Last weekend, as part of the campaign to reach out to Latino cyclists, the LACBC City of Lights crew (CoL for short) which included members of the Bike Kitchen, REI, and CARECEN spun their wheels alongside Latino worker cyclists from the CARECEN day laborer center. It was a great opportunity not only to build community with cyclists who usually aren’t engaged in bike advocacy, but also to take them many of them on their first group ride in Los Angeles.
Excitement Abounds Leaving the CARECEN Center!
We first started at the CARECEN Center located in the Pico-Union area, then stopped at the IDEPSCA Downtown Community Job Center to pick up some extra riders and volunteers and hook up our bike trailer friendly DOPE soundsystem.
Listening to the sounds of Café Tacuba while riding as one, we made our way north to La Placita Olvera (oft pronounced “Plahceet-tol-vera”) by Union Station. It is a historic site for Latinos in Los Angeles and we were given an informative, brief talk with the wonderful Richard about the original Mexican and Spanish settlers in Los Angeles and how they were originally classified by the color of their skin.
After sipping on our water bottles and basking in feelgood vibes, we then took off heading east to Boyle Heights onwards to Mariachi Plaza on 1st St. that the new Gold Line extension, La Linea De Oro, would be stopping at. Mariachis, in their black straight leg pants with gold buckles, grace the corners of the plaza and we were lucky enough to listen and sing along to a song with a few. Many of the day laborers on the ride led the choruses.
Learning about Latino History at La Placita
Once the singers finished playing, we went to Hollenbeck Park, for an amazing picnic with food already waiting for us! Thanks to two of our volunteers, Andy Rodriguez and Jackie Vergara (and their moms-Thanks, moms!), there was plenty of ice cold Jamaica and veggie tostadas for all. Volunteer Adonia Lugo was able to interview some of the workers on their experiences during the ride, as everyone relaxed in the shade. Overall, it was a great time and we had some of the workers asking us when the next ride would be–to the beach!
City of Lights Ridazz!
November 19, 2009 at 5:31 pm
[...] The City of Lights program's outreach model has been to provide day laborers and others in less-affluent communities the items and information that they need to bike safely. Coalition staff and volunteers have handed out lights and helmets, sometimes with the support of City Councilman Ed Reyes and others, and information and tips on safe cycling. In order to promote a sense of community, they have also programmed rides to celebrate cycling such as September's Latinos and L.A. History Ride. [...]