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A group of local cyclists have formed a political group focused on cycling issues and candidates at the ballot box. Taking no political sides, the group aims “to help ensure safer streets and a more bike-friendly community for all of us," according to its website.
“This group is a purely political organization," explained co-founder Ted Rogers, who runs the blog Biking in LA. where he often interviews candidates on cycling issues. "Our purpose is to host forums and debates, get candidates on the record for their stands on bicycling issues, and to endorse and support bike-friendly candidates and propositions — which groups like the [Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition] are prohibited from doing due to their non-profit status.”
The group says an estimated 400,000 registered voters in Los Angeles also ride a bicycle. In the last mayoral election, only 285,000 people cast ballots.
"For years we've tried playing nice, going along to get along, quietly sitting at meetings, waiting to be asked onto the floor for a dance,” added co-founder Josef Bray-Ali, also the owner of the Flying Pigeon LA bike shop in Highland Park. “We've learned that the only place we can get our elected officials to pay attention is at the ballot box."
