Jan 12 '09 - 410 W - Vote Good + 19 :: Bad - 7 Los Angeles Set To Benefit from New Bicycle Community Center
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12th, 2009
LOS ANGELES – Cyclists Inciting Change thru LIVE Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) announced that it will begin plans for an innovative new Bicycle Community Center in Northeast Los Angeles, thanks to initial funding from New Belgium Brewing Company.
The Bicycle Community Center will house an extensive bicycle education program, and provide a comprehensive set of resources that is sure to get more Los Angelenos riding their bikes for everyday transportation. Workshops will run the gamut, from teaching people to learn to ride for the very first time, to demonstrating working solutions that can haul a week’s worth of groceries home by bike.
The Center will also run the world’s first Social Bike Business program which will manufacture affordable transportation bicycles and equip qualifying low-income individuals with a transportation bicycle and the training to help them meet with their transportation needs. Area residents will also benefit from job training programs and additional business opportunities created by the Center. C.I.C.L.E. has partnered with international bicycle advocacy organization, One Street, for guidance on this new program that follows the principle of social business that adheres to the proven for-profit structure, but places the needs of people before profits.
"Bicycling is not only an environmentally friendly form of transportation but for many of our community’s residents who are transit dependent, it is also an effective and low cost means of contributing to their livelihoods,” said Councilmember Ed Reyes of the First District in Northeast Los Angeles when he learned about the program’s launch. “C.I.C.L.E's social bike business project fulfills a great need in my district and I fully support their efforts.”
While the New Belgium funding makes the initial launch of the program possible, funding is still needed for the Center and the training programs. Those wanting to help should contact C.I.C.L.E. C.I.C.L.E.’s full name is Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange. Their work focuses on promoting the bicycle as a viable, healthy, and sustainable transportation choice. Find their contact info and more at www.cicle.org . Find out more about One Street at www.onestreet.org .
For more information, please contact Liz Elliott, Executive Director, liz@cicle.org 323.478.0060
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