A Carless culture’s a series of posts that examines how we can make de-car-ing a sexy and viable travel solution for Angelenos.
Supporting bike culture means, at least in part, having cool bike-centered activities with cool biking friends, yes? Some monthly events to get you started:
RIDE-Arc. This monthly social bike ride with a loose architectural theme takes you cycling in the evening air. Hear Alex Amerri, creator of RIDE-Arc on a KCRW DnA (Design & Architecture) show. Ride dates and info are announced the week of, so join the RIDE-Arc email list here. (via blogging.la)
Midnight Ridazz. This monthly ride brings together a now-huge crowd of bicycle enthusiasts whose goal’s to have fun while riding bikes! Started in February of 2004, current rides attract 1700+ Ridazz — including one Daryl Hannah! With its growth, “incidents” (fights between agro drivers and bikers, etc) have been increasing — Be nice out there! Check the site to find out where you should show up on the 2nd Fri of every month.
Critical Mass. This monthly bicycle ride “to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road” started off in San Francisco back in 1992, but has now spread all over the world — reader parge is a fan :) Santa Monica Critical Mass is on the 1st Fri of every month, Los Angeles and Pasadena have theirs on the last Fri of every month.
Downtown Art Ride. This bike ride “flows through the heart of Downtown LA, making stops at all the galleries that take part in the Art Walk.” I believe this ride was instigated by eecue, blogger-biker. Meet at the Downtown Art Gallery, 1611 S. Hope St., @ 5pm on the 2nd Thurs of each month.
All these rides too much for you to keep track of? Then just check the Bikeboom Calendar Los Angeles once in a while to get the deets on these and other smaller bike rides :)
Update, 2/3/07: My first Critical Mass ride!
Thanks for the plug! And yes I started the Art Ride about 8 months ago. =] Hopefully you can make it out!
Comment by eecue — September 9, 2006 @ 11:49 am
Thanks for combining visual art with biking :)
Comment by Siel — September 9, 2006 @ 7:52 pm
These are all cool reminders, but you have already hit on the most cool way to convert to biking: Use the Bike whenever you can. For a piddly trip to the neighborhood store for something small. To go to a movie. To buy a cup o’ FT coffee of a lazy Saturday. Pretty soon, more and more of your trips are done driving a bike . . .
As an aside, it is interesting to note that Critical Mass rides have different personalities. The SF rides were (and are) huge affairs, and quite militant once upon a time, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of riders and blocking traffic. The Pasadena rides I have witnessed from the sidewalk are much more gentle, and have the feel of a good-natured reminder that bikes belong, and are a good idea . . .
Comment by Roger, Gone Green — September 10, 2006 @ 7:48 am
how about instead of people paying gym membership they buy a bike
Comment by simon — September 10, 2006 @ 10:28 am
Biking with friends is where it’s at - and http://www.bikeboom.com links captures all the different group rides too.
Comment by jessica — September 10, 2006 @ 11:36 am
doh - you mentioned the site.
Comment by jessica — September 10, 2006 @ 11:37 am
Thanks, Roger :) I go grocery shopping on my bike with a backpack on. I’m planning to buy a bike basket soon to help out too :)
simon — You’ll be glad to know http://greenlagirl.com/2005/11/08/errand-running/“>I’ve quit the gym! It’s all biking, running, and yoga for me now :)
S’ok, jessica :) Thanks for stopping by –
Comment by Siel — September 11, 2006 @ 9:50 pm
If you have a rack on the back, there are many many cool “panniers” that clip on and off — some made of canvas, square like a grocery bag, and open topped… which neatly holds a lot of groceries. I also use an old bike trailer — too old for the kids, but hauls a ton of groceries!
Comment by Roger, Gone Green — September 12, 2006 @ 5:02 am
Luckily, it’s just me, so I don’t need to haul a lotta groceries. A rack may be a good idea for those living with families though –
Comment by Siel — September 12, 2006 @ 2:51 pm
Well, you never know when you will happen upon a shoe sale and need the cargo space (grin).
R.
Comment by Roger, Gone Green — September 15, 2006 @ 6:25 am
i just read about cicle on treehugger http://cicle.org/
Comment by Johan — September 25, 2006 @ 5:48 am
Yes! And I shoulda written ’bout them before. I’m putting up a post tomorrow about an event they’re having on Saturday :)
Comment by Siel — September 26, 2006 @ 12:01 am