PHOTOS: Storm the Bastille and AB 766 Press Conference

I wrote about the Hummer incident, and I helped to organize the response.  50 cyclists rode to LA City Council at the Van Nuys City Hall on May Day, and spoke for over an hour about their dissatisfaction with LAPD.  In the end Council formulated a motion on the spot requesting that LAPD report back regarding conflicts between motorists and cyclists.  A spectacular victory, which was followed by a spectacularly disingenous report by LAPD last Friday.

The next week I went to press conference in support of AB 766 held by the bills author, Assistant Majority Leader of the California Assembly, Paul Krekorian.  The bill restores local control over speed limits, which currently have to be raised if more than 15% of motorists are speeding and the local authorities would like to use radar enforcement.  The bill failed to make it through committee last week, but it’s not dead.

Such is the way with activism of any kind – 20 steps forward, and then you measure progress by whether you are forced to take 22 steps back, or just 19.  Here are some photos from the events:

Shane speaks to the council.

The group stood behind cyclists in solidarity as they spoke.

Roadblock passes through the 2nd street tunnel on our way from the Police Commission hearing to the Office of the Inspector General to file a complaint against Officer Cho.

Paul Krekorian makes a point about the danger of constant speed limit rises.

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel takes the podium to speak about the problems her district has had with high speed limits.

Matt “Stilline” smiles during the council meeting.  Matt was one of two cyclists nearly run over when the Hummer driver left the scene of the assault.

Three iconic figures in the bike culture – Ted Rogers of BikingInLA and la duderina watch the meeting while Stephen Box twitters furiously.

Stilline smokes outside after public comment.  In the background Tom LaBonge tries to convince the most diehard Midnight Ridazz that they should give up group riding.

Councilman Alarcón speaks.

DJ Chickenleather interviews Krekorian.

Nicole looks up as we are about to leave Van Nuys City Hall for pizza and polo on a restless and lazy May Day.

Alarcón’s Director of Communications, Becca Doten, observes her boss speaking.

Enci and Ivan laugh it up.

The Bike Writers Collective plus Sarah, Damien Newton, and Paul Krekorian.  We’re #1!