Bike-Friendly Fiesta La Ballona Offers Free Valet Parking and Workshops

The following article was submitted to Culver City Patch by the Fiesta La Ballona 2012 committee:

Recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a bicycle friendly community, the City of Culver City presents its largest assembly of self-driven conveyances and the most diverse set of cycling activities at the "Pedal in the Park" venue at Fiesta La Ballona. 

The will lead cyclists of all ages on the Tour de Fiesta from east and west starting points into Fiesta's "Cycle City" at Veterans Park. 

Incoming riders' bicycles will be decorated and washed by Walk 'n Rollers.

Fiesta guests will learn bike maintenance and riding skills in Bikerowave classes from Molly McDaniel and Lindsey Barber, whose wheels get them around town.  They will teach chain maintenance, flat repair, commuting and brakes workshops.

Culver City Police Dept. “Volunteers in Patrol” will lead a bike parade around Veterans Park to the main stage where the parade participants will be honored in front of a large audience. 

Culver City Bicycle Coalition and LA Coffee Club will photograph you and your trusty bike, and the Palms Cycle bike, stroller and skateboard valet will keep your conveyances secure.  

"We love participating in this healthful component of Fiesta La Ballona.  The bike valet grows every year, which is a credit to the community's support of active living," said Candace Rancier of Palms Cycle.

Led by the Culver City Bicycle Coalition, Tour de Fiesta will take place on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at Centinela Avenue by the Ballona Creek bike path and at Syd Kronenthal Park with stops along the way to Veterans Park.

Helmet and bike are required for the Walk 'n Rollers safety skills course on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on Barman Ave. near the Palms Cycle Bike Valet.  Young riders can participate at several stations that will cover how to fit and wear helmets; how to inspect bikes before each ride; proper starting and stopping techniques, and how to easily avoid hazards.

"We teach children how to ride their bikes safely and responsibly and encourage them and their parents to bike to school more frequently," said Walk 'n Rollers founder Jim Shanman who leads .

"We promote safe routes to school and walkability.  We are happy to assist with this Fiesta La Ballona activity to keep our children safe and healthy," said Culver City Traffic engineer Gabe Garcia.

"A bike safety skills test is a great idea for Fiesta La Ballona," said Culver City Police Dept. Community Relations Officer Lt. Ron Iizuka.

Celebrities will ride the Culver City Fire Dept. five-man bike in a record-setting contest in the Contests in the Park venue at the Disney Stage, Saturday and Sunday, 3:20 p.m.

Fiesta La Ballona (www.FiestaLaBallona.org) is held August 24-26 at Veterans Park, 4117 Overland Ave. Culver City.

Pedal in the Park

Cycle City

Saturday 12 – 6 p.m.

11 a.m. Tour de Fiesta bike ride (starts in Culver City, ends at Vets Park)

11 a.m. Bikerowave chain maintenance workshop

12 p.m.  Palms Cycle bike valet (to 6 p.m.)

12 p.m. Walk n Rollers bike wash (to 3 p.m.)

12 p.m. Bikerowave flat repair

12 p.m. Culver City Bicycle Coalition, LA Coffee Club bike portraits (to 5 p.m.)

12 p.m. Culver City Bus bike carrier demo (to 5 p.m.)

12:30 p.m. Bike safety obstacle course (to 2 p.m.)

1 p.m. Walk n Rollers bike decorating (to 3 p.m.)

2 p.m. Bikerowave commuting workshop

3 p.m. Bikerowave brakes workshop

3 p.m. Culver City Police Dept. “Volunteers in Patrol” bike parade

4 p.m. Bikerowave flat repair workshop

Sunday 12 – 6 p.m.

12 p.m. Palms Cycle bike valet (to 6 p.m.)

12 p.m. Culver City Bicycle Coalition, LA Coffee Club bike portraits (to 5 p.m.)

12 p.m. Culver City Bus bike carrier demo (to 5 p.m.)

Click on the PDF to the right of this article for the full Fiesta La Ballona program guide.

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