Bicycle ‘heroes’ are honored
Julian Katz, who spearheaded Hermosa’s Bicycle Master Plan, and Todd Dipaola, founder of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition, will be honored by the VOICE organization as 2010 Environmental Heroes.
Katz and Dipaola will be honored at the South Bay’s 18th annual Earth Day Concert and Celebration Saturday, April 17 at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach. The presentation will take place on the main stage at noon.
Katz is a Hermosa Beach Public Works commissioner who spearheaded the effort to create a Hermosa Beach Bicycle Master Plan.
“He continues to be vigilant in leading the city to deploy the plan, as evidenced by the ‘sharrows’ on Hermosa Avenue, the first of their kind in the L.A. area,” said Kaye Gagnon Sherbak, president of VOICE (Volunteers and Organizations Improving the Community’s Environment).
The arrow-like ‘sharrows’ were painted on Hermosa Avenue earlier this year to encourage bicyclists to use a full lane going each way, if they need the space for safety.
“Katz also is a founding member of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition, and his work has been an inspiration to us all by demonstrating what is achievable with hard work and dedication,” Sherbak said.
Dipaola is the founder and chair of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition, established last year to provide advocacy and education for “a more bike-able South Bay.”
“We salute Todd and his organization’s effort for advocating carbon footprint-friendly transportation and recreation,” Sherbak said.
For more information see greenervoice.org. ER