UCLA Bicycle Academy: Bicycle Politics: Stephen Box in District 4

Friday, March 4, 2011

Bicycle Politics: Stephen Box in District 4

March 8 the LA City Council Elections are taking place, and for cyclists, especially those who can vote in District 4, this is a very important date. March 8. One of the Candidates in district 4, Stephen Box, has a long track record as a bicycle advocate in LA. Stephen is a friend of mine. Our paths have crossed on the board of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, and again on the Board of Sustainable Streets, a non-profit working in the area of bicycle education and encouragement. I know him as a great speaker, a sharp thinker, and a man of the greatest integrity. There is very little warm and fuzzy about Stephen, and that is how it must be, because cyclists don't need warm and fuzzy. We need solid and robust. We need an eloquent, sharp, intelligent representative on the city council.

City Council Elections have a very long tradition of favoring the incumbent. This is never good for democracy. If you have a way to support this challenger, please do it. Share this with your friends who live in North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Larchmont Village, Koreatown, Hancock Park, Silver Lake, Park La Brea, Studio City. Find out more about Stephen Box at his campaign website, on facebook, on You Tube, and Twitter.

Stephen has received many significant endorsements. I am happy for him to count the UCLA Bicycle Academy among his supporters.

Dr Michael Cahn

1 comment:

Unknown said...: Go Box!

Check the box (#35) for Box on Election Day!; March 05, 2011 8:27 AM

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Our Board

Phillip Bonacich (President) is emeritus professor of sociology with an interest in the economy of power in groups. He is a long time bicycle commuter and his daughter, Cory Caletti, is a senior transportation planner and bicycle program manager for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission. Phillip cycles from Mar Vista.
Michael Cahn (Secretary) has "invented" the Bicycle Academy in 2008. He occasionally teaches a class on the history of transportation for the history department. He is a former board member of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and previously served as secretary of the Cambridge Cycling Campaign. He runs a secondhand bookshop in Cambridge (UK). He cycles from Santa Monica.
Jack Katz (Director) is professor of sociology with an interest in video documentation of the interactions of cycling in urban traffic. He would like to work with others to evaluate local candidates for political office for their track record on cycling issues. He picked up a 20$ bike at a garage sale on the way back from the car repair place 15 years ago, and would never be without one since. In the morning, he puts the bike on the 20 / 720 bus near Koreatown, and enjoys the ride back from campus.
Michael Manville (Director) is a professor of Urban Planning at the Luskin School of Public Affairs. He rides to campus from West Hollywood. Lucky him, he says he has been able to avoid for car commute for most of the positions he has held in the past. He is an active participant in regional planning issues and contributes to legislative initiatives on housing and transport.
Suzanne Paulson (Director) is a professor of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science and at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. She rides to campus from Sunset Park in Santa Monica on a quality steel bike. She has cycling company on her commute because her son Ry attends Geffen Academy on campus. He likes to use her panniers to transport his books to school.
Alex Purves (Director) is an Associate Professor of Classics at UCLA. She bicycles to campus from Santa Monica and also cycles with son to his elementary school. She is currently writing a book on Homer, who knew neither bicycles nor cars, but who did sing of the odd collision between chariots and pedestrians.
David Williams (Director) is a professor of Ophthalmology and Neurobiology at UCLA. He does research and teaches on the retina, and would like to see more motorists using their retina to view the road rather than their smart phones. He cycles in Westwood, but prefers places where there are fewer motor vehicles.

Purpose and Membership

The purpose of the UCLA Bicycle Academy is to improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians at UCLA. The Academy will
* Advocate for bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ interest on UCLA facilities
* Work with the campus and agencies and communities surrounding the campus in order to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to campus.
* Host social and educational events with a focus on bicycle/pedestrian issues related to UCLA.
Membership is open to current or former staff or faculty or visiting scholars of UCLA. Partners and family members of the above are also eligible as members. Students are welcome to all our functions.