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Santa Monica held their annual Alt Car Expo at the Convention Center this past weekend. Along with a full array of alternative fuel cars, green and organic tech vendors there was a bicycle exhibitor area (the real alternatives to cars), a ride and drive test area, discussions, free bike valet, and lots of cool stuff. The expo presents ideas and solutions to the average consumer on how to use less energy and reduce their carbon footprint without making big lifestyle changes.

The LA Greensters showed up with their fantastic PARK(ing) Booth strapped to their xtracycles, bikes and trailers and deployed their park within minutes of arrival.  The Greensters presented an alternative transportation solution for the film industry. The film industry is the second most polluting industry in Los Angeles — the second most polluted city in the USA.  By planning the movie sustainably they were able to help produce a zero carbon footprint film, At What Price.  Bike Talk, on Killradio.org broadcasted from the booth live and BikeMoreLA! led a demonstration on how to grocery shop with your bicycle.

SOCAL, High School Cycling League
In speaking with Matt I found out about everything I need to know to compete as a cyclist in High School… if only there was something like this 20 years ago I would have joined. Matt was a swimmer and water polo player too and it seems like this would be the perfect sport to round out young athletes that cross train, triathlon or just plain love bikes.

Bike Weddings
Elizabeth told me all about how she performs the wedding: paperwork and all the formalities on bike. She makes sure something as special as the sacred bond of love leaves no lasting scar to the environment. A carbon free wedding is a way to make sure you’re ‘way ahead of the Joneses’ from DAY 1!

Cal Poly Pomona University
Hybrid Race Car Team
I was very impressed when this smart student let me know that their team placed 15th (out of 30 teams) their first year entering the competition. The race car was a combination gas and electric and they had a lot to learn (outside of regular studies) about controlling electricity. The clean cut team was made up of Industrial and Mechanical Engineers who designed and built the race car themselves. Learn by doing! Congratulations Broncos!

Bikerowave was there to offer free bike tune up services and to promote their new location on Venice Blvd on the westside. Along with bike repair and advocacy they have a lounge and library with coffee coming soon.

Dr phil habil Michael Cahn of Santa Monica Spoke was there to promote “ride your bike to SaMo High Day” and offered a lot of helpful advice and perspectives on riding your bike in LA.  Spoke also provided free flat repair kits and started up discussion on “where do you have an issue” with cycling in Santa Monica.

While it was neat to see so many people crowding the Best Buy booth that was full of bikes it was disappointing to see that the bikes did not require the rider to pedal at all. Cyclists should not have to share lanes with bikes like these. A better solution is what Dahon offered… pedal assist bikes.

The Dahon Ios was the coolest looking bike at the show (next to mine; ha ha). It has a floor pump in the seat, adjustable stem and handlebars, a place to charge the iphone, generator lights and a lot of other doo dads. I also tried out the new pedal assist bikes and think they are the best solution for new riders trying to make the jump to bicycling everywhere… no sweat pedaling and a good investment. I learned that electric Dahons are the choice of bike mechanics everywhere because they are made with everyday standardized components.

I had the privilege of meeting ‘Miss Traffic’ dressed in her fancy attire and making the rounds on behalf of the lost Metro campaign from last year. I think she inspired the Metro representatives (from the main room) to cruise through the bike annex because they showed up soon after.

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