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Adventure: Bike Camping

By Guest Blogger | Published December 21, 2015

State parks can make great bike camping destinations and, with over 140 Washington State Parks, you’re bound to find a suitable destination near you. Today’s post first ran on Adventure Awaits, the official blog for Washington State Parks.

The Adventure

Beach cruiser or BMX, recumbent or mountain bike—few transportation modes bring you closer to the road than the humble bicycle. The whir of wheels on the road or trail, the wind in your hair, the exhilaration of pumping hard up long inclines and whizzing down hills… It’s great exercise and an intimate way to enjoy the open road and country.

It’s also a great way to camp! If you love cycling and have yet to try a two-wheel vacation now is the time! With fall weather in the forecast, it’s a great time to get out on the road while the weather is still mostly cooperative and the cooler temperatures make for a more pleasant ride. Ranked number one most bike-friendly state in the nation 8 years running, Washington is the perfect place to enjoy a long ride. And with lots of open bicycle camping spots, your state parks make great destinations to ride to.

Need some pointers and tips for planning your epic riding vacation? Read on…

The Basics

Plan out your route…

Like all camping, a big part of the fun is deciding where you are going to go. But bike camping requires a bit more planning than the average expedition by car. First, you must have a good sense of your abilities: How far will be able to ride each day? If you’re not doing a loop trip, how you will get back? Then it’s a matter of plotting out a route that’s just right for you!

Do a little research to map out a journey compatible with your abilities and with motor traffic. Will you be taking a quick weekend ride to stay overnight in one park? Are you heading out on a week- (or weeks) long odyssey? Choosing stops with regular and reasonable daily distances will give you a goal and save you the frustration of trying to locate a place to stay when you’re exhausted. Choose several Washington State Parks all within a regular distance of one another — for example, Larrabee, Bay View and Deception Pass for an exhilarating ride on Chuckanut Drive and gorgeous overnight accommodations!

Most Washington State Parks have available campsites known as either “primitive” or “hiker/biker.” More often than not these are not reservable and only available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, since fewer folks choose pedaling over driving, these sites are often available–and at the bargain price of just $12 a night!

Gather your gear

On a bike trip every pound counts. Packing just enough and not too much is an art. What you need will depend on the terrain and the weather. But anywhere you head you will need some essentials. A good tent is a must, along with cooking, first aid and a few minimalist toiletry items. Many bike touring websites will offer handy lists of gear essentials you will need. Travel tip: if you make your journey with a friend it’s not only safer and more fun, but you can share the gear load for a lighter ride.

Of course, this is the Northwest. One absolute essential, especially if you plan to ride in Western Washington, is good rain gear. Make sure you not only have a way to keep yourself dry, but your gear and spare clothing as well!

Like any vehicle, your bike is going to need some TLC before a long trip. Have it tuned up before you set out on the road. Also, always carry tools and a patch kit. For carrying your gear, there are two schools of thought: some people prefer to use panniers, which are simply racks that attach to your rear axle and hold cargo, much like saddlebags on a horse do. Others like to use a trailer, either custom-made or the type that are sometimes used to haul children. For a discussion on the pros and cons of each method, read here.

Trip Planner

Ready to roll? Here’s some great destinations…

Beacon Rock State Park

Well-known as a rock climbing destination, Beacon Rock State Park also has 20 miles of trails to please cyclists at a variety of abilities. Remember, you’ll be sharing the trail with horses! Be sure you are well-versed in the nuances of trail etiquette and how to yield. Make an epic trip of it and stay the night in this stunning park on the banks of the Columbia River.

Columbia Plateau Trail State Park

With 48 miles of biking-ready trails and multiple trail heads, Columbia Plateau Trail State Park is one of Washington’s “it” spots for a major bike trip. Built along the converted bed of the old Spokane, Portland and Seattle rail lines, the trail winds through amazing historic country.

Spokane Centennial Trail State Park

Centennial Trail State Park may be 37 miles long but is flat and paved, making it an easier ride for shorter legs to manage. This is a day use but you can stay the night at nearby Riverside State Park and explore the trail by day.

Grayland Beach State Park

Take along the bikes to this ocean-side state park! While year-round camping near the Pacific Ocean is the primary draw at this 412-acre park, the looping trail through the campsites offers a kid-friendly activity between jaunts out to the beach. Nearby is the lovely and easy-to-ride Dune Trail, starting at the Westport Light State parking lot and continuing all the way to Westhaven State Park. A great day destination, the trail offers stunning views along the way as you roll into Westport for a lunch or dinner out.

Moran State Park

Sweeping roads wind you through the denser trees and across the treasured land that is the San Juan Islands. Moran is a state parks gem and extremely popular destination with lots of camping available especially for hikers and cyclists. With 11 miles of biking trails and incredible views, this is a must for the cycle enthusiast’s bucket list!

Wenatchee Confluence State Park

Wenatchee Confluence State Park is a family adventure hotspot. Green lawns for tag. Ball fields for basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer. A fantastic playground for toddlers and grade school children. You name it, Wenatchee Confluence has your family covered. And biking is no exception. The park connects to the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail – perfect for family rides. Hop on the Wenatchee-side of the trail for paved biking adventures. The east-side is fun, too, but is more suited for more experienced riders. Adding to the fun is the Rocky Reach Trail, which just opened up at the end of June this year! This five-mile trail connects you to Lincoln Rock State Park!

Iron Horse State Park

Iron Horse State Park is an ultimate biking destination for families with teens. It’s home to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, a 100-mile-trail that stretches from North Bend to Vantage. Wide tires are a plus on this trail. It’s mostly a two- to three-percent grade gravel surface. The trail winds through old Chicago-Milwaukee-St.Paul-Pacific Railroad tunnels and trestles –you’ll need a lantern or flashlight to explore these tunnels. The trail also has a few campsites along the way for multi-day bike rides. Plan ahead and mark these campground mileposts on your map: Milepost 2109.5 at Roaring Creek, milepost 2113.2 at Cold Creek, milepost 2123.2 at Carter Creek and milepost 2127.1 at Alice Creek. You will need to sign a waiver to travel through tunnels 46 and 47 near Thorp. Find more information here.

Photos courtesy of: MileStoneRides.com (Feature photo, Twin Harbors), Mike Juvrud (Cyclists on the road), Bjorn (Moran bike)

Posted in Adventure, Bike Camping | Tagged Apple Capital Loop Trail, bike camping, Columbia Plateau Trail, Columbia River Gorge, Grayland, John Wayne Trail, Moran State Park, San Juans, Spokane Centennial Trail, WA State Parks, Wenatchee | Comments Off

Riding in the Dark

By Kevin Henderson | Published December 16, 2015

One recent evening, I was closing up my Ortliebs, getting ready to roll my bike out of the office for the trip home, and one of my coworkers walked by and asked, “You ride your bike in the dark?”

I was a little taken aback. While I’m used to people questioning riding in the rain, it never “dawned” on me that riding without sunlight would be perceived as a deterrent. Besides, this time of year, the standard work day is dark at both ends. If you put your bike away to wait for Spring, you’re missing out on some special adventures.

I would like to offer up what I think are the special joys to be found on early morning and evening winter commutes. As is often the case, before you’ve tried it, the actual experience is surprisingly nicer than what one might imagine just looking out the window.

Fortunately, I am old enough to have been of “paper boy” age at a time when young teenagers still had paper routes. While I hated getting up at 4 am seven days a week to fold newspapers, once out on my bike I discovered that the Twilight Zone-like experience of being completely alone in the empty neighborhood streets was awesome. For an hour or so each morning, I had the world all to myself. In those days, if it was raining I’d have a poncho that covered my helmet-less head and draped completely over my paper bags and the upper parts of my bike. Whether wet or dry weather, it was a serene cruise though a dark, empty world from my secret vantage point. In those days, I often had something from the Top 40 mentally playing in my head. Especially for foggy mornings, one of my favorites was The Doors’ “Riders on the Storm.”

Today, as a (somewhat) older guy on my winter commutes, I am often reminded of those days. There is something about the darkness that feels comforting, like a blanket. It’s easier to see motorists coming, even from behind if you pay attention to how your own shadow moves. There’s also something about less visual stimuli that makes the sounds seem clearer. I feel a sort of crystal awareness that isn’t there in daylight. It’s also much easier to make yourself visible. Besides head and tail lights on the bike, I like them on my helmet as well, and there are many options for inexpensive little lights and reflectors that can increase your all-around conspicuity.

If riding in the dark is a new thing for you, here are a couple things to be cautious about: if your route takes you on streets or paths without street lighting, make sure you have a headlamp that actually lights up the pavement in front of you, and manage your speed so potholes and debris can be easily avoided. Just as in daytime, make sure your lane position keeps you visible to others. If you’re first in line at an intersection, keep in mind that oncoming traffic may lose you in the sea of headlights in back of you, so be wary of turning traffic as you proceed on the green.

Otherwise, look for the things you rarely notice from inside a car or bus. The full moon, the scents of dinners cooking, raccoons, and of course your fellow riders, in on your secret.

Posted in Commuting, Safety | Tagged bike commute, bike ride, encouragement, night riding, traffic safety | Comments Off

Jefferson County to Study SR-20 Bypass Route for Olympic Discovery Trail

By Louise McGrody | Published December 15, 2015

Talk to any bicyclist who has traveled the Olympic Discovery Trail route between Port Townsend and US Hwy 101, and you’ll hear shivering tales about the 6-mile segment that follows SR 20. Sharing the winding, narrow two-lane highway with logging trucks, RVs and other vehicles can render even the most seasoned cyclist weak in the knees.

We were pleased to learn that, in November, the Jefferson County Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize a feasibility study to establish the route for the ODT-Eaglemount Trail. This segment will connect Port Townsend’s Larry Scott Memorial Trail via Discovery Road to Hwy 101 at the head of Discovery Bay, making it possible for trail users to bypass SR 20. The authorization was performed by way of adding the study project to the County’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).

From the Peninsula Trails Coalition:

Route options for ODT-Eaglemount Trail.

The Olympic Discovery Trail will ultimately be a 126 mile multipurpose non-motorized trail running from Port Townsend to the Pacific, via Discovery Bay Village, Gardiner, Blyn, Sequim and Port Angeles. About 70 miles of the ODT have been built, and another large section on the north side of Lake Crescent is nearing completion. The six-mile Eaglemount section is the longest section of the trail that has not yet been planned – largely because of daunting topographical challenges.

In September Sergeant John Ryan of the Washington State Patrol, Port Angeles Detachment, wrote to Jefferson County: “My troopers regularly patrol SR 20 often observing cars, logging trucks, loaded chip trucks, motorhomes, trucks with trailers, etc, trying to navigate SR20 over Eaglemount while dealing with bicyclers and hikers and oncoming traffic. I myself was assigned to Jefferson County from 1999 to 2003 and patrolled SR 20 often so I know firsthand how dangerous it is. For the safety of everyone—both motorists and non-motorists—we encourage inclusion of a feasibility study of a recreational trail alternative in the County’s TIP.”

The Olympic Discovery Trail shares the Eaglemount route section of the trail with the federal Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail – the newest part of the National Scenic Trails network. The PNNST was established in 2009 as a result of legislation sponsored by Representative Norm Dicks and Senator Maria Cantwell. Former Representative Dicks, now in private practice, has been working with state and federal officials, including U.S. Representative Dale Kilmer, State Representative Steve Tharinger, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to support Jefferson County in planning, and ultimately building, the trail. “PNT hikers, bicyclists, mobility impaired persons, bike-touring groups, and motorists will all be safer, healthier and happier with a trail bypassing SR-20. And a completed world-class ODT should be great for the economy,” Dicks said.

Jeff Selby, vice-president of the Peninsula Trails Coalition, says that the next step is to fund the study, which his organization hopes to accomplish soon, with the object of completing the study within the next four months so that grant funding for construction of first section(s) of the trail can perhaps be applied for in May, 2016. “The schedule is tight, but now that this crucial first step has been taken by Commissioners Johnson, Kler and Sullivan we can move ahead – after working toward this for 25 years,” Selby said. “Everyone should thank the Commissioners, the County Administrator, and the County’s Public Works Department for what they have done.”

For more information about the Olympic Discovery Trail, visit olympicdiscoverytrail.com.

Posted in News, Trails | Tagged Jefferson County, Larry Scott Memorial Trail, Olympic Discovery Trail, Port Townsend, trails | Comments Off

Lake Sammamish Bike Ride

By Guest Blogger | Published December 11, 2015

It’s another sunny day in Washington! We’re meeting up our friend Ken at Marymoor Park in Redmond; he’s going to lead us on a ride along Lake Sammamish to Issaquah and back. We also have the pleasure of being able to ride with our Washington host, Soheil.

Marymoor Park is huge; 640 acres with multiple soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, cricket field, a climbing wall, a velodrome, a playground, a reflexology path, off leash dog area, trails and much, much more-it’s an amazing place! There’s an activity are for everyone!

We head south on West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, the flat terrain on road runs along the west side of the lake and the northeast neighborhoods of Bellevue. The views of the lake are obstructed by tall evergreens and grand residential homes although I can occasionally catch a glimpse of it between the houses and trees.

Seven miles out on this road, we see a detour sign for all the construction work ahead of us, so we follow the sign pointing to SE 34th Street. It’s a steep hill with 7-13% grades! At the top of the climb, we find out from other cyclists that bicycles can pass through the construction zone with no problem. Extra kudos to everyone for increased heart rates and unexpected elevation gains! We turn around and descend back to West Lake Sammamish Road.

We cross under WA-90 on Lakemont Boulevard SE to Newport Way NW; this road runs parallel along the highway through several large apartment/condominium/townhouse communities in Sammamish. It goes east and becomes Maple Street NW to Gilman Boulevard, which takes us into the city of Issaquah through the busy downtown area. The shopping centers have the standard box stores, chain restaurants, businesses and fast food places.

Ken leads us onto the longest climb of this route on SE Issaquah-Fall City Rd, it’s one mile with an average grade of 6.2%. The road runs along the ridge up towards the SE side of the Klahanie suburban neighborhoods and continues on SE Duthie Hill Road to WA-202/SE Redmond-Fall City Road.

We head north on SE Redmonds-Fall City Road through the outer rural area of Sammamish with many farms, ranches and a nursery. Of course, I’ve noticed that every rural area anywhere must have a Retreat Center of some sort, hidden in the woods, where else can people go to kick their addictions or get their minds in order or to seek peace? A long stretch of this road roughly follows Patterson Creek up to NE Sammamish. A little factoid — Sammamish was ranked 15th in CNN Money’s 2011 best places to live in the U.S. and came in 1st place in Forbes 2012 list of Friendliest Towns in the U.S. — who knew!

We stay on SE Redmonds -City Falls Road for 10 flat miles on great pavement and wide shoulders. The turn onto E Lake Sammamish Parkway NE takes us back to NE Marymoor Way and into the park.

Soheil leads us to the Marymoor Velodrome and we all take a few spins around the track. I got reprimanded by another cyclist on the track; “Slower riders need to stay above the blue line!” My bad for getting in the way of faster people — so sorry! It was actually kind of fun going round and round in circles. Best thing is that there are no fees for using the velodrome — fantastic!

A big “THANKS” to Ken for leading us on this ride and to Soheil for showing us the Velodrome. I would’ve never ever been able to try it otherwise, for free at that!

Our post-ride lunch was at Joi’s Seafood Restaurant in Bellevue. This place was recommended to us by Joe Sing, our waterfront tour guide. The Dim-Sum, noodles and vegetables was delicious and very satisfying — thanks, Joe!

We had a chance to walk off the lunch by attending the downtown Bellevue 6th Street Fair. There were lots of arts and crafts items, live music and food stalls. This fair had the most paintings and photographs vendors ever; mostly with scenes of Mt Rainier and bald eagles.

It was a fun-filled day of cycling, eating and just schlepping around with no time constraints! What’s not to like about that?

Garmin Stats:
32.50 Miles with 1621′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 507′
Max grade: 11%
Terrain: flat, rolling hills with one long climb

Guest blogger Nancy Yu writes about her bike travels at Ride Chronicles. We’re running a series of posts from a past trip to Washington. She says, “I loved cycling around Washington. It’s a beautiful state with a wonderful network of trails and bike-friendly people. I ride to explore and love sharing my findings! I hope the write-ups and pictures will inspire those who can to get out there and enjoy the natural beauty of all that is available to us.”

Posted in Adventure, Bike Blogs, Bike Camping, Bike Culture, Guest Blogger, Northwest WA, Tourism, Travel | Tagged Bellevue, bike tourism, Issaquah, Marymoor Park, Redmond, Sammamish, Street Fair, Velodrome | Comments Off

Two New Willapa Hills Trail Bridges Now Open

By Guest Blogger | Published December 10, 2015

This bit of trail news comes to us from our friends at Discover Lewis County, who invite you to visit Lewis County and ride the Willapa Hills Trail. Under development by Washington State Parks, this former rail corridor meanders 56 miles through scenic countryside from Chehalis to South Bend. You can view the original post on their site.

A major milestone in construction on the Willapa Hills Trail will connect more than a dozen miles of trail to outdoor enthusiasts in West Lewis County.

Washington State Parks has officially opened two bridges along the Willapa Hills Trail, which runs along 55 miles of a former railroad grade through Lewis County and Pacific County.

The bridge over the Chehalis River between Doty and Dryad is shown in late summer 2015.

Many places on the corridor are still undergoing construction, but this will be the largest section of the trail to open in Lewis County so far.

The bridges’ completion links together sections of the trail that was previously accessible only in small segments due to two bridges over the Chehalis River having been washed out in the flood of 2007. The longest section of trail to open yet will take cyclists, joggers, walkers and equestrians from Spooner Road in Adna to the town of Pe Ell and just beyond.

The trail west of Adna is compact gravel, so cyclists are best served with wide tires. We recommend at least 700x32c tires or 27×1.25″ tires for road bikes, but a mountain bike or cyclocross bike should work better. The wider the tires, the better the navigation; please also be advised that the trail west of Doty is a bit rougher than the rest but is still passable through to Pe Ell.

This stretch of trail takes people who utilize it along the banks of the Chehalis River and through several stands of trees, creating a beautiful landscape especially in the fall and springtime.

The views of the Chehalis River open up from the bridge near Doty and Dryad.

The trail also passes near Rainbow Falls State Park, allowing users of the trail to disembark for a time and enjoy the park’s picnic shelters and see Rainbow Falls up close.

There’s still one major project ongoing before the trail between Chehalis and Pe Ell is nearly fully connected. A project to re-deck a railroad bridge (known as Bridge #5 because of its mileage on the trail) that carries the trail near Bunker Creek Road west of Adna is in the bid process. Once that project is complete, the trail will be nearly complete between Chehalis and Pe Ell, linking more than 23 miles of trail and opening up West Lewis County to another segment of tourists!

Please note that as of now the trestle at Bunker Creek is not roped off, but it is technically closed according to Washington State Parks as it is unplanked and there are openings between railroad ties. We ask that anyone using the trail respect the fact that it is closed. To access the areas linked by the new bridges on the trail, use points from Spooner Road on west to Pe Ell and vice versa.

The fall colors in November are shown from the Spooner Road bridge over the Chehalis River.

So where can you park?

Right now there are three good trailheads that allow for accessibility: Ceres Hill Road, Meskill Road and the midpoint trailhead at the intersection of West Fourth Avenue and Front Street in Pe Ell (click or tap each location name for a Google map of each). The Pe Ell trailhead has restroom facilities and horse trailer parking.

Mark your calendars now for the Willapa Hills Trail Fat Tire Ride & Festival on June 25-26, 2016. It’s a two-day, family-friendly leisure event that begins and ends in Chehalis and includes an overnight campout in Pe Ell.

Posted in Guest Blogger, Tourism, Trails | Tagged Adna, bike tourism, Chehalis, gravel, Lewis County, Pe Ell, trails, WA State Parks, Willapa Hills Trail | Comments Off

Safe Routes to School and Bikeability Webinar

By Louise McGrody | Published December 9, 2015

When: Tuesday, December 15, 2015, 10-11:30am

Many kids lack safe places to walk and ride bikes in their neighborhoods, prohibiting them from using these healthy and economical ways to get to and from school.

In early 2016, Washington State Department of Transportation will release its Safe Routes to Schools Request for Proposals, totaling $19 million. These grants, which are available to public agencies, can be used to address deficient bicycle infrastructure.

Join Cascade Bicycle Club and experts Charlotte Claybrooke, Active Transportation Program Manager at WSDOT; Peter Lagerway, Principal at Toole Design; and school officials from Walla Walla County to learn how to include bicycle facility design and engineering into your 2016 application in this webinar.

The webinar is free and is sponsored by Cascade and WSDOT. Register now.

Train the Next Generation of Bike Riders!

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is accepting grant applications from eligible school districts for its Safe Routes to School Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Program. Up to 20 qualifying school districts will receive grants that deliver teacher training, curriculum, bikes and educational materials, and technical assistance. Deadline to apply is January 21, 2016. Learn more.

Posted in News, Safe Routes to School | Tagged education, infrastructure, Safe Routes to School | Comments Off

Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes Merge to Form Nation’s Largest Statewide Bicycle Nonprofit

By Barb Chamberlain | Published December 8, 2015

Cascade-WA-Bikes-logos

The boards of directors of the Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes approved the merger of the two organizations which will, in effect, become the nation’s largest statewide bicycle nonprofit. The Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club boards approved the merger plan earlier today.

“We received feedback from each of our organization’s constituents and the majority was overwhelmingly supportive and excited about what opportunities and resources the merger will create,” said Catherine Hennings, board president of the Cascade Bicycle Club.

At the decision of both organization’s boards, as of Jan. 1, 2016, Cascade Bicycle Club will be the name of the 501(c)(3) tax-deductible wing, focused on education, diversity and inclusion programs, most of the signature events and advocacy work. The organization’s 501(c)(4) arm, to be called Washington Bikes, will address statewide policy and outreach, selected statewide events and activities, and candidate endorsements.

“This merger will enhance both organizations and increase the reach and effectiveness of bike advocacy and education in a state that is already #1 in the U.S. for bicycling,” said Brian Foley, board chair of Washington Bikes.

The merger will unify bicycle education curriculum and resources across the state and in the Puget Sound region. Advocacy work will also be strengthened. The merger will result in saved overhead costs and more money directly funding current work and new programs, like Cascade’s Major Taylor Project and Washington Bikes’ state bike tourism initiative. Washington Bikes’ grassroots successes across the state will also be a great partner for Cascade’s statewide tours, events and rides.

“The merger will result in more reach, effectiveness and efficiency than either organization alone, and we’ll work with all the advocacy groups and clubs in the state,” said Barb Chamberlain, executive director of Washington Bikes.

A joint board committee developed short-term transition plans and conducted due diligence to fully understand what the merger entails and how the organizational missions will continue to ensure an effective strategic merger plan is in place.

“From bicycle advocacy in Seattle and statewide, to partnerships that support local bike clubs and groups, to continuing the growth of bike tourism, this merger is a big win for people who strive to make bicycling accessible to everyone and to improve lives through bicycling,” said Cascade Executive Director Elizabeth Kiker.

About Cascade Bicycle Club

Cascade Bicycle Club, the nation’s largest locally based bicycle organization, is 15,000 members and 36 staff strong and serves bike riders of all ages and abilities throughout the Puget Sound region. Learn more at cascade.org.

About Washington Bikes

Washington Bikes advocates for bicyclists and a more bike-friendly Washington. We work for better laws and more funding to grow bicycling statewide. Learn more at wabikes.org

Posted in Advocacy, History, News | Comments Off

Congress Passes FAST Act and Representative Larsen Leads

By Blake Trask | Published December 8, 2015

On Friday, President Obama signed into law the FAST Act, a 5-year transportation reauthorization bill. Thanks to leadership from Washington state’s own Representative Rick Larsen (D-2) key improvements supporting biking and safer streets were included.

Larsen_Leads Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is the first long-term reauthorization since 2005. It follows 2012’s 2-year reauthorization, MAP-21 (and several short-term stopgap extensions), which produced a number of not-so-great changes for biking and walking investments. Luckily, the FAST Act does little-to-no harm and in fact makes some notable improvements, including:

Increases Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding incrementally from $820 million in 2016, $835 million in 2017 to $850 million in the final 3 years of the bill. Over the 5-year bill Washington state should expect to receive approximately $64.3 million in Transportation Alternatives Program funding.
Improves design standards and increases the flexibility for the use of design manuals. Both of these provisions are important. The former will apply directly to increasing the application of Complete Streets principles to National Highway System roads. The latter will allow locals more flexible use of design guides like the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide and NACTO’s Urban Streets Design Guide.
Supports a safety education program fund, but it only applies to states where over 15% of traffic deaths are comprised of those walking and biking. Currently, Washington state does not meet this threshold so will not be eligible for this safety education program fund.
Retains non-motorized eligibility across the FAST Act, which is critical because the Washington State Legislature just made a 16-year commitment in the Washington State Transportation Package for $86 million in federal dollars to go to Safe Routes to School grants statewide.
Keeps the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) as a critical investment tool for soft-surface trails in Washington state.

These top-line increases represent progress for biking and walking on the federal level. And while many helped make this progress a reality, the outsized role that Washington state’s Representative Rick Larsen has played is again notable. In September Washington Bikes reported Representative Larsen’s leadership in sending a letter from all US House of Representatives Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee requesting funding to continue for the Transportation Alternatives Program. Since then, he served on the conference committee to negotiate the final agreement between the House and Senate. The results speak for themselves.

More details on this item are included on the League of American Bicyclists’ blog post about the FAST Act.

Representative Larsen amendment improves opportunities for active transportation projects to receive federal financing and loans

Also of note in the FAST Act, is an innovative improvement to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program that provides Federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit to finance surface transportation projects. Previously, only projects greater than $50 million were eligible for these loans. Now, thanks to an amendment offered by Representative Rick Larsen, projects greater than $10 million are now eligible.

The result? With a lower project cost threshold significant regional trails and access projects for biking and walking now are eligible to new low-cost financing options. As more and more communities see the importance of building active transportation connections, the new TIFIA provision could give bike “mega projects” a jump start. For more details on this exciting amendment sponsored by Representative Larsen, check out the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s recap of the FAST Act.

More progress needed

Just a few months ago, many in-the-know around federal transportation issues felt the prospects were dim for a long-term transportation reauthorization that saw bicycling holding ground and also making progress. With that in mind, this reauthorization represents a big win for biking and walking.

Despite this, there’s a lot more work to do. Federal funding for biking and walking continues to fall short in comparison to how much people bike and walk. It’s especially low compared to the disproportionate number of serious injuries and deaths that those biking and walking experience. Sustainable funding for transportation on the federal level is still broken as motor vehicles do not pay for the roads they use. Improvements in measuring non-motorized safety performance measures by USDOT are still necessary. Also, additional work to focus transportation solutions for biking and walking at the state and federal levels remain works in progress.

Posted in Federal, Funding/Policy, Infrastructure, Issues & Advocacy, Politics, Safe Routes to School, Trails, Transportation | Tagged federal transportation, Rick Larsen | Comments Off

Vashon-Maury Island Bike Ride

By Guest Blogger | Published December 5, 2015

For a great bike getaway, head out to take a ferry ride from the Fauntleroy ferry terminal in West Seattle to Vashon-Maury Island. Blogger Nancy Yu shared her expedition with us.

Fauntleroy is located eight miles south of downtown Seattle across the West Seattle Bridge. The ferry dock area is surrounded by residential neighborhoods with limited on-street parking and “permit parking only” areas. The parking lot on Fauntleroy Way, SW & SW Cloverdale Street has a 4-hour time limit. The parking lot at Lincoln Park has no time restrictions with open hours from 4 AM to 11:30 PM. The lot is located at the south end of Fauntleroy Way SW before the ferry terminal. Restrooms and water are available at the park.

From Lincoln Park, it’s a quick half-mile descent to the ferry terminal. We purchase our roundtrip tickets at the vehicle tollbooth; cyclists pay a regular passenger fare ($5.00-other discounts may apply if eligible) plus a bicycle surcharge ($1.00)=$6.00. Cyclists traveling with a multi-ride card are exempt from the bicycle surcharge. Bicyclists should arrive 15-20 minutes before the departure time to be loaded on the ferry prior to the vehicle loading process. There are no bike racks on the ferry; they can be hooked on or strapped to the yellow side railings of the boat.

The 20-minute crossing to Vashon is a very beautiful ride with fabulous views of Seattle, Puget Sound and the surrounding Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges.

On the ferry ride over, we got to chit chat with Domenico DiGregorio who commutes daily to Vashon from Seattle. He also dedicates his free time to run Plumbers Without Borders, an organization that helps bring safe drinking water and sanitation to people with urgent needs. He gives us a few recommendations for a couple of places to eat on the island and gives us an insider tip on avoiding all the traffic coming off the ferry. Instead of going left onto the Vashon Highway like everyone else, he tells us to go right onto 103rd Avenue SW; it will merge onto Vashon Highway at the top of the hill.

Avoiding traffic sounds good to us, so up the hill we go. We quickly found out why no one goes on 103rd Avenue SW, especially cyclists — it’s 9/10th of a mile long with very steep grades ranging from 13-20% and gaining 338 feet of elevation. OUCH — thanks, Domenico!

At the top of the hill, we continue on Vashon Highway to SW Cedarhurst Road; this quiet back road winds through the thick forest along the NW edge of the island with sneak peeks of Fern Cove. Next up, Westside Highway SW; the rolling climbs on this road cuts through the many small residential acreages scattered within the woods. On Wax Orchard Road, there are plenty of open meadows, pastoral homes and a few horse ranches and stables.

We ride pass Wax Orchards Airport on Wax Orchards Road and turn onto SW Reddings Beach Road for a short loop out and around to SW 240th Street. This is where we see a man from a distance pushing a car slightly uphill with some difficulty. We parked our bikes off to the side and offered our help. His driveway was about a quarter mile up the road so here we are pushing his car while he’s steering it and the first thought that comes into mind is “no one’s watching the bikes” (California paranoia where theft is inevitable) and lo and behold an older man riding a bike comes out from another driveway and offers to stay with the bikes until we come back! A good deed done is another good deed received in return.

We head east along two-lane Vashon Highway, which is lined with red-barked madrona trees, to the small village of Burton for a loop around Burton Acres Park with fantastic views of Quartermaster Harbor. Burton offers the basic needs of a small town: a post office, a general store, a garage, a gallery and art store. It is also home to the Burton Coffee Stand; great coffee and homemade pastries! At Camp Burton, dozens of kids on bikes are being chaperoned and encouraged by the adult camp counselors as they pedal their way up the gentle rolling hills. One counselor yells out to the kids, “Those are real cyclists,” and I ring my bell and wave as Michael responds, “We’re all just out here turning the pedals — great job!”

From Burton, we take SW Quartermaster Drive, the side road to Maury Island over to Portage. The gentle climb on Dockton Road SW takes us by the Vashon Golf and Country Club, the Dockton Park and into the town of Dockton. This is a gorgeous area with fabulous views of the marina, Quartermaster Harbor and of course Puget Sound! We continue on 99th Avenue SW to SW 268th Street for the out and back on Hake Rd SW. This road goes out towards the tip of Maury Island and dead ends at the beautiful residential homes along the beach.

We make our way back out of Dockton and take SW Point Robinson Road heading east to Point Robinson Lighthouse. The rolling climbs on this road are steep with 12-13% grades! The steep drop at the end of the road takes you down to Point Robinson Park and Point Robinson Lighthouse. It’s a gorgeous area with a sandy beach covered with driftwood and jaw-dropping views of the iconic Mount Rainier!

We climb out of Point Robinson and continue on SW Luana Beach Road; this is one beautiful stretch of road! The first thing I noticed was the absolute lack of noise — it was Zen — fully quiet with complete stillness. I was in awe and just loving every moment of it! Michael and I usually don’t talk that much while riding and this section of the route heightened my awareness of just how wonderful it can be to stop and listen to utterly nothing — the natural state of being! Life is great!

We leave Maury Island and return on Dockton Road SW and George Edwards Road; this road goes along a scenic waterfront drive with access to Tramp Harbor Dock. The long wooden pier juts out into Puget Sound where you can watch the cormorants, fishermen and boats out on the water.

Famous-Bike-in-Tree-Vashon-Island-WA The climb up SW Ellisport Road takes us onto Vashon Highway, the main road into the center of town. On SW 204th Street, you can take a short walk on a trail to see The Bike in the Tree, where an evergreen tree has grown around an abandoned child’s bike and lifted it off the ground.

On Vashon Highway, I noticed there were at least 5 different churches within 3 miles. This road runs through the center of Vashon with many shops, galleries and restaurants housed in historic buildings. There are plenty of food choices to choose from — everything looks great! Vashon has no traffic lights and only one fast food restaurant, Subway. Stay on Vashon Highway and it will lead right back to the ferry dock.

Vashon Island is a beautiful quaint community composed of many farms, pastoral fields, dense forests and residential homes scattered around the woods. Vashon and the smaller communities within this island seemed untouched and remain as it has been for over 100 years. Some things are better left alone! It’s a quiet place with sprawling acres of woods and sweeping vistas of Puget Sound. For cyclists, it’s great if you like hills and more hills. The country roads offer wide and comfortable shoulders with minimal to no traffic and great overall pavement conditions. Across this rural landscape, many of the farmers and locals offer self-serve farm/flower stands on a honor system with signs telling you what’s available. It’s a great approach to being able to provide local fresh ingredients to anyone who pays a visit to the farms!

So, come on out and pay the island a visit. Vashon welcomes you — enjoy it!

Guest blogger Nancy Yu writes about her bike travels at Ride Chronicles. She says, “I loved cycling around Washington. It’s a beautiful state with a wonderful network of trails and bike-friendly people. I ride to explore and love sharing my findings! I hope the write-ups and pictures will inspire those who can to get out there and enjoy the natural beauty of all that is available to us.”

Posted in Adventure, Bike Blogs, Guest Blogger, Travel | Tagged Cascade Mountains, Fauntleroy ferry Terminal, Lincolc Park, Mount Rainer, Olympic Mountains, Point Robinson Lighthouse, Seattle, Vashon, Vashon-Maury Island, West Seattle Bridge | Comments Off

Vote for Washington State Entry in National Bicycle Poster Contest!

By Louise McGrody | Published November 17, 2015

We are pleased to announce that Julie Darilek of Olympia is the first place winner of the Washington State 5th Grade Bicycle Poster Contest. Her poster has been submitted as an entry to the National Bicycle Poster Contest hosted by Saris Cycling Group. You can vote for her poster in the online voting going on today through November 19.

Julie is a student at East Olympia Elementary. Her mother reported that she has enjoyed participating in the bicycle poster contest and was excited to learn that she was the first place winner for Washington state. She will receive a bike, helmet and bell from Schwinn for her efforts.

High fives are also in order for Melanie Diaz Garcia of Anacortes and Aesha Aden of Des Moines placing second and third respectively. Melanie, a student at Island View Elementary, will receive a helmet and bike bell as the second place winner. Aesha, a fifth grader at Parkside Elementary, earns a bike helmet for her third place finish.

Cast your vote for Julie’s poster as the national winner!

Saris is conducting online voting for the national winner November 17 – November 19. Anyone can cast their vote for Julie’s poster through the Saris website. If Julie is the national winner, she and a parent will attend the 2016 National Bike Summit in Washington, DC. Additionally, East Olympia Elementary will receive Saris bike rack and The Hub, an active transportation encouragement system.

Posted in Encouragement, Kids | Tagged bicycle poster contest, encouragement, kids | Comments Off