable Streets.
- May 27 – Metro Bike Night at Union Station. Music, raffles, games, prizes, food and a cycle chic fashion show starring the OTIS Fashion Design.
- May 28 – Bike, Beats & Flicks. Bike movie night event hosted by Ride On! Bike Co-Op School in partnership with Todd Oldham with special guests, Metro Bike Share.
“Metro is helping our county become more bicycle-friendly, with bold new initiatives in bike sharing, bike hubs, bike paths and bike-to-transit connections,” said Mark Ridley-Thomas, L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair. “With 80 percent of L.A. County residents living within biking distance to trains, we encourage everyone to join the two-wheeled revolution and discover Metro’s rapidly expanding transit system during Bike Month and beyond.”
Metro has undertaken numerous initiatives to better support bicycling as a viable transportation mode in L.A. County, including:
From Bike to Train and Back Again Campaign
With the recent opening of the Metro Gold Line to Azusa and the planned May 20 opening of the Expo Line to Santa Monica, Metro has launched a new “From Bike to Train and Back Again” campaign that emphasizes bicycle connections with public transit. Campaign posters will appear on Metro buses, billboards and digital media throughout the region.
Rail to Rail/River Funding
Metro is planning an 8.3-mile pedestrian and bicycle path to connect the future Crenshaw/LAX Line with the Los Angeles River. The path would transform the old Metro-owned freight tracks along Slauson Avenue and other streets in South Los Angeles into a place for pedestrians, bicyclists and others. Metro has received a $15-million TIGER grant and an $8.3-million Caltrans grant to help pay for the project. Environmental studies, outreach and planning work are underway on the project.
More Bike Hubs Planned
Three Metro Bike Hubs are scheduled to open within the next year at three busy rail and bus stations: Hollywood/Vine, Culver City and Union Station. Two additional bike hubs are in development at North Hollywood and Willowbrook/Rosa Parks stations, with planned openings in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Metro opened its first bike hub at El Monte Station last September.
Downtown L.A. Bike Share Coming This Summer
Metro, in partnership with the city of Los Angeles, plans to launch Bike Share in downtown Los Angeles this summer with up to 65 stations and 1,000 bicycles. Metro also plans to expand the system in the next few years to communities such as Pasadena, Huntington Park, Glendale, Burbank, North Hollywood, East Los Angeles, Exposition Park and others. Stay tuned for more news about the launch.
Open Streets Extravaganza
Metro has funded more than 60 miles of Open Street events in Los Angeles County so far this year. Two Metro-sponsored Open Streets events occur during Bike Month: Downey Open Streets on May 1 and CicLAvia Southeast Cities on May 15. Three other events include the Santa Monica Coast Open Street event on June 5, San Gabriel Valley Car-Free Open Streets on June 12 and 626 Golden Streets on June 26. The next cycle of Metro grants for future Open Street events will be considered this fall.
More Metro Bike Lockers, Web Site
Metro has created a bike locker website to enable cyclists to reserve and pay for a locker online. Metro added 232 lockers on the Gold Line extension to Azusa and Expo Line extension to Santa Monica.
Safe Routes to School
Metro Safe Routes to School promotes walking and biking, safety and staying healthy through walk-to-school and bike-to-school events, safety training for parents and school staff and the development of bicycle and pedestrian safety videos.
Metro Bicycle Education
Free bicycle safety classes and community rides provided by Metro will resume this fall. Classes will be available for new and experienced bicycle riders.
Metro Active Transportation Strategic Plan
The Metro Board of Directors will this month consider Metro’s Active Transportation Strategic Plan, which identifies strategies to improve and increase walking, bicycling and transit use in L.A. County. The plan includes two key components: first/last mile improvements to 661 bus and train stops and an almost 2,000 mile network of high-quality biking or walking paths that connect key county destinations.
