Washington Bikes 2016 Ballot Measure Endorsements Released

By Blake Trask | Published October 19, 2016

You’re celebrating the election of a bicycle-champion official. You’re biking down a newly installed protected bike lane that connects two sections of town. Your town is named a Bicycle Friendly Community and you can see why. This happens because local bike leaders and Washington Bikes collaborate in identifying and promoting bicycle-friendly policies and investments that make bicycling safer and more accessible. You’re part of a community where your voice is not only heard, but acted upon.

Following the 2016 merger of Cascade Bicycle Club (becoming a 501(c)(3) organization) and Washington Bikes (emerging as a 501(c)(4) organization), Washington Bikes assumed all endorsements and electoral responsibilities for bicycling statewide. Additionally, Washington Bikes will continue to be the voice of bicycling in Olympia.

For the 2016 General Election, Washington Bikes endorses the following ballot measures:

Regional Proposition 1: Sound Transit 3

A $54 billion plan that would build 62 miles of light rail, additional bus rapid transit improvements, and approximately $270 million in biking and walking access improvements at and around stations, as well as a $100 million access fund that would build biking and walking improvements systemwide. Additionally, future revenues through managed parking will be directed toward making it easier to walk and bike to transit. Regional Prop. 1 is an opportunity to connect Everett to Tacoma, Seattle to Redmond, and all the communities in between with 116 miles of Sound Transit light rail, commuter rail, bus rapid transit and express buses.

From now until election day, we’re working with our affiliate organization, Cascade Bicycle Club, and calling on volunteers like you to help spread the word to voters all around the region by encouraging them to vote “yes” on Prop 1!

Bellevue Transportation Levy

The Bellevue Transportation Levy is a 20-year property tax levy that would raise approximately $140 million for neighborhood safety, connectivity, congestion improvement, sidewalk, bicycle, technology and maintenance needs. Notably, this levy would improve the potential for investments in Bellevue’s Bicycle Network.

Kenmore “Walkways & Waterways” Bond Measure

Kenmore “Walkways & Waterways” Bond Measure is a $19.75 million bond measure would invest in 5 significant bicycle and pedestrian and placemaking projects. It would invest in Juanita Drive improvements that would add bike lanes from Kirkland city limits north to 170th Ave (Simonds Rd.). An additional project would connect Safe Routes to Schools projects together with downtown.

Issaquah Traffic Improvement Projects Bond

A $50 million bond measure that would invest in four projects across Issaquah. A highlight includes investments in two discrete projects on segments of Newport Way that would build bike lanes and/or a multi-use path parallel to the corridor.

In addition to ballot measures, Washington Bikes endorses candidates. View our 2016 General Election Candidate Endorsements. 

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Riding in the Rain

By Charlie Hockett | Published October 14, 2016

As the weather inevitably gets colder, cloudier and rainier, many of us are tempted to hang up our bikes and hop on a bus or in a car. Riding a bike — for fun, transportation or exercise — has positive benefits which, when you think about it, can outweigh the perceived discomfort of riding in rainy weather. While riding on a sunny day can seem more enjoyable, a few easy changes to your attire, bike, riding style and attitude can make a rainy day ride just as (maybe even more!) fun.

Outfit your bike

It might seem unintuitive, but the biggest source of wetness isn’t water falling from above — it’s from the spinning of your tires. Fenders are your best way of combating this. Visit your local bike shop and consider picking up some full fenders that cover most of your back wheel and at least the rear section of your front wheel. Mud flaps on the fenders are an added bonus to keep your feet (and your friends riding behind you) nice and dry.

ride-in-the-rain-smileOutfit yourself

First things first — a good rain jacket is key. Consider a jacket made of a bright/reflective material that has proper ventilation (keep an eye out for a jacket with zippers under the armpits). While a good set of fenders should keep your bottom half dry, you might also consider waterproof pants, a rain cape or shoe covers. Waterproof fabric tends to be windproof as well, which means that it can be easy to sweat more than usual when riding. I find it helps to ride a little more slowly to keep my heart rate down and body temperature comfortable.

Think a little further ahead

Think of the phrase, “slippery when wet.” While a wet road can feel the same as a dry one, there are situations when you need to think a step or two ahead to keep cruising comfortably. If you ride a bike with rim brakes, your brakes need more time to generate friction on wet rims. To combat this, use your brakes earlier than usual and apply pressure gradually. Also, watch out for things like manhole covers, thick road paint and mud, which get especially slippery and can make taking corners a little more exciting than needed.

Washington Bikes' 2016 Ride in the Rain Challenge is November 1-30 — sign up today!

For extra support, prizes and bragging rights, take the Washington Bikes Ride in the Rain Challenge November 1-30!

It’s all a matter of perspective

Having grown up in Southern California, the rainy months of the Northwest really took a toll on me when I moved here. I felt like aspects of my life had to come to a stop because of the weather. But, after a while, I began trying to look at the rain as less of a barrier and more of a challenge. Rather than focusing on how I would rather be dry, I like to think about how I am doing something that I enjoy, regardless of Mother Nature.

Anyone can be a fair weather pedaler . It takes a little more determination to ride all year round, but in the end, I think it’s worth it. Keep riding, keep exploring and prove that a little rain can’t slow your roll! For extra support, prizes and bragging rights, join our 2016 Ride in the Rain Challenge and invite your friends and coworkers to compete this November!

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Washington Bikes 2016 General Elections Endorsements Released

By Alex Alston | Published October 6, 2016

It’s almost Election Day, and here at Washington Bikes we are thrilled to announce our first slate of legislative endorsements!

Washington Bikes grows bicycling all across the state of Washington every day. Through our efforts we increase investments to build and maintain bicycle facilities; provide tools for local advocates to improve their communities; and promote the health, safety, and economic benefits of bicycling. Our work and that of our many partner organizations means more people of all ages and abilities biking all across Washington, the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America since 2008. To learn more, visit WAbikes.org.

Pro-bicycle interests in Olympia have made significant strides, setting a tone that promotes the economic development, safety, and health benefits of bicycling as bipartisan and of great importance to diverse communities statewide. These approaches have produced results including:

  • policy bills, including the passage of the Neighborhood Safe Streets (providing authority to set 20 MPH speed maximums on non-arterial streets) and Dead Read bills (addressing broken red lights for cyclists);
  • all-time high investments in bicycle and pedestrian friendly infrastructure including safe routes to school grant funding, as well as biking and walking trail investments in the capital budget; and
  • passage of a 16-year transportation package that includes historic investments of approximately $500 million for biking, walking, safe routes to schools, and complete streets.

Following the 2016 merger of Cascade Bicycle Club (becoming a 501(c)(3) organization) and Washington Bikes (emerging as a 501(c)(4) organization), Washington Bikes assumed all endorsements and electoral responsibilities for bicycling statewide. Additionally, Washington Bikes will continue to be the voice of bicycling in Olympia.

In our inaugural round of endorsements, Washington Bikes has endorsed the following candidates for the Washington state legislature. For additional information regarding endorsements, see our FAQs.

Legislative District 1

House Position 1: Shelley Kloba (D)

Legislative District 3

Senate: Andy Billig (D)

Legislative District 5

Senate: Mark Mullet (D)

Legislative District 8

House Position 1: Brad Klippert (R)

Legislative District 14

Senate: Curtis King (R)

Legislative District 24

House Position 2: Steve Tharinger (D)

Legislative District 25

Senate: Hans Zeiger (R)

House Position 1: Melanie Stambaugh (R)

Legislative District 26

House Position 1: Larry Seaquist (D)

Legislative District 34

House Position 2: Joe Fitzgibbon (D)

Legislative District 41

Senate: Steve Litzow (R), Lisa Wellman (D) (dual endorsement)

House Position 1: Tana Senn (D)

House Position 2: Judy Clibborn (D)

Legislative District 48

House Position 2: Joan McBride (D)

Legislative District 49

House Position 2: Monica Stonier (D)

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Registration is open for the 2016 Ride in the Rain Challenge!

By Charlie Hockett | Published October 3, 2016

As the rainy season draws near many people hang up their bikes and opt for the comfort of pumpkin spice lattes and warm cars. Those of us who bike in Washington have something else in mind: the Washington Bikes Ride in the Rain Challenge.

During November, the wettest month of the year, participants log their bike trips to compete for prizes, bragging rights and the satisfaction that comes with braving the rain.

Despite having over eight inches of rainfall last November, the 2015 Ride in the Rain Challenge was the most successful yet. We had over 4,000 people riding almost 500,000 miles in the 30-day challenge. Participants competed on 507 teams, which made for an exciting and ever-changing leaderboard throughout the challenge. With the combined momentum from the Bike Everywhere Challenge in May, Ride in the Rain is poised to grow even more.

Like Bike Everywhere Challenge, anyone can participate. It’s free, easy to sign up and downright fun. Awards are given away for miles as well as the total number of trips, so you don’t have to ride hundreds of miles to be competitive. Whether you commute to work, ride for recreation or are thinking of getting back in the saddle, you’re invited to participate!

How the Ride in the Rain Challenge works

  1. Register for the Challenge
  2. Join a team or form your own
  3. Log your trips made by bike Nov. 1 – 30
  4. Record at least eight trips during November to be eligible for awesome prizes and bragging rights

Throughout the Challenge, we’ll host events, highlight social media contests, and offer up awards for weekly leaders, final winning teams and individuals.

We believe that if fair weather pedalers see how easy it is to ride in the wettest month of the year, more and more people will feel comfortable riding all year round. So put on your fenders, find your favorite rain jacket and tell your friends. The 2016 Ride in the Rain Challenge is your chance to brave the storm of a Washington November and prove that the weather can’t slow your roll!

Find out more about events and prizes and the Challenge details.

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Biking the John Wayne Pioneer Trail East to West

By Barb Chamberlain | Published September 6, 2016
Image by @RodHuntress shared on Twitter. Palouse panorama at harvest time, seen from the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. Shot between the ID border and Tekoa, WA.

Image by @RodHuntress shared on Twitter. Palouse panorama at harvest time, seen from the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. Shot between the ID border and Tekoa, WA.

Every time someone bikes the John Wayne Pioneer Trail it creates a new source of information for people planning a future trip. In August, people following @SheRidesABike or @RodHuntress on Twitter got a series of insights into the east-to-west trek, shared here with their permission.

If you’re thinking of biking the trail someday, check out our round-up of other blog posts and information sources on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.

 

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Ian Mackay’s Journey for Accessibility

By Barb Chamberlain | Published August 25, 2016

Ian-Mackay-on-Olympic-Discovery-TrailIan Mackay undertook a journey many people would find too daunting to consider: from his home in Port Angeles with a quick visit via ferry to Victoria, British Columbia, and then heading from Anacortes through the length of Washington state to Portland. And what a ride!

To help Ian plan his route we sent links to maps for bike events like Seattle to Portland and RSVP; mailed print bike maps for counties and cities that have them available; and reached out to bike groups all along the way to find expert route advice and ride-along friends, and they responded.

Ian and crew tweeted, blogged, and posted on Facebook all along the way, as did friends and supporters. We rounded up the social media and mainstream news coverage in a Storify so you can experience a bit of the ride as it unfolded.

When Ian got in touch with us originally, he said he wanted to highlight the need for accessible, complete connections for all. He has certainly done that, with stories on TV, in newspapers, and on Mashable.com, where the story has already been shared over 13,000 times.

Ian also said he wanted to donate funds raised to support the state advocacy efforts of Washington Bikes to improve and complete trails and connections. If you think we need to do a lot more to create safe, complete, accessible networks for all of us no matter how we roll, join Ian in supporting our work.

 

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Rolling Through Washington: Ian Mackay’s Ride Is Coming Up

By Barb Chamberlain | Published August 4, 2016
Pulling maintenance on one of the two chairs Ian will use on his trek.

Pulling maintenance on one of the two chairs Ian will use on his trek.

Ian Mackay is getting ready to roll later this month on his quest to traverse Washington by wheelchair and highlight the need for safe, accessible, complete connections. You can see the planning process and shoutouts to those helping make this possible on his ride blog.

He could use your advice to improve his route, in particular passing through Seattle. While he has daily maps planned now for the whole trip, route details and destination cities are all subject to change with your help. Steepness is not a problem; extremely bumpy roads and heavy traffic areas with little shoulder space are the biggest concern. Email suggestions on the routes below to Ian and comment here for others who will appreciate your tips and insights.

Ride along! Ian welcomes people to ride along for any portion of the trip so let him know when and where you’d like to share the journey.

Ian reports that fundraising has been going well. He has raised enough to cover all expenses; any additional donations will support the work of Washington Bikes to fight for increased investments and policies that support safer streets and trails.

Maps and Projected Schedule

Ian notes that he has allowed 14 days in case the schedule has a hiccup along the way, so watch for an update if you plan to ride along for a segment.

Ian-Mackay-Map-Port-Angeles-to-Portland

The Sequim Lions Club is supporting Ian's ride with a generous donation.

The Sequim Valley Lions Club is supporting Ian’s ride with a generous donation.

Many thanks to the individuals and businesses making Ian’s ride possible. The Peninsula Daily News did a nice article on the journey, and check out the video below.

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John Wayne Pioneer Trail: Comments for Commission Meeting

By Barb Chamberlain | Published July 21, 2016
Riding toward the east portal of the Boylston Tunnel in the Yakima Training Center grounds. Photo by Mike Sorensen (used by permission).

Riding toward the east portal of the Boylston Tunnel in the Yakima Training Center grounds. Photo by Mike Sorensen (used by permission).

Washington Trails Association and Washington Bikes wrote this joint letter to the State Parks and Recreation Commission that will be shared at today’s meeting in Clarkston concerning the John Wayne Pioneer Trail and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on which both organizations have been represented.

Dear Members of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission:

As organizations that collectively represent thousands of members who ride and hike on Washington state’s trails, we are writing to urge continued support of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.

Representatives from Washington Bikes and Washington Trails Association were appointed to Washington State Parks’ John Wayne Pioneer Trail Advisory Committee. Over the past seven months we have worked with State Parks and other trail stakeholders to develop recommendations for addressing a variety of trail issues. We thank Washington State Parks for its commitment to working with group like ours on this important process.

Through Washington State Parks’ public outreach process to develop recommendations for the future of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, a spotlight has been put on the trail. Our organizations have heard from many hikers and bicycle riders who value the trail and would like to see it developed to its fullest potential as the largest cross state trail in the country.

Clearly significant work remains to fully realize the vision of the John Wayne Trail, including trestle and trail surfacing improvements and the development of critical trail infrastructure such as trailheads, campsites and water provisions along the trail. Prioritizing investments for development of the eastern portion of the trail is critical to the trail’s future success as a national cross state trail that not only draws Washingtonians to travel it, but those who are eager to travel the trail’s length from around the country. In addition, enhanced coordination between State Parks and Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop both the Beverly Bridge crossing over the Columbia, as well as DNR-controlled properties immediately east of the Columbia is necessary.

Our organizations urge the Commission to harness the energy and public interest of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail planning process and prioritize project investments that will greatly benefit the trail now and in the future. We recognize and appreciate that Washington State Parks has a number of project priorities across the state, but also recognize that due to the statewide interest in this Trail, the time is now to prioritize investments to get the ball rolling for the long-term development and use of this unique trail of statewide significance. Washington Bikes and Washington Trails offer our continued support and assistance in helping State Parks achieve success around the state for recreation and trails.

WA-Trails-Assoc-logo

WA-Bikes-logo

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A Different Set of Wheels: Ride with Ian Mackay

By Barb Chamberlain | Published July 18, 2016

Help Ian McKay plan and ride his expedition

Ian-Close-Up

From Ian’s Blog

Here’s the plan. I’m setting aside two weeks. August 13-27, 2016.  I intend to travel Washington state from north to south.  Along with a support crew, I plan to navigate through the state on multiuse paths and roadways, all the while posting about my experience on social media. The idea is to find out firsthand and share with the public how accessible our state is for nonmotorized users, specifically people in wheelchairs. I’d also like to help a worthy cause.

The Journey

Ian Mackay is setting off on a journey that would be a challenge for anyone. He plans to ride his electric wheelchair from Canada to Oregon. Along the way he hopes to ride with people who want to share a piece of his journey, people who care about making our streets and roads safer for people on bikes, people who share his love of multi-use trails in particular.

Trails are especially important for Ian, who uses an electric wheelchair since a bike crash at age 26 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. To learn more about Ian read his blog.

Route Planning and Ridealongs

Ian is looking for people to help him work out the best route, which needs to include a stop about every 30 miles to charge his chair. He’s hoping members of bike clubs along the route might want to share their expert advice and that riders and city planners and engineers will look at their local routes with accessibility and safety for all kinds of riders in mind.

If you’re interested in helping with route suggestions or riding a part of the route with him, get in touch with him via email. If you have maps with details so much the better. Ian’s been using Strava to track his travels; in the last couple of years he’s put in over 5,000 miles.

 

Ian-Mackay-on-Olympic-Discovery-Trail

Riding for a Cause

Ian is looking for sponsors and donors to help cover the cost of his trip. In-kind donations will help keep costs down–anything from a place to stay to a tank of gas for his support vehicle will help. Anything he raises over and above trip costs, estimated at around $3,000, will be donated to Washington Bikes to support our statewide work for better connections that are safe, accessible, and available to everyone. Legislative advocacy and investments in trails and safe routes are important to Ian; that’s why he sought us out.

Sponsorship benefits include, but are not limited to, signs on support vehicles and Ian's wheelchair, recognition in social media, and mentions in any media interviews or podcasts he does. We're on Ian's team to amplify the thank-yous. To learn more download the sponsor brochure.

Follow Ian's journey on his blog.

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John Wayne Pioneer Trail Study Recommendations Coming Out

By Guest Blogger | Published July 15, 2016
Marilyn Hedges on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. Photo by Mike Sorensen (used by permission).

Marilyn Hedges on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. Photo by Mike Sorensen (used by permission).

Not many people in Washington know about the Channeled Scablands, created 15,000 years ago by an epic glacial flood sending water the equivalent of the five Great Lakes through Eastern Washington.

Fewer people yet know that the longest cross state trail in the country, the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (JWPT), winds through the heart of the Channeled Scablands. The JWPT starts at Rattlesnake Lake, near North Bend, WA and continues for 285 miles to the Idaho border. In those 285 miles it crosses the Cascades, high desert country, the Scablands and eastern Washington’s Palouse. The JWPT, the former Milwaukee Railroad, is a rail to trail jewel in Washington State’s growing network of trails.

In the fall of 2015, 135 miles of the eastern section of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail was nearly given back to adjacent landowners — saved by a typo in the bill. This secretive attempt by Washington 9th District lawmakers to close the trail created a public outcry that led to three contentious public meetings and a series of Washington State Parks CAMP planning meetings.

These meetings started at the beginning of 2016, included meetings for public input and established an ongoing Citizens Advisory Committee with representatives from numerous stakeholders: weed control (important in eastern Washington), bicycling, hiking, equestrian, adjacent landowners, agribusiness, utilities, railroad history and tourism. The final meeting of the Advisory Committee was held in Moses Lake, WA on Monday, June 27, 2016. The proposed final Recommendations Report (a long term plan for the preservation, improvement and maintenance of the JWPT) was presented… but there was additional news!

Peter Herzog, Assistant Parks Director, and Daniel Farber, Parks Policy Director, introduced a (new) potential Washington Parks Policy Revision declaring that the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission “Affirms its commitment to long-term development and operation of Washington’s cross-state trail system including the entire length of the Iron Horse State Park Trail Corridor (the JWPT) between Rattlesnake Lake and the Idaho border.” Further, “The commission authorizes the Director to work with private and public entities towards achieving the Legislature’s and the Commission’s shared vision of a Washington cross-state non-motorized recreational trail system extending from the Pacific Coast to the Idaho border and connecting to a national network of rail-trails.”

Riding toward the east portal of the Boylston Tunnel in the Yakima Training Center grounds. Photo by Mike Sorensen (used by permission).

Riding toward the east portal of the Boylston Tunnel in the Yakima Training Center grounds. Photo by Mike Sorensen (used by permission).

Now, the potential future closure of the eastern JWPT is unlikely, potential funding for improvements to the eastern section of the JWPT is more likely, and the future of a system of rail-trails in Washington State may be one significant step closer to becoming a reality.

In addition to the potential change in policy for the JWPT and Washington rail-trails, Washington Parks is prepared to seek $6.2 million in capital and grant requests for the 2017-2018 biennium and an additional $11.3 million in future biennium requests. These funds will be used for repair and construction of JWPT trestles, bridges, the roadbed, access/camping/water facilities and more.

To be clear, these funds are yet to be awarded, but this is truly good news for the citizens of Washington State and for those who have worked so hard to save the JWPT and to bring the promise the JWPT holds to eastern communities like Beverly, Lind, Warden, Malden, Rosalia and Tekoa. Organizations like JWPT Wagons and Riders, Tekoa Trail and Trestle, Washington Bikes, Washington Trails Association, Cascade Rail Foundation, Pullman Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the JWPT have worked hard with Washington Parks to make this happen.

If you live in eastern Washington, or feel like a road trip, the next Washington Parks Commission meeting is July 21, 2016 at 700 Port Drive, Clarkston, WA from 9am – 5pm. The final Recommendation Report will be presented at this meeting. Among the recommendations for the JWPT is the likelihood that the trail name will change.

Mike Sorensen on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail near Lower Crab Creek. Photo by Marilyn Hedges (used by permission).

Mike Sorensen on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail near Lower Crab Creek. Photo by Marilyn Hedges (used by permission).

If you haven’t done so, put the JWPT on your bucket list to walk, mountain bike or horseback ride. You can get help in planning your trip by visiting the Friends of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail  website.

Guest blogger Robert Yates serves on the board of Friends of the JWPT, a nonprofit organization.

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