"Easy Rider" for the 21st Century -- All-Electric Cross-Country Road-Trip

(May 24, 2011: Los Angeles) – Riding coast-to-coast on a motorcycle is an adventure in itself. Making the trip from New York to Los Angeles on an all-electric motorcycle takes the epic road-trip to another level. 34-year old Frenchman Benjamin Voron has just completed the 3700 mile trip, motoring – so to speak – across the southern United States to raise awareness of the viability of alternative modes of transportation, like electric vehicles. Councilmember LaBonge met this eco-traveler and wants to properly welcome him to Los Angeles and draw attention to the future of electric transportation. “This young man is an adventurer with a cause, and deserves our recognition for proving that you can go a long way on a little energy … and not leave behind a big carbon footprint," Councilmember LaBonge said, "I especially like Monsieur Voron’s helmet, which reminds me of the Captain America helmet Peter Fonda wore in the iconic road-movie “Easy Rider”. This guy’s an ‘easy rider’ for the 21st Century – easy on the environment.” Councilman LaBonge presented Voron with a Welcome Certificate from the City of Los Angeles, joined by French Deputy Consul General Isabelle Le Guellec. Voron was on the road for 70 days, traversing 18 states on his cross-country odyssey, stopping every 30 miles to recharge. And, in a tribute to the durability of the electric scooter, Voron had not a single mechanical problem with his trusty steed. Ten years ago, Voron completed a World Tour on a bicycle and wanted to prove that an all-electric motorcycle – generally only used in an urban environment -- could traverse the wide-open spaces of America. Mission accomplished! Check out Benjamin Voron’s Facebook page Electrips

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No car dealership on the streets of Los Feliz

(May 12, 2011; Los Angeles) – Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge unveiled new, specially-made signs on Los Feliz Boulevard Thursday which specifically prohibit parking vehicles for sale there. Joined by Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and Amir Sedadi, Interim General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Councilmember LaBonge recognized the leadership of community groups, including the Los Feliz Improvement Association and the Los Feliz Towers Association in getting an ordinance that bans parking vehicles for sale on a busy stretch of Los Feliz Boulevard and Franklin Avenue. “I also applaud our City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and area Assemblyman Mike Gatto for helping to make this important ordinance a reality.” Said Councilmember LaBonge, “I want to go to Felix Chevrolet if I’m in the market for a car or truck. I don’t want the dealership out on the street.” The ordinance, approved by the Los Angeles City Council in April 2011, makes it unlawful to park any vehicle for the purpose of advertising to the public the private sale of that vehicle :

1. On Los Feliz Boulevard between Interstate 5 and Western Avenue.
2. On Franklin Avenue between Hillhurst Avenue and Western Avenue.

Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said, “The critical parking shortage on these streets is exacerbated by those who park vehicles for sale on the streets. This creates traffic hazards and congestion and becomes a public nuisance. Those who try to use City streets as car dealerships will now pay the consequences.”

The City Council may amend the Ordinance after conducting a public hearing to include additional streets and public lands within the City of Los Angeles. Enforcement of the ordinance starts May 12th with a 72-hour warning period. A first violation is punishable by a $100 fine. A second-time offender may be hit a fine of $250. A third violation and any subsequent violation of the ordinance will result in a $500 fine. The City Council may increase the amount of fines from time to time. Scofflaws’ vehicles could be towed away and impounded under certain conditions. Click here to see more photos of this event

Cleaning Up the Los Angeles River in the Los Feliz area and Fern Dell in Griffith Park

Councilmember LaBonge joins students from Cheremoya Avenue Elementary School for a river cleanup in the Los Feliz area on April 30th. The event was sponsored by Bank of America, which sent scores of volunteers to do the hard work of picking up trash. There were also volunteers from Immaculate Heart on hand to lend a hand. In the Fern Dell cleanup, volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints cleaned-up trails and picnic areas in Griffith Park. What a great job everybody did, working together to clean and beautify our treasured public areas. click here to see more photos