I leave my bike out overnight
come back to its mangled frame
not locked up.
Even the lock is jammed.
I stand in silence for a moment,
remember K-town streets at mid-day,
the bridge over the LA river,
flowing down Santa Monica
with headphones in,
headed to the library,
wind in my hair,
every childhood beach ride
& my dad coming home
& hanging up his helmet.
Sure, traffic is terrifying.
I shout to make sure cars know I’m there.
But this is how I know I’m there.
by the wind in my face,
the ache in my calves.
My body, saying:
I’m alive. I’m alive. I’m alive.

Brian Sonia-Wallace
West Hollywood Poet Laureate (2020-2023)

The West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition (WeHoBYCO) held a bicycle safety event on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Boulevards.  Bicyclists were provided with free bike lights, courtesy of Bike LA, and other swag along with information for riding safely at night.

In addition, information was provided about West Hollywood’s Vision Zero project and bikeway projects to improve road safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists, including bicycle lanes on Fountain Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd., and a Neighborhood Greenway along Willoughby Avenue and Vista-Gardner Streets.