Blog & News - Page 59 of 116 - Washington BikesWashington Bikes

Bicycle Travel Video Contest

By Louise McGrody | Published January 14, 2014

North Cascades Highway.

Adventure Cycling Association is accepting submissions for its 2014 Bicycle Travel Video Contest. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the beauty and spirit of bicycle travel and share your best bicycle-touring videos with a wide audience.

Judges will choose one winner for each of the three submission categories: Best Long Distance Tour Video, Best Short Tour Video, and Best Portrait of a Traveling Cyclist. Each winner will receive a two-year membership to Adventure Cycling and a $500 gift certificate for Cyclosource, their gear store. The organization will also highlight winning videos on their blog and through their social media channels.

View the 2013 winning videos to get inspired and read this year’s submission guidelines before you get started. Submission deadline is June 30, 2014.

Do you have a bicycle travel video that features an adventure in our state? Submit it to Washington Bikes for our consideration as well! We’re looking for bike travel content for our blog and we’ll send you a set of postcards featuring sketches of bicycles in iconic Washington locations if we feature your video. Send your video to Louise McGrody for consideration.

Bonaparte Lake Resort sketch by Andy Goulding.

Bonaparte Lake Resort by Andy Goulding.

Posted in Adventure, Travel | Comments Off

Enter the 5th Grade Bicycle Poster Contest

By Seth Schromen-Wawrin | Published January 13, 2014

5^th grade students love bikes and love to draw. Washington Bikes is giving youth the opportunity to bring their passions together by making a poster about bikes to inspire the nation.

We are teaming up with Saris Cycling Group, a US manufacturer of bicycle racks and cycling training products, to organize the 4^th Annual Fifth Grade National Bicycle Poster Contest. The contest asks 5^th grade students to create a poster around the famous John F. Kennedy quote, “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.”

Each participating school selects their own winner to be submitted to the State Contest. Submissions from the schools are due March 7^th. The state winner will be entered into the national contest.

The first place poster from Washington will win a bike, helmet, and light! There are also prizes for the winner from each school. The top 5 posters will be featured in a set of greeting cards produced by Washington Bikes. The national winner receives a trip to Washington D.C. for the 2015 National Bike Summit, and their school wins bike parking and bike encouragement equipment. Go here for a full list of the prizes and the contest rules.

In 2013, over 30 students from 5 schools participated in the contest. The community of Port Angeles and students across Washington rallied to support the Washington State winning poster by Ruby. This year we hope to see more than 15 schools participate. If you are interested in having your school participate in the contest, email Seth@WABikes.org.

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Encouragement, Kids, News, Safe Routes to School | Comments Off

Spokane Regional Health District is Hiring a Safe Routes to School Health Educator

By Seth Schromen-Wawrin | Published January 13, 2014

There is a lot of momentum building in the Spokane area around encouraging youth to bike and walk. The Spokane Regional Health District is hiring a new Public Health Educator 2 position who will focus on Safe Routes to School efforts. This position will assist area schools in developing Safe Routes to School programs, as well as develop a Safe Routes to School advisory group(s) to address policy solutions and to promote best practices. You can read the full description here. The position closes January 24th.

This is in addition to Washington Bikes’ new position of School and Family Programs Coordinator in the Spokane region that we announced a few weeks ago, and closes January 20th. These two positions will collaborate in growing biking and walking in the Spokane area.

Posted in News | Comments Off

SnoCo Centennial Trail Touts Its History

By Louise McGrody | Published January 9, 2014

Explore Snohomish County history via the Centennial Trail

Centennial Trail celebration in Arlington.

Rail trails are community assets. They invite us to actively experience and explore our surroundings. They are valued for their connectivity to parks, town centers, schools and other popular destinations. They are treasured places for biking, walking and jogging because they are separated from motorized traffic.

Rail-to-trail conversions are also tangible tributes to our past. Corridors once active as railroad lines are again connecting communities to each other and bringing people to work, shop and play.

This is definitely the case with Snohomish County’s Centennial Trail, and a recently launched website touts the trail’s interesting history as it provides practical information about the modern day trail and the communities it passes through. Part of the Centennial Trail PAST:forward Interpretive Project, the site is sponsored by Snohomish County and funded by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

Expansion could be in the Centennial Trail’s future. In December, Snohomish County Council approved the purchase an additional 11 miles of former railroad right-of-way, including the trestle across the Snohomish River. This opens the door for a potential extension of the trail south to the King County line.

One thing I couldn’t find on this website is any mention of the Centennial Trail Coalition of Snohomish County. They are the citizens who have tirelessly advocated for this trail. The group meets monthly in Arlington and I encourage you to contact them if you are interested in seeing the trail extended south to King County.

Future Centennial Trail?

Otago Central Rail Trail: New Zealand’s “Great Ride”

Rails and Trails Make for Great Riding, Train-Spotting

Posted in Everett, Tourism, Trails, Transportation, Travel | Comments Off

Basics of Bicycle Touring

By Louise McGrody | Published January 8, 2014

Has our work on Cycling Sojourner Washington or the US Bicycle Route System piqued your interest in bicycle touring? If you live in Seattle, you might want to sign up for an upcoming one-night class called Basics of Bicycle Touring.

This intro class is offered by UW Experimental College and taught by seasoned cycle tourist Sarah Burch. Students will learn about the various styles of bicycle touring and how to plan your bike tour, including trip preparation, gear selection, transporting your bike, and more.

Basics of Bicycle Touring will be offered twice during the winter session. You can learn more about the class, including registration info, here.

Posted in Education, Encouragement, Seattle, Tourism, Travel | Comments Off

Spokane Valley: Washington’s Newest Cycling Destination?

By Louise McGrody | Published January 6, 2014

Valley kids learn safe bike handling skills.

Four years ago, the threat of losing a bike lane project on an arterial in Spokane Valley gave rise to some hasty—and effective—bike advocacy generated by city resident Marc Mims (now a Washington Bikes board member).

What a difference a few years—and continued bicycle advocacy—makes. Since then Spokane Valley has adopted and begun implementing its first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The city has also partnered with Spokane Regional Health District, Washington Bikes and local school districts to develop Safe Routes to School programs in over two dozen schools.

Last year’s Valleyfest community festival featured a Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration, another first. The city’s bicycle cred continued to grow when the League of American Bicyclists’ Where We Ride report rated it among its Top Cities for Women Bicyclists.

Spokane Valley closed out the year by publishing its first bike map and funded it by using local lodging tax. The bike map is aimed at two-wheeled visitors to Spokane Valley and features local attractions, bike repair shops, drinking fountains, public restrooms, lodging, and more. You can find the bike map online, or you can pick one up at city hall, local visitor centers, and Spokane International Airport. If you’re in Seattle, you will also find the map at our Washington Bikes office in Pioneer Square.

Projects Will Make it Safer to Bike in Spokane Valley

How a Spokane Valley Cyclist Used Social Media to Save a Road Safety Project

Pedal With Politicians: Show your elected officials their city from a bike seat

Posted in Advocacy, Economic Impact, Safe Routes to School, Spokane County, Tourism, Travel | Comments Off

We’re Hiring: School and Family Programs Coordinator for Eastern Washington

By Seth Schromen-Wawrin | Published January 2, 2014

We’re taking a big step as an organization. In early 2014 we will establish a Spokane staff position that will strengthen and support activities in eastern Washington.

As a School and Family Programs Coordinator, this person will work with the Spokane Regional Health District, area schools, and the Empire Health Foundation to increase the number of kids in Spokane County who bike and walk to school.

Thanks to a grant from the Empire Health Foundation, Washington Bikes will also establish a network to support P.E. teachers in Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties in their efforts to add bicycle and pedestrian safety to their curriculum and get more kids walking and rolling.

You can view the School and Family Programs Coordinator job description here. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter, including names and contact information for three references, to Seth Schromen-Wawrin at seth@wabikes.org, by January 20, 2014. Include examples of materials you have created for event marketing, workshop presentation, and other elements of the position if available; links to online examples preferred.

In a nice connection with our history, this program builds on the work of past Board member Eileen Hyatt of Spokane. The bike curriculum she launched in Spokane served as the genesis of what is now a statewide Washington Bikes program reaching over 10,000 students each year in over 30 school districts.

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Encouragement, Ferry County, Kids, News, Safe Routes to School, Safety, Spokane County | Comments Off

One Word for 2014

By Barb Chamberlain | Published January 1, 2014

This post inspired by bicyclist Claire Petersky of Bellevue.

Some people scoff at the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Others faithfully draw up a list each year and pledge anew to change something, in a constant striving for self-improvement that sells a lot of books, pills, and strange devices that promise to zap that fat or make you stronger.

There’s a reason the health clubs are all full in January–and there’s a reason they steadily empty out after that. Change doesn’t come just by writing something down on a piece of paper, a Getting Things Done or 7 Habits special form of some kind, or an app that will nag you about hydrating properly and getting 60 minutes of exercise.

A couple of years ago I decided that instead of making resolutions I would focus on three words for my bicycling. I chose consistency, variety, and mindfulness. Good words, and I did think about them and blog with some updates as a form of public accountability.

However, I also adopted some mileage goals for the year, only to realize later thanks to a comment from Kent Peterson of Issaquah (who writes Kent’s Bike Blog) on my post that my real bicycling goal is just to ride my bike as often as I can.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or an hour heading somewhere farther away or a whole day messing around on various errands–I would simply rather ride my bike than drive a car. I also adopted a goal for number of days ridden in the year, which makes more sense in that context.

The kicker here is that 2012 was also the year I moved to Seattle for my new role with what is now Washington Bikes, so it wasn’t a typical riding year in a lot of ways! When I moved into temporary housing just a half-mile from the office I kicked a big hole in the total-mileage goal. The words, though, still applied even when the days/miles goals stopped working for me.

Claire Petersky pares my three-word list further, down to one-word resolutions she’s been adopting for years. What’s great about one word is that you can’t assign yourself a task to be accomplished in just one word. It has to be a word like the ones I chose–one that serves more as a motto or mantra. You can’t “fail” at something like variety or mindfulness–you can only have more or less of it, and maybe it turns out not to be a good fit for that particular year.

When Claire asked friends what one word they’d choose, it struck me that many of the words people came up with captured something about bicycling. Health. Adventure. Focus. Peace. Flourish. (And yes, one person said “Mileage”.)

This has me thinking about my one word, both for myself and for Washington Bikes. Board and staff members of every nonprofit struggle to craft the “perfect” mission statement, agonizing over every word and trying to create something inspiring, compelling, and distinctive that you can recite at the drop of a hat. But what if organizations (and businesses, for that matter) had to choose one word?

Two questions for you:

What one word would you suggest for Washington Bikes for 2014? (It’s okay if you can’t pick just one–suggest away!)
What word will you pick for yourself–either for everything you might face in the coming year, or for your bicycling?

Posted in Attitudes, News | 7 Comments

Delivering More Bike Parking for Seattle

By Guest Blogger | Published December 30, 2013

This post was contributed by Kyle Rowe and Brian Dougherty from the Seattle Department of Transportation

Imagine being able to bike almost anywhere and know you can easily find parking for you and your bike. That’s the goal of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) Bicycle Parking Program. Thanks to funding provided by the Bridging the Gap transportation levy, SDOT installs hundreds of new bicycle parking spaces each year, providing new bike parking spaces for the growing number of people discovering how easy it is to get around by bike.

With the growing demand for cycling across the state, many cities are finding that typical off-street bike racks aren’t sufficient for the demand; on-street bike parking is an excellent solution to this dilemma. On-street bike parking can provide 14 bicycle parking spots in a space where only one parked car would fit. The example here is in the University District, at the intersection of University Way NE and NE 42^nd St.

Bike corral at University Way NE and NE 42nd St.

The design implemented in the University District uses a series of SDOT’s standard inverted-U racks. SDOT has also installed corrals such as the one seen in the photo in front of Wallingford’s Essential Baking. The inverted-U design allows for the most flexible configurations but each site is different and the specific type of rack is chosen depending on site conditions.

Bike Corral at Essential Baking in Wallingford

SDOT installed the first on-street bike parking in 2009. Each year since, we receive more and more requests from business owners who recognize that ten or more bicycles can fit in a space usually reserved for only one car. What business owner doesn’t want to serve more customers? It can also help advertise and attract customers who arrive by bike, showing that a business welcomes and supports people on bikes. Additionally, on-street bike parking opens up the visibility of storefronts. The more on-street bike parking SDOT installs, the more businesses realize that active, human-scale uses of right-of way space makes their commercial districts more inviting.

The advantages go beyond the business district too. On-street bike parking can return sidewalk space to pedestrians; provide transportation options for employees of nearby businesses; increase the visibility of bicycling in the neighborhood; and increase the street’s net parking capacity. That is why cities across the US and around the globe are putting corrals where bicyclists want to be.

In 2013, SDOT installed on-street bike parking at eight new locations, bringing the total number throughout the city to 16. Based on current demand, SDOT expects to double the number of on-street bike parking locations again next year, bringing the total number to more than 30 by the end of 2014. Potential locations include Pioneer Square, West Seattle, Ballard, and Pike Place!

Ask your local public works department if on-street bike parking is a solution in your city. If you live in Seattle and are interested in bike corral in your neighborhood, email walkandbike@seattle.gov and let us know. We will be happy to work with you to find a suitable solution to your bike parking needs.

Posted in Accessibility, Advocacy, Bike Culture, Bike Parking, Bike to Work, Commuting, Encouragement, Guest Blogger, Infrastructure, News, Seattle, Sustainable Living, Transportation | 1 Comment

Meet the New Board Candidates

By Louise McGrody | Published December 26, 2013

Ballot Submissions Due January 6

Washington Bikes Board of Directors has approved a slate of board candidates for the board elections. The seven candidates–three newcomers and four returning directors–are running for terms through 2016. Members should consult their current issue of The Advocate for voting instructions.

Meet the new folks:

Marie Dymkoski is a longtime resident of Palouse and the Executive Director of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. She is very involved in her community and has served on the boards for Washington-Idaho Symphony, Palouse Audubon Society, Viking “Crew” Booster Club, Palouse Community Center, and is currently a co-chair for the Palouse Knowledge Corridor.

Marie’s first contact with Washington Bikes was this past spring when she attended our outreach meeting in Pullman and she quickly became interested in our work and its significance to her community. The importance of bicycling to local tourism is growing in southeast Washington, she stated.

“With my role as a community leader with the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, there is potential for me to educate the people of Southeastern Washington about the work of Washington Bikes,” Marie noted.

Marie regularly rides with a group of friends around the Palouse. In 2013, she took her bicycling to a new level when she trained for and completed STP (Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic). It was a major personal accomplishment for her and crossing the finish line was an emotional moment. She now has her sights set on 2014 Ride Around Washington!

Petra Vallila-Buchman, Seattle, is excited by the prospect of serving on Washington Bikes Board of Directors as it combines her passion for community engagement with a decade of professional experience working with local governments and communities to support residents in making healthier choices. She puts her public health background to work for Ross Strategic, a public and environmental health consulting firm.

“For me, creating and promoting safe and inviting bicycle infrastructure is not only about health and environment, it is about equity, social justice, and building community,” she commented.

Petra is a newcomer to cycling, having taken it up three years ago. She served as a team captain for her workplace team in the Commute Challenge, and enjoyed introducing several co-workers to riding for the first time. Petra aspires to become a long distance cyclist and recently did a spectacular and hilly ride around Lummi Island.

Mark Van Kommer of Yakima grew up with bicycles. His father ran a bike shop and today, Mark is the owner of two shops himself: Valley Cycling & Fitness and Jake’s Bicycle Shop. Creating a safe cycling environment across the state is his motivation to serve on Washington Bikes Board of Directors.

Primarily a recreational rider, Mark is involved with Mount Adams Cycling Club in Yakima and helps sponsor the club. Serving as a former USCF official, helping to bring BMX racing to Sunnyside in the 1980’s and to Yakima in 2000 are among the feathers in Mark’s cycling cap. He also served for two years on the Yakima Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

An active community member, Mark’s previous board service includes Yakima Sunrise Rotary, Operation Santa Claus, and church consistory. Mark is also a licensed auctioneer and works benefit auctions.

Four current board members are continuing their service to Washington Bikes and you can find their bios on our Board page:

Bob Duffy of Lacey

Ted Inkley of Seattle

Kirste Johnson of Seattle

Liz McNett Crowl of Mount Vernon

Three current board members are stepping off at the end of this year: King Cushman of Seattle, Joan McBride of Kirkland, and Joe Platzner of Bellevue. We are grateful to their years of service and will miss their leadership.

Our Board of Directors creates the vision and sets the direction for Washington Bikes. Their leadership and governance ensures that Washington Bikes is growing bicycling around the state. Their work includes setting overall policy, providing fiscal oversight, member and donor engagement, and development. Board members serve 3-year terms and the full board meets bi-monthly.

Posted in News, People, Seattle, Whitman County, Yakima County | Comments Off