It's not an April Fools joke; after a year-long hiatus, B&P returns at the First Fridays art walk on April 1st. Not only do you get to partake in a good discussion (and beer), but you get to enjoy the the music, entertainment, art, dining and shopping of First Fridays. If you've never been, the last time I was at First Fridays jazz bands were playing in alcoves and kids fed horses in a parking lot while fire dancers performed in another...now you can "drink beer, talk politics, and drink beer" too.

This month's topic is bikes. Bikes are hot. The last time I talked about bikes so much was in the 3rd grade when I got a new BMX. Why all the bike talk? New separated bike lanes on Broadway and on 3rd, complete with their own traffic lights. Green bike lanes running through Belmont Shore. A bike lane on the new billion dollar bridge to Terminal Island. Bike riders coming to Council in droves to discuss the policing of organized bike rides resulting in new bike license ordinances. Bikes, bikes, bikes...

City Manager Pat West, a bike aficionado himself, shares details about the Bike Master Plan, why he feels Long Beach is the most bike-friendly city in America and where we go from here. The changes have been dramatic and the process has not been seamless, but Mr. West is here to share and take your tough questions.