I Bike: Tell Us Your Story!

Washington Bikes wants to put a personal face on bicycling when we talk to elected officials, corporate supporters and the general public.  We’ve dubbed this effort the I Bike project.

Would you like to tell us your story so we can share it in support of our mission?  We may tell your story on our website and other forms of electronic media, in our print publications, or at presentations and outreach events.  Email me at LouiseMc@wabikes.org with the following information:  your name, city, occupation/what you do, your bike story (why you bike, where you bike, why biking is important to you, etc.), and a photo of yourself.

Today I’d like you to meet Denise Jones.

I Bike: Denise Jones

Denise Jones lives in downtown Bellevue and works at the Microsoft office in Seattle’s Pioneer Square.  She bikes to work 2-5 days per week.  While her job can be very stressful, Denise has her commute to mellow her out.

“I cycle because it’s the greatest freaking sport on earth.  What other sport can combine your workout and your commute at the same time?” points out Denise.  “I love my bike.  I pledge allegiance to my bike,” she adds.

Another bonus of biking has been weight loss.  Denise dropped 30 pounds and now wears a size 6.  Her husband thinks that’s pretty cool. Denise is also an international traveler and sent us this photo of her biking in Vietnam.

Posted in I Bike, People | Comments Off on I Bike: Tell Us Your Story!

Hang Up or Pay Up!

A few weeks ago, as I was walking to the West Seattle Farmer’s Market, I was forced to back pedal in the crosswalk as a left-turning motorist breezed through–oblivious to my presence as he chatted on his cell phone.  Sound familiar?

Beginning June 10, motorists in Washington State can be ticketed for using a handheld cell phone or sending and receiving text messages while driving.  For drivers younger than 18, even the use of a hands-free cell phone while driving is off limits.  The fine is $124.

The passage of this law comes too late for Gordon Patterson of Vancouver.  In September 2009, Patterson, a teacher, was biking home after work when he was struck from behind in a bike lane and killed.  The motorist fled the scene and was later caught.  Evidence showed that the driver, 18-year-old Antonio Cellestine, was sending and receiving text messages when he hit Patterson.  In January of this year, he was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to five years in prison.  Read the article in The Columbian for more details.

The campaign to pass this law was spearheaded by the Driven to Distraction Task Force of Washington State, of which the Bicycle Alliance is a member.  We rallied cyclists across the state to contact their legislators in support of the bill.  As bicyclists, we are more vulnerable on the roadway to inattentive drivers than folks enclosed in vehicles.

This law won’t ensure our safety on the roads but, if this law is enforced, it will help.  I, for one, will continue to watch out for the other guy.

Posted in Issues & Advocacy, Legal, Safety | 4 Comments