Life Can Be So Car Free

On September 30, 2006 Los Angelinos will have the opportunity to enjoy an evening of fun celebrating and demonstrating Car-Free and Car-Lite transportation choices.

C.I.C.L.E., (Cyclists Inciting Change thru LIVE Exchange) a local bicycle advocacy group, will be presenting their first ever Car-Free celebration entitled ‘Life Can Be So Car-Free’ at the new Los Angeles State Historic Park in downtown Los Angeles. Interpretive walks, bicycle rides, live music by local car-free and car-lite bands Telematique and Triple Chicken Foot, interactive exhibits featuring examples of utilitarian forms of car-free transportation, and short film selections by local cyclist and filmmaker Ashira Siegel are all slotted in as part of a fun-filled evening.

“Here in Los Angeles, our choice in transportation defines much of our experience. Long and congested commutes, sprawl, air and noise pollution, sedentary lifestyle and its associated consequences, loss of connection to our neighbors and communities; all are unintended consequences of automobile dependence and have become the undesirable hallmarks of a Los Angeles existence. It is clear that we need to actively seek out other transportation options," says Shay Sanchez, co-director of C.I.C.LE.

Promoting alternatives to the car dependent lifestyle is a strategy that many cities around the world are beginning to adopt in order to create more livable and sustainable cities. Within the U.S., cities such as Portland and San Francisco are quickly becoming the new models of urban sustainability. These cities are choosing to focus on bicycling, walking, and public transport as resurrected modes of urban mobility. C.I.C.L.E. believes that if Los Angeles is to make this leap into a sustainable and more livable city, we need to start incorporating these strategies.

While Los Angeles presents specific challenges that can make a car-free or car-lite existence seem difficult, most Los Angelinos can begin to take an incremental approach -- making healthier transportation choices when the appropriate and convenient opportunity arises. “While a major overhaul of our city's infrastructure and transportation systems is far off, various transportation options/ solutions exist right now. Incorporating walking and bicycling along with the use of public transport into our lives, at least part of the time, is surprisingly easy to accomplish and tremendously beneficial for ourselves, and our community," says co-director Liz Elliott.

This Car-Free celebration presents a unique opportunity for those seeking alternatives to a car-dependent existence to meet with and learn from those already actively living a car-free or car-lite lifestyle.

“We invite all Los Angelinos to come out to the event to learn more about car-lite lifestyles, to consider other possibilities, and perhaps ultimately participate in making a healthier transportation choice."

Life Can Be So Car-Free happens on Saturday September 30, 2006 from 5 PM to 10 PM at the new Los Angeles State Historic Park in downtown Los Angeles. People are encouraged to bring a picnic and friends to enjoy the sunset behind the L.A. skyline. For more information visit: www.BikeNow.org or call 323-478-0060.