Cyclist rights Echo Park
Thread started by
sexy at 01.17.07 - 10:29 pm
For those of you interested in Cyclist rights and especially if you live in the area that covers Echo Park/Elysian Neighborhood Council area, you may want to read on.
On November 28, 2006 at the (GEPENC) Great Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council meeting Board of Governors member David Butler spoke disparaging about cyclist being on the Roads in Echo Park. Although the minutes of the meeting are not posted on the website of www.gepenc.org, they will be available for viewing before the next meeting of GEPENC on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007 7:00 pm at the Logan Street Elementary School Auditorium. His word where very shocking. In essences, bicycles don't belong on the streets.
Cyclist in the neighborhood and those that ride in the Echo Park area are encouraged to come out, read the minutes, fill out a speakers card and talk about the right of cyclist on the streets. Cycling to the event is encouraged. Dressing the part, (you all dress already), will show a presence of cyclist in the room.
Please come out and join this meeting
Logan Street Elementary School Auditorium
Tuesday January 23rd @ 7:00pm
1711 Montana St
Los Angeles, CA 90026
www.gepenc.org
reply
make a ride of it Sexy. post that shit.
Roadblock01.17.07 - 10:32 pm
reply
Before an midnight army starts to assemble, wouldn't it be worthwhile to consider for a moment the chance that this gentleman's comments could have been in reference to the 1000+ people who not only flood his neighborhood on a regular basis but rampantly break the law while doing it?
Also, if you plan on crashing the meeting to plead your case as to why bicyclists should be allowed to run red lights just because there's a lot of them, do yourself a favor and show up dressed as a normal person and not a sweaty cyclist in strange clothes. It will make you appear to be more like them. That's an old trick to bikers have done for years to appear respectable in the eyes of THE MAN.
chunk01.18.07 - 12:57 am
reply
Actually, I find it quite likely that the man is question was reffering to everyday cyclists, who commute throughout the Echo Park area day and night 365 days a year; rather than the surge of cyclists that pass through echo park for 20 minutes every month or so. Some drivers just don't like to share the road.
I have yet to read the actual comments, but as sexy reports it, the comment was about cyclists, not massive groups of cyclists.
As for our looks well, if you have ever been on an MR ride you know that even on a friday night the looks range from Bike Punk, to Bike Nerd, to Silverlake Hipster, to button-down neatnick and many points in-between. We are who we are and we live and work in E.P. This isn't larchmont village ya know.
And as far as the sweat factor: with this chilly-ass weather we are having, it shouldn't be an issue unless someone is rolling in from the westside. But heck, if any ridazz wanna roll up in an Escalade sporting a power suit ... comon' down, the more the merrier!
trickmilla01.18.07 - 1:46 am
reply
............And as far as the sweat factor: with this chilly-ass weather we are having, it shouldn't be an issue unless someone is rolling in from the westside. .............
~~~~~~~~~~
hey i roll in from the westside when i ride home from work. i can be sweaty. and i'm using the roads in question simply to get home.
i am the "problem" in this man's eyes
bicigol01.19.07 - 11:04 am
reply
oh and by this man i meant David Butler
bicigol01.19.07 - 11:54 am
reply
As it happens
I work in EP tomorrow.
So I will definately be rolling through to the meeting.
Anybody else?
trickmilla01.22.07 - 8:28 am
reply
Hey,
the minutes are posted. the link is:
http://www.gepenc.org/committees/bod.php?detail=117
It is clear David Butler was talking about midnight ridazz if you read the notes. he was not talking about cyclists in general.
However, maybe it would be good to explain ridazz sometimes 'cork' for safety. however, we are not 'aggressive' in general. to make corking look legit at this meeting will be quite a challenge, and is partially why stopping at reds is encouraged on group as large as the latest midnight ridazz.
quote below
"D 4, David: At the end of October we had a shooting on Calumet and one person getting away ran into a bus and caused a scene; our area has seen more shootings and tagging. Maybe NC can work on both of those issues in 07. There is a really aggressive group of bicyclist who travel from Griffith Park, coming down Sunset who stood in front of the intersection for 10 minutes blocking traffic – both cars and pedestrian traffic at 9 p.m. at night. Maybe find out what group this is."
its funny that ridazz are mentioned right after a shooting. um? is blocking an intersection really even in the same ballpark?
regardless it would be good to show up at the meeting to maybe clarify the issues.
charles01.22.07 - 12:04 pm
reply
hmmmm..... it might be better to keep mum about the name of our particular group since Ridazz didnt ride in that area in october did we? and 9pm is early. I dont think that was us...... that was most likely those damn DAYLIGHT CRAWLERSS they're pretty agressive from what I hear.
Roadblock01.22.07 - 12:22 pm
reply
I'm confused.
Other than that he mentioned us in the same sentence as a shooting, it doesn't seem to me that his comments were all that disparaging.
All the guy was complaining about is that we were blocking the intersection.
Are you all going down there to protest that we have the right to block intersections?
That should make for good theater!
BillyB01.22.07 - 12:27 pm
reply
good point BillyB. as a matter of fact excellent point.
I'm going to most likely check out the meeting but one thing is for sure, none of us have the right to represent the Ridazz when we go. In fact best Let them do their homework in finding out who that was that was riding around like hooligans. I guarantee they were talkiing about the fuckin DAYLIGHT CRAWLERSS. Those guys are actually Nazi punks diguised as silverlake hipster cyclists trying to thwart our scene. fuck them we got beef!
Roadblock01.22.07 - 12:45 pm
reply
i agree no one should argue large rides have the right to block intersections at this meeting. as was said before, making corking look legit at a meeting like this will be interesting theater at best.
but someone should be there to represent cyclists in general, so that discussion about mass group rides does not come across as general cyclist bashing. i commute to and from echo park every day, and having some respect from the local community and its drivers is critical to my safety, like it or not.
charles01.22.07 - 2:15 pm
reply
I was attempting to google up pictures of the fuckin DAYLIGHT CRAWLERSS and found nothing (cause they are so diabolically secretive) but searching the words nazi cyclists brought me to this interesting article about a naked group ride in London which apparently also blocks traffic for 10 minutes, the article goes on to mention the use of bicycles by the nazis, Japanese and Swiss armies. apparently some militaries found it beneficial to invade on bikes!
http://motoring.independent.co.uk/comment/article1090799.ece
Roadblock01.22.07 - 2:28 pm
reply
"The bicycle is not just a fluffy bunny: in its time, it has been a dog of war."
Joe Borfo01.22.07 - 4:12 pm
reply
speaking of fluffy bunnies..... when you bringing back the bunny Borfo?
Roadblock01.22.07 - 4:26 pm
reply
maybe that guy was trying to say that law enforcement cant use the roads to respond to shootings because we are clogging up the intersections?
ruinedbyidiots01.22.07 - 4:29 pm
reply
nah, that couldn't be it...I've seen the big group of the Ridazz all pull over and off the street when there have been sirens coming from behind...in fact it was more orderly than I thought it would be
adrian01.22.07 - 4:39 pm
reply
on the other hand I've seen those DAYLIGHT CRAWLERSS purposely block Ambulances and Fire Trucks!!
Roadblock01.22.07 - 5:17 pm
reply
I spoke to a gentleman from the Echo Park Neighborhood Council. He said that comments made in November were in reference to the Midnight Ridazz. He also acknowledged that his two sons ride with the Ridazz.
I don't think that this is necessarily an adversarial situation that requires an aggro response but is actually an opportunity for us to take advantage of the fact that the subject of riding a bike on the streets is up for discussion.
I would suggest that we show up, sign in, introduce ourselves as cyclists who ride, like to ride and just want to ride cooperatively with others.
There is no need to take the bait and defend a group that rode months ago and may have upset motorists by dominating the roads.
But...this is a great opportunity to reach out to the Neighborhood Council and appeal to them as Community Leaders to look at cyclists as a transportation solution.
This is a great time to encourage them to accommodate alternative forms of transportation.
This is a great time to let them experience cyclists as people who just want to travel the same roads and move in cooperation with others.
This is a great time for us to avoid the "Unsafe cyclists! Oh yeah? Unsafe motorists!" debate and simply stand before the Council and appeal to their sense of community and speak loudly and eloquently, from our personal experiences, of our desire to ride safely, cooperatively and with respect!
Stephen
SoapBoxLA01.22.07 - 7:08 pm
reply
Let's meet at Echo Park's Brite Spot Diner, 1918 W. Sunset Blvd @ 6 pm and head from there to the Neighborhood Council.
(We'll be riding from Hollywood/Western at 5:30 pm and get to the Brite Spot by 6 pm.)
Enci
illuminateLA01.22.07 - 7:34 pm
reply
I was writing a long ass comment and their stupid page apparently auto-refreshed before I could post. I lost it all...... word to the wise, write your shit out in another program then copy paste into their bullshit. to the LA Times: nice programming dumdums!
Roadblock01.22.07 - 8:04 pm
reply
I originally posted that the Great Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (www.gepenc.org) that "Board of Governors member David Butler spoke disparaging about cyclist being on the Roads in Echo Park." I also stated that, "His word where very shocking. In essences, bicycles don't belong on the streets."
The information was given to me by someone who attended the meeting, that I felt that the information very reliable. It was his (the person who told me this information) intention to let it be know that these sentiments where being discussed by this particular member of GEPENC. He asked me to notify those in the bicycle community. His intentions, as I interpreted them was too get those that ride bicycles in Echo Park to be involved in discussion and decision making, that could possibly be suggestion to the Los Angeles City Council in regards legislation, policy, or enforcement pertaining to bicycles. The person who relayed me the information felt very strongly that bicycles should be embraced, and encouraged in the community and throughout Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, I did not wait until the minutes of the Meeting where published before I posted this out to everyone. As some of you may have read in the minutes, it was posted that
There is a really aggressive group of bicyclist who travel from Griffith Park, coming down Sunset who stood in front of the intersection for 10 minutes blocking traffic – both cars and pedestrian traffic at 9 p.m. at night. Maybe find out what group this is.
This does not sounds as if this is "Very Shocking", "that bicycles don’t belong on the street", or that even "he spoke disparaging about bicycles being on the road in Echo Park". Because none of this was written in the minutes, and even though I do trust the person who told it to me. I have to say that what I wrote before was all hearsay. If David Butler did not speak as I reported, then I owe him an apology. If he did speak in that matter, then I feel it is the responsibility of those of us that live or ride in the GEPENC area to attend the meeting and be part of the discussion.
I apologize if my prior posting/email may have been written without regards to the truth of the matter. The words of David Butler, may or may not have been spoken as I portrayed them to be. I do encourage all of you that can make it out to the meeting to do so. If anything, to let it be known that we are members of the community that choose to conduct our daily businesses on bicycles.
It may only be a ride that he was referring too or, bicyclist in general. I will find out tomorrow for sure.
Please join me in attending the meeting and to allow David Butler to clarify what he had said and what he had meant by what he had said.
Logan Street Elementary School Auditorium
Tuesday January 23rd @ 7:00pm
1711 Montana St Los Angeles, CA 90026
p.s.
I don't think the shoting has anything to do with the bicyclist, I think thats the way it was just written up in the minutes. I'am really proud of the discussion that has taken place on this thread and that cooler heads gave the suggestions such as Soapbox La gave.
sexy01.22.07 - 9:36 pm
reply
Just out of curiousity...
Are any Ridazz out there also members of their local neighborhood watch programs? If so, their presence at this meeting could be beneficial.
This may seem like an unfounded concern, but I wonder if officials who don't like or don't understand bicycle advocacy groups such as Ridazz may go ahead and lump everyone as "another menacing LA gang"; especially with groups like the Daylight Crawlerss who wish to be unruly instead of productive.
These recent articles made me think that some city officials and law enforcement officers may mistakenly pigeonhole Midnight Ridazz and other friendly bicycle groups as "gangs" and it's a serious concern.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/22/la.gangs.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1996364,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12
Any thoughts?
Sir Terrence Tuppins01.22.07 - 10:15 pm
reply
on your way to the meeting keep an eye out for this little bad boy
its right in front of the check-cashing place next to sea level in the east bound bike lane.
btw/ i stand corrected ... I guess that's pretty clear.
thanks to everyone who kept the info flowing.
in a way, while we were living in cloud of mis-perception before the actual minutes were published, that inital jolt was enought to remind me that yes, even if sombody is not overtly hating on the bike culture, yes I should still be participating.
trickmilla01.22.07 - 11:30 pm
reply
As long as we're getting political...
Check out the LA City Council motion calling "for the consideration of bicyclists and pedestrians in the planning, design and construction and reconstruction of all transportation projects.
The motion was made by Councilmember Ed Reyes on December 20, 2006 and seconded by Councilmember Bill Rosendahl . It is now working its way through committee.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&FriendID=102794722&blogMonth=12&blogDay=23&blogYear=2006
Encourage your Councilmember to support the motion. While you have their attention, Tell 'em to ride a bike!
SoapBoxLA01.23.07 - 2:51 am
reply
SoapBoxLA: "Encourage your Councilmember to support the motion. While you have their attention, Tell 'em to ride a bike!"
I've sent an email to the 5 council members engaged on this project along with my contact information if they need more help.
BillyB01.23.07 - 6:30 am
reply
haha ... damn soapbox ... that's got to be one of the ugliest bits of bike lane I have ever seen. I mean, I would'nt be laughing if i was rolling toward it on a road bike on a cold wet night... but right now the absurdity of it is cracking me up in a "Steve Lopez Quirky LA" kind of way.
Anyway .. thanks for the tip on the council motion ... I just sent a note to Eric Garcetti.
trickmilla01.23.07 - 10:14 am
reply
One thing to keep in mind about the minutes is that they are probably not a complete transcript of what was said at the meeting. it is hard to know exactly what was said without actually attending and listening. it is quite possible the truth is some where between the 'hearsay' and the posted minutes.
so yeah, take this chance to get out there and represent cycling in a positive light to our community leaders. its always good to have both sides of the story present so that ideas can be intermingled, and hopefully a higher truth is distilled.
and i cannot imagine ridazz being confused with an aggressive gang. if it was at all, police would not look the other way as they often have in the past. it is really beautiful to have such a large crowd of people on bikes flow through the city, and leave little more than small groups of flat fixers in their wake.
charles01.23.07 - 12:35 pm
reply
the Ridazz always ride with respect for the community. sometimes members of the fuckin Daylight Crawlerss infiltrate and litter or yell at cars.... but for the most part we are a peaceful bunch and don't want any problems. We love the LAPD and show them respect and they in turn sometimes cork for us and help us along. a love fest if you will.
Roadblock01.23.07 - 12:46 pm
reply
It is interesting how that respect often doesnt flow in return. I can't think of too many incidents where ridazz or even those villainous daylight crawlers, evil as they are, have thrown solid objects at passing motorists, or even tried to run them off the road.
It's also interesting how the respect level drops even more once our numbers dwindle down. Take for example the east end ride last saturday, the ride went really smoothly, and everything, however, on my way home I nearly got run off the road (by a speedup and make a left turn type) and yelled at and had someone roll up behind and blow their horn then drive by laughing, three separate cars in about as many blocks. It really is a testament to the ridazz that we really DONT take the time when we have the upper hand to get revenge. If the people who complain about our occasional corking or delaying of traffic were to know what most bicyclists go through on a ridely basis, they'd probably complain a hell of a lot less.
FuzzBeast01.23.07 - 3:27 pm
reply
we need to be the bigger Ridazz man. really. if we just remain poised and friendly the losers will become irrelevant.
Too Tall Jahmal01.23.07 - 4:02 pm
reply
+1 to fuzzbeast
being on a bike sets you up in a very vulnerable position, and a few drivers seem to really cash in on this power trip. ive had food spit on me, been knicked by car mirrors, been nudged from behind on purpose at red lights, its astounding what people in cars will do to you because they feel isolated and safe. if all the midnight ridazz (not to mention those blasted daylight crawlers) go through the shizz i go through with cars on a daily basis, corking is quite a restrained retaliation. way to take the high road ridazz.
its easy to look at motorists, and demonize all of them. but you have to remember, those horrible situations and horrible people causing them are by far in the minority. i interact with hundreds of motorists each day, it just takes a very small percentage of assholes to ruin my ride. and i can guarantee you that small percentage is out there.
i wish more of those LAPD bike officers on the sidewalks in hollywood would get in the street and ride at pace with traffic for more than 2 blocks, and get a feel for just how nasty motorists can get. then maybe they would be more focused on enforcing cyclist rights, and less focused on stopping me to see if i have a stupid white blinkie up front.
charles01.23.07 - 4:42 pm
reply
The Echo Park Neighborhood Council meeting went well. In fact, it went great!
Enci, Jen, Paul, David & Dad, Patrick and I were all there and 5 of us were able to give public comment at the beginning of the meeting.
Our comments were well received. Jen announced BikeWinter and invited the group to get a bike and join us for a ride. She also spoke of her hit-and-run incident and her experience chasing justice. Enci passed out the Ed Reyes City Council Motion and asked the NC to support it and to join us in fighting for our place on the road. Paul and David both pointed out that Echo Park has much to be proud of, including the vibrant cycling culture that draws people from all over the city. I addressed congestion and the need for us all to get along, reminding them that every time they see one of us on a bike it means one less car in their way.
David Butler was gracious and thanked us for coming. Others in the audience approached and offered comments of support including an Architect that wants cyclists involved in planning of the Glendale Blvd. terminus project.
Councilmembers Garcetti and Reyes both had deputies in the audience. There were two Senior Leads from Rampart and the City Attorney was represented. We were able to talk to all of them outside the meeting.
Thanks to Sexy for firing it up. It's important that we maintain visibility and follow through on our requests for respect, consideration, enforcement, education.
SoapBoxLA01.24.07 - 2:43 am
reply
Thanks for representin' Y'all!
It was cool meeting you all last night.
Sadly i got caught at work and showed up an hour late and missed all the good stuff. But, yeah. Thanks for putting such a positive face on for the people. I'd consider it a huge success.
Ride on!
trickmilla01.24.07 - 10:21 am
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
