Community Corner

Metro Promotes 'Bike Week LA' May 14-18

Bring your bike and/or your helmet on the Metro for a free ride next Thurs. May 17.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is just one organization sponsoring "Bike Week LA" activities from May 14-18 to encourage Angelinos to ride bicycles to work, school and other destinations throughout LA County to reduce traffic and air pollution.

Bike Week LA will officially kick off on Mon. May 14, at the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles beginning at 10 a.m., during which Metro, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), and Cyclists Inciting Change through LIVE Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) will announce specific initiatives that promote bicycling during Bike Week LA and year-round.

The annual interfaith Blessing of the Bicycles will take place at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles on Tues. May 15. For more information, visit www.goodsam.org.

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On Wed. May 16, Metro, with the participation of C.I.C.L.E., LADOT, and LACBC, will host an "Expo/Mid-City" bike ride on the newly built Expo Line bicycle lanes. Riders will congregate at the Expo Park/USC Station starting at 8 a.m. and will depart at 8:30 a.m. for a ride along the Expo Line.

If you bring your bike or even just a bike helmet onto any Metro buses and trains on Thurs. May 17, you can ride for free as part of Thursday’s ‘Bike to Work Day.’

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Beyond the free ride, Metro is also offering the opportunity to win prizes, including a commuter cycling package from REI valued at $750, if you pledge to bike to work on May 17. Simply go online at www.metro.net/bikeweek to make your pledge.

Schools, workplaces, and advocacy groups will hold bicycle pit stops on May 17 with free refreshments, giveaways, and bicycling information for bicycle commuters.

According to a Metro release, Metro has invested close to $200 million in bike facilities and programs in addition to expanding its network of buses and rail service to allow more cyclists to extend their trips by combining bicycling with public transit.

All Metro buses are equipped with front bike racks and bikes can be taken on Metro trains.

To round out Bike Week LA, Metro also supports "Bike to School Day" on Fri. May 18.  Students are encouraged to bicycle safely to school throughout LA County to help reduce auto trips and congestion within school zones.  A media event and bicycle safety demonstration will be held at New Designs Charter School in Los Angeles. 

Metro is again hosting the annual Golden Pedal Awards to celebrate those who ride their bikes to work every day. The public may nominate themselves, friends and colleagues for different cycling awards online at http://www.metro.net/bikes/bike-week/golden-pedal-awards-form/.

Free bike maps detailing more than 1,200 miles of bike paths, bikeways and bike lanes in Los Angeles County are available to plan bicycle trips. Maps can be downloaded online at http://www.metro.net/bikes/. Free copies are also available at any Metro Customer Center; call (213) 922-2811 to request a copy.

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