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L.A.'s bike-unfriendly festival
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The 'green' DWP's Festival of Lights is mostly off-limits to cyclists.
By L.J. Williamson
December 17, 2007
Touring the Festival of Lights in Griffith Park is an exercise in irony. Entering the mile-long display, staged every year by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the first thing visitors see is a sign announcing that the festival is "going green." If you're driving the south-to-north route, that is. Maybe if you're walking southbound it would be the last thing you see. But who won't see the sign at all? Bicyclists.
The DWP gave cyclists the run of the light show for one measly night, Nov. 19, technically two days before the "festival" began. And of course it wasn't during the prime Thanksgiving-to-Christmas window when most people have their holiday groove on. During the rest of the festival, bicycles are banned, even though the light displays line Crystal Springs Drive, a public street with a striped bike lane.
Displaying some dim awareness of the folly of barring cyclists from a public roadway, the DWP, in a meager attempt at appeasement, added the solitary night for bikers. (The festival was given over to pedestrians, by contrast, Nov. 21-25.) One stingy night of right, however, doesn't cancel out a month of wrong.
Only the Scroogiest environmentalist nag would waste time griping about the energy consumed by the festival's charmingly corny twinkling light displays: the elves in the cherry-picker decorating a tree, the Santa on a steamboat, the DWP dinosaur. The electricity is generated by fuel cells, after all.
But it's hard to defend the logic of banning bicycles from an event that loudly -- or rather, brightly -- boasts about its environmental friendliness while creating traffic jams throughout the surrounding area. More than 150,000 cars inched their way through the Festival of Lights last year.
Most of the festival's displays represent well-loved local landmarks: City Hall, the Hollywood sign, the LAX Theme Building, the beach, Griffith Observatory. By restricting biking, the DWP puts another venerable Los Angeles tradition on display -- our city's tendency to assume that cyclists and motorists can't safely coexist, even on a street where speeds top out at 10 mph.
By pointing out that its Christmas display is "going green," the DWP obviously is trying to pass on a lesson that visitors can consider year-round. But the unintentional message is one illustrated in this city day after day: In Los Angeles, the car is king, and everyone else should keep out of the way.
L.J. Williamson is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles.
Notes from "Storm Le Bastille...."
An idea was put forth to pull a "Christmas Ninjas" Ride and take over that dismal mile long stretch. No date was set, but it was talked of briefly. By law, they can't ban ridazz from the road.
Bueller?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Some of us were talking about doing a gorilla type invasion with the premise that we were contracted to do a performance here (DWP Light Parade). We wanted to get everyone's bike decorated like you see in the pic here. I posted in SFCM thread if someone had any info on this, but no one answered. This is a SFCM pic. I found out over the weekend that IKEA has these lights for something ridiculously cheap, like $2 bucks. It's not too late to plan an attack.
Regarding the article, too bad the author wasn't aware of our experience there!
This would be a 100% Guerrilla action. We should meet at the fountain on Los Feliz or some place similar then ride into the park.
They only allow one way traffic during the Festival of Lights. So we could only do one pass and we would end up on the other side of the park at Zoo Drive.
I'm leaving town and will be back on the 27th. Looks like this is going off this weekend. OK so with that said........ I would vote for Friday and leave enough time to get to the Sin and Sprockets ride. If you get through by 9pm, you should be able to make it.
Who's down for FRIDAY? Christmas Ninja action.
Ninja Hoods, black or red.
I'm a bit screwy with directions so an action plan is hopefully thought of that is to our benefit. I like CREATIVETHING's idea about that high tailin' it to the bike path. Meet up at the fountain sounds good. When is that thing bumpin'? We need to maximize trouble causing.
PLZ ADVIZE
We could get together one intersection south of the Festival of Lights, cork the street andblock the cars from coming through.
"We don't go, you don't go."
or
"Park and walk! Park and walk!"
"No cars. No Cars. No cars to see the stars."
Whose streets? Our streets!"
Remember, it's not all of Griffith Park that's closed to bicycle traffic just that one section. If we have enough people (200-300) we can seriously mess with car traffic trying to get there.
One think that concerns me is that many of these cars will have families with small children and I don't want to be the Grinch that stole Christmas. That's why as I write this, I think the best solution would be to divert them to the parking lot by the Merry Go Round and encourage them to walk.
I'm not so sure about storming the gates. I know that many in this group get intimidated even by lowly rent-a-cops at the Grove let alone by traffic enforcement peeps. I don't want to people slapped with misdemeanors for evading a peace officer. I'd rather create the most havoc with the least casualties. That's my 2c.
Any other ideas?
SRSLY, I doubt that there will be 200-300 peoples. Would be nice, but I doubts it.
Keep the idears coming!
7:30 at the fountain? Sounds good!
We could go during the day and hang one or more of OUR light "signs". Something battery operated with a timer or light sensor that would come on at night.
We could hand flyers/collect signatures as cars are waiting bumper to bumper to get in.
We could get in with 10 cars, 4 people to a car with 3 mini bikes in the trunk. The drivers stay in the car but the mini-bikes and the passengers jump out and roll up and down the street. BONUS if the mini-bikes have Xmas lights.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge, the DWP, LADOT and the Department of Rec & Park(ing) have conspired to exclude cyclists from the Griffith Park Festival of Lights.
Little do they realize, "We ARE the Festival!"
In addition to illuminating yourself with your brightest lights, may I suggest wearing surgical masks if you would like to make a statement about the noxious fumes caused by the thousands of idling automobiles polluting the largest urban wilderness park in the United States.
i have a black scripto magic marker that I use to throw up my set on stop signs and restaurant bathrooms.
i'll write on your forehead in big letters, "IMMA NINJA."
sometimes you go on rides just to go, not to collect spoke cards.
Hey, dude, do you have this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_Above:_24_Black_Flag_Songs_to_Benefit_the_West_Memphis_Three
I sold my Eddie and the Subtitles "Skeletons in the Closet" LP to Henry and he told me if I didn't buy a copy of Rise Above he'd kick my ass. No need Henry, it's a great album.
No way! It kicks ass up to and including Thirsty and Miserable, everything after that sucks, though. Ice T's "Police Story" is hella better than all the previous singers of it.
Apologies if someone's addressed this already but your cover's gonna be blown if you roll into the park from Los Feliz Boulevard and odds are you will get shut down before you even get to the lights.
Your best bet for a covert surprise entrance is to take the river path all the way around the bend, exit at Victory, take Zoo Drive all the way to Travel Town and then follow the road from there up into the park. It will bring you down right to the south end of the lights.
Yeah, there's a damn hill to climb but what goes up comes down. Just my two cents.
Actually you've never read my 658 page treatise critiquing the pre-Henry Black Flag singers, have you? I'll have to bring it to the next ride, it's printed on 12x12 paper and bound between two pieces of 1/2" thick lead so it's kind of heavy.
Absolutely Towlie... the element of surprise would be yours as you descend from out of the hills in full freakin' glory then bust a left up through the displays leaving the spectators and authorities dumbfounded in your hollerin' wake. Unless the rangers are able to mount some sort of stand at the exit up by the zoo you'd be through and gone before they had a chance to wipe the drool from their chins.
i read get in the van 8 times since september before i let kathryncupcake borrow it. rollins band was the first concert i snuck out of the house to go to (but not my first show). wrong turn two is an amazing piece of cinema. i love the man. also, SOA.
From what I can gather, they are only allowing one way traffic. From Los Feliz into the park up through the Festival of Lights than emptying out by Zoo drive.
At least that is what their website and map says,. http://www.dwplightfestival.com/2007/html/direction.htm.
Maybe someone needs to do some reconnaissance prior to Friday, to see how they are set up and what approaches are viable.
I would argue that the direct route is the best route as that is the direction of the Festival of Lights.
-Mulholland to Crystal Springs through the park and to the Festival of lights, recon at the Zoo Parking lot - lather, rinse, repeat!
The objective here is to confront the illegal exclusion of cyclists, not to avoid the authority that (based on experience at the Observatory) is cold, will be somewhat amused and with any luck will do something that will give us some press! (SMCM!)
Another argument for taking the Los Feliz/Crystal Springs route is that the cars stuck in gridlock are our audience. Thousands of families packed into minivans! Cyclists and lights and music and noise and the smell of sweaty Santa Costumes and Christmas Ninjas!
It looks like Sexy, our spokesmodel, is gonna have to take one for team!
In all seriousness, anyone who is willing to take a ticket should let me know in advance so we can coordinate. This makes great press, especially since they have to violate the law in order to restrict us or ticket us.
toweliesbong wrote: "Does this mean full frontal exposure is definite, then? No need for me or anyone else to check out the drop in from over the hill?"
Yes toweliesbong. There is no need to think of anything original or effective to do. The carpetbaggers and the mediawhores have stepped in and arranged for you to be arrested while they make statements on Rupert Murdoch's fascist TV.
Enjoy. I'll be riding with Sins and Sprockets
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED
we need a swifty, swoop in and roll out attack plan. Who's doing recon? Also, what if we take the river path up, exit by the soccer fields, and go in that way?
Crystal Springs will be gridlocked all the way through the park. There is no way for the authorities to pursue. We simply pedal on through the park. The interesting part will be the the DOT officers on foot by the Ranger station. They are on foot and unlikely to run after us.
And if they do...?
What's the violation?
This is a great chance to confront the inappropriateness of the prohibition against cyclists.
TB: when are you riding out there? I will do this recon-ing with you's, if it pleases you. After that, we can post the route.
Also, the two groups sounds badtacular!
Hit em with the one two punch.. (0_o)
I'll probably get to the corner of Riverside and Victory, or the entrance to the bike path at Victory and the river, at around 7:30pm tomorrow night. Then like Agent Orange suggests head west to Travel Town, up into the park, and dropdown in to the lights. We can easily claim ignorance and just ride through for this recon ride. Email me at lodesprotosites at gmail.
Brilliant! Test the defenses tomorrow night and recon the situation.
Find the weak spots and the strengths. Friday night will be gridlocked, so that will be to our advantage.
I like the idea of a North, South pincer. Will we have the numbers?
I road down to the festival of lights solo on a week night and no hassles. I passed about 7 or 8 official traffic people and not much more than a return smile. It was really nice. I've only walked it before so it was cool going through the tunnles of light which are clear;y designed for vehicular apprecation. I rolled it a bit faster than the cars but its proximity to the bike path maxes it easy to loop back and go twice.
Sure they should have an official policy of letting people in on bikes, but i'd be interested to know how many people get turned away on a bike.
So are we going to make a post on the calander so we can get more heads to go? I don't think this will compete with Sins & Sprockets since it closes around 9pm right?. What do you think?
It's already listed on the bikeboom.com calendar and there is a posting on the Santa Monica Critical Mass website. How do we get it on the CICLE.org calendar?
Also the Northeast LA Critical Mass starts in Highland Park at 7:00pm. Maybe they can make their way to the Mullholland fountain at Los Feliz and Riverside then ride with us through the park at 8:00pm.
Some of us can ride back with the Highland Park crew and head towards the Chinatown Sin and Sprockets ride at 9:30pm.
ahh sorry didnt see it... maybe change the title or photos so that its more obvious it's the DWP festival? I would LOVE to see this thing SWARMED. no bikes allowed at a GREEN festival. Lames. GREEN is the new code word for "no bikes allowed" huh? Santa Monica is "green" and now this....
Great spoke card. This ride is prime for a CM statement. Anyone with contacts to the CM going on that night should suggest a meet up.
How will a cop respond when I tell them I'm riding my bike home within the festival area? How will a cop respond when I tell them that I spent the afternoon at the observatory and am exiting (slowly) the festival area?
What an absurd hypocritical "green" event this is. We NEED to to scream the emperor has no clothes on at this city-run joke.
"How will a cop respond when I tell them I'm riding my bike home within the festival area? How will a cop respond when I tell them that I spent the afternoon at the observatory and am exiting (slowly) the festival area?"
they'll say what they always say to me. go ride the bike path on the river.
The big idea:
Show up to the fountain at 730.
Roll out at 8ish.
Cawz troubles at the park.
Take the L.A. River Bike Path back to Chinatown to meet up/roll out with Sins y Sprockets at 930.
We should have plenty of time.
My plan was just to roll through the park. Don't tell me I can't ride the streets I pay taxes to pave. Faux hustle to Chinatown.
so there's an official ban of bikes for the festival of lights now? i rode it last year on December 25th at around 7 or 8pm, and did it slowly on a tandem. no problems then, so i hope there won't be any problems when i do it again this year.
Hi IlluminateLA, its Rand Om, the new girl who went with you too the City Council meeting at DofWP regarding the light festival...it was awesome meeting you...
Im glad to hear that you all are taking the initiative to do the Gurilla ride...very cool, Im willing to pass up a theatre event to join you all on this.... so WHERE is the best place to get lights with battery pack? by Friday? Was that a fersher for IKEA...??
Hi Mk4524....thanks!!...I lost MORE then that...lets see.. Red BackPack with my entire life in it...ouch!!....and the Mat blew off...talk about getting into this at warp speed...doh!.... nonetheless...some homeless or other..is having a swell christmas on all that free cash in my bag, and my very cool Bossy Bear Vinyl I intended for some future animator... I admit....after losing the bag at Olivera meet, I got pretty ripped and woke up in the parking lot...somewhat.....
but...met the sweetest rider, where we chilled for a few days at my crib back in Pasadena..me and maybe him, licking my wounds from losses.(but I dont Lick and Tell) ..boo hoo.... anyhow...
I think this crew is soooo very, very, vedddy...kewwllllll....
I can't find battery-powered Christmas lights at the .99 cent store on Sunset or Willoughby. So I am not sure where to turn next. Someone at the toy ride had their bike lit up with battery-powered LED's from IKEA, not sure what they were called. I am going to check Target today as well.
Now if you have the time and the "mad scientist" gene in you. You can make your own battery powered Christmas lights. Just buy regular AC powered Christmas lights at .99 cent store. Then use option 3 on this website to turn it to DC (direct current or battery-powered) with four AA batteries.
I am referring the outdoor club to the ride...and they are having a hard time deciphering which ride it is...
I think the Ninja thing throws them off...since this is A HUGE POLITICAL STATEMENT...can we just call it the Storm the Festival of Lights Bike Ride Ban??
not trying to insult your creativity..but more people the better..totally..and sometimes simplicity is key...I KNOW M Ridazz..or more creative and clever then the average goon..but
just a thought...Im going to relink that title to the outdoorsclub.org..
Kelly Bengford of outdoorsclub..CAN round up tons of people if directed the right way..so I am TRying!!
Forget the ODC. Kelly is about the only other person from the ODC who will show. Every time I post an important ride there, like the Safety Ride, they whine like the bunch of uptite boring ass OC suburban housewives that they are.
I move we rename the ride Santa Loves Soft Puppies & Park Rides. This would have the benefit of appealing to all. After all, if someone doesn't come on the ride, then they must not like soft fluffy puppies, and who wants to ride that ugly person!?!?
So how bout it?
Let's all go to the Santa Loves Soft Puppies & Park Rides !!!
What IKEA location are all of you talking about? I need some motherfucking lights if I'm going to go on this thing. Well, I guess I could put a bunch of blinkies on my waistband but it wouldn't be the same.
I'm at my office right now and can bang out a press release and send it to local media. Is this something that is desired? Say the word and I'll press the button.
I hit Fox11 and the LATimes. I think press is good. Keep on 'em!
I've also been calling Councilmembers and City staff, many of whom know little of cyclists' rights and this is an opportunity to drive the message that the streets are ours, simple and guaranteed by CVC.
I'm in for this one. Got my lights. They've got 3-4 boxes of lights by Sylvania at WalMart in Panorama City. You've got to really look for them. Top shelf hidden in the back in it's own white display case. Battery operated. 2 C's.
i failed to read all 2000+ posts prior to mine so forgive me if my comments are redundant.
i was excited about this ride. excited to rush the door. excited to fuck with the dorks and rent a cops that "control" the festival of lights. cause a ruckus if you will. make them take notice. but as i understand it, the plan is to cause blockage at the entrance thereby directly effecting the people who have no fucking idea why a bunch of assholes on bikes are stopping them from showing their kids a good time. they will have no idea that the real asswipes are the light festival organizers, not the bikers, because you will have given them plenty of ammunition to hate us crazy bike kids even more. direct your fucking so that it's not misplaced fuck.
i learned a long time ago that you can't fight city hall. BUT, you can get a job there and plant a bomb in the bathroom. don't be so punk rock.think about what you want and be smart about getting there.
Molesto writes: "but as i understand it, the plan is to cause blockage at the entrance thereby directly effecting the people who have no fucking idea why a bunch of assholes on bikes are stopping them from showing their kids a good time..."
Nay, we will not be blocking the entry to the Light Festival. We will be riding from the Mulholland Fountain, (with Eddie covering for BBD and hauling the sounds!) and we will be riding through the gridlock - 2 miles - to the beginning of the Light Festival - where T-Bong, NEWBS, Agent Orange and crew may or may not drop from the hills to join us.
We will not be interfering with the motorists in any manner other than to fill them with envy as they sit in gridlock and watch us float through the festival, enjoying the largest urban wilderness park in the United States, all without having to sit in a mini-van!
Imagine the bicycle envy that will fill the Light Festival!
So rethink your decision, I hope you'll join us. I assure you we'll be enhancing the experience for those families out to celebrate the holidays!
When I was a wee chavalito, my parents carted me and my sisters up that damn hill in a small Toyota pick up truck. I remember being dressed in all black with a turtle neck and looking out the window with a feeling of melancholy. Even then, as a brooding tween, I knew sitting in a car on a speaker with mesh that made my bum bum hurt for 2+ hours wasn't very fun.
Let me not digress.
We shall meet at the fountain at 7:30ish. Roll at 8ish. Yes, there is mad traffic up that thing and yes, we will be rolling through it. Those cars are parked for the most part. Also, there is plenty of room on the sides for maneuvering about. It's not much, but it's plenty to wedge through.
I hope you all will come join.
It looks to be a hoot!
"i learned a long time ago that you can't fight city hall. BUT, you can get a job there and plant a bomb in the bathroom. don't be so punk rock.think about what you want and be smart about getting there."
SRSLY
I hope by using the word "bomb" you mean "turd that smells of Rotting Corpse Lilly." It's not o.k. to blow up city employees stuck on the John pinching a deuce on their 15. Heaven forbid we make Little Becky and Taylor Anthony wait another 15 minutes to see the pretty lights.
Please note: NEWB310 does not condone "bomb" in any sense of the word. Well, maybe as an adjective when describing him as such. Oh snap!
Depends on what you want to happen and what you think will happen.
If it goes as planned (whatever that turns out to be) will you be ok with it?
My 2 cents, barging on the area and making a pass through is fine. Blocking basically uninvolved spectators is kinda dubious and counter productive. My gut tells me you'll just be burning what "W" calls "capitol".
All right... for sure I'm in. I'll be bringing my little sound system too. I'll fill in the rear of the pack and I've got my lights ready to be taped on. See you guys there...
"T-Bong, NEWBS, Agent Orange and crew may or may not drop from the hills to join us."
Unless AO, NEWBS, or anyone else wants to join me dropping in from the hills I'm going to cruise down the bike path from Burbank and ride through with the main group. I just got home from work so never had a chance to scope things out due to work and the weather.
It's crystal fucking clear out at the moment, a little breezy though.
Nobody is going to be blocking anything. That was just a suggestion somebody made. Nobody was into it. It ain't gonna happen. We are going to teach by example. F-u-n!
Borfo, I got you four sets of lights at IKEA (they were marked down to 99 cents!), but you'll have to bring your own batteries. Two AAs per package. If you bring rechargeables, all the environmentalist chicks will dig you. Now get off that fucking fence and show up, mister "strength in numbers."
Those of you that are not heading to Sins & Sprockets after the ride should join us at the Bigfoot Lounge for some hot adult beverages. After all, family-friendly fun can only go so far.
All the Friday night fun I've been missing is dragging me down.
Maybe I should make a resolution to transfer my sorrow into some rap lyrics.
The first track off my demo will be tentatively title,
"BunnyanaMan".
Followed by, "Conservational Awareness Make Me Sexaaayyy!!!"
Followed by, "Double-A's and Sheepshit!!, A Tribute To Biggie Smalls"
Due to be released in February, exclusively on StridaThump 8Track!!
Sorry for the silence. If I make it up there tonight , I'm gonna ride in from the fountain. Soapbox's agit-prop logic is impeccable.
However, I do reserve the right the right in the unliklihood of a blockade to turn around and utilize my initally suggested route as Plan B and swoop down on and through the muzzafuzzin fest like a blinking banshee.
i have to agree with mr crew. but, because some of you have taken a moment to explain the premiss of the ride, i will be joining you tonight. i was a bit too hasty in my judgement. i may have been misinformed because i didn't take the time to read the entire discussion board, taking notes and highlighting key elements.
everyone can rest at ease knowing that i will not be sitting in my dark bedroom or trash talking you guys on my blog, i will be riding by your side. as one.
ps. i hate christmas. but i don't feel i have the right to force other to hate it too. it's their loss. if they were only as smart as me........
Today is the Winter Solstice (which the Christians hijacked for their holiday). If anything we are celebrating our right to ride on the shortest day of the year. It is now all down hill to spring.
The saga of the cycling prohibition has quite a legacy. There may even be a rida or two in attendance tonight who was in attendance the year the LACM tried to ride the Festival. Perhaps they will regale us with tales of their exploits!
If we excounter resistance, head for the Zoo parking lot, look for Agent Orange & T-Bong to lead us down the LA River Path to the Bigfoot Lodge, refuge of many freedom fighting cyclistas.
Will we meet resistance? Hopefully not. No contingency plans are to be listed on this board. Just keep an ear open. Any further instructions will be given at the Fountain.
@Molesto:
What's yo blog? Give it here. I will please to read. Anyone with a blue Sharpie mustache has to write with pure awesome.
If everyone quickly shows up at 7:30pm we should be fine. Or we could gather out of sight on the bikepath on the south side of the Los Feliz bike bridge. There's a lot of space there where the path pops out to Riverside.
"won't we be riding right by this guy on the way into the park though?"
Sure, but I doubt it will matter when we ride right by. Traffic is one way right now inside the park, are they going to make us turn around and ride against traffic?
Will Malcom's mom and President Sheen's dude be there in their Town & Country minivan?
Their new Chrysler print-ad (currently in Vanity Fair and The New Yorker) says so.
Read the actual ad copy:
"Come holiday time, prime-time celebs Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek and their three kids take their act on the road to visit family in Los Feliz and see the lights in Griffith Park. Fortunately, the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country knows how to let the good times roll."
"i guess i'm concerned that they'll just stop us from entering the festival right at the start - especially if they have a heads up that we're coming."
NINJAS dont stop for shit! Ninjas dont worry. this ride is a free for all bum rush protest right? I cant imagine that there is much any cop could do to stop a hoard of cyclists slithering between slow moving gas guzzlers. JUST KEEP MOVING and pretend you couldnt hear or didnt see that guard who told you to stop. MOVE ON THROUGH MAKE THIS LOUSY DWP fist fuck of a festival GREEN.
so whats the word? meet up at 7:30 and ride around when? are we going straight in from there or going elsewhere before the park? are ninja stars mandatory?
You guys with the "what if" are embarrassing me. Now do whatever it takes to get over there! And you better not stop if that lame rent a cop tells you to!!! What are you? A man? Or a mouse?
Alright, I'm riding from Burbank in a few minutes. Me and Kelly will be hanging out at Victory and the bike path for a few minutes around 7pm before we head down to Los Feliz.
C'mon y'all, if anyone should be worried about resistance, it should be me when I try to shortcut through the cement plant by myself.
There are at least 20-30 of y'all, strength, safety, and fear in NUMBERS!!!!!
That was awesome!!! Wish I could have made it to Bigfoot or Sins and Sprockets.
Hey, who whooooed me at Victory and the bike path on the way home? I thought I was alone at the time since overthehill had headed back earlier and everyone else headed south.
I'll tell you. The rentacops sure don't care about bikes but young DWP employees in their orange trucks sure do. I guess it's all about pride of ownership and the need to enforce rules on others but not one minute after I left the group that was heading to Bigfoot a couple of guys in an orange DWP trucks heading south spotted me and yelled "no bikes!!!". I didn't think much of it but they started chasing me down the bus lane until they encountered a bus. I'm late for a date so ignored them, I really didn't feel talking to them anyway. But they were going all ROCKFORD FILES ON ME swerving through gaps in the cars. Finally when I got to the exit they gave up and I headed for the bike path.
And then someone WHOOED me when I exited the bikepath on to Victory. Ride on!!!
It was great to meet John, Rand Om, RB, Steve, John, Dick, Harry, and most of all BORFO!
Our version of the Boston Tea Party, Swarm the Festival of Lights, was a success!
We made two passes, I am not sure who made that decision...but the Midnight Ridazz have balls. The backlog of cars honked, kids stuck their heads out of the windows and waved. It goes to show that a group of bike riders added to the Festival of Lights and were not a hazard nor did they detract from the experience.
IlluminateLA put it well: We want to dial up the bike-envy factor for the people in the cars. A lot of happy hoots and seasons greetings from the cars says I think we did just that.
"but not one minute after I left the group that was heading to Bigfoot a couple of guys in an orange DWP trucks heading south spotted me and yelled "no bikes!!!". I didn't think much of it but they started chasing me down the bus lane until they encountered a bus. I'm late for a date so ignored them,"
WHAT?! were you in the light festival still?? hahah what cowards they wouldnt dare start a rucus with 50 Ridazz but when it's one?? the people in the cars absolutely loved us I saw nothing but waves and cheers. oh yeah it was freeeezing.
After everyone headed to Sins and Sprockets and Bigfoot I headed back north through the lights solo. I saw them coming in the bus lane so I pulled over into the cars and thought they would ignore me. I heard them yell "no bikes!" and thought that would be it. But they either threw it in reverse or did a very quick U turn and started chasing me. I didn't look back, I just pretended I was listening to an iPod or something. But I kept hearing "no bikes" and hearing their truck when they'd get close.
Man... what dicks... I can't believe they went through all that trouble to turn around and harass you.
All in all... Great ride!! It was such an awesome experience and all I saw was love from people in the cars and those walking the trail. It was cool seeing kids poking their heads from the sunroofs and waving at us. The rent-a-cops didn't say anything. They just leaned on their car and let us through. Even the park ranger or public safety truck that pulled from the ranger station didn't sweat us.
If you think cyclists should be free to ride the streets of Los Angeles, just like we did last night at the Light Festival, please write a letter encouraging the DWP to drop the prohibition of cylists and in support to a car-free Light Festival next year! Email it to 21202@illuminateLA.com.
These letters will go to Councilmember Tom LaBonge, DPW GM Nahai, LADOT GM Robinson, Rec & Parks GM Mukri and LA Mayor San Antonio.
This needs to make its way into a guerrilla press release that can get into the hands of every media outlet in LA.
Last night was big ... but the success of what happened will have much wider effect if passed on larger media outlets.
It is all there. Excitment, drama, images, actions and rightousness.
Since no laws were broken this was NOT civil disobedience this was a civil action meant to highlight the illegal actions of a local entity in defiance of state law and based on totally bogus pretenses (ie safety concerns). You all proved that last night!
Congratulations!
I will help anybody who wants to help publicize this event to the larger world. Press releases are easy and effective.
I think the times, city beat, weekly, and many other outlets will be all too happy to talk about this david a goilath story.
A BIG THANKS out to Linda Williamson who wrote the LA time article on us up at the top. Her article is pretty much what motivated us towards action. We hope you can follow up a story on what we did.
Just AWESOME! My thanks to Stephen and Enci and everyone who coordinated and participated.
My fave moment was riding behind Digablesoul between the gridlocked lanes midway from the fountain to the entrance with his soundsystem blaring Twisted Sister's version of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful!"
I agree, we need to send her some pics and a letter detailing how her op-ed piece spurred direct action by a bicycle activists.
Was this Civil Disobedience? Is there a lawyer among us clarify this? I believe local authorities can restrict or temporarily ban vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian traffic from city property. Though both vehicle and pedestrian traffic was allowed, only bikes were banned. In any event, the surprise attack (though I prefer to call it a "preemptive strike") caught the DWP and the hired hands with their pants down. The look on their faces, bewilderment, confusion, and amazement, was priceless. The people in their cars seemed to think it was all part of the show. Our first pass was so successful, after filling up on free samples of Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate; we launched a second wave. This time against traffic, riding in the bus lane. The whole operation took approximately 45 minutes (which included a coffee break).
There was a lot of speculation prior to the ride about what we would encounter. Our intelligence was limited. Had there been more park police and/or had the DWP called LAPD, things may have ended differently.
It def got the people in the cars attention. Esp the kidz. As far as creating future ridazz, I would need to quote our commander in thief. "Mission accomplished." Anyone need some pics full res for a press packet hit me up. rossangeles@earthlink.net
Just mysterously found this post. Rebecca/Rand om why are you bashing me on the internet? I don't post your serious drug addiction issues or the fact you are a former hooker do I ? You are such a stupid idiot . Do you KNOW TOWLIES BONG is my Ex bf and you are bashing me to him????? Do you know we lived together and he saw your scary emails to me in 2006/2007? How many drugs did you take???
i never banned you off Kevin's trips you banned yourself as you scared him too. He only consented to allow you on in 08 to anger me as I was afraid of you and I broke his heart.
Do you know Kelly Bengford is one of my dearest friends and I would do anything for him??? If I am such a mean evil controlling psycho why would the two closest men in the world to me at least in December go on your ride? Both Kelly and Greg went on your ride .You owe me an apology you old whore.
The odc gave you a chance you are a psychopath. I am pretty sure the midnight riders don't want you either. In fact I was told so much.
By the way this is not libelous as it is the truth. Stop the online lying and I will stop the truth and allow people to discover what a screw up you are. JUST don't carpool with her she will have drugs in your car!!!!
Leave me alone. I can post your whoresite to get you more business if you like.
Oh and you did NOT meet anyone on that ride so stop trying to make yourself seem desirable.That was my friend that spent the night in your dirty house and nothing happenned except you scaring him with your all night babbling to yourself.
What the heck is a gurthen dude? Anyway I am mad and rightfully so. The ex hooker with the severe drug problem Rand Om aka Rebecca aka Alexis probably won't see my truth rant anyway as she is busy getting kicked out of her 4th apt in a year.
Little does she realize it was MY friends that reached out to her and this is how we/I am repaid.
I have no idea what's going on, who is Kimberly, who is Alexis and what all this has to do with the DWP lights festival but it sure is fascinating. Please go on.
Ps Oh yeah and the guy you are talking to on here about me-i am standing next to him in that photo he has on this site. I am Towlie and he is my bong. My idea-got the same photo on the odc.
Next time you need to bash someone rebecca/Rand om you best be careful who you bash them to.
not looking to be authenticated whatever that means- I am only here to tell rebecca to stop typing her evil lies or I shall type the truth and that will be the worse for her.
Really not here to bother you good folks.
Anyhoo-gonna go ride on the strand.
It was indeed a pleasure and both those cat videos are priceless.
Thanks, the one and only Towelie
Kimberly you whoring whore of all whores!! You are so old you still wear lee press on nails you cunt! you smell like a pussy fart and your breath stinks like meth-cock. yes it's me bitch. you thought I was the only one huh? ha!!
I will spill all the beads on your necklace dont you think you can get away with trashing my friends! I know about your little escapade with a certain someone's bongloads you stalker! I have all the fixins mind you!!
Whoa I thought this was all done. I saw the credits roll. This must be a new show. I got no beef with you hard thighs but if you are going to insult you need better material. It is always better when you know the subject you are trying to insult.
Hmmm I don't recall seeing you between my thighs lately. :)
Anyhoo your are not funny thigh wench. Just kinda nasty and you spell bad too. You need something more sophisticated like a cat video or maybe something with a gerbil now that is real comedy.
Hey what necklace? I want a necklace and be sure there is a finely colored, lightly included, red beryl in it or an 80% min color change alex or you can shove your necklace.
Opps this is not the gem board is it?
Hey I helped make that giant bong and thus I had all the right in the world to molest said bong. Spill what beans??
You all git a talking about yer bike riding. That is the purpose of this board. I said my peace now stop drawing me back. I need to go put some new Lee press ons now. They come in colors!!! If anyone wants to mess with me again watch the video and see what I will do to you.
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Ridazz Roulette!
Some of us were talking about doing a gorilla type invasion with the premise that we were contracted to do a performance here (DWP Light Parade). We wanted to get everyone's bike decorated like you see in the pic here. I posted in SFCM thread if someone had any info on this, but no one answered. This is a SFCM pic. I found out over the weekend that IKEA has these lights for something ridiculously cheap, like $2 bucks. It's not too late to plan an attack.
I also hear that if you punch and pie, more people will show up.
I'll take a ticket as well! But watch out Po-Po because 
I was bored......
I pulled backed the saturation on this one so you can make out he's a ninja...lol!
I can't find battery-powered Christmas lights at the .99 cent store on Sunset or Willoughby. So I am not sure where to turn next. Someone at the toy ride had their bike lit up with battery-powered LED's from IKEA, not sure what they were called. I am going to check Target today as well.
At the entrance of the park off Los Feliz stands this gatekeeper. I took this photo last night while waiting for the 180 bus.
Will Malcom's mom and President Sheen's dude be there in their Town & Country minivan?
NINJAS,
Our version of the Boston Tea Party, Swarm the Festival of Lights, was a success!
Borfo, of course
Midnight Ridazz preparing for the assault.
I fuckin' love the internets - so much better than the fake drama (interspersed with shitty commercials) that you get from television.
Mister Bong.