City Councilwoman Rae Gabelich Tries a Trikke. She Likes It!

The relationship between the three-wheel wonder known as the Trikke and the city of Long Beach, CA, just got a little friendlier after Mayor Bob Foster and Councilwoman Rae Gabelich were introduced to yet another bike-like alternative for the most bike friendly city in America. [See the slideshow at the end of this story.]

The meeting took place on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood at a press conference highlighting the city’s Bike Friendly Districts, designated areas where local businesses and residents are encouraged to cycle their way to discounts, better health and a more active community.

The diverse, urban beach town with half a million residents is in the midst of a decades-long makeover that’s turning Long Beach into, not only the most bike friendly city, but the most bike-alternative friendly city as well.

That’s meant welcoming all sorts of imaginative mutations of the traditional, two-wheel bicycle, many of which were on display as the mayor and other dignitaries cycled up to Wednesday’s press conference.

From tandem bikes to trike cargo bikes, (as ridden by 103-year-old Octavio Orduño, the city’s oldest living cyclist), the city of Long Beach has embraced them all.

Add to that the Trikke with two K's, which is slowly but surely carving its way into the child-like hearts of many a Long Beach resident. Which begs the question: Will Mayor Foster and Councilwoman Gabelich be next?

On hand for the press conference was Andy Pliska of SouthBay Trikke (official local dealer of TrikkeWorld), who gave both politicians their own personal demo of the three-wheel joyride of the 21st century.

To Mayor Foster, Pliska highlighted the electric Trikke’s ability to provide a greener, more efficient alternative for delivery services, such as GrubNow (currently testing Trikkes), and civic jobs, such as police, port workers and water meter readers.

The Mayor seemed genuinely interested, and while he was a little cautious about giving the Trikke a try on the spot, he did promise to consider it on another occasion (when wearing more active attire and not recovering from a recent injury).

On the other hand, Eighth District City Councilwoman Rae Gabelich, whose district includes the Bixby Knolls area, was intent on actually trying the human-powered Trikke.

After a quick demo of the T12 from Pliska, the councilwoman was eager to have at it. A courageous move, no doubt, but most striking perhaps, was her childlike grin as she discovered the childlike joy that comes with riding a Trikke.

She carved like a natural, some trikkers might say. She also seemed to enjoy it immensely, traveling down the sidewalk and back while laughing and smiling.

“It was my pleasure,” said Pliska when asked about the teaching experience. “She had fun. He had fun. We’re in an exciting time in Long Beach, where Trikke is being integrated into the city’s active living initiatives. It was very enjoyable. We’re extremely happy to be a part of it.”

By all accounts, the Most Bike Friendly City just made a new friend.