Today I joined approximately 300 people who packed the Metro Board Room for the Mayor Villaraigosa’s Bike Summit. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that so many people came out to support a more bicycle-friendly Los Angeles.

I remember standing in that very room 12 years ago as a young Executive Director of the LA County Bicycle Coalition speaking to the MTA Board of Directors with only a handful of other advocates advocating for and eventually winning a commitment for $6.7 million more dollars for bike and pedestrian infrastructure.  

The bicycle movement has come so far since then, growing in numbers, organizations, rides and capacity to influence the city (For more info on the growing bike movement, check out my Mexico City Bicitekas blog post).  Today, so many people eloquently called for Los Angeles to do more for cycling. I’m very grateful for all of the people and organizations that came out and spoke today. I also appreciate the Mayor, head of Metro, head of LADOT and head of City Planning listening to everyone’s comments. 

I’m hopeful that the City works to implement its bike plan and would like to see the entire 1,600 miles of proposed bikeways created in the next five years.  I know this will certainly cost more than $6.7 million, but given today's strong turnout and growing bicycle movement, I know it's absolutely possible.