Are you into bicycling? Do you like a casual ride on the weekends? How about commuting to work via a bike? Maybe you want to live a car-free life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the LA Bike Summit was the place to be on this recent Saturday.

I discovered this event at the last minute, went–and it didn’t disappoint. It started first thing in the morning, with an introduction from four knowledgeable, experienced, and interesting keynote speakers:

Noah Budnick – Transportation Alternatives, New York City

Dhyana Quintanar Solares – Coordinator for the Bicycle Mobility Strategy, Mexico City

Bernardo Baranda Sepúlveda – Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, Mexico

Eleanor Blue – BikePortland.org, Portland, Oregon

Throughout the conference, you could choose to attend at least three panel discussions– among many offered–for a particular time during the day—mid morning, after lunch and afternoon. Along with a free lunch, the day was filled with bike conversation. I attended these:

· Women and Bikes

· Lose up to Two tons in One Day: The Amazing Car-Lite Diet

· Bike Blogs and More: Electronic Communications Panel

Some Interesting Facts

Did you know that on average, we spend $8000 per year on our family’s transportation? In today’s society of two-car families, the second largest household expense is our cars.

Here in Los Angeles, 60% of all of our daily trips are less than 5 miles, and nationwide, 40% of our daily journeys are less than 2 miles. I don’t know about you, but I’m able to bike 2 miles pretty easily. If you live in Wisconsin like Lisa, biking with 2 feet of snow on the ground isn’t an option, but in the warmer months, it can be.

How can I go to the grocery store, get all of my food, and fit it on a bike? Surprisingly, there are ways to do that.

I met some amazing people, and a few people I already knew through their writing on their blogs. It was the first time I had ever met any of the bloggers I follow in person. In fact, I was sitting in on the panel discussion about blogs and bikes, and I mentioned a blog I’d read about where there was an altercation that between a biker and a car driver. Guess what? That blogger was sitting across table from me in the audience. I was amazed. Putting a face to the words just makes the words all that more special.

The LA Bike Summit was totally free: No admission charge. The event was held on the campus of Los Angeles Trade Technical College, so there was free parking across the street. (Actually, many of the participants in this event rode their bikes, which I will do next time.) Lunch consisted of a vegan meal full of fresh vegetables–and an eggplant sandwich (which was very good), with a small desert–was also free. And if all of that free stuff wasn’t enough, I also received a free T-shirt. Frankly I haven’t had a less expensive day full of education, talking, and learning in a long time.

If you’re interested in biking in Los Angeles, here are a few resource links you should check out.

LA Streetsblog

Midnight Ridazz

Bikex Database

green LA girl

BikingInLA

C.I.C.L.E.

Bicycle Kitchen

LADOT Bicycle Services

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

bikeboom

Green Bike Program, Pitzer College

BikeSage

City Lites

Safe Routes to School Partnership

[Ed.Note]If you should or want to be on Travelin’ Local’s LA Biking resource list, all you need to do is send your link or information via the Contact Page.

And if you’re not biking in the Los Angeles area, I’m sure there are many local groups in your neighborhood that can help. Until I started looking, I had no idea what resources were available here.

So, are you going to take your bike out for a ride this week?

Travelin’ Local by bike is lean, green, and makes you feel like a power machine..………..:)