NEValleyride

On Saturday, January 24, through a sponsorship by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro),Bikesan@s del Valle, along with C.I.C.L.E. (Cyclists Inciting Change thru LIVE Exchange) will bring the “Love Your Neighborhood” ride to the North East San Fernando Valley. The ride will start from Lake View Terrace Library near the Hansen Dam and will make several stops to visit community murals and Pacoima City Hall for refreshments. It will end at the Pacoima Wash Natural Park Art Walk but participants will be escorted back to the library. The event aims to familiarize riders with this creative and beloved community within the Valley by exploring historical sites, trails, and new additions.

This ride is family-friendly, leisurely-paced and will return to the starting point. This is a fully supported ride, led by trained Ride Leaders, an EMT, and volunteers. Prior to the ride we will address safe street riding and group ride etiquette to ensure smooth sailing. This ride is 10 miles and will return to the starting location. Metro has donated 150 bicycle light sets to share with participants.

Date: Saturday, January 24, 2015
Time: Meet at 12:00pm, the ride will leave promptly at 12:30pm
Location: Lake View Terrace Library
12002 Osborne Street, Sylmar, CA 91342 [map]

The starting location is accessible by Metro bus lines 90 and 233. For more information, see the Facebook event here.

What to bring: Bring water, a snack and a bicycle in good working order. This ride is FREE and open to anyone but all participants should be able to ride a bike safely with the ability to brake, change gears, and balance while stopping and starting. All participants under 18 MUST wear a helmet and be escorted by a parent or guardian. Children under age 8 should be on a tag-a-long, bike trailer, tandem or other safe child-carrying device to participate in the ride.

Bikesan@s del Valle is a self-sustained cyclist collective from the East San Fernando Valley riding to inspire a community on wheels. Bikesan@s provides a not-for-profit service to the community by promoting bicycle mechanics and awareness as well as social justice and autonomous living. The collective seeks to cultivate seeds of consciousness by creating a more united sense of community. Bikesan@s will provide bicycle mechanics and promote bicycle culture by making knowledge and tools readily available to the community while never turning anyone away for lack of funds. The group promotes social justice and autonomous living by working with, listening to, and keeping strong ties among the community and likeminded groups. Bikesan@s operates on the maxim: build from what we do have and make what we do not have.

Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) is a nonprofit organization working to promote the bicycle as a viable, healthy, and sustainable transportation choice.

Metro is the planner, operator and builder of LA County’s expanding public transportation system. The agency plays an important role in bicycle planning across LA County, funding more than $155.5 million for bicycle projects since 1993, facilitating first mile/last mile connections to transit, and supporting bicycle transportation through various policies and programs. Metro’s sponsorship of C.I.C.L.E. events helps fulfill the agency’s goals of encouraging bicycle trips and promoting safe cycling skills.