UCLA Bicycle Academy: October 2013

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Healthy and active transport modes for UCLA along the Westwood Corridor

The LACBC has called the local bike ambassadors to discuss Westwood Boulevard, for which a bike lane is promised in the LA 2010 Bike Plan (passed unanimously by the City Council). Here Westwood Blvd is designated as a “backbone” of the network, not least because it offers the direct connection to UCLA. Now Councilmember Koretz has put planning for this on hold, probably because he has not heard from those voters in this corridor who believe that better bike facilities make for better neighborhoods. How can UCLA become a part of this conversation? This is what we want to discuss with the Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations.

Dear Mr Parker,

The UCLA Bicycle Academy (an informal group of staff and faculty with an email list of 200) and the UCLA Bicycle Coalition, a chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, would like to request a meeting to discuss the opportunities for healthy and active transport modes along the Westwood Corridor, especially in view of EXPO line service starting in 2015.

We would like you to discuss in how far UCLA policy goals relating to the

Healthy Campus Initiative
reduction of traffic, congestion and air quality impacts
Being a good neighbor in Westwood
Creating attractive neighborhoods which can accommodate car-light lifestyles in order to attract and retain students and faculty

could lead UCLA to assume a more active role in the current planing process relating to the implementation of the LA Bicycle Master Plan, which includes a bike route along Westwood Blvd.

Among our members it is a widely shared hope that in the future more UCLA staff and students will have a choice of active and healthy modes for their commute to campus. How can we make this possible?

For the cyclist, the challenging geography around UCLA can be managed with the gear shifter. But in order to address the man-made bottlenecks which surround UCLA in many directions, it seems important that the voice of UCLA be heard more clearly in the local and political conversation. We had initial conversations with Nurit Katz (UCLA Sustainability) and Mike King (Transportation Services) and are currently exploring ways to inform and survey UCLA members resident in the affected area about the planning process for Westwood Blvd.

We would be very grateful for an opportunity to discuss these opportunities with you at your early convenience

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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.

UCLA Bicycle Academy

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Healthy and active transport modes for UCLA along the Westwood Corridor

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