SoCal Bike Scene

Los Angeles is a beautiful place to live in.  I can’t express how great it is to be able to run out the front door with a tshirt and shorts on in the middle of February.  And today I even had to use the AC in my roomate’s car!

The very best part of the lack of seasonal weather here, is that it is perfect for riding bicycles.

From the very beginning of my trip, Steven Bowers has been a helpful friend and supportive of my adventure.  He was the one who arranged for me to get my Trek bike.  (Connecting me and the always awesome Jerson)

Steven also is cohost of a Bicycle Advocacy Radio show called “Bike Talk” here at LA’s KillRadio.org.  So on Saturday after weeks of calling-in on the phone, I finally showed up in person to the studio.  I met up with Jim C, owner of Orange 20 Bikes as well as a bunch of others in the packed studio (their program is really taking off!).  I’m always down to work with these guys as their purpose and mine are aligned.  We all want people to ride more, and be able to ride safely as well.

Kill Radio interview

Later in the afternoon i dropped by Melrose and Heliotrope Ave, right next to the non-profit Bicycle Kitchen.  There was a bike street fair, full of your typical bike types.. The weirdos splashing paint on the pavement, and other street artists finger painting murals on bedsheets it seemed.  The place was vibrant and everyone was having a good time.
I even got to learn a couple new tricks for riding fixie from the more experienced riders showing off their balancing flat-land skills.

Overall it was a great environment to witness, although some of my perceptions have been changing. Now I’m starting to think that the folks who ride with the spandex on are the most sane ones of the bunch!

But anyways, I’m just glad to see so much innocent, genuine Bike Love abounding in Los Angeles.  I’m also looking forward to the Bike Summit taking place here next Saturday March 7th.  Check out more details here at www.LAbikesummit.org

It’ll be a great chance to unite many biking advocates all around SoCal to come up with progressive new biking agendas. Hope to see you there!