Thank You Neighborhood Councils, BAC, Metro and Other Governmental Partners

Metro’s Bike Coordinator Lynne Goldsmith (orange shirt) at the 2010 CicLAvia. Photo by Gary Leonard. On right is Metro’s Dave Sotero, left are Dave’s friends Kevin and Greg.

This is the second in a series of thank you posts for the folks who made the 10/10/10  CicLAvia possible.  Last week we thanked Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, other L.A. City officials, and city staff. Today it’s the rest of the governmental partners that CicLAvia works closely with.

East Hollywood Neighborhood Council's Elson Trinidad

Thanks first to L.A.’s Neighborhood Councils. The East Hollywood Neighborhood Council was an early leader, endorsing CicLAvia before anyone else knew what was afoot! EHNC also did a great job getting the word out – special thanks to EHNC’s Elson Trinidad. CicLAvia received support from pretty much all of the councils along the route, including Rampart Village Neighborhood Council, MacArthur Park Neighborhood Council, Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, and Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council. Off of the route, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council endorsed CicLAvia, showing that the program benefits not just the immediate neighbors, but all of Los Angeles (plus more!) 

Thanks to the city of Los Angeles’ appointed Bicycle Advisory Committee for supporting CicLAvia on more than one occasion. Kudos to BAC Chair Glenn Bailey and other BAC appointees who we saw out bicycling that day!

L.A.’s Metro has been a critically important partner for multiple reasons. Thanks to Metro chief Art Leahy for marshalling his forces. Thanks also to the leadership of the Metro Board, especially Metro boardmembers Antonio Villaraigosa, Jose Huizar, Rita Robinson (these three we thanked earlier) and Richard Katz.

Huge thanks to all Metro’s bus drivers and train operators - we know that between detours and lots and lots of bikes onboard, CicLAvia made your job a bit more hectic that day. Thanks for your professionalism! Metro buses and trains carried thousands of CicLAvia participants, some of whom had never used Metro before. Commenters have remarked on how helpful Metro staff were – especially assisting bicyclists taking the Metro Red Line.

Metro Monthly, October 2010 featuring article 'CicLAvia Turns LA Streets Into 7-Mile-Long Park October 10'

Metro’s Executive Director of Operations Lonnie Mitchell and Executive Director Roman Alarcon led a Metro effort that included no less than six Metro departments:  Bus and Metro Rail Operations, Bus and Rail Scheduling, Facilities, Sheriffs and MTA Security, Media Relations and Communications. Diego Cardoso, Executive Officer of Metro Transportation Planning, attended CicLAvia and has been a strong advocate for ciclovías and livable walkable bikeable streets.  Thanks to Fran Curbello for getting the CicLAvia word out via Metro Monthly (handout available on buses and trains) and via Metro’s The Source blog. Thanks to David Castillo for overseeing some major-league detouring of Metro buses that day.

We’re grateful to Metro Bicycle Program‘s Lynne Goldsmith, Tony Jusay, and Nate Baird for their assistance, advice and support. Metro’s Paula Carvajal also helped get the word out, and provided goodies and Metro bike maps for CicLAvia participants. Lastly, thanks to Metro Media Relations’ Dave Sotero for riding with us and for keeping bicycling on Metro’s radar.