In November I posted about Bike night at the Griffith Park annual Festival of Lights. It was a lovely evening and should happen more than once a year. It's family friendly, earth friendly, community building; as opposed to the nightmare of CO2 emissions and traffic that happens every other night there. I created an action alert about it.
Then, in early December I met Colin Bogart, president of the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition at a Smartgals Speakeasy. The Bike Coaliton was instrumental in making Bike Night happen. He gave me some more names and an address for contacting the LADWP, who puts on the Festival. So, here they are, plus the letter revised a bit, so even if you didn't get to attend the event, it is applicable.
peace,
Jennifer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Contact the Festival Sponsors:
Dept. of Rec. and Parks Commissioners rap.commissioners@lacity.org
City Councilmember Tom LaBonge tom.labonge@lacity.org
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa mayor@lacity.org
and the LADWP: Ron F. Deaton and Kimberley Hughes
111 N. Hope Street 15th floor Los Angeles, Ca 90012
and CC: LA Bike Coalition Director Kastle A. Lund: k@labikecoalition.org
(You could also send them a thank you note for helping to make it happen)
Sample letter
feel free to borrow any or all of it:
Dear ___________Bike Night at the Griffith Park Holiday Light Festival was a wonderful event . I'm writing to ask that you host "bike/walk only" nights much more frequently during the festival.
Seeing the lights by biking/walking is so much better than from a car: you get fresh air, more opportunity for conversation and meeting people, a much better view, the sound is better, there's a slower pace. I realize that people can choose to walk or ride on the side path anytime during the festival, however those paths are dark and uneven. The cars block the view from that side as well as spew out noise and pollution, making those options unpleasant.
Please consider having a "bike/walk only" night once a week - it fosters community spirit and environmental awareness. Kids and adults are spending time together outside, getting exercize, saving gasoline and CO2 emmissions. New York's Central Park has many successful regular car-free days and evenings. LA's biggest park should too.
Sincerely,
__________________
photo by Will Campbell
