Featured image credit: Wasabean
Detroit may still hold the title of the Motor City, but it’s hard to imagine a metropolis that loves its cars more than Los Angeles. Maybe “love” isn’t the right word for the kind of codependent relationship the average Angeleno has with their car. After all, the layout of the city makes an automobile all but a necessity. Yet, there’s a steadily growing movement that aims to return value to the beauty and freedom of cycling in Los Angeles. CicLAvia may be the most popular example currently, but a wealth of bicycle clubs have popped up across the city. And while they acknowledge that cycling in Los Angeles can be scary, and even deadly, they’re also illustrating there’s safety in numbers. And their numbers are growing.
CicLAvia
The most well-known and arguably the most inclusive organization on our list, CicLAvia first dared to change the dynamic of street traffic on October 10, 2010. That’s when they first used their accumulated resources to shut down a stretch of city roads from Hollywood to Boyle Heights. Their aim? Pedestrian freedom.
Despite their name, CicLAvia serves not just the cyclists of LA, but the car-free in general. Once every two months, they close down a different stretch of city roads so that people can leisurely bike, stroll, roll, and even skip through the asphalt avenues without fear.
The non-profit group derives inspiration from Bogotá, Colombia’s Ciclovía events in which popular streets are closed to all electrical vehicles. Exceptions include motorized wheelchairs and e-bikes, as long as their throttle is powered off.
A typical CicLAVia event attracts over 100,000 Angelenos hungry for the opportunity to see their city in a new light. The organization estimates that upwards of 1.6 million people have attended CicLAvia since its first event. So while it may not be the only party in town for Los Angeles cyclists, its numbers are tough to beat.
Next event: Sunday, August 20; 9am – 4pm; Koreatown to Hollywood
Critical Mass Los Angeles
Prior to the rise of CicLAvia, Critical Mass was easily the most recognized name in LA’s cycling community. And with a stricter focus on cycling as opposed to CicLAvia’s all-pedestrians-welcome accommodation, Critical Mass remains the country’s largest community bike ride.
Getting its start in San Francisco in the early 1990s, Critical Mass pushed a strong message of street safety for the cycling inclined. With their growing numbers, the organization hoped to illustrate that those who preferred cycling to driving were more numerous than once imagined.
While Critical Mass has built a more politically-charged reputation than CicLAvia, organizers stress that it is a celebration first and foremost. Typical rides average approximately 20 miles. First time riders are advised to bring snacks, lights, tools, replacement gear, and positivity.
Next Event: Friday, June 30; 6:30pm; Wilshire and Western
Midnight Ridazz
In the shadow of CicLAvia and Critical Mass, you’ll find a generous amount of smaller bicycle clubs, each with their own distinct flavor. For years, the Midnight Ridazz were well-known on LA’s east side. Distinguished by their preference for late night jaunts, the group is free from sponsors, agencies… even membership registrations.
The Midnight Ridazz had humble beginnings when six cyclists and two skateboarders decided on an impromptu nocturnal tour of downtown LA. This was in February 2004. Obviously, the wonders of LA’s nightscape was enchanting enough, because the club is still rolling nearly two decades later. However, its monthly rides have slipped in regularity over the years.
Yet, the DIY cycling club still meets when they can. Your best bet to join up with the Midnight Ridazz is to check their social media pages for upcoming events. Routes can range anywhere from 15 to 40 miles and typically take place late in the night. Expect more of a party on wheels and less of a rolling protest, despite the punk inclinations.
Next Event: TBD
Lit Riderz
As loved as CicLAvia is, it’s strictly a daytime affair. In the tradition of the nocturnal cycling group the Midnight Ridazz, Lit Riders keep their rides limited to late hours. After all, how else would you see their neon LED gear?
That’s right, this bicycle group lights up LA with luminous LED lights and synchronized audio amps installed on their bikes. It’s almost like a DIY Disney Main Street Electrical Parade. A relatively new club, the Liit Riderz formed in May 2022 when a group of friends from San Diego and LA decided to meet up for a late night ride.
While they obviously enjoy cycling in Los Angeles, the fledgling group’s ethos extends beyond cyclists. They hope to illuminate the country, even those who’ve never touched a bike, to the myriad benefits of cycling. And with their LEDs fired up, anytime is the right time for a ride.
Next Event: Friday, June 30; 6:30pm; Wilshire and Western (Part of Critical Mass)
Trash Panda Cycling
Bicycling without boundaries is the message at the heart of the Trash Panda Cycling collective. They welcome all ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, creeds, and nationalities. Of course, that’s assuming you come in peace… and bicycle grease.
Trash Panda also hosts Gender Expansive Ride (GXR) events. These LA county-based rides are exclusively open to women and gender queer cycling enthusiasts. Noticing a lack of female-oriented cycling clubs in LA, Trash Panda uses GXR to prioritize the comfort of women and anyone else outside of the established gender binary.
With no official membership, joining the Trash Panda Horde is as easy as visiting their Instagram and showing up to their next event.
Next Event: Tuesday, June 27; 7pm – 11pm; Grand Park
Wild Wolf Cycling Collective
Unofficially kindred spirits to Trash Panda’s Gender Expansive Ride, Wild Wolf Cycling Collective started as a racing team, but is now a female-focused cycling club. Their goal is to carve out much-needed space in the cycling community for women, including trans, non-binary, and gender fluid cyclists.
But they also fight for space on shared roadways, creating safety for riders in an automobile-focused cityscape. Women who join Wild Wolf can look forward to gear swaps, gear libraries, and plenty of opportunity for safe, low pressure cycling.
Next Event: TBD
Girls Who Cycle Los Angeles
Speaking of women-led cycling clubs, Girls Who Cycle offers another option for ladies looking for exclusively female camaraderie. Established in 2021, the relatively new organization already has chapters all over the world.
Since CicLAvia isn’t strictly focused on cycling, the average attendee may not realize just how male-dominated cycling clubs can be. A study published by Transport Reviews in 2020 revealed that men are three times more likely than women to cycle in the U.S. Girls Who Cycle aims to tip the scales by offering space for cisgender and trans women as well as nonbinary individuals and gender non-conformists.
Like Trash Panda’s Gender Expansive Ride and Wild Wolf Cycling, Girls Who Cycle makes the difference for many women who may otherwise feel too uncomfortable to attempt cycling in the big city.
Next Event: Saturday, July 8; 8:15am; Ballona Creek Bridge
The Road Beyond CicLAvia
These are just a handful of the cycling clubs available to enthusiasts in the LA area. Cycling in Los Angeles can be daunting, but you can find safety with the right club. If you don’t see one that fits here, keep looking. There are plenty more out there! Let CicLAvia be the beginning of a longer ride!
