Los Angeles has more to offer this week than record high temperatures and Santa Ana winds. May 12 – 18 is Bike Week LA 2014!
All week long, Metro is sponsoring events all around town to show the community how feasible it is to commute by bike. The week kicked off Monday with an event at Union Station featuring local transportation agencies and bike advocacy groups. Tuesday saw the Blessing of the Bicycles at Good Samaritan Hospital. Wednesday is Guided Ride Day. Meet at Patsaouras Plaza at 8:30 for a leisurely ride from Union Station to Boyle Heights (a group ride that begins during morning rush hour!?). Thursday, May 15th is the official Bike to Work Day. If you’ve ever considered making your commute by bike, now is your time! Metro Bike Night at Union Station is the place to be on Friday night. This event features live music, raffles, food trucks, bike portraits (!!!) and more.
I decided to celebrate Bike to Work Day today before the unbearable heat kicks in later this week. I was pretty happy to see more cyclists than normal on the roads. Something else I noticed was the larger cross section of cyclists. It was great seeing more women and professionals commuting by bike. I am really hoping that the cyclists who give biking to work a try this week decide to make a habit of the activity.
You’ll probably see me at Metro Bike Night. Aside from supporting the cause and building community, I am quite intrigued about the bike portraits. I have this idea in my head of what a “bike portrait” would be. I am imagining holding a regal pose for a painter with my helmet across my lap and my bike against the wall behind me. Of course, that’s not what they will be, but a girl can dream, can’t she?
I praise Metro’s efforts to make commuting via alternative methods a more normal thing. Not only is it great to see more organized support for the biking community, but I love seeing how Metro is incorporating its light rail system into the week. Taking a bike on the train for the first time can be daunting, so it’s good that there is a day focused on showing commuters the ins and outs. Additionally, this shows people how biking and Metro combined can ease the commute. The more people see the benefits to biking and taking metro, the more impact will be seen throughout the community. Thanks for the assist, Metro. Let’s keep the momentum going, Los Angeles!
Check out Metro’s website for more info on Bike Week LA.
Hoff The Beaten Path 