Ride for Milt, Then Write For Milt. DA Jackie Lacey Needs To Hear From You!

On Wednesday I participated in a protest ride to demand justice for Milt Olin, a cyclist who was struck and killed by an LA County Deputy. District Attorney Jackie Lacey was presented with a case recommending prosecution of Deputy Wood, yet she declined to prosecute. Milt was killed while riding in a bike lane on a clear day with perfect visibility. Deputy Wood was texting at the time of the accident, acting in violation of department policy. 

Deputy Wood killed Milt on Mulholland Highway, a place I ride regularly for leisure and exercise, along with hundreds of other cyclists. As some of you may know, I was the victim of a hit and run driver, so this issue is very close to my heart. I was overwhelmed with emotions as I arrived at the memorial yesterday, mostly anger and sadness. Simply put, the DA's decision not to prosecute Deputy Wood is a total miscarriage of justice that must be corrected.

I want to urge you all to write a brief letter to DA Jackie Lacey requesting that she reconsider filing charges against Deputy Wood. 

You can contact DA Lacey via email: webmail@da.lacounty.gov

Snail Mail:

District Attorney's Office


County of Los Angeles


210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000


Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210

Or Telephone: (213) 974-3512

And even Twitter!: @LADAOffice







My mom wrote a moving letter to DA Lacey, which I believe sums up the issue perfectly.

District Attorney's Office
County of Los Angeles
210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210
Telephone: (213) 974-3512 

September 4, 2014 

RE: Your decision to not prosecute Deputy Wood NEEDS TO BE RECONSIDERED 

Honorable Jackie Lacey 

I am writing as a physician, a biker, member of a family of five devoted bikers. and the mother of my youngest’s son who was almost killed by a hit & run while riding a bike on a clear day just like the day Mr Milt Olin was killed by Deputy Wood. I am urging you to reconsider your decision NOT to prosecute the Deputy. All of us have to be held responsible for our failures in judgement and for violating laws. 

It is an outrage to NOT file charges against Deputy Wood on a legal technicality based on an ill conceived exemption. Modern technologies are posing hazards that require special skills and no professional person should be exempted from the consequences of their poor judgement. 

While filing charges will not bring back Mr Olin still this was a senseless killing that could & should have been avoided. It is particularly offensive that the killing happened by a professional dedicated to SERVE & PROTECT. 

I hope you reconsider
Respectfully Yours, 

Maria T. Lymberis, MD
Distinguished Life Fellow American Psychiatric Association
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Honorary
UCLA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

You can also head over to LACBC's site to see another sample letter:

http://la-bike.org/milt-olin

The ride was organized by the LA County Bike Coalition, Yield to Life and the Ghost Bike Foundation.

http://la-bike.org/

http://yieldtolife.org/

https://www.facebook.com/ghostbikefoundation

The family of Milt started a foundation dedicated to eliminating cycling related deaths and injuries:

http://miltolinfoundation.org/

Here's some of the press the event generated:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-vigil-milton-olin-20140903-story.html

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Cyclists-to-Demand-Charges-Vs-Deputy-Who-Fatally-Struck-Prominent-Lawyer-273822971.html

http://ktla.com/2014/09/03/cyclists-to-host-vigil-for-ex-napster-exec-struck-killed-by-deputy/

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/09/03/hundreds-hold-bike-vigil-calling-for-action-in-bicyclist-milt-olins-death/

http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20140903/cyclists-hold-ride-vigil-urging-da-to-prosecute-deputy-in-fatal-calabasas-collision?source=topstoriesrot

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/deputy-fatally-struck-cycling-ex-napster-exec-won-face-charges-article-1.1927064

Ride for Justice for Milt Olin Wednesday September 3, 2014

Tomorrow I'm riding in support of Milt Olin, who was killed by a Los Angeles Deputy who was too busy texting legally to avoid driving into Milt as he rode in the bike lane on Mullholland. Then the District Attorney decided there was no crime worth prosecuting. So long as our society sanctions the legal slaughter of cyclists, you'll find me riding for justice. Join me.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Milt Olin, on the right, with his two sons.Yesterday we learned that the L.A. County District Attorney's Office would not be pressing charges against the sheriff's deputy who struck and killed Milt Olin in Calabasas last December. The sheriff's deputy was typing on his mobile computer in his patrol car when he struck Olin at 48 miles per hour. Olin, a prominent entertainment attorney and former executive for Napster, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Yield to Life, and Ghost Bike Foundation will host a ride and vigil for Milt Olin to call on the D.A. to revisit the investigation and consider pressing charges.

When: Wednesday, September 3

Schedule of events:

4:00 p.m. Meet at crash site (around 22532 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302)
4:15 p.m. Moment of silence
4:30 p.m. Start ride
6:30 p.m. Leave from the L.A. Zoo parking lot (5333 Zoo Dr, Griffith Park, CA 90027). Other riders can meet up here.
7:30-8:00 p.m. Arrive at District Attorney's office (210 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012)
8:00 p.m. Candlelight vigil
The public is invited to join us at the beginning, ride with us, join us for the vigil, or meet us at any point along the way (exact route to be determined).
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Yield to Life, and Ghost Bike Foundation will host a ride and vigil for Milt Olin to call on the D.A. to revisit the investigation and consider pressing charges.
When: Wednesday, September 3
Schedule of events:
4:00 p.m. Meet at crash site (around 22532 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302)4:15 p.m. Moment of silence4:30 p.m. Start ride6:30 p.m. Leave from the L.A. Zoo parking lot (5333 Zoo Dr, Griffith Park, CA 90027). Other riders can meet up here.7:30-8:00 p.m. Arrive at District Attorney's office (210 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012)8:00 p.m. Candlelight vigilThe public is invited to join us at the beginning, ride with us, join us for the vigil, or meet us at any point along the way (exact route to be determined).

For more info visit LACBC website: http://la-bike.org/milt-olin

ACTION ALERT! Hyperion Bridge Needs Your Help! Your Voice Creates Walkable Livable Streets in Los Angeles!

PLEASE Send this email NOW to ensure that Cyclists, Pedestrians and Drivers can all utilize the Hyperion Bridge of the future.

TO:
tom.labonge@lacity.org,
mayor.garcetti@lacity.org,
councilmember.ofarrell@lacity.org,
deborah.weintraub@lacity.org,
ladot@lacity.org

BCC:
roadblock@midnightridazz.com

SUBJECT:
Hyperion Bridge OPTION 3

Customize this letter:

Dear All,

My name is __________. I am a cyclist, pedestrian and driver and I am writing to ask that the historic Hyperion Bridge PLEASE retain BOTH sidewalks, and that it please include buffered bike lanes on both sides of the bridge so that pedestrians and cyclists for generations to come may finally enjoy SAFE convenient access to the LA River bike path, Red Car park (including Councilmember O'Farrell's hard fought bike pedestrian bridge) and all of the amenities of the forth coming Alt 20 plan which invests a billion dollars into the river making it a hugely attractive place for Angelenos to travel to. As of now there are no safe ways to get to and from the river from Silver Lake Echo Park Los Feliz Hollywood KTown and beyond. Creating a livable Hyperion bridge connection will finally accomplish this worthy goal.

I recognize that option 3 will reduce one travel lane heading downhill into Atwater. This will slow the chronic and dangerous speeding on the bridge to a manageable level and the good news is that the traffic studies commissioned by the Bureau of Engineering even under the worst case scenario, show that traffic will actually improve slightly. THIS IS A WIN WIN for Los Angeles.

With option 3, the Hyperion Bridge, and all of its historic features, belvederes and pedestrian amenities will survive and be enhanced for generations to come.

THANK YOU

SIGNED ______________

Death at Los Angeles Critical Mass, Rest in Peace Jerico Culata

If reports are true, Jerico Culata died last night for a number of reasons. The most important one was that we was not wearing a helmet. The second reason was he was riding a bicycle with no brakes. The third reason was he was riding beyond his skill level. It is extremely sad but comes as no surprise that someone has died at Los Angeles Critical Mass.

When I was told of his death, my mind instantly played out following scenario: A young inexperienced cyclist was riding a fixie with no helmet and lost control on a downhill descent. It turns out my guess was not far off...

Jerico Culata of Los Angeles was participating in the Critical Mass ride with up to 700 other riders when he lost control of his bike and slammed into a masonry wall, Clark said. He wasn't wearing a helmet, said LAPD Officer Sara Faden. Faden couldn't confirm reports about whether the bike Culata was riding had brakes. She did say, though that there is a trend of riders are using bikes that have no brakes. Culata went wide on a downhill curve, his friend told a photographer outside the hospital.

After a near death experience thanks to a hit and run driver, I no longer ride critical mass. Sometimes I miss the experience of riding with thousands of others, but it also comes at great risk. Young children with no helmets and no brakes abound at the rides. It's been a ticking time bomb for quite some time. I recall seeing a young rider lose control on a descent in West Hollywood several years ago, run right thru a red light on Santa Monica Blvd and slam right into an Audi. The impact was so severe, the Audi's radiator was crushed and instantly spilled coolant on the street. The cyclist got up, brushed himself off and rode away. It was humorous but also foreshadowed the events of last night.

My heart goes out to Jerico's family and friends. I hope the cycling community will learn from this tragedy.

Please. Wear a helmet, and put a brake on your bike.

Like This Guy!

Or These Guys!

Keep your eyes open at all times!

Know the limits of your skills.

Always look out for your friends.

2012 Amgen Tour of California Mashes Across Los Angeles

A thousand or so die hard cyclists woke up this morning to ride the downtown Los Angeles circuit where Amgen Tour of California concludes today!


Including MOM!


and DAD!


and a lion


and a frog





















After riding the circuit, I quickly rode home to see the pros race down Sunset Boulevard!


Le Tete De La Course


and the peloton!

Miss Traffic: "Take Metro to Ciclavia this Sunday"

Metro made a really cute video promoting how bikes and metro can play nice together, especially on the way to Metro made a really cute video promoting how bikes and metro can play nice together, especially on the way to Ciclavia this sunday. Behold, Miss Traffic! this sunday. Behold, Miss Traffic!

Ciclavia 2012 art exhibition: Some Assembly Required

Some Assembly Required looks like a fun activity to take in during next week's Ciclavia. I'll be bringing out the Shopping Cart Rickshaw once again to bring mirth and merriment to 2 wheeled Angelenos.



CicLAvia Bike Ride with Chad and the Rickshaw thru Downtown L.A. from Alex de Cordoba on Vimeo.

Inspired by Ciclovía, the original, weekly street closure event in Bogotá, Colombia, CicLAvia opens LA streets to pedestrians and bicyclists, creating a temporary web of public space on which residents of Los Angeles can walk, bike, socialize, celebrate and learn more about their own city. On 4/15/12, 10 miles of roadways will temporarily close to car traffic and open for recreational purposes. From Boyle Heights to Downtown, MacArthur Park to East Hollywood, El Pueblo/Olvera Street, and South LA, CicLAvia encourages Angelenos to not only make active use of their streets, but to rediscover the roadways and neighborhoods that too often go unnoticed in a car. Help open LA’s streets… take part in the fourth CicLAvia on April 15, 2012.

Mountain Bike Sunday: Paseo Miramar to Eagle Rock

This past sunday morning, I jumped out of bed bright and early eager to go on a mountain bike ride, my first of the year. I've been looking forward to taking out my barely ridden Jamis cyclocross bike, which has been sitting for 6 months with nowhere to go. It's the perfect bike to ride on fire roads, where major suspension is not needed.




Around 630am, I tossed the Jamis in the back of my truck and drove to Pacific Palisades. I chose to ride up Paseo Miramar, a very steep uphill trail that leads to the Backbone Trail and Eagle Rock.

The backbone trail goes from Will Rogers all the way to Point Mugu. You can literally spend days and days riding around the Santa Monica Mountains on this trail.



I arrived at the trailhead and hopped on the bike and began pedaling. The trail got steep, fast!

CAT 3?
I tried to shift into the lowest gear and realized it was slipping. I spent a few minutes turning adjustment screws and finally got it sorted out. Back on the bike and even in the lowest gear, this was waaay too steep for me and my double ring cyclocross setup. At that moment, I really missed the triple chainring I was so used to on my mountain bike.

Without the triple, this ride turned into my own personal alpe d'huez.



I struggled to keep the cranks turning, taking turns sitting and standing, and eventually getting comfortable enough to accept that I was going to make it to Eagle Rock, eventually...



Once I got past the first 2 miles, where there's a 1000 feet of altitude gain, the ride became much more pleasant. The air was ultra clear and the trail had a soft tacky trail surface from the rains that fell the night before.



As I finally had a chance to catch my breath, I was reminded of the fact that I live in gorgeous part of the world that is there for me to enjoy whenever I want it. Deer ate breakfast by the side of the trail and spring was making her presence known in the blooming flowers everywhere.



"Why don't I ride here more often?" I asked myself.



No excuse...

Checkpoint

 

 3 weeks ago, I was nearly killed by a hit and run driver while riding my bike in Echo Park. As an avid bicyclist, I've wondered what could be done to make the streets safer for cycling in Los Angeles. This morning, I found the answer.

 

As I was driving to work, I saw an angry man holding a nearly illegible sign waving furiously at the cars passing by. Up on the next block, I saw what he was angry about: a police checkpoint. It turns out, he was warning unlicensed drivers that the police were checking every driver to make sure they had a drivers license. 

I was shocked how many people he had to warn. In just 4 hours, the Culver City Police had taken 100 unlicensed drivers off the road. Their cars were impounded and they were free to walk away.

Here was one such driver. Was he unlicensed or was his license suspended for a DUI? Either way, it was illegal for him to be driving.

Driving is a privilege. More importantly, it's a potentially deadly activity requiring skill and training. If you cannot prove you are trained to operate deadly machinery, you have no business putting people in danger. If you have been suspended from driving and continue to drive, you're a menace to public safety and deserve to be stopped.

An estimated 2 million California drivers are unlicensed. Either they never got a drivers license or their license has been suspended. More than half of all people driving with a suspended license were convicted of a DUI.

Half of all hit-and-run collisions involve unlicensed drivers. Unlicensed drivers are four times more likely than licensed drivers to be involved in a fatal accident.

If you support safe streets and would like to end the menace of hit and runs that kill cyclists and pedestrians, take a moment to thank the Culver City Police Department for catching 100+ unlicensed drivers this morning. Call CCPD Traffic Division at 310-253-6251 and let Lt. Ron Iizuka know how much you support checkpoints to catch unlicensed drivers. Better yet, ask the police in your neighborhood to implement similar checkpoints. I have yet to see a more effective way to reduce the danger posed by hit and run drivers.

Bike Your Halloween Weekend

Tonight's Critical Mass will feature one thousand plus costumed riders taking to the streets of L.A. starting at 6:30pm, Wilshire and Western.

On Saturday, head over to the Graff Lab for the L.A. Fixie Bike Film and Music Festival. Music, Films, Food and Racing with CASH prizes for men and women! So if you think you're the fastest fixie rida in all the land,

PROVE IT, and collect $400. Here's a teaser:

And on Sunday, The 99% Ride takes to the streets starting at OccupyLA at noon, sharing our demands for a world that works through democracy, not corporatocracy.

I've invited the mayor to join us.