Spokane Bike Board Looking for Members

By Louise McGrody | Published August 23, 2012

There are many ways to be an effective bike advocate.  Hopefully you’re a member of Washington Bikes and respond to our calls for action with a letter, email or phone call to your elected officials.  (If not, you can join now.) Perhaps you’ve attended Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia and met with your legislators.
Another important role for a bike advocate is to serve on his/her local bike advisory board.  And if you live in Spokane, you have an opportunity serve your community in this capacity now.
The City of Spokane is accepting applications from citizens interested in serving on the Spokane Bike Advisory Board.  Members of SBAB provide advice and direction to city council and all city departments on matters of bicycling.  The board meets monthly and SBAB members take their duties seriously as advisers and advocates.  They have their own website and Facebook pageto communicate with others who care about biking in Spokane.
If you’re interested in making Spokane a better community for riding a bike, consider applying for an open seat on the bike board.  Follow this link to an application.
Posted in Advocacy, Spokane County | Comments Off on Spokane Bike Board Looking for Members

The Value of Playing With Bikes

By Louise McGrody | Published August 21, 2012

It was pretty tough to be bored when I was a kid as long as I had my bicycle because my bike was often not a bike.  When I donned my cowboy hat, fashioned some bridal reins out of a piece of rope and attached it to my handlebars, my bike became a horse.  My sister and I galloped our horses across the prairie all morning and paid visits to our neighbors.  Around high noon, we turned our steeds homeward for some lunch. 
If some of the neighborhood kids joined us in the afternoon, we became pioneers and formed a bicycle wagon train to journey westward to a new homeland.  Along the way, we’d gather our wagons in a circle to protect us from outlaws, cougars, and other unseen danger.
Sometimes my sister and I used our bikes to help us construct a kids-only clubhouse.  Our bikes formed two parallel walls that we draped with an old quilt.  We spent hours playing games, coloring, reading, and—on more than one occasion—fighting in our clubhouse.
There were times when we used our bike props with disastrous results.  I still recall the day my sister, the kid next door and I used a bicycle to assist us in climbing a tree.  With my sister steadying the bike, the neighbor kid and I managed to reach the first limb of the tree.  Lacking a spotter, my sister’s attempt to climb the tree led to a fall and a broken collarbone.
Fortunately, most of my bike adventures turned out just fine.  With a bike and a little creative thinking, I kept myself occupied and happy.  And this made my mom happy too because we weren’t in the house and under foot all the time.
I am pleased to report that in this age of smart phones, DVDs and over organized recreation, the creative art of bike play survives.  I’ve watched my neighbors’ children hold a bike jousting tournament in the alley, tow each other down a snowy street on sleds and saucers, and build a clubhouse similar to the one I built in my childhood.  And yes, they also just pedal around the neighborhood for fun.
These kids are playing creatively and actively on their own.  They are learning how to be resourceful, set their own rules, interact with each other, and structure their own play time.  Those are some pretty handy skills to develop with the aid of a friend/sibling, a couple of bikes and a few low-tech props.
Posted in Health, Kids | Comments Off on The Value of Playing With Bikes

Bike Rides to Carry You Into the Fall

By Louise McGrody | Published August 15, 2012

Labor Day may be approaching, but biking season is far from over!  These upcoming rides support the Bicycle Alliance’s work to grow safe, enjoyable bicycling in communities across the state:

Camp Korey’s Camp Challenge Ride on September 8 is a new ride.  With a start and end in Carnation, this ride takes you through scenic Snoqualmie Valley on a 25- or 64-mile loop.  This ride is a fundraiser for Camp Korey, a program that serves children with serious and life-altering medical conditions.  There is a gourmet BBQ at the end of the ride.

Ride the South Sound, also on September 8, is a new event organized by Capital Bicycling Club.  Routes vary from family-friendly to challenging.  This ride offers spectacular views of south Puget Sound, the farmlands and forests surrounding Olympia.

Cycle the WAVE returns on September 16.  This all women’s non-competitive ride has something for all levels of riders, and benefits domestic violence programs.  The ride starts and ends at Issaquah High School.

WaCanId begins on September 17 and is a fully supported six-day ride along the International Selkirk Loop.  You’ll pedal an incredible scenic byway through Washington, Idaho and British Columbia.  WaCanId starts and ends in Sandpoint, Idaho. This event is organized by the International Selkirk Loop and Rotary Clubs of the Selkirk Loop.

The Boneshaker Bicycle Festival, October 26 & 27, is another new event this year.  This is a fun-filled, family oriented, Halloween inspired celebration of all things bicycling and showcases the Skagit Valley.  The event includes organized bike rides, bike swap and expo, kid’s bike rodeo, music and entertainment, and more.

Our Ride Calendar is a unique list of events that support our mission to grow bicycling statewide.  When you sign up for one of these rides, you are supporting policies to promote bicycling, safer streets for riding, Safe Routes to School programs, and much more.
Posted in Rides | Comments Off on Bike Rides to Carry You Into the Fall

Call for Auction Donations!

By Louise McGrody | Published August 14, 2012

The Washington Bikes is gearing up for its Annual Auction Gala and we have a lot to celebrate!  We are marking our 25th anniversary as a leader in growing bicycling around the state, celebrating the success of Safe Routes to School, and looking ahead to a future when folks of all ages and abilities can safely ride their bikes to work, play, learn, shop, get healthier, and have fun.

But there is more work ahead.  We need to shift the transportation balance, alter the political climate, and sway attitudes in favor of bicycling and its benefits for everyone–whether or not they ride.  The auction is our primary fundraiser and we hope you will support it by making a donation today.

We look for a range of items that will generate spirited bidding and represent the whole wide world of bicycle riding.  Our attendees are active folks who appreciate adventures, getaways, and unique experiences.  A private weeklong sailboat charter, a customized and catered weekend bike tour, a stay at a Maui condo, and a gourmet Mediterranean dinner for six have been highly prized offerings in the past.

Other popular donations include theatre and sporting event tickets, gift baskets, ski passes, handcrafted jewelry, private winery tours, massage/spa packages, and recreation opportunities.  Restaurant and retail gift cards are also welcome.  And so is a cash donation.

Please use our online donation form to submit your auction donation, and contact Louise McGrody if you have any questions.  To ensure that your donation makes the printed and online catalogue, we need to receive the information by October 15.  

Check our auction page for more information about the event, then save the date–November 3–and join us at the auction!  The event is a ton of fun–read about last year’s auction here.

Posted in Auction, Events | Comments Off on Call for Auction Donations!

Projects will make it safer to bike in Spokane Valley

By Louise McGrody | Published August 9, 2012

It will soon be safer and easier to travel by bike or on foot around Spokane Valley.  After gaining council approval of its Bicycle Pedestrian Master Program (BPMP) last year, the city is now busy implementing it.
Nine bicycle and pedestrian projects are slated to be completed this year, including the Evergreen Road rehabilitation project.  This project will take advantage of a water line replacement project by VERA Water & Power to reconstruct Evergreen from 24th to 32ndAvenue and improve sidewalks and add bike lanes.
Marc Mims, Bicycle Alliance board member and Spokane Valley resident, pointed out this project will complete an important north-south bicycle route through the Valley and give cyclists safer access to Highway 27, a popular recreational bike route south of town.
In addition to the construction projects, the city has ten bicycle and walking projects in the planning and design stage.  According to Marc, two of them are especially significant to people who bike:  the University/I-90 Overpass Study and the Spokane Valley/Millwood Trail.
“We don’t have safe bike routes across I-90 anywhere in Spokane Valley,” stated Marc.  “The University Road/I-90 Overpass study could provide that.”
The Spokane Valley/Millwood Trail will provide the planning and design of a 6.5-mile trail from Spokane Community College to the Spokane Valley Mall, using a former Great Northern Railway corridor now owned by Spokane County.  The trail will provide a great east-west route through the Valley reaching destinations that are currently difficult to access by bike, Marc noted.
The BPMP was Spokane Valley’s first effort to plan for biking and walking, and the Bicycle Alliance provided technical assistance and input for it. Learn more about the city’s other planned bike and pedestrian projects and the BPMP here.
Posted in Infrastructure, Safety, Spokane County, Transportation | Comments Off on Projects will make it safer to bike in Spokane Valley

Campaign encourages bikes and buses to safely share the road

By Louise McGrody | Published August 1, 2012

If you’re a regular commuter/biker/walker/general patron of downtown Seattle, you may have seen the green and white banners on the sides of buses encouraging you to “be predictable” in order to safely share the road. The ads, which have been running on the sides of 30 buses running throughout the central business district since May, are part of a larger Share the Road campaign created by a new Bicycle/Bus Education & Safety Team and sponsored by King County Metro, Cascade Bicycle Club, and Washington Bikes.
The goal is obvious: to enhance road safety and to depict bikers and Metro drivers as equal inhabitants of the same city streets. Through a Share the Road philosophy, King County Metro hopes to encourage patience, cooperation, and safe sharing of the roadway – and looking out for each other as a matter of course.
The campaign also features updated videos and web content on the Metro website, quarterly safety events at the bus bases, and increased instructional bus bike rack displays throughout King County – including an instructional bike rack at our office in Pioneer Square.
The Bicycle/Bus Education and Safety Team members include Eileen Kadesh and Ref Lindmark of Metro Market Development, Chief of Central Base Margo Minnix, Transit Safety Officer Dan Nuner, Dan Porter of Metro Training, John Mauro from Cascade Bicycle Club, and our very own Barbara Culp. They are hoping to start another round of ads next spring, possibly featuring a revamped message.

Thanks to Scott Chilberg for submitting this post.

Posted in Education, Seattle, Share the Road, Transit | 2 Comments

Washington Bikes and Local Stakeholders Reach Agreement with WSDOT on Hood Canal Bridge Safety Fixes for Bicycles

By baw_admin | Published July 31, 2012

Agreement paves way to begin Hood Canal Bridge bicycle safety improvements in 2012

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will make some much needed bicycle safety improvements on Hood Canal Bridge, thanks to an agreement struck between Washington Bikes, local cycling groups, and WSDOT. The agreement, funded largely from a $1.3 million federal grant, allows the state to move forward on a package of safety improvements that will widen (from 3 feet to approximately 5 feet) and improve the bridge surface for bicycles.

Since the Hood Canal Bridge’s reconstruction in 2009, narrow metal plates over the bridge decking and oft-damaged plates covering bridge joints have led to numerous crashes by those on bicycle. These concerns have prompted Washington Bikes and local cycling groups to advocate for safety improvements. The proposed bridge fixes, designed by WSDOT, aim to provide a more durable, wider, and non-skid riding surface for bicycle travel.

Senator Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge), who played a critical role in convening discussions with WSDOT noted, “I appreciate the work of staff at WSDOT – particularly those at the Olympic Region office – who were open to thinking creatively to make this project a reality. Despite the budget constraints facing the state, WSDOT sought out new approaches to address long-standing safety issues that affect mobility, tourism, and recreation between the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas.”

“We are elated to see the state move forward on fixes that will improve safety and accessibility across the Hood Canal Bridge,” said Washington Bikes executive director Barbara Culp. “Washington Bikes applauds WSDOT for their diligence in pursuing this fix. We believe this agreement represents a new chapter in WSDOT’s pursuit of incorporating safety and mobility for bicycles on Washington’s bridges and we look forward to working with WSDOT to make this happen.”

The stakeholders representing bicycle clubs and organizations including Squeaky Wheels (Bainbridge), West Sound Cycling Club (Kitsap), Port Townsend Bicycle Association, and Peninsula Trails Coalition (Olympic Peninsula) have used their local knowledge and technical expertise to collaborate with Washington Bikes and WSDOT Olympic Region on crafting a pragmatic solution that addresses some of the vexing safety concerns of the 2009 bridge reconstruction project.

“This is all about safety for me and the West Sound Cycling Club,” said Lee Derror, former president of the West Sound Cycling Club. “Fixing the Hood Canal Bridge for bicycle use creates a safer link between Kitsap and the rest of the Olympic Peninsula – that’s something we can all support.

WSDOT expects the contractor selection process to occur in August 2012. Once WSDOT selects the contractor, construction is expected to take approximately five months. Drivers and bicyclists can expect shoulder closures, lane closures and one-way alternating traffic throughout the project’s duration.

 

Posted in Kitsap County, News, Olympic Peninsula, WSDOT | 1 Comment

Free Webinars on the Updated AASHTO Bike Guide

By Louise McGrody | Published July 30, 2012

In June of this year, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released its long overdue update of Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities.  This publication is a key resource for designing bike facilities in the US and had not been revised since 1999.
 

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) has partnered with Toole Design Group to offer a series of free webinars on the updated AASHTO Bicycle Guide.  Seven webinars are scheduled and each will cover a different topic area.  The first one is scheduled for August 10 and here’s the description from PBIC:

Aug. 10, 2012: Overview of Revised AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities
This webinar will provide an overview of the entire Guide and its evolution and use throughout the U.S., as well as other resources that are used for bicycle facility design (MUTCD, NACTO). Participants will gain an understanding of the purpose and design imperative for the Guide, as well as the more substantive additions and revisions that have been made to the Guide.  Participants will be encouraged to participate in subsequent webinars that will provide more detail on each topic area in the Guide.
Presenters: Jennifer Toole and Peter Lagerwey

Follow this link to view the entire AASHTO Bike Guide webinar series and to register for any of the webinars.  This webinar series has been approved by the American Planning Association for certification maintenance credits.

Posted in Infrastructure, Transportation | Comments Off on Free Webinars on the Updated AASHTO Bike Guide

Nord Alley Transformed into Tour d’Alley

By baw_admin | Published July 26, 2012

Washington Bikes, Alley Network Project, and a host of other groups brought Tour de France to Pioneer Square this year.


For two weeks, we set up a big screen, chairs, and an information table and invited the public to join us in watching the Tour de France in Nord Alley.  We transformed our alley into vibrant public space.

People took us up on it and turned out daily to watch this elite event.  The mountain stages were especially popular.  We were joined by tour enthusiasts, our Pioneer Square neighbors looking for a lunchtime activity, and curious passersby.

Coffee and snacks were provided daily and many arrived with their lunch.  One afternoon, we even served up hotdogs and sausages on the grill!

The 2012 Tour de France is over and Bradley Wiggins made history by becoming the first British champion of this event.  You can read the account from Cycling News.

Posted in Bike Culture, Events, Seattle, Sustainable Living | 1 Comment

August First Thursday Open House to Feature Independent Woodworks

By baw_admin | Published July 25, 2012

Join us for a summer First Thursday open house at our Pioneer Square office on August 2!  Our office gallery will be open from 5:30-7:30 pm, and we’re featuring the inspirational and functional woodwork of Jesse Knutson of Independent Woodworks.  Jesse is displaying bicycle-inspired custom furniture pieces, like the bench to the right.

A $10 donation will get you a Bicycle Alliance membership, a limited edition pint glass, and some Schooner Exact beer!

While you’re here, wander back to Back Alley Bike Repair and check out the bike art they have on display.  Then view the Diving Belles art display in Nord Alley.

Posted in Events | Comments Off on August First Thursday Open House to Feature Independent Woodworks