At Summit, Mayor Villaraigosa Pledges to Support and Attend CicLAvia

Jenn Su and Max Podemski hoist the CicLAvia banner high at yesterday's Bike Summit. Photo by Gary Kavanagh

At yesterday’s first ever city-sponsored Bike Summit, Mayor Villaraigosa pledged his support for CicLAvia.  After visiting Guadalajara’s Via RecreActiva, the mayor was “frustrated over the bureauocracy” of hosting a similar event here.

City Transportation staff put mayoral staff in touch with the non-profit CicLAvia organization, and, 288 negotiations later, the city is partnering with CicLAvia to host our first 7-mile event on TEN TEN TEN! 

CicLAvia-istas Adonia Lugo and Aaron Paley made a summit presentation outlining all the great things happening with CicLAvia. The mayor enthusiastically responded that he’s excited to attend the October event. he also stated that he’d like to see CicLAvia become a permanent ongoing series here! The city Department of Transportation (LADOT) General Manager Rita Robinson also expressed support for CicLAvia, including on her MobilityMaven twitter feed.

CicLAvia thanks the mayor for this first, annual summit, and wishes his fractured elbow a speedy recovery. Who knows, maybe he’ll be ready to bike again by October… if not, it’ll be great to see him walking the CicLAvia route. We’re not sure if Rita Robinson bikes much these days, but perhaps there are trustworthy volunteers who might ride both the mayor and the LADOT GM on the backs of tandems or pedicabs that day. 

Adonia and Aaron tag-teaming the summit CicLAvia presentation. Photo decidedly not by Gary Kavanagh

 Additional Bike Summit coverage at Biking In L.A., Gary Rides Bikes and L.A. Streetsblog.