LAist: Tom LaBonge Claims He's 'Big on Bikes,' Declares Festival Bike-Free

ingipet

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:28:55 -0800

Yup Will. Totally legit critique. I've already told his office about it.... and forwarded them this story with comments. Hopefully he will get it this time around. Lifting the ban is the most sensible idea and could really show the cycling community that he is ready to challenge: 1. the status quo of thinking about bikes in Griffith Park during LADWP Festival.. 2. LADOT and the 3. MTA, and 4. NBC UNIVERSAL on the LA river bike path etc.etc.... and on and on --- bike stuff we all care about. Here's to it! His next ride is in Griffith Park! What an IDEAL time to show up and voice your concerns to him. Maybe don't lead with, "hey douchebag! so, i've had this great idea about bikes...."

Will Campbell

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:05:12 -0800

I had far more fun storming the light festival last year than I did riding during the token bike night the LADWP and LaBonge see fit to foist upon us like some lipsticked pig. I appreciate and support Tommy in his schedule of bike rides, but I seriously think he's bi-polar the more he rejects calls to un-ban bikes from Griffith Park during the light show.

jrb

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:00:04 -0800

DWP has been giving away energy efficient light bulbs at most of the events they've tabled at the last couple of years. I bet they will be giving them away at this event too.

ingipet

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:47:17 -0800

REMOVE THE BAN ON HORSES ON GRIFFITH PARK DURING THE DWP FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS!! THAT IS LIKE, SO UNFAIR TO HORSES!!!

ingipet

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:44:50 -0800

Which is a totally legit critique. I will be bringing it up with LaBonge at next Wednesday's ride. No effin joke! He actually wants to do a recurring car-free night for the park, similar to what central park does on weekends. The smartest thing he could do at this point would be to drop the ban, which we take away the need for this silly, silly silly silly silly silliness.

GarySe7en

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:40:22 -0800

I think it's pretty rad Tom actually hosts rides and dialogs with cyclists, but it's lame the stubborn insistence that a park event be exclusively for cars, especially since bikes are allowed to use the road, and horses for that matter as brought up be the equestrians. Oh well, illegal biking it is, and I'm sure it will be more pleasant then the 405..

ingipet

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:39:57 -0800

let's just try that again... Tom LaBonge's Promise LIVE THE DREAM!!!

ingipet

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:38:38 -0800

here are the upcoming rides his office has promised... TOM/ingridpeterson/ LABONGE'S PROMISE I made it into one of the spoke cards for the ride....

lost feliz

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:37:01 -0800

As if the frickin' apocalyptic traffic and smog around this holiday festival weren't bad enough, they won't even let horses and bikes through. Though slightly swarmy and insider, I had always kinda liked La Bonge's civic enthusiasm. Hell, makes up for my lack of it. But this... this is just weak lame thinking that's a microcosm of this world that can't change anything for the better due to lame-O traditions. I'm not taking my daughter to this again until the it's car free. 'cause 'it's about the kids!'

ingipet

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:36:28 -0800

i've been coordinating with them closely, and was hyping the ride for 2 weeks on midnight ridazz and streetsblog. we had a great turnout!!! cork it up LABONGE!! my flickr set NEXT WEEK - GRIFFITH PARK!!

Zach Behrens

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:29:25 -0800

ingipet, we do care about Tom's rides, but his office made us savvy to Wednesday's ride one hour before the ride itself. Not exactly good timing to tune up the bike, get on the subway and get down to 4th and Vermont in time to make it. They said they will warn us ahead of time from now on and that's a good thing!

ingipet

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:19:31 -0800

What else is funny is that Tom LaBonge corked every single intersection on Wednesday night's Positively 4th Street Ride. Guess we'll leave it up to LA Metblogs, and LA Streetsblog to cover the rest!! http://la.metblogs.com/2008/07/24/tom-labonges-summer-of-bike-love-kicks-off/ LA-ist doesn't care about that side of Tom LaBonge, now do they? Clearly the ban should be lifted and LaBonge is trying to dodge it the issue. BUT - He is also the only city councilmember organizing bike rides in L.A. of his own volition. A mildly awesome thing in an of itself. Great job looking at the big picture!! It just makes the boring lame-ass festival more fun if you get to STORM it with your bikes! BAH! LAME.

Enci

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:19:25 -0800

Cities all over the States and the world are closing down streets for people. Tom LaBonge is closing down a park for cars only. What an effing joke! www.sundaystreetssf.com

thegodofthor

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:48:05 -0800

ehh, what does it matter. Weather they like it or not, there will be bikes. Restricted or not, there will be bikes. What is funny is banning cyclists will just make it a Hot button issue to protest and act out against. Where if they just left it alone like normal traffic rules, nobody would pay attention.

ben bang

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:39:22 -0800

What a douche. That fuckin' festival's traffic is downright apocolyptic.