BLOG: Dust Off That Bicycle for Sunday's 12th Annual LA River Ride!

As an organizer of Better Bike here in Beverly Hills, I hear all the time from residents who want to ride a bike again.

"Really I do," they tell me, "but our streets are too dangerous" for the casual cyclist.

This coming weekend's Los Angeles River Ride 2012, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, offers a golden opportunity to rekindle your relationship with cycling on a protected bike path that stretches between Griffith Park and Long Beach's Shoreline Park.

Running 12 years now, this premier bike event draws thousands to the seven organized rides that start and end at the Autry Museum. For the heartiest among us, we'll make it to Long Beach. But you need not travel that far to connect with other bike-minded folks and families out for a roll along our newly designated "navigable river."

I will be there on Sunday, June 10, to lend a volunteer hand and perhaps complete my own 35 or 70-mile ride. While exercising my legs is a motivation, for me the best part is exercising my spirit of civic commitment that too often lays dormant among all of us Angelenos.

Remember, this is not a race but rather a leisurely ride starting in staged departures. You can also take your time and then meet back up for the post-ride festivities at your leisure. Saddle up on Sunday to enjoy all that this great event has to offer! And remember that you're off the mean streets for much of this ride.

So tune-up that bike that's just gathering dust and take a ride this Sunday to meet some great folks from the county's largest bike advocacy organization. See the River Ride website for details. Advanced registration ends Wednesday, June 6.

Like my work at Better Bike, the LACBC is working for safer streets right here at home. It's critical that we create a space for bicycles on our busy streets. Even as an experienced cyclist, I'm intimidated by the occasional aggressive motorist. Sometimes I find my enjoyment of cycling diminished simply doing everyday errands. That's because Beverly Hills offers no safety-enhancing pavement markings, bike lanes or even signage. And that needs to change.

On River Ride, though, you will find your riding pleasure largely undiminished because the ride organizers take care of you. So join us!

Enjoy $10 off your membership if you join the LACBC when you purchase your ride ticket. If you can't make Sunday's ride, then join LACBC just to support this worthy organization. We are working with them to make Beverly Hills safer for everybody's cycling enjoyment.

We hope to see you at the River Ride 2012 this Sunday!