Friday, November 8, 2013 in Oakland, CA (10:45A-12:15P) University‐Neighborhood Partnerships for a Bike‐Friendly South Los Angeles In car-obsessed Los Angeles, community groups, transportation planners, and university researchers are teaming up in innovative ways that help tame our urban streets and make them more conducive for biking and walking. Panelists will discuss some of the creative strategies they have developed to promote bicycle safety education, bicycle facility improvements, and community involvement in active transportation. Allison Kendall, Principal Planner+Architect, Kendall Planning + Design; Tafarai Bayne, TRUST South LA; Otto Khera, USC Bike Commuters; Françcois Bar, USC Researcher; Cristian Marroquin, Urban Farmer, Community Services Unlimited

1. Bike Education and Safety for the
USC Neighborhoods & Community
California Bike Summit
November 8, 2013
Otto Khera, USC Bike Commuters

2. Collaborative Project
• Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition + USC (Bike
Commuters)
• Funded by the Good Neighbors Campaign which
is an employee-funded program designed to
improve USC’s outreach and impact on the local,
surrounding communities and neighborhoods.
• Goal: To propagate a culture of bike safety and
bike traffic skills for USC and the surrounding
communities and neighborhoods –> CONNECT
PEOPLE who are doing this already …

3. Context
• USC is a large university of 40,000 students and
10,000 employees on on two campuses; with
30,000 students and 6,000 employees on the
South LA campus.
• Surrounded by major transportation arteries for
Los Angeles, including freeways (110 + 10) and
major surface street arteries.
• USC is the largest private employer with a 7%
bike commuter rate --- most of whom are
students many of whom lack essential bike safety
skills.

7. Bikes Bikes Bikes Everywhere ….

8. How do we prepare for the future?
• High growth in cycling amongst students, and
increased cycling amongst staff and faculty.
• New bicycle infrastructure in Los Angeles and
the surrounding area including “My Figueroa!”
and other projects in the area.
• Immersed in a car-centric city with generally
poor cycling safety behaviors.

10. Start with the Baseline: LCI Standards
• League Cycling Instructor certification for 12 USC +
South LA/LA ‘bike leaders’ –> Let’s make it work for
each other. (Standards)
• Bike ‘Rodeos’ or Kids Bike Festivals x2 (Fun)
• Themed rides through the neighborhood – food
related; safe routes; trash pick up; family rides --create some attention and participation that helps join
the campus with the community and neighborhoods.
(Experts + Fun)
• Outreach to area schools and groups – USC Family of
Schools, local organizations, local events. (Attention:
Impact)

18. South LA Kids Bike Festival
aka ‘bike rodeo’
Bike Safety & Fun

19. Neighborhood / Community Rides

20. Outreach to Area
Organizations & Events

21. Experimentation & Social Connections

22. Principles to Consider
• Work with existing standards and practices –
LCI, institutional realities, local context.
• Leverage strengths of existing experts and
institutions.
• Make it FUN!
• Get the word out : Get Attention. (Impact …)
• Experiment if possible ….