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In the wake of the stunning police behavior at the local Critical Mass ride last month, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition hand delivered a strong message to the Mayor. The LABC called out Antonio Villaraigosa on the discrimination and disrespect area cyclists face at the hands of his police department and municipal government.

In less than a week, the Mayor responded, breaking his silence and standing, on the record, with cyclists.

In the LABC letter, Jennifer Klausner, the group’s executive director, says the needless violence at Critical Mass isn’t an isolated incident.

“Los Angeles police take cues from our built environment,” Klausner writes. “Our current street configurations and their lack of infrastructure for bike transportation show that bicyclists are not valued and not welcome here. We urge you to work with the LADOT to immediately implement multiple high-profile bicycle lane projects already approved… Further, we urge you to step forward and publicly voice your support for bicycling as a valid means of transportation in the City of Los Angeles. Your silence on bicycling issues has led many in the city’s cycling community to conclude that you oppose bicycling on our streets, and provides tacit support for those who do, both within the LAPD and other city departments, and with the public at large.”

The mayor responded quickly, specifically asking the group to post his message on its blog.

“Bicyclists have every right to use our City streets and to be treated with courtesy and respect — both by drivers and law enforcement,” Villaraigosa says in the statement. “I fully support LAPD Chief Charlie Beck’s efforts to improve the relationship between cyclists and police officers, and I was very disappointed to hear about the confrontation in Hollywood on May 28. The video from that night is disturbing. The LAPD is conducting a full investigation of this incident, and I have complete confidence in Chief Beck’s commitment to making the City’s streets safe for everyone.”

Will his “commitment” turn into action? Keep track of developments and read the full letter on LABC’s blog.