L.A. Media Spotlights Fiesta Hermosa Bike Valet

I've been writing environmental columns for Patch since March, and through the comments and Facebook recommendations readers give the pieces, I get a general idea of what people like and who might be reading. 

But I didn't realize the larger Los Angeles media market was taking any notice of our local green scene until I heard from Julie Sharp, a video journalist with KCBS/KCAL TV, who had read my piece on the expanded bike valet operation for Labor Day Fiesta Hermosa and wanted to shoot her own video report.

Sharp does a great job covering the South Bay scene for the CBS network's two news affiliates in Los Angeles, and I was only too happy to reach out to Carla Merriman of the Hermosa Chamber to seek her help in lining up the key players to be interviewed Thursday at the new bike valet parking site.

The most key of the players being Merriman herself, because she and the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce took the lead on supersizing the parking lot, are paying for all the infrastructure, and are making sure it all happens on schedule.

And so it was that I found myself on the beach across from Scotty's Thursday afternoon with Carla, Julie, Mayor Pro Tem Pete Tucker, Steve Collins of Hermosa Cyclery, Jim Hannon of the Beach Cities Cycling Club and Mike Bell of Bell Events Services.

Despite the cold, foggy, sunless marine layer-filled weather, the atmosphere in our microclimate was warm and sunny as Sharp captured on-camera interviews for her story and shot footage of the bike valet's new setup. 

As one of the people who helped bring the bike valet concept to Fiesta Hermosa, I was excited to see this greenhouse gas-cutting effort growing and getting more public attention and support. 

I was especially stoked to see Hermosa's soon-to-be mayor taking such a strong stand on behalf of both bicycles and the environment. 

Tucker was the point person at the city when it came to securing space right on the beach for the parking lot and then obtaining the plastic fencing that will enclose the whole thing.  The fencing is recycled from the outfield fence for our local Little League field.

Another thing I like about Tucker is that he's more of a doer than a talker.  It was no surprise that upon seeing the big stack of plywood delivered to the site, he immediately started lifting and carrying boards and putting them in place. The rest of us got the hint and pitched in too.

After his interview with KCBS/KCAL, Tucker stayed around to share his thoughts with me in a video interview for Hermosa Beach Patch. 

He didn't hesitate when I asked if he considered himself an environmentally conscience mayor-to-be.

If you're worried about the Green Idea City concept under Tucker's leadership then I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised. 

We'll be talking to Tucker again soon about another of Hermosa's environmental achievements next month when he presides over the grand opening of the new Upper Pier Avenue remodel. 

The celebration is scheduled for Oct. 7, and I'll be there to offer my on-the-scene green commentary.

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