Upcoming Events & Meetings and Rides

Save the date: October 23 - 18th Annual Auction and Gala [Fisher Pavilion, Seattle]

Statewide RIDES Calendar lists rides and events that support the Bicycle Alliance.
Statewide ADVOCACY Calendar lists Bicycle Advocacy Groups that meet regularly.

RAPSody : Aug 28-29 Ride Around Puget Sound Ride to support fun and bicycle advocacy!

Bikestation Seattle is now Seattle BIKE PORT Pioneer Square

Seattle Bikestation has officially been changed to Seattle BIKE PORT Pioneer Square. The website and management/registration documents have been updated to reflect the name change, and look for the new facility signage and marketing materials to be ready by Bike Expo (March 13). The Bicycle Alliance of Washington continues to operate the facility.

If you have not been down to Seattle BIKE PORT, please drop in for a tour during our regular business hours M-F 9am-5pm.

Also remember, the fees have been reduced for 2010, AND Bicycle Alliance members still get an additional $20 discount when purchasing an Annual Plan.

Legislative Update 8 March 2010

12 March 2010
SB 6345 Passes, Goes to Governor

We are pleased to report that Senate Bill 6345 (making texting and using a handheld cell phone while driving a primary offense) has been passed by the House in its original version. Now that it has been approved by the legislature, it just awaits Governor Gregoire's signature.

More information on these and other legislative efforts on our Legislative Issues Page.

Board Elections: Ballots to be mailed March 1st

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is served by a board of up to 24 volunteer directors who bring a variety of skills and perspectives from all around the state. Directors serve 3-year terms, and terms are staggered to maintain continuity so that roughly 1/3 of the board positions are up for an election each year.

Look in your March edition of The Advocate for your board ballot (ballots due 3/31/2010).

New Nominees:

Andy Pryor, Walla Walla, term thru 2012

Andy brings a rural eastern Washington perspective to the board, as well as strong experience in transportation planning and bike advocacy. He chairs the Walla Walla 2020 Transportation Committee, which works on complete streets and transit issues. He helped develop the city's comprehensive plan and served on the bike-ped advisory committee. Andy has served on the Bicycle Alliance Legislative Committee for the past two years and has twice attended Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia. He is a member of the Wheatland Wheelers Bicycle Club.

I am currently the Chair of the Walla Walla 2020 Transportation Committee. Generally this committee advocates bringing complete streets to Walla Walla and also supports the local bus system, Valley Transit. I was a participant in the development of the Walla Walla Comprehensive Plan. From 2004 to 2007, I was a member of the City of Walla Walla Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. I remain an active participant with this committee. As a member of the Bicycle Alliance Legislative Committee, I participated in Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia in 2008 and 2010.

I have a degree in economics and have been licensed as an investment broker. I decided to commit a considerable amount of energy to bicycle advocacy after I realized that it takes participation for voices to be heard. I believe that providing proper references combined with a good grasp of the situation is the best way to make progress on making cycling a mainstream transportation choice.

Ben Robinson, Seattle, term thru 2012

Ben is relatively new to Seattle (four years), but comes to the Bicycle Alliance as a long-time bicycle commuter and an experienced board member and treasurer with other non-profit organizations. He is the financial manager for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute. He's been asked to serve on the Bicycle Alliance executive committee as our board treasurer.

I am excited about giving back to the cycling community that has given me so much. I have been a strong advocate for cycling at each place of employment, and I would like to put that passion to work on the state level. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington most closely aligns with my own views on cycling.

Most recently I was the treasurer for 10 Thousand Villages in Seattle. Prior to moving to Seattle, I was the head of the board for the Domestic Corps, an agency that placed MBA students and alumni with non-profit groups around the world.

I have an MBA from the University of Michigan Business School. I have consulted with many non-profit boards as the head of the board for the Domestic Corps. I focused on non-profit strategy and management. Currently, I am employed as the financial officer for the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. I am responsible for all finances for the $30M / year operation.

I am a member of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, and the Cascade Cycling Club.

Rod McDonald, Arlington, term thru 2011

Rod is retired military, and now spends his time biking as much as possible. He is a member and ride leader with many bike clubs: BIKES Club of Snohomish County, Skagit Bicycle Club, Stanwood Roadies and Cascade Bicycle Club. He has helped put on bicycle events and has attended Transportation Advocacy Day the past two years.

I have been riding for many years and now have the time to going other directions...this one should be interesting. I have volunteered to help run bicycling events in any way help was needed:.Camano Climb, Skagit Classic, Wooley Cross.

I have experience with:

• Event Planning : Put together bike rides
• Advocacy: Transportation Advocacy Day
• Public Policy: on sharing roads, helmet laws
• Transportation/Planning: Attend meetings in Everett, Island County and Camano Island

I have been riding for many years. About 5 years ago I started riding and joining bike clubs. I have become a ride leader in all clubs and a safety instructor/trainer for new riders. I'm a firm believer in helmet laws, safe riding, and encouraging others to try riding.

Returning Board Members
(all terms thru 2012)

• Kristin Kinnamon, Marysville, originally joined the Board in 2005.
• Bobby Mullins, Seattle, originally joined the Board in 2005.
• John Whitlow, Bainbridge Island, originally joined the Board in 2009.
• Sarah Gelineau, Tonasket, originally joined the Board in 2006.

Seeking additional board members

There are three additional board openings which the board can elect to fill pending next year's member election. We are particularly interested in new board members from the Spokane and Vancouver areas, as well as people in the fields of health, law enforcement or environment.

Email your nomination to BAWBoard@bicyclealliance.org, using the subject heading of Nomination.

New Executive Director to Lead BAW

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has a new executive director, a name familiar to Alliance members and others in the bicycle community: Barbara Culp.

Culp was previously the executive director from 1999 to 2007, when she left to travel and pursue related career interests. She is leaving her job as bicycle transportation specialist with Seattle Children's Hospital because she is excited by the new energy and direction of the Bicycle Alliance.

Before beginning the process to hire a new executive, the board of directors held a day-long retreat to identify organizational strengths and goals and re-wrote the job description in light of current staff roles and leadership needs. The need for a dynamic, experienced leader and advocate was identified.

The Bicycle Alliance received more than 40 qualified applicants for the position. Originally, Barbara Culp was on the other side of the hiring process, serving on the search committee that reviewed those applications and interviewed finalists.

"As the hiring process evolved, my interest in statewide advocacy, and my passionate commitment to the Bicycle Alliance family of statewide advocates was revitalized. I wanted to be part of the growing culture of all things bicycling to help address such critical issues as improving cycling safety in our communities, climate change, and the public health obesity epidemic. The needs are great and the time is right," said Culp.

Once Culp expressed interest in the job, "we knew she was the stand-out candidate we were looking for," said Bicycle Alliance board president Kristin Kinnamon, of Marysville. "The board's focus is on legislation and public policy that will transform Washington into a state where everybody can bike. Barb proved she is an expert and winning advocate for bicycling in her first stint as E.D. And now, with Barb's leadership, we are positioned to do even more."

Culp rallied support to pass bills including the Cooper Jones Act that funds bicycle safety education, Safe Routes to School grants for walking and bicycling, a safe passing law, and the Share the Road license plate.

Under her leadership, the Bicycle Alliance supported trail development and preservation around the state, including the Fish Lake Trail in Spokane, the Klickitat Trail in southwest Washington, the East Lake Sammamish Trail and the East King County rail corridor.

She also worked closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation on its bike event and rumble strip policies, and on ensuring that state highway and bridgework accommodated bicycles. Those same issues will be on her plate again as the Bicycle Alliance works to help the WSDOT implement its state bike plan and live up to its goals of improving bike safety and increasing cycling opportunities statewide.

Bicycle Alliance acting executive director Dave Janis will return to his staff role focusing on Safe Routes to School and policy issues. He is on the board of Transportation Choices Coalition and has worked for the Bicycle Alliance since 2002.

"Dave's work with TCC, the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition and other partners on legislation are major accomplishments of his time as our acting executive director," Kinnamon said. He also managed the transition into expanded offices and a revitalized Bikestation in Pioneer Square [since renamed Seattle BIKE PORT Pioneer Square], hired the organization's first development director and hired a new office and membership coordinator.

"Dave's steady leadership gave us the breathing room to move forward strategically as an organization. The board is happy he will continue to bring his professionalism and his passion for bicycling to our efforts," Kinnamon said.

The Bicycle Alliance is a 20-year old, 3,000-member, statewide bicycle-advocacy organization with its office located in historic Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington. Staff, numerous volunteers, and a board of 24 directors from all around the state support the executive director.

Meet Katie Ferguson

Give a big Bike Alliance welcome to AmeriCorps intern Katie Ferguson! Although she doesn't join us in an official capacity until January 2010, Katie has been spending parts of November and December in the BAW office getting to know staff and familiarizing herself with the organization.

Katie's AmeriCorp position will be as Volunteer, Education and Outreach Assistant. Her work will focus on the creation and implementation of a program to recruit, train and retain volunteers.

A Seattle native, Katie earned a BS degree in Technical, Scientific, and Professional Communications from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. Although she commuted by bike year-round through three Massachusetts winters, Katie hopes she does not have to use her snow biking skills here.

"I applied for the position because I love cycling and have always wanted to work for a nonprofit organization," said Katie, "so this is like a dream come true!"

Make a Statement Whenever You Ride

Our attractive Share the Road jersey is a great way to make a statement - literally - whenever you ride. We have just received a new shipment, so order early to ensure availability of the size that you need. Priced at only $65, this jersey is a good buy, highly visible, and it supports BAW's advocacy work.

With Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions right around the corner, remember that this jersey makes a great gift.

For more information contact Donna Govro at donnag@bicyclealliance.org or 206-224-9252 x300.