November Update: Upcoming Events
Posted: November 1, 2011 Filed under: Alhambra, Pasadena, Temple City, Uncategorized, unincorporated County 2 CommentsAlhambra City Council Bike Plan Study Session
The Alhambra City Council will be having a Study Session, open to the public, on Monday November 7th at 5:30pm. The meeting will be held in the central library’s Community Room on 101 South 1st St., just southwest of Main and Garfield.
If you live, ride or would just like to see a more bike/ped friendly Alhambra, please attend the meeting. This will be Council’s first formal consideration of the issue.
What: Alhambra City Council Bike Plan Study Session
When: Monday November 7th, 5:30pm
Where:Community Room, Alhambra Civic Center Library, 101 S. 1st St.
South El Monte to Host Design Workshops for Durfee/Peck Rd Improvements
The California Local Government Commission, City of South El Monte and CA Center for Public Health Advocacy will be hosting a series of three community workshops to develop a bike-ped friendly vision for Durfee and Peck Roads. Public input is sorely needed, so if you live, walk, bike or just want to support active transportation in South El Monte please attend one, two or all of the events. For more info, call 626-579-6540.
11/10 (6-8pm) Opening Community Workshop
11/12 (9am-1pm) Walking Tour and Design Workshop
11/15 (6-8pm) Presentation of a Vision Plan
Where: All events will be held at the Senior Center, 1556 Central Ave, South El Monte
November Coalition Meeting – 11/14 – 6:30-8:30pm – El Encanto
The next WSGVBC coalition meeting is right around the corner. Join us at Monterey Park’s historic El Encanto building for refreshments and updates on the group’s latest efforts in the community.
What: West San Gabriel Bike Coalition Meeting
When: Monday November 14th, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, 700 El Mercado Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754
California Bike Summit – 11/5-7 – Kyoto Grand Hotel, Los Angeles
This weekend, the California Bicycle Coalition is coming to town to host this year’s state bike summit in downtown Los Angeles. The three day event will feature an array of speakers, workshops, organized rides, and opportunities to meet and socialize with bike advocates from around the state.
Although late registration for the full event is $120, members of the public can attend Monday’s full schedule of workshops for only $10. For more details, please visit CBC’s eventwebsite.
City of Pasadena to Host General Plan Mobility Workshops in November
City Planning staff will host four Mobility Workshopsin November for members of the public to share their “thoughts about the future of driving, biking, walking and riding transit” in the City. The workshops are the latest outreach opportunity of the City’s General Plan update process, which is winding down and should come before Council for approval in the coming months.
The City’s Draft Bike Master Plan falls under the Mobility Element of the General Plan, so these meetings will be a good opportunity for folks who live and ride in Pasadena to provide feedback directly to City staff.
What: City of Pasadena Mobility Workshops
When/where: November 10, 11, 17, and 12/1 (Spanish)
For times and locations, see workshop webpage
Upcoming Events in Chronological Order
- 11/3 (6-7pm) – Emerald Necklace Action Team Meeting – Jack Crippen Senior Center, 3120 Tyler Ave., El Monte
- 11/7 (5:30pm) – Alhambra Bike Plan Study Session – Alhambra Library Community Room, 101 South 1st Street, Alhambra 91801
- 11/10 (6:30-8:30pm) – Pasadena Mobility Workshop – Pasadena Senior Center, Scott Pavilion, 85 E. Holly St, Pasadena
- 11/10 (6-8pm) – South El Monte Durfee/Peck Rd. Community Workshop – Senior Center, 1556 Central Ave, South El Monte
- 11/10 (7-9pm) – Temple City Traffic Calming Workshop – Temple City Historical Society Hall, 9704 Woodruff Ave.
- 11/12 (9am-1pm) – Walking Tour and Design Workshop – Senior Center, 1556 Central Ave, South El Monte
- 11/14 (6:30-8:30pm) – WSGVBC Monthly Meeting – El Encanto, 700 El Mercado Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754
- 11/15 (6:30-8:30pm) – Pasadena Mobility Workshop – Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena
- 11/15 (6-8pm) – Presentation of Durfee/Peck Rd. Vision Plan – Senior Center, 1556 Central Ave, South El Monte
- 11/16 (9am-) – LA County Regional Planning Commission Public Hearing on Final Draft of Bike Plan – Hall of Records; Room 150, 320 West Temple Street, Los Angeles. The Final Plan and Draft EIR are available for public review.
- 11/17 (2:30-4:30pm) – Pasadena Mobility Workshop – Fair Oaks Community Room, Renaissance Plaza, 694 N. Fair Oaks Ave. 2nd Floor #203, Pasadena
- 11/17 (6-8pm) – Temple City Downtown Strategic Plan Workshop – Temple City Historical Society Hall, 9704 Woodruff Ave.
Envisioning a Bike and Pedestrian Friendlier Alhambra
Posted: October 22, 2011 Filed under: Alhambra Leave a comment
Envisioning Alhambra 2035
From 10am-2pm on Saturday October 22nd City planning staff and consultants asked members of the public to envision Alhambra in 2035. Held at Almansor Park, the event consisted of several tables with maps highlighting current land-use planning (e.g. zoning overlays) in the community and opportunities to provide input and suggestions.
One of the tables specifically asked residents how the City could be make more bike and pedestrian friendly, offering the public a chance to highlight problem areas and streets they currently frequent by foot or bike.
Suggestions
Suggestions made by attendees included connecting planned bike lanes on Huntington Drive by the Cities of Los Angeles and South Pasadena through Alhambra was suggested by the public, as well as creating a network of safe cross-town routes with clear wayfinding signange that link residential neighborhoods to business districts, schools and parks via streets like Marguerita Lane and Woodward Ave.
Of course, with Alhambra already being one of the most dangerous cities of its size in the entire state of California for pedestrians and bicyclists, the cycling community would like to see steps taken to improve safety in the next few years, not two decades from now!
October Update: Upcoming Events
Posted: October 6, 2011 Filed under: Alhambra, South Pasadena, Temple City, Uncategorized Leave a commentPlanned improvements include new sidewalks, signalized pedestrian crossings, street furniture, landscaped medians, road and drainage improvements, as well as solar powered lighting, public art installations and protected bike lanes (aka cycletracks).
10/9 – CicLAvia!!! – 10-3pm
After taking the summer off, CicLAvia is back and set to be bigger and better than ever!!! The event’s third itineration includes two new spurs, one into south Los Angeles and another Chinatown, as well as an extension further into Boyle Heights.
The WSGVBC will be hosting a feeder rider along the Arroyo Seco Bike Path to Chinatown. Meet by the entrance of South Pasadena Public Library (1100 Oxley St.) at 9am.
For more info, or to see a map of the new and improved route, see the new CicLAvia website.
10/17 – October Coalition Meeting – 6:30-8:30pm – Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce
The next WSGVBC coalition meeting will be held on Monday October 17th. The historic El Encanto building, now home to the Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, will play host to this month’s meeting. Come enjoy this beautifully restored Spanish revival while discussing our latest plans and efforts to make the WSGV more bike-friendly! RSVP encouraged.
What: West San Gabriel Bike Coalition Meeting
When: Monday October 17th, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: El Encanto, Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, 700 El Mercado Ave., Monterey Park
10/22 – MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY – Emerald Necklace Cleanup Ride – 9am-12pm
As part of national Make a Difference Day, the WSGVBC will be hosting a cleanup ride along the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River Bike Path. Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome to join us. Come make a difference with us, and:
- enjoy the beautiful fall weather
- get some much needed exercise
- make the Emerald Necklace shinier than ever
Riders will meet at Lashbrook Park in the City of El Monte (3141 Lashbrook Ave, El Monte 91733) for park cleanup and ride along the Rio Hondo Bike Trail.
10/22 – City of Alhambra Community Forum – 10am-2pm
“The City of Alhambra wants to Know: How do YOU Envision Alhambra?” Alhambra Council Member Gary Yamauchi will host a community open house from 10am-2pm on October 22nd to solicit feedback from the public on transportation, land-use, housing, parks and recreation, and public services issues as the City looks to update the General Plan. The meeting will be an excellent opportunity to discuss safety issues facing pedestrians and cyclists in Alhambra. The meeting will be held at Almansor Park Gym. For more information, check out the City’s event flyer.
Safe riding.
WSGVBC Mourns the Loss of Alan Deane
Posted: September 29, 2011 Filed under: Alhambra, Pasadena Leave a comment
Ghost Bike for Alan Deane on corner of Terrace and Colorado
Local musician, actor and cyclist Alan Deane tragically passed away on Thursday September 22nd – his birthday – after being struck by a car while riding across Terrace St. on Colorado Blvd. Alan was an accomplished guitarist and a regular at local community bike events, including the first official WSGVBC Emerald Necklace ride in July. Needless to say, he will be sorely missed.
Alan was also the second cyclist to be killed in Pasadena in less than a week – two days prior Jocelyn Young was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding home to Alhambra on Los Robles south of Cordova – highlighting the dangers facing cyclists in even one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most bike-friendly communities.
Although the exact circumstances of both fatal accidents are still being investigated, the need for safe bike infrastructure is clear, especially in the City’s central business districts where both of the accidents occurred. As a recent article in the Economist magazine highlights, cycling in the United States is significantly more dangerous than in countries that have made the development of safe bike infrastructure a priority.
WSGVBC September Update: Logo Contest, Upcoming Meetings, Rides and More
Posted: September 7, 2011 Filed under: Alhambra, South Pasadena, Uncategorized Leave a commentCONTEST: Help Develop the WSGVBC’s First Official Logo!
The WSGVBC is in need of an official group logo! We know a lot of you are for more design-savvy than we are, so we’re opening up submissions to anyone who’d like to help our growing group out. The individual behind the selected design will receive a $100 honorarium, a one year membership to the WSGVBC, plus the group’s eternal gratitude! Please send submissions to wsgvbc [at] gmail.com by 9/20.
El Monte Community Bike Ride – Sat 9/17 (8am-12pm) – Ride Leaders/Volunteers NEEDED!
The City of El Monte, Rails to Trails Conservancy, and Amigos de los Rios are hosting another ride for all ages and abilities along the Rio Hondo Bike Path.
The ride will start at Pioneer Park in El Monte (3535 Santa Anita Blvd). Participants will have the option of a 1 to 6 mile beginner route, or the full 14 miles of easy no-hill riding on the Rio Hondo River. “Fix-it” stations will be available where riders can address equipment issues. The ride will be followed by lunch, health expo and raffle. Register before September 8 to receive a FREE T‐Shirt, Raffle Ticket, Lunch and Cycling Water Bottle. Winner must be present to receive prizes. $5 Children · $10 Adults
Ride leaders are still needed. Volunteers will receive free registration, t-shirt, lunch..etc. If interested, please contact Steve Schweigerdt (steve [at] railstotrails.org) for more information.
Register online here
San Gabriel Valley Tri-City Tour – Oct. 1st
Our friends at Ciclervia are hosting the 1st SGV Tri-City Tour on Oct 1st. Featuring 5 and 15 mile options, the FREE ride will link the communities of La Puente, Hacienda Heights, and Industry.
For more info or to register, please visit the ride website here
September Coalition Meeting – Mon 9/19, 6-8pm – Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce
The next WSGVBC coalition meeting is right around the corner. Ride on down to meet some of the other members of the group, hear the llatest in advocacy news, and have a hand in all the decision-making that comes with getting a new group established.
When: Monday August 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, 700 El Mercado Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754
City of Alhambra – Update
After presenting to the City’s Transportation Commission, WSGVBC members and local residents met with City Manager Julio Fuentes to discuss the possibility of developing the City’s first Bike Plan. The outcome of last month’s meeting was very positive, and WSGVBC looks forward to working with City staff and local advocates to keep moving things forward. If you’re interested in getting more involved with coalition efforts in this community please contact us.
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