Thread started by pporras at 12.27.09 - 9:28 am

every one even if not a mountain rider we need votes please help us spread the word.Im currently recovering from a bad crash with broken ribbs but here it is



"We Need 500 mtb bikers"

To tell the City of L.A. what you think of their Master Bike Plan. Visit http://corbamtb.com/campaigns to send a letter to the City.

Did you know it is illegal to ride a bicycle off-road in any City Park in Los Angeles?

In case you haven't been keeping track, the City's new Master Bike Plan is being updated. In 1996 there was language in the plan that recognized that mountain biking was growing in popularity, and there was a growing need for mountain bike accessible trails within City-owned property. The 1996 plan called for at least 8 trails be considered for opening to mountain bikes.

In the current draft of the new plan, that has been taken off the table, and instead recommends the City do a study to "determine the need" for mountain bike trails. We all know that mountain biking has seen steady growth since 1996, and the demand has also grown. We want the City to keep the recommendation for at least 8 trails in the current plan. We also want to see the City lift the City-wide ban on bicycles, and manage their parks and trails individually.

We'd also like them to consider designated Bike Parks as an option. Kids who can't drive to the mountains need somewhere to ride.

CORBA's official response is available at http://corbamtb.com/campaigns and click on the "see what else you can do" link. There's also a form letter you can put your name to and send to the City.

If you live in L.A. the City needs to hear from you. If you don't live in L.A. but support the idea of allowing bikes on designated trails in City parks, the City needs to hear from you. If you live in an area where hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers are able to share trails successfully, add a paragraph to the letter saying so.

The comment period ends on Jan 8th, but the sooner people get their letters in, the more likely they are to be counted. Thanks STR folks, and let's get this done!

http://corbamtb.com/campaigns


thanks
Peter


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PS i copied this from STR but just ignore that line and prettend it says your name. LOL every one should help regardless....god bless and cheers to all.

Pete



pporras
12.27.09 - 9:37 am

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bump



louisiana
12.27.09 - 2:40 pm

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I wrote this:

I feel very strongly that there is a correctable lack of support for bicyclists both on and off the road in Los Angeles due in part to a lack of vocal support on behalf of those (we) cyclists. I am writing you tonight so that my voice and the voices of my friends can be heard! We very much desire support from the City for cycling as a hobby, a sport, and of course as a healthier, more environmentally sound alternative form of transportation ... again, both on AND off the road. Where manpower, financial support, and other resources are not available, I encourage you to consider support in the form of legislation. Lifting the ban of bicycles in City parks would be conducive to a healthier cycling community, and of course a healthier populace.

I am pleased to see that steps are starting to be taken towards recognition and support of cyclists' rights on the road, and I feel that off-road cyclists deserve the same consideration under the City's Master Bike Plan.

In 1996 the draft bicycle plan recognized a "growing need" for accommodations for off-road cycling within City parks. I can't help but wonder why this has been ignored for 13 years.

I concede that bicycles should be regulated on a trail-by-trail basis as safety permits, but the total ban is stifling the growth of the cycling community and is a restriction to an avenue of recreation, exercise, and in some areas, legitimate transportation that ought to be available to the public, and IS available to the public in other cities. I encourage you to consider that off-road cyclists are able to share trails successfully with hikers and equestrians in the Angeles National Forest, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and other areas throughout the state and country.

Others in the community are clamouring for City resources to be expended on access to City parks for bikes. I understand the difficult financial situation that the City finds itself in, which is why I again encourage you to provide support by way of legislation where man-hours and material or financial support are not available. We are primarily seeking the right to share access to the parks, where it is safe to do so, with foot traffic.

Respectfully yours~



outerspace
12.28.09 - 1:21 am

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outerspace thank you very much thats awesome and exactly what im talking about..they want to drop the bike plans off the chart these bastards...



pporras
responding to a comment by outerspace
12.28.09 - 11:13 am

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FYI:

The Bike Plan is a document intended to guide the City Planning Department on building road infrastructure related to bicycles. It is not reviewed by Rec and Parks, who has jurisdiction over city parks. In other words, the mountain bike element included in the Bike Plan won't get seen by the people that could actually do something about it.

My suggestion is this: Get together and draft a specific Off-Road Bike Plan and deliver it to the Department of Recreation and Parks, with the names of 500+ MTB cyclists on it.



angle
12.28.09 - 2:38 pm

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Oh snap.



outerspace
responding to a comment by angle
12.29.09 - 1:30 am

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I didn't mean to sound like an asshole, and I do think LA City parks should be open to mountain biking.

Apparently, I disagree with CORBA that mountain biking is the same thing as transportational biking, but even taking that into account, there's nothing to be gained for ANY cyclists by having a mountain bike element in the Bike Plan.

Like I said, lobbying for MTB access needs to go to Rec & Parks, not to City Planning via the Bike Plan... as if the Bike Plan has ever been effective for getting anything done.



angle
responding to a comment by outerspace
12.29.09 - 5:38 pm

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