Ferry-bike system works: tell the experts they are wrong!

By baw_admin | Published November 2, 2010
Photo by Carla Gramlich.

Earlier this fall, Governor Chris Gregoire released a report she requested on the Washington State Ferries Division by experts from the Passenger Vessel Association to review the state’s ferry system.  The Governor instructed Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond and David Moseley, assistant secretary for WSF to review the report and by November 15th develop an action plan with implementation recommendations. The documents can be found at these links: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/accountability and http://www.passengervessel.com/

Paula Hammond and David Moseley need to hear from you that the experts flubbed on one recommendation: “The panel recommends that vehicles be unloaded ahead of bikes.”
The current system permits bicyclists three opportunities to load and unload — at the start, mid-way through and at the end. This system has been in place since 1999 when an agreement was reached between Bainbridge Island bicyclists represented by Squeaky Wheels, Washington Bikes and Washington State Ferries management.
The safety record of the current loading and unloading procedures in unblemished in those eleven years. Secretary Hammond and under secretary Moseley need hear from bicycle commuters and recreation cyclists who use the ferry system.

  • Ask them where the Pasenger Vessel Association panel of experts found the data or proof backs up the recommendation that bicyclists slow unloading?
  • What evidence demonstrates that cars and trucks are faster than a bicyclist when unloading?
  • Why make a recommendation that bikes and cars not share the road which is entirely counter to our “share the road” message as authorized by the state legislature?
  • Where is the data that proves that safety is improved if bicyclists load/unload last?
  • How does this recommendation meet the Washington State goal of increasing the number of people bicycling?

Representatives from Squeaky Wheels and the Bicycle Alliance will be talking with under secretary of transportation, David Moseley on Thursday to strongly recommend that the Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Ferries do not accept the recommendation “that vehicles be unloaded ahead of bikes.” We’ll be taking the message to him that bicycles are vehicles in the State of Washington, and an eleven year old process of loading and unloading bikes works! Send a message to Secretary Paula Hammond:  “Don’t mess with success!”

Posted in Advocacy, Attitudes, Ferries, Funding/Policy, Safety, Share the Road, Transportation | 4 Comments

Bicycle Rodeo: All Fun and Games

By baw_admin | Published November 1, 2010

On October 20, Dave Janis and Katie Ferguson worked with the Liberty Ridge Elementary School in Bonney Lake to help run a bike rodeo for their Walk-Bike to School Day. Engaged parents volunteered, and additional help came from the Tacoma Wheelmen, the Bonney Lake Bicycle Shop, East Pierce Fire & Rescue. Cascade Bicycle Club generously let us borrow one of their excellent bike rodeo kits.

The kids started with a helmet check and a bike check, to make sure they were safe on the course.

East Pierce Fire & Rescue’s Dina Sutherland checks helmets.
Bonney Lake Bicycle Shop’s Jim Stevenson checks a bike.
Parent Paul helps a participant adjust his seat.

Once checked, the kids went to Station 1, where they practiced starting and stopping. Just out of the picture, a parent helper held a stop sign.

Tacoma Wheelmen president Tom Reardon directs rodeo participants.

Then on to Station 2, where participants practiced riding in a circle and looking over their shoulders — what we grownups call “scanning.”

Volunteer Louie Boitano helps run Station 2.

At Station 3, the bicyclists learned how to dodge objects in the road with the guidance of volunteer Peggy Fjetland.

Peggy and participant at Station 3.

Once they mastered dodging, the students learned how to steer by leaning. They practiced with the bike slalom.

Volunteer Pam Knight directs a participant at the slalom.

Finally, the participants practiced leaving a driveway. Many car-bike collisions can be prevented by teaching kids to stop and look before leaving a driveway.

Dave Janis monitors a student exiting the practice driveway.

In the final tally, over a dozen adult volunteers made it possible for 110 future bicyclists to dip their toes into the world of safe bicycling — and had fun doing it. Reaching young bicyclists with bike education is a cornerstone of improving bike-motorist interactions. Thank you to everybody who made the event possible.

Posted in Education, Kids, Safety, Tacoma, Volunteer | Comments Off on Bicycle Rodeo: All Fun and Games

I Bike: Hannah and Sophia Carpenter

By Mary Anderson | Published October 27, 2010
Sisters Hannah (14, freshman in High School) and Sophie (12, 6th grade) Carpenter are independent travelers encouraged by their parents to bike wherever they need to go. They aren’t reliant on an adult to drive them around town.

When Sophie sold her handmade jewelry at the Farmer’s Market last summer, she pedaled her supplies to the market on her own, and even combined bike and bus to participate in the Wednesday Fairhaven Market. Their mother couldn’t be prouder, remarking that the girls’ bikes gave them freedom and a much more fun-filled summer than they would have had sans bikes.

“Since I work full time I’m not home to drive them to the library, a friend’s house or to the market. Having them ride is the perfect solution. We sat down and figured out a safe route to get downtown and they’ve been biking it regularly. They are confident cyclists and really enjoy the independence the bike gives them,” stated proud Mom.

Both sisters started biking on their own in 3rd grade and now they bike everywhere – downtown, to the library, friends’ houses, to school, to volunteer or to babysit.

Hannah likes that she doesn’t need to rely on an adult for a ride, but at the same time dislikes that she’s expected to bike everywhere. Sophie said she likes going fast and riding by herself, however tackling big hills like Barkley Boulevard rank low on her list of likes. (For those of you that know the area, Barkley is a BIG hill — way to go Sophie! I haven’t even attempted that one!)

Sophie’s earliest memory of biking involves playing Sophia LaWow and the Green Ball of Terror. “My mom and sister bounced a green ball back and forth and I rode across between them. My mom would talk like a circus announcer like I was doing a big trick,” explained Sophie. Hannah remembers “going down the sidewalk by the elementary school and having to wait forever for my Mom and little sister to catch up. They were so slow!!!”

Both girls are quick to offer advice to other kids who want to bike more. Hannah encourages kids to “convince your parents the world is not a scary place and it’s OK to bike.”  Sophie advised to “ know where you are going and wear warm clothing”.

I love meeting kids like Hannah and Sophie, I know that their experience biking as kids is going to positively impact their adult lives. Even if they do grow up and make most of their trips by car, at least they have the experience of biking, which will make them better drivers. Plus, they will be more likely to allow their own kids to bike around town. The cycle will continue with each generation.
Tell us your story!  I Bike is a project of Washington Bikes to put a personal face on bicycling when we talk to elected officials and the public.  Contact Louise McGrody if you’d like to share your I Bike story.
Posted in I Bike, Kids, People, Whatcom County | 1 Comment

Vancouver 2012: The bicycling world comes knocking

By baw_admin | Published October 26, 2010
It’s not often that the world beats a path (practically) to your doorstep, and it’s even more unusual when it arrives by bicycle.
But that’s what will happen in June 2012 when Velo-city, the world’s largest conference of cycling planners and advocates, comes to Vancouver, B.C. 
Velo-city, organized by the well-established European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), brings together urban planners, cycling advocates, government representatives, and politicians from around the world to share ideas and discuss strategies for getting more people on bicycles.
Velo-city began 30 years ago as a conference for European cycling advocates. The event went global for the first time this year. By all accounts the 2010 conference, held in Copenhagen, was a smashing success, bringing together about 1,100 people from 60 countries.
The 2012 conference will be a golden opportunity for Northwest cycling advocates to mingle with, and learn from, their counterparts from other parts of the world. It’ll also be an opportunity for local planners to learn about best practices elsewhere, and for local politicians to learn that cycling can play a valuable role in solving urban transportation problems.
For more on the 2012 Vancouver Velo-city conference, see this article in Momentum magazine’s online edition.

Posted in Advocacy, Bike Culture, Events, Sustainable Living, Transportation | Comments Off on Vancouver 2012: The bicycling world comes knocking

Success! Auction Raises $84K for Bicycle Advocacy.

By Louise McGrody | Published October 25, 2010
Saturday–auction day–was an unsettled day of weather in the Puget Sound.  An overcast and showery morning gave way to some midday sunshine, followed by a rainy evening.
But the atmosphere inside Fisher Pavilion did not reflect the outdoors.  A veteran group of volunteers prepared the venue for a festive Bicycle Alliance auction in record time.  Rows of long tables were laid out with enticing displays of silent auction items, the dessert dash, and wine and beer grab. Dave Shaw and Scott  Ely performed their wizardry as they set up a network of computers that would support registration, capture winning bids and print out receipts at the end of the evening.  Volunteers assisted Foodz Catering with setting the dining tables.  The transformation was complete!
Many guests arrived early and by 6pm the auction was well underway.  People bid on silent auction items, purchased 50/50 raffle tickets, and scored some great selections from the wine and beer grab. 
They previewed the selection of tempting delectable desserts that would be available in the dessert dash.
Bidders hovered over their must-have items as silent auction tables came to a close.
Dinner was served by members of the Cyclists of Greater Seattle (COGS), who generously volunteered their time as our wait staff.
Bicycle Alliance Executive Director welcomed guests to the auction, thanked the event’s sponsors and many volunteers, and presented Seattle Mayor Michael McGinn with a Share the Road jersey.
Emcee Dave Ross of KIRO radio took the stage, then thrilled the crowd with his rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance.
Then it was time for the main event–the live auction.  Returning auctioneer Eric Mamroth launched into action.
Live auction bidding began and bid cards were raised high,
and raised higher,
and higher!

At the end of the evening, $84,000 was raised for Washington Bikes.  These funds will help us pursue our 2011 legislative priorities, expand our Safe Routes and Share the Road efforts, and continue our outreach in communities around the state.

A huge and heartfelt thank you goes out to the 60+ volunteers who helped make this event a success.  Volunteers helped with everything from serving on the Auction committee, doing data entry, picking up donations and organizing items, to performing key roles the day of the event. We also want to thank the folks at Bicycle Paper for their assistance with procurement.

And a special thank you to this year’s event sponsors:

Third Place Books – Vulcan – Boeing – John Duggan, Cycling Attorney
 SvR Design –REI – The People’s Coast Classic 
 COGS – H4 Consulting – Kat Marriner Graphic Design
Posted in Auction, Events | Comments Off on Success! Auction Raises $84K for Bicycle Advocacy.

These Boots Were Made for Biking

By Mary Anderson | Published October 22, 2010


And that’s just what they’ll do!

As I pedaled my vintage blue cruiser (it’s a Kia, did you know they used to make bikes?) to work this morning I couldn’t help but put myself inside the heads of the car drivers who shared the road with me on our commute to work.

“Wow, she’s wearing a skirt and biking, maybe I could do that”


“I remember when I had a bike on my basket.”


“Those are cool boots; I never would have thought to wear high heeled boots while biking.”


“Isn’t it kind of early for a Halloween costume?”

Okay, I made the last one up just now, but sometimes I do feel like I’m wearing a costume when I’m decked out in my neon yellow jacket, bike gloves, rain pants and helmet. I certainly don’t look fashionable (those that know me well are laughing right now, since I never look fashionable.)

Now, I’m not knocking neon yellow jackets, I wear mine often, especially since we have so many grey and rainy days in Bellingham. I also have an obnoxiously bright pink vest courtesy of Feet First that is super reflective for night riding.

I bike in my work clothes, skirts, dress pants or jeans. And yes, I admit, sometimes I don’t wear my yellow vest. Like this morning, I just couldn’t bring myself to put it on over my olive green jacket. Even I know that would clash, and it would take away from the whole ‘your bike is a fashion accessory’ look that I was going for.

I want to show people that you don’t have to wear spandex shorts and a jersey just to get to work or the grocery store. You don’t even need special biking shoes (although I do think my boots are pretty special). I understand that this attire won’t work for everyone, if your commute is many miles, or uphill, you might need to change your clothes when you get to work. But for those that can do it, have fun! Wear high heeled shoes and a skirt on your next bike ride, just think of all the people you’ll inspire, or at least make smile. Because biking is fun, but biking in heels is a blast!

Posted in Bike Culture, Bike to Work, Go By Bike | 2 Comments

New York City turns toward moving people instead of cars

By baw_admin | Published October 13, 2010
Close Broadway to cars through Times Square in New York City? “Never happen”, said political observers. “It will kill us”, said the business owners. After a couple of years, it’s been a grand success.
PlaNYC, announced in 2007, included the pedestrianization of Times Square plus Bus Rapid Transit to the Bronx, 200 additional miles of separated bike lanes, and transportation planners shifting focus to moving people instead of cars. Bus speeds have gone up by 20 percent. Ridership is up 30 percent. You can sit at a sidewalk cafe in Times Square and have a conversation without shouting over the traffic noise. There has been a 63 percent reduction in traffic injuries in Times Square. The business owners loved seeing more foot traffic. Mayor Bloomberg says that life expectancy in the city has increased by 1 year and 7 month over the last 8 years, due at least in part to fewer traffic deaths.
The video below shows the NYC mayor, city commissioners, and transportation planners commenting on how this has worked for citizens and businesses. From the intro:

“New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Department of Transportation are on a mission to make the Big Apple the “greatest, greenest big city in the world” by ramping up bicycle infrastructure across the city, introducing bus rapid transit to the Bronx, and pedestrianizing Times Square, among other bold transportation initiatives.”

The same can happen here.
Posted in Attitudes, Politics, Sustainable Living | 1 Comment

Northwest Bicycle Commuting: Washington gets the booby prize–but why?

By baw_admin | Published October 12, 2010



Want to increase the rate of bike commuting everywhere? It’s all about the infrastructure



The League of American Bicyclists may have anointed Washington as America’s most bicycle-friendly state; but when it comes to bike commuting in the Northwest, we rank dead last.

That news came in an October 7 post on Sightline Daily, an e-newspaper from the Sightline Institute, a Seattle-based non-profit think tank devoted to Northwest sustainability.

Sightline’s Eric de Place analyzed census data about commuting in the four-state region (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana). The fact that Oregon leads the pack, with 2.3 percent of all commuters getting to work on two wheels, probably won’t surprise anyone. But what’s sobering is that Washington was whooped by Montana (with a 1.7 percent bike-commuting rate) and Idaho (with a 1.2 percent rate) as well. Washington’s bike-commuting rate is 0.9 percent.

Northwest bike-commuting statistics look pretty anemic everywhere when you compare them with world leaders such as the Netherlands, where 27 percent of all trips–not just commute trips–are by bike. But Washington’s comparatively poor showing even among local states should be food for thought among local bike advocates and transportation planners.

As might be expected, three of the top six regional bike-commuting cities were college towns. Eugene came out on top with a 10.8 percent bike-commuting rate, and was the only city to reach double digits.  Missoula, in weather-unfriendly Montana, came in second, at 7.2 percent; while Bellingham was number four at 5.2 percent.  Others in the top six were Portland (number three, at 5.8 percent), Boise (number five, at 4.2 percent) and Seattle (number six, at 3.0 percent, or a little more than half of Portland’s rate).

Other Washington cities were well down on the charts. Spokane was Number 9 with a 1.9 percent bike-commuting rate; Tacoma was Number 18 (0.7 percent), Vancouver was Number 19 (0.6 percent), Everett was Number 20 (0.5 percent), and Bellevue was Number 21 (0.4 percent). Kent had the honor of being last among all listed cities, coming in at Number 28 with zero percent of its citizens getting to work by bike. (If you work in Kent, I’d love to have you prove the United States Census Bureau wrong on that one.)

The good news is that Washington was ranked Number 1 in the Northwest for the percentage of workers who take public transit to work (a relatively low 5.9 percent, but still better than the other states).  Seattle was the most transit-oriented of the region’s cities; 19.5 percent of workers there get to their jobs by transit.  Also, Bellingham and Seattle ranked Number 1 and 2, respectively, in the percentage of those who walk to work. (De Place’s post called Seattle “the Northwest’s clear leader in commute-trip alternatives.”) Finally, Washingtonians do carpool at a higher rate (11.3 percent) than other Northwest states.

But why does Washington do relatively badly when it comes to cycle commuting? I put the question to de Place by email.  He didn’t have a definitive answer but did offer some ideas.

First, he said that Seattle—at least compared with most other North American cities–wasn’t a bad cycling town. “Biking in big, dense congested cities is hard,” he said, “at least given American transportation culture and bike infrastructure…There’s no question that Seattle can do better, but it’s not like there are all that many [American] big cities that do wildly better. Portland has done awesome things, no question about it, but it’s also the leading edge.”

But de Place added that “the alarm bells go off when I see the dismal stats for Tacoma, Bellevue, Spokane, etc.”  He said there may be many reasons for the low bike-commuting rates in these cities, but added that “the sheer size of the Puget Sound Metro area is a factor that prevents or discourages biking for some significant share of the trips.”  




Posted in Attitudes, Commuting, Funding/Policy, Go By Bike, Infrastructure, Transportation | 2 Comments

The Washington State Transportation Plan 2030 – It Matters To Bicyclists!

By baw_admin | Published October 11, 2010

The Washington Transportation Plan 2030 (WTP) is a high-level policy plan that provides guidance and strategies for all transportation modes (bikes are included) and regions in the state. It serves as a policy update to the 2007-2026 and is to be completed by the end of this year. The plan is required by law and is available for public comment until October 15, 2010 (more about this later). While it is about policy and not projects and infrastructure, it serves to guide long-term investment and policy making for many modes and jurisdictions.

Olympia. pedbikeimages.org/DanBurden


So why does this plan matter to bicyclists? The short answer is in the quote above. The long answer is that the WTP contains seven overarching themes such as the need for an integrated transportation network, the relationship between land use and transportation, and one size does not fit all. In other words, policies and investments in bicycle infrastructure would contribute successfully to all seven of these themes. This includes safe routes to school, complete streets, and distracted driving, which in fact are mentioned or alluded to in the plan. They come under the overarching theme of transportation policy supporting and reinforcing other state policy objectives. Safe Routes to School is also an issue that is impacted by the relationship between land use and transportation.

The Washington State Transportation Commission held 6 “Listening Sessions” around the state. Citizens turned out in support of biking and walking at every session held. According to a Kitsap Sun article, the support was so strong at the Bremerton session that the biking and walking strategy rose to the top.

So what’s a bicyclist to do? Comment on the plan! Along with any specific comments you have in mind, we suggest the following:

  • Tell them that policies and investments in bicycle infrastructure would contribute successfully to all of these themes.
  • Tell them how much we appreciate the state’s nationally recognized Safe Routes to School Program and that it needs to have more funding, not only as demonstrated by the unmet demand, but by its ability to help meet the goals of the WTP.
  • Tell them we need a Complete Streets policy that provides incentives for jurisdictions to adopt and implement complete streets. It helps reduce traffic congestion, vehicles miles traveled, greenhouse gas emissions, makes our roads safer, and provides improved mobility for the 37% of Washington residents that do not drive.
  • Tell them we want a distracted driving campaign that focuses on the recent cell phone/texting law in order to help meet the Target Zero Campaign goals.
  • Tell them we want a dedicated funding source so that facilities are more likely built and planned.
As the WTP states, “Accomplishing some goals – such as zero traffic deaths by 2030 or major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions – will depend more on individual action than those of the government.” As bicyclists, we are those individuals and can make those and other goals attainable. Get out there and make it happen!
Please submit comments are due by October 15, 2010.
To read the plan, go to: http://www.wstc.wa.gov/WTP/default.htm and you can submit comments by email at: wtp2030@wstc.wa.gov or by mail to:
P.O. Box 47308, Olympia, WA 98504-7308
And as always, ride your bike!
Posted in Complete Streets, Funding/Policy, Safe Routes to School, Transportation | Comments Off on The Washington State Transportation Plan 2030 – It Matters To Bicyclists!

Kid-Loving Puyallup-Region Volunteers Needed!

By baw_admin | Published October 7, 2010

Kids and bikes go together like ice cream and hot summer days. Do you remember the joy and freedom of riding your bike? Unfettered, two wheels flying beneath you, it felt like you could go anywhere. –Wait, that’s how we feel now. Anyway, bicycling is a great way to get kids started early on using alternative transportation.

However, most kids don’t know the first thing about riding safely or even get bad advice from their parents. As a result, many kids are hit doing easily-preventable things: Riding out of a driveway without looking; riding the wrong way on a street (often at parents’ behest); riding through stop signs without even pausing, let alone stopping.

To help educate the youngest bikers and prevent unfortunate accidents, the Bicycle Alliance is holding a bike rodeo at Liberty Ridge Elementary School on October 20. Bike rodeos are only successful with lots of adult help (otherwise they’re called “chaos,” and kids don’t need any practice at that). We could really use your help to make this happen.

What: We need 5 to 7 volunteers to help:

  • Check bike fit
  • Check helmet fit
  • Run stations and hold stop signs

When: October 20, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (set-up from 10:00 to 11:00; kids ride from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm) Where: Liberty Ridge Elementary School, 12202 209th Ave Ct. E, Bonney Lake, 98391

If you want to help, please email Katie at katief [at] wabikes.org, or call 206-224-9252 ext. 305 and leave a message. Thanks in advance for helping all those budding bicyclists stay safe on the roads.

Posted in Education, Events, Kids, Volunteer | Comments Off on Kid-Loving Puyallup-Region Volunteers Needed!