Long Beach is on a mission.
To evaluate their progress and examine the future of becoming the most bicycle-friendly city in America, the City of Long Beach will hold three public community meetings on Thursday, November 19 to discuss how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
The meetings will be led by Jeff Mapes, a political reporter for The Oregonian and the author of Pedaling Revolution.
With his experience in the ways that bicycling initiatives transform large cities, Mapes will lead discussions on the professional, academic and community aspects of the City’s biking plan.
Last April, Long Beach held its first annual Bicycle Fest celebration and professional race through the downtown streets. Former professional racer Tony Cruz, a Long Beach resident, has been recruited to lead the charge in promoting the biking initiative and draft new ordinances throughout the city. A press release from the City indicates that more than $10 million in grant funding is currently being used for increased biking facilities, signs and education campaigns.
The times and descriptions of the community meetings are listed below:
Brown Bag Luncheon, Professional Focus
12–1:30 pm Studio One Eleven 111 West Ocean Blvd., 20th Floor
Bring your brown bag lunch and enjoy an overview from professional, practitioner perspective on cycling in American cities and how Long Beach is measuring up to its goal of becoming the best bike city in America.Mid-Afternoon Discussion, Academic Focus
2:30– 3:30 pm California State University, Long Beach – University Bookstore
Mapes will present an overview and then lead a lively discussion of social/political change in America and how cyclists are actively engaged in reshaping American cities.Evening Discussion, Community Focus
6:00 – 8:00pm Long Beach Museum of Art – 2300 East Ocean Blvd.
Mapes will address key findings of his research related to cycling in America, forecast upcoming innovations, and report on political/economic trends that support cycling as a viable, attractive transportation option.
(Photo at top by Samuel Lippke)