Vote for Washington State Entry in National Bicycle Poster Contest!

Washington's winning poster for Bicycle Poster Contest.

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.

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Progress on Ferry County Rail Trail

Ferry-County-Rail-Trail

Today’s post comes from Bill Chamberlin of the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners. This ambitious group is busy developing the rural and scenic Ferry County Rail Trail, which stretches 28+ miles from the town of Republic (and US Bike Route 10) north to the Canadian border.

The Ferry County Rail Trail dream is becoming a reality! With the recent completion of the first phase of resurfacing, close on the heels of the Curlew Lake trestle redecking, the trail is, indeed, metamorphosing into a first-class recreational gem.

The smooth track offered by this newly surfaced section (between Pete’s Retreat and Kiwanis Roads) provides a perfect opportunity for outdoor recreation. This newly revamped segment skirts the west shoreline of Curlew Lake, offering many beautiful views of the lake and the Kettle Crest along the way. The trail, wide enough for bikes, horses and hikers to pass easily, is also firm enough that even cyclists on street bikes, babies in strollers, and people in wheelchairs can enjoy the trail. Ample parking and porta potties at each end add to the ease of use.

What did it take to transform the rough ballast-strewn surface—tough to walk on, let alone ride a bicycle or push a stroller—into a smooth, wide, comfortable surface?

It started in 2006, with a group of dedicated volunteers and a vision. The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners (FCRTP), a citizens’ group, and the Ferry County Rail Corridor Committee (RCC), an advisory group to the county commissioners, have both held monthly meetings since the start, tirelessly hashing out their goals, planning the various projects, and seeking the grants and the required matching funds to pay for the projects.

Fast forward to 2014. After the successful completion of the Curlew Lake trestle redecking, the resurfacing project was next up. The county applied for and was awarded a grant from the Federal Highway Administration Transportation Enhancement Program to improve the 3.5 miles which hugs the lake. Required matching funds in the form of donated labor, equipment and materials were solicited by Keith Bell, who served as grant writer and manager of the project. Many individuals and businesses in the community, approached by Bell, stepped up to the plate.

Stotts Construction donated the use of four dump trucks, two loaders, a backhoe, an excavator, a bulldozer, a water truck, as well as pumps and hoses, while the costs of fuel, equipment maintenance and prevailing wages for his operators were provided by grant funds.

Abraham Building Supply donated the use of a Layton Asphalt spreader to apply the material to the trail surface and three Abraham employees volunteered their labor for the project. In addition, four Job Corps students worked for two weeks.

One of the keys to making this project work was finding the proper surfacing material. Bell, tapping his experience as a professional geologist, put in countless hours of research to come up with a kind of crusher fines which would meet the standards. Fortunately, the appropriate material was found in the nearby Gotham/Kidwell gravel pit (Brian Gotham and Billy Kidwell donated 25% of the crusher fines). The angular nature of this fine crushed rock, along with just the right amount of moisture (50,000 gallons of water was added to the material to bring it from 6% moisture content up to 10%) made it perfect for producing a smooth hard-packed track required for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliance and desired by the RCC and the FCRTP.

Bob Whittaker, president of the FCRTP, is very excited by the result: “The trail provides an easy way for someone to have a high quality outdoor experience. Because of the linear nature of the route, the recreationist does not need a GPS, a map or a compass.” The trail is perfect for locals and visitors, individuals and families.

Whittaker and Bell report an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the completion of the surfacing and the trestle decking. Whittaker describes the reaction of many first time users as an “Aha” moment. Many who had been resistant to the idea of a recreation trail at first became supporters soon after experiencing the smooth, very usable surface.

With this new support, the excitement is growing and, along with it, the momentum for pushing ahead on the next phases.

In June, shortly after the initial phase was completed, the Washington legislature approved funding to upgrade the surface from Pete’s Retreat south to Herron Creek, the southern terminus of the non-motorized Rail Trail. The section between Lundimo Meadows road and the tunnel north of Curlew will be resurfaced as well. Additional surfacing will be done as funds allow and a vault toilet is planned for Black Beach. The ultimate goal, as put forth in the Ferry County Rail Trail Concept Plan, is to have a usable surface on the entire length of the Rail Trail, from Herron Creek to Danville.

Improvements continue to Rail Trail

Ferry County Rail Trail workSeveral members of the Rail Corridor Committee, along with other volunteers, worked one Sunday in October to improve the rail bed on the Ferry County Rail Trail. Twenty foot sections at each end of the trestle were upgraded to the Trails hard packed surface. Those sections could not be accessed by heavy equipment when the crushed rock surface was laid this spring.

A recent online charity auction generated $2600+ to fund additional trail surfacing improvements and will be matched by a grant from the Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office.

Whittaker and Bell know there is much more hard work ahead to reach that goal. They also know with the completion of each step, the growing momentum will push the project ever more quickly towards the dream of a completed Ferry County Rail Trail.
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Update: Proposed Merger of Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club

Talks continue on the proposed merger between Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club, which would create the nation’s largest statewide bike advocacy organization.

Following work by a joint subcommittee, in late October both boards adopted a nonbinding resolution laying out the guiding principles for the negotiations.

The Guiding Principles Resolution lays out the strengths both organizations bring and a commitment to:

  • the ongoing missions of both organizations
  • a bipartisan and inclusive approach to state advocacy
  • partnerships that support local bike clubs and advocacy groups
  • equity and representation of all kinds of riders
  • work to continue growing bike tourism
  • bicycle advocacy and education aimed at bicycling for all ages and abilities

Following the merger, the name “Washington Bikes” would serve as the name for the 501(c)(4) entity, with “Cascade Bicycle Club” the 501(c)(3). Some members of the current Washington Bikes board of directors would be appointed to the Cascade board, which will then appoint the board of the (c)(4). Both boards would reflect statewide representation and a diversity of biking interests.

The merger discussions are now in a due diligence phase leading up to a board vote scheduled for December 8. During due diligence, the organizations share financial and programmatic information needed for a full understanding of what a merger would entail and the opportunities and risks it presents.

Details of the merger and transition plans are being developed by a joint board committee working with staff and will be presented to both boards before the vote. A strategic planning process in early 2016 would serve to lay out more detailed long-range plans.

To comment on the merger or ask questions, email washingtonbikes@cascadebicycleclub.org. Emails to this address are shared with both boards.

 

 

 

Posted in Advocacy, Bike Clubs, History, News | 1 Comment

Orting-Kapowsin-Eatonville Ride

Guest blogger Nancy Yu writes about her bike travels at Ride Chronicles. She says, “I lmount-rainer-blog-postoved 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.”

This ride begins from Orting and heads south along Puyallup River on Orville Rd E through the valleys to Lake Kapowsin and Ohop Lake. It continues on WA-161 N/Meridian Ave E at Eatonville for a stop at the Dogwood Park-a Viewpoint Area with unobstructed views of the iconic Mount Rainier! The rolling hills on 352nd St, 8th Ave and 304th Ave SE take us through the quiet rural towns with the occasional logging trucks passing by.

We exit Orting on Harmon Way S/WA-162 and continue on Pioneer Way E/WA-162 to the outskirts of town.

Oroville Rd E takes us out blog-post-yu-mt-rainer-2through the flat agricultural farmlands and ranches around Puyallup Valley.

A good segment of this road follows an old railroad grade along Puyallup River out to Lake Kapowsin. This is also a heavy logging area with trucks pulling in and out of the roadway to Kapowsin-be cautious!

Orville Rd E heads south at the four way intersection for another few miles along the southern end of Lake Kapowsin.

It continues to wind its way along Ohop Creek on the edge of the woods around Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The road runs through Ohop Valley to Ohop Lake; this area country-scene-yu-blog-posthad many lakefront homes with private boat docks. The end of the road leads us to Eatonville; a small town located in Pierce County.

The short climb up WA-161 N/Meridian Ave E takes us up to the edge of town to the open clearing at Dogwood Park. This park is designated as the Mount Rainier Viewpoint with spectacular views of the majestic Mount Rainer (on a clear day!) This is a MUST STOP for photo-ops!

We continue up the road to our lunch stop at Barney’s Corner Mini Mart/gas station. This place makes hamburgers, hot dogs and serves other typical mini mart foods. Everyone was very friendly including the customers going in and out. They all wanted to know where we rode out from and to see if we needed any directions getting back to Kapowsin and Orting, and most of them just wanted to have idle chit chat.

WA-702 W/352nd St E/McKenna Tanwax goes through the rural neighborhoods of Eatonville out to the clearing and logging areas to the open pastoral lands.

The rolling hills on 8th Ave E lead us to 304th St S/Kapowsin Hwy E.

The 10 mile stretch of road on 304th St E/Kapowsin Hwy E from Eatonville to Kapowsin has been recently redone with new pavement-fabulous! This road goes through rural neighborhoods with acreage homes and ranches. Mt Rainier looks like it can be seen from everyone’s front or back yards!

We make a quick stop at the Kapowsin Grocery for a few cold drinks and salty snacks before heading out on Orting Kapowsin Hwy E. The 8.9 miles on this road takes us through more rural country sides with expansive open fields and meadows. Mount Rainier is still in sight-of course! The sweeping mile long descent drops us to the Puyallup River crossing and back to Orting.

This is a very scenic ride through the small towns of Pierce County with gorgeous country landscapes and beautiful lake views. Mount Rainier is always the highlight when it comes into view! The people are friendly and the logging traffic is very tolerable; the truck drivers gave us way more than three feet while passing!

Garmin Stats:
55.54 Miles with 2385′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 589′
Max grade: 6%
Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling climbs

Weather: GREAT! Partly-cloudy morning skies turning to brilliant sunshine in the afternoon. N winds with 94% humidity



yu-blog-post-map

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John Wayne Pioneer Trail – New Opportunities to Make Your Voice Heard

Whether you support the John Wayne Pioneer Trail for its recreation opportunities, economic impact to neighboring communities, or because it is the longest rail trail in the nation, now’s the time to begin to weigh in on its future.

In September trail advocates in Tekoa learned of a legislative effort to close down a roughly 120-mile portion of Washington state’s largest rail trail, the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. Following the initial news, many surrounding residents and jurisdictions — including Tekoa, Spokane and others — voiced concern over the potential for permanent closure of this long-distance trail. The stated reasons for closure have included concerns over a lack of use of the trail, worries about trespassing, and liability.

Restoring the Tekoa Trestle will help make the John Wayne Pioneer Trail a world-class long-distance trail. Photo courtesy of Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association.

Restoring the Tekoa Trestle will help make the John Wayne Pioneer Trail a world-class long-distance trail. Photo courtesy of Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association.

Now, future discussions – and opportunities for trail supporters to provide meaningful input — about the future of the trail are beginning to take shape.

The most immediate opportunity to lend your voice to the discussion is via a set of three listening sessions occurring in Eastern Washington in November. One of the architects of the trail closure, Representative Schmick (R-Colfax), is partnering with the Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association to host three public meetings to hear from you about the Trail.

The three public listening sessions to provide input directly to Representative Schmick and others begin next week:

  • Tuesday November 10th at 12pm: Rosalia, Community Center (7th St. and Whitman Ave.)
  • Monday November 16th at 12pm: Lind, Union Elevator Conference room (201 S Street)
  • Monday November 23rd at 6pm: Ellensburg, Hal Holmes Center (209 N Ruby St.)

Representative Schmick has indicated he may consider introducing legislation based on the input he receives from these three events.

In addition to the public sessions hosted by Representative Schmick, Washington State Parks has proposed a plan to convene a planning process slated to begin before the end of 2015. It will allow the public to actively participate in crafting plans for the Iron Horse and Columbia Plateau State Park Trails.

As soon as plans are formally released by State Parks, Washington Bikes will provide an additional update.

Learn More

Shawn Pederson recently completed a trip across the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. His blog posts (4 so far) and excellent photos are here: http://fernwehnw.com/tag/john-wayne-pioneer-trail/

Also, the Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association’s Facebook Page provides a number of articles and community discussion as the process moves forward.

 

Posted in Advocacy, Alert, Economic Impact, Funding/Policy, Infrastructure, Issues & Advocacy, Trails | 2 Comments

Take Action: Tell Congress Biking & Trails are Priorities in WA

Today the U.S. House of Representatives officially kicks off debate on the chamber’s long-term highway and transit bill today. Key amendments threaten Washington State’s priorities for biking and trails. Take Action today!

Last night the rules of debate were sent and the House of Representatives has begun debate on over one hundred amendments to the proposed surface transportation bill. With hopes to wrap up the debate and votes by Thursday, time is of the essence for you to let your U.S. Representative know that biking and trails matter!

Just last week the Transportation Committee, led by Chairman Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member DeFazio (D-OR), passed the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act (STRRA). This bill includes a carefully constructed agreement on bicycling and walking funding that we support.  It maintains funding streams for biking infrastructure projects, and it maintains the local control aspects and competitive processes that have made the transportation alternatives program effective.

Rep. Carter (R-Georgia) and Yoho (R-Florida) have introduced amendments that undermine that agreement. Rep Carter now has one amendment. It opens up the transportation alternatives funding to road and bridge projects.

Representative Yoho’s amendment would make the Recreational Trails Program ineligible for non-motorized transportation funding. This means money for ATVs but not for hiking and mountain bikes.

Go to the League of American Bicyclists action center today to take action!

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It’s up to you (Seattle voters)

The fate of the Let’s Move Seattle Levy (Proposition 1), which replaces the expiring Bridging the Gap Levy, is up to you.PROS Banner - Don Willott

This election will be decided by caring neighbors like you who want to make Seattle safer and a national leader for better biking and safer streets. Your yes vote on Proposition 1 – Let’s Move Seattle – will:

Take a look and see the great projects slated to be built in your neighborhood. Drop what you’re doing and vote. And then tell a friend to vote yes on Seattle’s Proposition 1. You can find local drop off locations here.

For a better tomorrow, join Washington Bikes and caring neighbors across Seattle to make safer streets and better bike connections a reality. Vote yes on Seattle’s Proposition 1!

 

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Bring Bike Safety Education to Your Schools!

Kids on bikes learning safety skills.It’s time to 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.

These grants equip school districts with the tools they need to teach bicycle and pedestrian safety education to students in middle school grades. Washington Bikes provides the teacher training and technical assistance under the grant.

Over 40 Washington school districts have participated in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Program to date, teaching safe biking and walking skills to 15,000+ middle school students annually. La Center is training the next generation of cyclists thanks to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Program. So are Tumwater and Reardan schools.

Would you like to bring this program to your community? Now is the time to apply! Applications must be submitted by the school district via iGrants Form Package 552 by December 3, 2015. Application period has been extended to January 21, 2016. Questions about the grant and grant process can be directed to Sarah Sullivan at sarah.sullivan@k12.wa.us or 360-725-6050.

To ensure eligibility, districts must have developed walk route plans and offer physical education classes at least once per week at the middle school level. Support is available to create walk route maps. Contact Sarah if you would like more information about this.

Funding for this project is provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation. It is managed by OSPI, and made possible through partnerships with Washington Bikes, Feet First, participating school districts and their community partners.

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What’s That Aroma? #bikesmells

Riding your bike puts you in touch with all your senses. While we often talk about the beautiful or interesting sights along the ride, inspired by a tweet from Tara Goddard we started asking people their favorite scents along their usual bike routes. From bacon to breweries to blossoms to bakeries we got an interesting, um, bouquet in the responses.

We’ll keep updating this round-up of tweets on the topic if you tag us on Twitter @WAbikes.

You can join the smelly talk on Facebook, where we got into a discussion of the “Mystery Molasses” scent near the West Seattle Bridge, among other things.

We just had to close out with an assortment of songs about smells. First up, this Lynyrd Skynyrd song which, appropriately enough, was recorded on their Vicious Cycle tour. Given that they’re singing about the smell of death it’s a bit grim, but what other song has such a perfect refrain for this post?

 

 

Some of the lyrics from “Smell the Rain” by Genevieve Chadwick capture the spirit of bicycling perfectly (as does the album title, “Riding the Wind Forgetting Time”:

I ride on the sunshine try and catch me if you can
I feel like I’m a God, tell me can you smell the rain?

and these:

I got what you want
I got what you need
You can’t pin me down cause I’m too free

 

 

From that Washington original, Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (which actually doesn’t refer once to any smells):

 

 

So tell us, what’s YOUR favorite smell along the ride?

 

Posted in Attitudes, Bike Culture, News | Comments Off on What’s That Aroma? #bikesmells

So does $100 million make Colorado the best state for biking?

Last month, Governor Hickenlooper promised a $100 million investment to make Colorado the best state for biking. Does that really make Colorado the best, or is Washington state still tops?

At last month’s national bike trade show, Interbike, Colorado’s Governor did this:

Governor Hickenlooper said, “I think being the best biking state is going to fuel economic growth and tourism. It’s going to lead us toward a cleaner environment, and it’s going to help us be the healthiest state in America.”

Washington Bikes couldn’t agree more. The data is overwhelming and shows the clear economic, safety, and health benefits to more and better biking and walking. Annually $3.1 billion is spent by bicycle riders in Washington state. More physical activity makes us healthier and is a no-brainer. It’s why organizations like American Heart Association and Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition partner with Washington Bikes to get more children biking and walking to their schools.

So will $100 million over four years for biking and walking investments, or $25 million per year, sweep Colorado past a state like Washington and its number one Bicycle Friendly State ranking, according to the League of American Bicyclists?

It’s a great start, but no, Colorado has some more work to catch up to the new investments Washington state is making in safety, health, and economic development.

That’s because the 2015 State Legislative Session took Washington state to new highs and added to existing investment programs for safer streets and healthier children. Consider the following:

  • Over the next four years Washington state will invest $90 million from its transportation budget in biking, walking and school safety – very close to the $100 million promised by Colorado’s chief executive.
  • Also, the Washington State Capital Budget invested $15.6 million for trails statewide over the next two years.
  • Finally, Washington state investments in safer, healthier, and more economically prosperous streets will be bolstered as the legislature’s transportation spending package instructed the Transportation Improvement Board to administer $106 million over 16-years (almost $18 million in the coming four years) for the finally funded Complete Streets Grant Program.
Trails funded in the 2015-17 Capital Budget

Trails funded in the 2015-17 Capital Budget

All told, over the next four years Washington state leaders have committed approximately $123 million to school safety, trails, and complete streets. This represents forward progress to provide taxpayers more economic return from their transportation investments than ever before.

Washington’s $123 million for school safety, trails, and complete streets makes the state one of the clear leaders (still behind Massachusetts’s 5-year $425 million investment for biking, walking, and complete streets) in smart investments that provide more Washingtonians more freedom to get where they want to go safely and easily.

Join Washington Bikes to carry the momentum forward for better transportation investments that grow local economies and make children and neighbors safer every day.

 

 

Posted in Advocacy, Complete Streets, Economic Impact, Funding/Policy, Infrastructure, Issues & Advocacy, Legal, Legislature, News, Politics, Safe Routes to School, Transportation | Comments Off on So does $100 million make Colorado the best state for biking?