Bicyclists to Lobby for More Facilities

Of all the special interests vying for the new mayor’s attention, one group hopes to gain momentum by drafting behind Richard Riordan’s passion for cycling.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee, set up by former Mayor Tom Bradley 19 years ago to promote cycling as a transportation alternative, has made some gains, including the installation of hundreds of miles of bicycle paths and lanes throughout Los Angeles, committee Chairman Alex Baum said.

The panel, which operates without a budget, plans to lobby the mayor, City Council and transportation officials for more bicycle racks, showers and other facilities at all light-rail and subway stations, Baum said.

And although the 19-member committee has not yet approached Riordan, Baum said, it also would like a commitment from the new mayor to help find funding for the completion of a bike path along the Los Angeles River, from the northern Topanga Canyon area to downtown. Riordan will have the opportunity to appoint four new members to the committee.

Baum said he was concerned, after Bradley announced that he would not run for mayor again, that the city’s new chief executive would not have the same enthusiasm for bicycle issues.

“Now I know Mr. Riordan is a cyclist, I am encouraged,” Baum said. “He must know what can be accomplished by using the bicycle as a mode of transportation: less traffic, less congestion, cleaner air and more healthy people.”