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News & Announcements

11 July 2009
Sekani Adventure Day

Bring the entire family (all ages) for this exciting day of adventure. Spark your curiosity, learn new skills and have fun with activities such as canoeing, bouldering, kayaking, rafting, archery, mountain biking, camping, cooking, long boarding, hiking and more! Local outdoor vendors on site for all your needs. Bring your own picnic (no food vendors).

When: Saturday July 11th: 9 AM - 6 PM
Location: Camp Sekani, 6707 E. Upriver Drive on the north bank of the Spokane River near Beacon Hill. (Shuttle available from Pasadena Park Elementary on Upriver Drive.)
Cost: $35 for a family of 5, each additional child $5, single person $15
Registration: Call 509-625-6200 or register at Spokane Parks and Rec website

Printable flyer

8 July 2009
Shoreline Transportation Master Plan Open House

OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, July 8 ~ 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Shoreline Fire Station
17545 Aurora Avenue N

What are Shoreline's Future Transit, Bike and Pedestrian needs?

Bike trails, walkways, paths, bike lanes, dog water bowls, sidewalks, bike rack design and location, crosswalks, water fountains, lighting, bus shelters, bus routes – as you walk, ride or take transit in the City of Shoreline, what do you think is missing? What – and where – are the community’s most important transit, pedestrian and bike needs?

These are the topics of an upcoming Community Open House that will kick off the update to the Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The Open House will be at the Shoreline Fire Station on Aurora and N 175th Street on Wednesday, July 8, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The meeting is an open house with no presentation planned. Community members can drop in to check out the displays about the variety of transit, pedestrian and bike services and facilities that are possible. The goal is to gather suggestions on what should be included in these sections of the update to the City’s TMP.

The TMP is a long-range plan that helps guide how the City develops its Capital Improvement Program, coordinate transportation improvements with land uses and better plan what is needed to respond to growth.

Shoreline is updating the TMP because of the significant changes that have been completed and that are planned for the City’s transportation system since the last update in 2005. Completed changes include the Interurban Trail, first mile of Aurora and the pedestrian bridges. Improving the next two miles of Aurora and new bus rapid transit service from both Metro and Community Transit, not to mention the light rail, are changes that are coming to Shoreline’s transportation system.

More info at: City of Shoreline website.

28 June 2009
Pride Parade: Call for Bicyclists!

On Sunday, June 28th, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington is sponsoring their first "float" in this summer's Pride Parade, and we want YOU to ride in it!

The "float" will consist of our beautified banner and a group of super cool bicyclists dressed for Pride with their bikes decorated. We will have music playing and a synchronized routine with the bikes and riders, for moments when the parade pauses (Think "YMCA" using hand signals). You will get to 'Ride with Pride' in front of thousands of cheering people, and be done in time to enjoy the festivities at Seattle Center!

We will have a planning and work/practice party on June 18th, immediately after the BAW open house, 6:30-ish.

There will be a bike decorating party at Bikestation Seattle on the 27th, from 4pm to 7pm, the night before the parade. You can also do that part on your own if you want, and meet us at the parade.

The downtown parade starts at 11:00. If you are interested, please contact Every by Friday the 26th and we can send you the details (where and when to meet). Contact Every at 206-224-9252 x304, or everyd@bicyclealliance.org

24, 25, 26 June 2009
Trail Development Workshops in Northeast Washington

The Northeast Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization (N.E.W. RTPO) is hosting trail development workshops in Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties.

Pend Oreille County
June 24, 2009 – 6-9 p.m.
Ione Community Center
201 Blackwell, Ione, WA

Stevens County
June 25, 2009 – 6-9 p.m.
Ag Trade Center
NE WA Fairgrounds, Colville, WA

Ferry County
June 26, 2009 – 6-9 p.m.
Curlew Civic Hall
4 Washburn Street, Curlew, WA

Each workshop will consist of three parts:

Part 1 : Origins and Background on Rail-Trails
Part 2 : Steps for Creating a Trail
Part 3 : Exploring Issues for Your Trail

Each part will be approximately one hour. Among the topics to be covered are: trail acquisition, liability, benefits, railbanking, security, design development. Each workshop will be tailored to the specific counties and their needs. The workshops will include a set of handouts and a Q&A session.

Presented by: Sean E. Michael, Professor and Head Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Utah State University His work has assisted trail development in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Washington. His classes focus on land development in the West, including “gateway communities” and their relationship with recreation lands. Sean is an active outdoorsman, enjoying cycling, ATV riding, hunting and camping.

23 & 24 June 2009
I-5 Columbia River Crossing Project Open Houses

What's happening with the I-5 bridge project crossing the Columbia River? Attend one of these scheduled open houses to learn about recent developments related to bicycle/pedestrian facilities, light rail alignment and station locations, bridge type and design, interchange design, and financing and tolling.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Jantzen Beach SuperCenter
(Community Room directly across from the food court)
1405 N. Jantzen Beach Center
Portland, OR

Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay (River Rooms)
100 Columbia Street
Vancouver, WA 98660

The Columbia River Crossing Project is a joint effort between the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Transportation. You can learn more about the project at: www.columbiarivercrossing.org

17, 25, 29 June 2009
Lynnwood Nonmotorized Plans - Open Houses & Public Comment Period

Over the past year the City of Lynnwood has been developing a "City Wide" nonmotorized plan (pedestrian and bike) known as our skeleton systems. The skeleton systems will provide a framework of sidewalks, walkways, and bikeways to allow people to travel between most homes, schools, businesses throughout the City without using their cars. We have developed draft plans and have prioritized the missing links (see link below for more info).

We are now in our public comment period. Please review the Lynnwood Nonmotorized Plan and let us know if you have any comments. We will consolidate all the comments by late summer/early fall and finalize for Council adoption in the fall of 2009.

Public open houses will be held at:

• Lynnwood Fire Station 14, 18800 68th Ave W, June 17th, 5:00-8:00 pm
• Lynnwood Utility Maintenance Center, 20525 60th Ave W, June 25th, 5:00-8:00 pm
• Lynnwood Library, 19200 44th Ave W, June 29th, 3:00-7:00 pm

Thanks,
David Mach, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Lynnwood
425-670-5275; 425-670-5906 (FAX)
dmach@ci.lynnwood.wa.us
19100 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5635
Lynnwood Nonmotorized Plan

18 June 2009
Open House: Check out our new digs!

Bicycle Alliance of Washington Open House
Thursday, June 18, 2009
4:30-6:00 p.m.

Visit our new office in Pioneer Square
Hear about our goals and recent successes
Network with our members
Take a guided tour of the Bikestation
Light refreshments will be served

309A Third Ave S
(between Main & Jackson in Pioneer Square)
Plenty of free bicycle parking!

18 June 2009
Inland Northwest Trails Coalition Annual Meeting

Inland Northwest Trails Coalition Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 18, 6:00pm - 7:30 pm
Spokane REI, corner Monroe & Boone

More information at:  www.inlandnorthwesttrails.org

18 June 2009
Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board seeks new members

The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board is an 11-member panel of volunteers that meets monthly and advises the city on the concerns and needs of the growing bicycling community. Applicants must reside in Seattle and agree to serve for a 2-year term.

If you are interested in being considered (applications are reviewed and those selected are approved by the City Council), send a letter and resume to Douglas.Cox@Seattle.gov, or by mail to:

Doug Cox
Seattle Dept. of Transportation
700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3900
P.O. Box 34996
Seattle, WA 98124-4996

The deadline for submission is June 18.

See also Seattle Times article: Biking enthusiasts sought for panel

4 June 2009
Velo-City: Vancouver & the Bicycle Revolution

New exhibit opens June 4 through September 7 at Museum of Vancouver (BC).

Did you know that there are roadies, commuters, fixies and trackies, cruisers, couriers, cyclo-tourists, tall bike riders and the mini bike army, bike cops, choppers, pursuiters, randonneurs and critical massers, triathletes, freak-bikers, bmx'rs and downhillers in Vancouver? And that’s just to name a few… Vancouver is a city of cyclists, a Velo-City criss-crossed by tens of thousands of cyclists of different types who are united by their passion for the simple joy of pedaling and bicycling.

This 7500 square foot exhibit about contemporary and future cycling in Vancouver, designed and curated by Toby Barratt, Nik Rust, and Pamela Goddard from Propellor Design, challenges people to think differently about an everyday object. It redefines the bicycle as a vehicle for artistic self-expression, a provocative symbol of counter-culture and as a tool for social change.

Share a photo of you and your bike on our Flickr group page (www.flickr.com/groups/velo-city/). Submitted photos will be streamed onto the Velo-Love Wall within the exhibit.

There are several events planned in conjunction with this exhibit, including: an outdoor showing of The Triplets of Belleville, guided cycling tours of Vancouver, panel discussions, etc. Check the Museum of Vancouver website for more details.

6 June 2009
Hood Canal Bridge Reopening Ceremony and Ride

The Hood Canal Bridge, a 1.5-mile link between the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas, reopened 10:19pm June 3rd, so a celebratory ride has been scheduled for Saturday June 6th. Port Townsend Bicycle Association, Squeaky Wheels of Bainbridge Island, and West Sound Cycling Club are planning the ad-hoc ride to coincide with the official opening.

• What: Hood Canal Bridge reopens – ride with other cyclists across the bridge, which will now have continuous shoulders!
• Where: Salsbury Point Park, on SR 104 near Port Gamble
  [If driving, parking is available in Port Gamble and at Salsbury Point.]
• When: June 6 – plan to arrive before 11am

More info on the Hood Canal Bridge at: www.hoodcanalbridge.com or call toll-free 1-877-595-4222.

1 June 2009
Donna Govro Joins the BAW Staff

Please join the Bicycle Alliance in welcoming Donna Govro, our newest staff member!

Donna is the Office Coordinator and Membership Assistant. Donna's varied experience, including office administration, human resources and sales has already proved beneficial to us. She is already working closely with volunteers and looks forward to meeting and working with more.

Donna previously worked as an office manager for a Pioneer Square architect firm and continues to bike commute from West Seattle and be a Bikestation user. In her spare time, besides bicycling, Donna enjoys hiking, volunteering, edible gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

1 May - 3 15 June 2009
Hood Canal Bridge is CLOSED OPEN!

The Hood Canal Bridge, a 1.5-mile link between the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas, will be closed starting May 1, 2009 for six weeks while the east half is replaced. More info at: www.hoodcanalbridge.com or call toll-free 1-877-595-4222.

May 2009
National Bike Month Events throughout May

May is National Bike Month and May 15 is Bike to Work Day. Communities around Washington State are planning a variety of Bike to Work activities. Here's information on the ones we know about:

Cowlitz County

Cowlitz County Bike to Work Week
May 11-15, 2009
Event Calendar.

More info at: www.cowlitzonthemove.org

Bike to Work Spokane

A month of biking activities including an Education Fair, commute workshops, Walk & Roll to School Day, a kick-off breakfast rally, Energizer Stations, and a Commute Challenge.

Education Fair: Sunday, May 10, Riverpark Square, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Work off that Mother’s Day brunch with a little ride downtown.
Kickoff Breakfast: Monday May 11, Riverfront Park, 7-9 a.m. Come downtown if you can for our big kickoff!
Walk & Roll to School Day: Wednesday May 13 at participating Spokane Public Schools. Last year we had 7 elementary schools; this year we have 9 elementary, 5 middle, and 3 high schools in Spokane Public Schools.
Energizer Stations: Wednesday May 13, 7-9 a.m., various locations countywide.

www.biketoworkspokane.org

King County

Cascade Bicycle Club organizes a month long Commute Challenge, Bike to School events, and a Bike to Work Day with a morning rally and 44 commuter stations around Seattle and King County.

April 28 - 2009 Vulcan Bike to Work Breakfast
May 1-31 - Commute Challenge
May 9 - Bike Works Kids Bike Swap - Genessee Playfield
May 15 - Bike to Work Day Rally, Street Party, Commute Stations
May 28 - UW Hubbub UW Bike Bash

www.cbcef.org/btw/

Snohomish County

Snohomish County Bike to Work events give first-time bike commuters, die-hard regulars and fair weather cyclists a chance to ride and celebrate together. Event organizers encourage creative commutes that combine biking and buses, biking to your carpool or vanpool instead of driving, or driving part way to work (up the hills) and biking the rest.

April 30 - Bike Month Kickoff, 3-6 p.m. at Community Transit, 2300 Kasch Park Rd., Everett. Stop by for bike commuting tips, event materials, team captain cycling caps and a snack.
May 11 - June 12, Snohomish County Bike Commute Challenge presented by Group Health. Teams of 4 to 10 members compete for prizes and bragging rights.
May 15 - Bike to Work Day, 6-9 a.m., Celebration Stations throughout the region. Join elected officials and fellow riders at 7:30 a.m. for Celebration Rides. Visit the website to find a location near you.

www.communitytransit.org/biketowork

Tacoma-Pierce County

Bike Month 2009 offers all kinds of cycling happenings. Events include a Kids Safety & Health Fair, Tacoma Bike Swap, Bike to Work Week Commuter Contest, family bike rides led by the Tacoma Wheelmen, and much more. A sampling is listed here, but check the links below for more...

May 2nd: 10 AM - 2 PM - Kid's Safety and Health Fair
May 7: 5:30-8pm - Green Drinks at the Hub
The City of Tacoma will host the monthly Green Drinks gathering.
May 9th: Noon-5pm - Wheelmen Family Ride: University Place
May 9th: Noon-5pm - Tacoma Bike Swap
May 11-15: Bike to Work Week Commuter Contest
May 13: 5-7 PM - Bike to a Better Tacoma at the Hub
May 15: Bike to Work Day Bike and Breakfast
May 21: 9 AM - 2 PM - Downtown Farmer's Market Opening/Bike to Market Day
Printable list of Family Bike events [pdf].
www.cityoftacoma.org

Thurston County

The countywide 22st annual Bicycle Commuter Contest (BCC) will be held throughout May. Prizes from local and national sponsors will be awarded to top finishers.
Get registration information at ThurstonBCC.blogspot.com.

Whatcom County

Celebrate bicycling all month long with Team-Up for everybodyBIKE, the 12th Annual Bike to Work and School Day, Bicycle Scavenger Hunt & Pedal With Your Politician, Adaptive Cycles Expo, and more.

May 15th: 6am-10am - 12th Annual Bike to Work and School Day
Bike or walk to one of the more than 30 Celebration Stations located throughout the county and enjoy refreshments, gifts, stickers, and a chance to enter the prize drawing.
May 15th: 5pm-7pm - Bike to Work and School Day Evening Celebration
Show your "I biked" sticker and get free entry to Boundary Bay for music, fun, and prize drawings for Whatcom County's most popular bike event, Bike to Work and School Day.
May 9th: 5pm-7pm - Bicycle Scavenger Hunt and Pedal with Your Politician
Search for clues by bike on a fun ride through Bellingham 's historic neighborhoods and greenway trails. Gather friends and kids and go at your own pace. Connect up with Pedal with your Politician ride at noon (optional).
May 16th: 12pm-2pm - Adaptive Cycles Expo
Everyone can bike with these cycles. Come try an amazing assortment of different designs of bikes that make it fun and easy for people of all ability levels to pedal.
May 1-31 : Team-Up for everybodyBIKE
WIN CASH PRIZES by bicycling and logging your trips in May! It’s easy. Team up with family members, friends, neighbors, classmates or co-workers.
www.everybodyBIKE.com

18 May 2009
Spokane City Council Public Hearing on proposed Master Bike Plan

On May 18, 2009, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, the Spokane City Council will hold a public hearing to receive public testimony on proposed Master Bike Plan. Recent drafts of the Master Bike Plan, Planned Bikeway Map and Comprehensive Plan Changes will soon be available on the City's website: www.spokaneplanning.org

15 May 2009
Discounted Registration Deadline for Safe Routes Conference

The second annual National Safe Routes to School Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon, August 19-21. It provides a great opportunity to meet and learn from some of the best practitioners in the world.

To learn more or to sign up go to www.saferoutesconference.org.
There is a discounted registration fee until May 15th.

14 May 2009
Grand Opening of the King County's Marymoor Connector Trail

Now open to the public, the Marymoor Connector Trail is a critical link in the "Locks to Lakes" regional trail corridor. With the Marymoor Connector Trail in place, the cities of Seattle, Lake Forest Park, Bothell and Woodinville are now connected on the Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River trails with Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, and the Mountains to Sound Greenway via the East Lake Sammamish Trail.

Join us on the trail!

Marymoor Park
May 14, 2009
11 a.m. - Noon
6046 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE
Redmond, WA 98052

Follow signs to the Marymoor Connector Trail's new boardwalk!

Take a look at our new Marymoor map.

9 May 2009
Bike Swap Events around the Puget Sound

TACOMA

University of Puget Sound, Noon-5pm
Look for the big tent in the Wyatt Hall parking lot (1401 Union Ave, just north of the athletic fields).
More info at: Tacoma Bike Swap

SEATTLE

Genesse Playfield, 10am to 4pm
Come on down to Genesee Playfield and trade up or down for the next bike. Come watch how a field of big bikes mysteriously shrinks into a bunch of little bikes by the end of the day. Get there early to get a good deal!
More info at: Bike Works website

April-May 2009
Spokane Bike Commuter Workshops

Eileen Hyatt, BAW board member and League Certified Instructor, is offering several bike commuter workshops as part of the Bike to Work Spokane celebration. The workshops will also feature roadside repair instruction by techs from North Division Bicycle Shop.

• Tuesday, April 28, 6-7:30pm at Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley
• Wednesday, April 29, 6-7:30pm at Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division
• Monday, May 4, 6-7:30pm at North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Rd

13 April 2009
Bellevue: Suggestions sought for new downtown bike rack locations

As the weather warms and bicycle commuters take to the streets, they'll need a secure place to park their two-wheelers. To help, the City of Bellevue is planning to install up to 25 new bike racks downtown and is seeking suggestions on where to place them.

Bicyclists, or even business owners who want to make bike-riding customers feel more welcome, may e-mail suggestions for downtown bike rack locations (along with a brief description of the exact placement) to pbmcgrath@bellevuewa.gov or call 425-452-2931. The deadline to submit suggestions is May 15.

Bike rack locations must be in the Bellevue right of way; they are typically installed on sidewalks where they do not interfere with other sidewalk users. The best sites are well lit, visible from the street and near the entrances to popular destinations.

If a site is technically feasible and is selected, Bellevue will install a bicycle rack at no cost to adjacent property owners. The downtown bike rack project will cost an estimated $5,000 and is being paid for through a $300,000 Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center grant from the state Department of Transportation.

Bellevue Bike Rack Locations Press Release

18-19 April 2009
Urban Cycling Techniques Course offered in Bellevue

Learn about urban cycling techniques at a Parks & Community Services course April 18 and 19, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Crossroads Community Center. Register for the $45 training at parksreg.bellevuewa.gov (activity 40420) or click on: Urban Cycling Techniques course description

Sat-Sun April 18-19, 2009
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Crossroads Community Center
16000 NE 10th St.
Bellevue, WA 98008

11 April 2009
Legislation Status [Updated April 11th]

Good news: Policy language for Traffic-Activated Signals (formerly HB 1403) is alive again through an amendment to SB 5482 by the House Transportation Committee. This bill is now awaiting a second reading in House Rules Committee and a concurrence vote from the Senate.

More good news: Safe Routes to School (HB 1793/SB 5743) is out of the Senate Rules Committee and on the floor waiting for a vote.

Bad news: After last minute objections by the Washington State Troopers Association, the 3-Foot Passing Bill (HB 1491) did not make it out of the Senate Transportation Committee despite strong support from Senators Marr and Ranker.

10 April 2009
Fish Lake Trail Receives Federal Stimulus Funding

Bicyclists in the Spokane area will soon have another stretch of paved trail to ride on.

The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) has awarded the City of Spokane $778,317 in federal stimulus funding for the Fish Lake Trail. Construction is expected to begin by June on 4.4 miles of trail from the intersection of Government Way and Sunset Highway south to Scribner Road near Marshall, connecting to an existing 3-mile portion of the trail. (See a map of the Fish Lake Trail.) The unfinished corridor continues south to another paved segment at Fish Lake and Cheney, then joins the Columbia Plateau Trail at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge and makes its way to Pasco.

Several years ago, the Bicycle Alliance helped organize the Fish Lake Trail Action Group to rally support for completing the regional trail. This group continues to be an active force for the trail's development and they have a trail work party planned for June 6. To get involved, contact Dan Schaffer.

April 2009
Improved Bikestation Amenities Are Now Available!

The Bicycle Alliance takeover of Bikestation management in February has greatly improved the services available to customers. Thirty new lockers have been installed (thanks to a generous donation and volunteer work), and the bathroom and changing area are now accessible 24/7. There is also a shop stand, for minor bike repair, which has already come in handy for one early morning commuter.

The lockers are available to customers with service plans and require a $10 key deposit. Come down and take a tour! Also, take advantage of Bicycle Alliance member's $20 discount when signing up!

April 2009
Berentson Bridge (Twin Bridges) Safety Project Completion

A major milestone has been completed to improve bicycle safety at the Berentson Bridges on SR20 in Skagit County. The projects were funded through Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) safety initiatives, designed by WSDOT staff with help and advice from the local cycling community. Full jersey barrier segregation of the bike-ped two-way crossing was completed this winter. Improved signage just installed at the bridge will help cyclists safely navigate the underpass system to the segregated bike lane when traveling eastbound. Two new bicycle crossings, one at the Best Road/SR20 intersection and the other at West March Point Road/SR20 intersection have been installed and will soon be activated.

This WSDOT traffic safety project was generated by a proposal from the Active Communities Task Force (ACT), a healthy lifestyles non-motorized sub-committee to the Skagit Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Its purpose was to improve non-motorized safety at a key point in Skagit County where two national bike routes and several inter-county bike routes intersect. The famed Pacific Coast Trail (from White Rock, B.C., to San Diego, CA) and Northern Tier Trail (from Anacortes, WA to Bar Harbor, ME) both use this bridge, resulting in a lot of through bicycle touring in summer months. Regionally, the bridge is also very important, with the Coast Millennium, Cascade to Coast and Coast Salish regional trails all adding to the bike traffic.

The project also brings visibility to a regional effort to give bike routes in Skagit County a comprehensive signing and logical numbering system. Route numbers and arrows on signs placed at a cyclist's viewing height clarify the bike route and show mileage to the next major city at major route junctions. The route signage also informs cyclists of lower traffic volume parallel routes such as the Tommy Thompson Trail, a paved off-grade, non-motorized trail that crosses Fidalgo Bay into downtown Anacortes. Kiosk signs at the bridge offer local bike route information to passing cyclists to further inform and hopefully enhance cycling choices for visitors to the area.

The project was the result of persistent planning and efforts by ACT and WSDOTS proactive recognition that there was a real need for this non-motorized highway amenity. The project involved getting support and buy-in from state, county, tribal, municipal and bicycling organizations both with ACT support and finally through WSDOT's project management and planning group to ensure that the neeeds of the cycling public were brought together in a well coordinated plan. The cooperation among the regional bodies proves once again that thinking globally, acting locally can make a difference in the safety and quality of ride for all cyclists. It is one of several innovations ACT has worked successfully with WSDOT to help improve and enhance transportation choices in the Skagit County region.

10 April 2009
BAW Website Redesign RFP

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW) is accepting proposals to redesign and reorganize the organization's web site. Proposals are due Noon PST, Friday 10 April 2009.

Full details: BAW Website Development RFP [pdf]

April 2009
Staff Changes at the Bicycle Alliance

Two recent staff changes have occurred at the Bicycle Alliance:

After nine years as Membership Manager, Mark Canizaro has left the Bicycle Alliance. During his tenure, Mark demonstrated his passion for bicycle advocacy and helped the organization grow and maintain its membership. We appreciate the many other successes he helped us achieve. One in particular is the cadre of dedicated volunteers that worked thousands of hours on mailings, the yearly auction, and the many other tasks they did with a smile. We wish Mark the very best in his future endeavors.

We also want to welcome JoAnn Yoshimoto, our Development Director. A veteran fundraising professional, she has been involved with a wide variety of organizations, including youth development, healthcare, environment, and cultural institutions since 1977 as donor, staff, board member, and consultant with The Alford Group. JoAnn is also an avid cycle tourist. When you stop by please be sure and say hello!

April 2009
Bicycle Alliance at REI Cyclefest

Drop by REI during one of these Cyclefest events and say Hi! to the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. We will have an informational table at the following store locations:

 Apr 4 : 11am - 2pm   Tacoma REI
Apr 11 : 11am - 2pm   Alderwood REI
Apr 18 : 11am - 2pm   Redmond REI

29 March 2009
Annual Meeting of the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners

The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners is holding its annual meeting :

Sunday, March 29 at 2:30pm
Old Republic Fire Hall
26 Clark Ave, Republic

The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners are working to preserve a 28-mile rail corridor between San Poil and the Canadian border for the future economic benefit of Ferry County and create a nonmotorized trail.

28 March 2009
Legislative Update: We're Busy in Olympia! [Updated March 28]

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has a full plate in Olympia for the 2009 legislative session. Our Legislative & Statewide Issues Committee, our lobbyist, and BAW members are working to advance several bicycle-friendly bills.

However, the dire State fiscal situation this year is having an impact on all legislation. Any hint of a fiscal impact is cause for great concern and can cause otherwise worthwhile legislation to die an early death. The BAW is working to minimize the fiscal impact of all our proposed legislation. We have agreed to some revisions that will allow our legislative initiatives to move forward when fiscal concerns have been raised.

Ongoing vigilance of "our" legislation is needed. As BAW Board President Kristin Kinnamon stated in the recent Bike Bites E-Newsletter, "We want BAW members to continue to contact their State Representatives and State Senators and ask them to support our bills."

Below is a summary of key legislation that we are supporting. Check the Legislation Page for additional details and updates. The "HB" and "SB" numbers refer to the House Bill and Senate Bill numbers that pertain to each proposed bill. Click on the bill number to get the most up-to-date status.

Still alive:

Three Foot Clearance (HB 1491/SB 5335)

A bill drafted by BAW lobbyist Michael Temple and Brian Faller requires a minimum of three (3) feet of clearance when a vehicle overtakes and passes pedestrians or bicycles. The bill also allows vehicles to cross the center line to pass a bicycle if it is safe to do so.

This legislation received support as an important safety educational tool by the Washington Department of Transportation, the Washington State Patrol, and by other law-enforcement groups.

Status: Passed by the House; referred to Senate Transportation Committee.
Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM, April 1. (Subject to change)

Safe Routes to School (HB 1793/SB 5743)

The BAW, Cascade Bicycle Club, Feet First, and several other organizations are members of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition which has been working to advance a "safe routes" bill. This legislation would increase dedicated State funding for Safe Routes to School grants and make other changes to the program.

Progress has been made to move this important legislation forward, however, due to concerns associated with funding and other aspects of the program, legislation will likely not be adopted this session. With all the good ground-work accomplished to date, and with advocacy efforts continuing in the months ahead, this bill will hopefully be able to move to adoption next year. Substantial work "selling" the bill will, however, be required for success.

Status: PASSED on the House Floor March 11: yeas, 83; nays, 13; referred to Senate Transportation Committee.
Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM, March 31. (Subject to change)

Liz McNett Crowl (far left), BAW board member from Mt Vernon, provided testimony in support of the Safe Routes to School legislation. The bill had a hearing before the House Transportation Committee on February 24.

Dead bills:

Construction Zone Accommodation (HB 1535)

Ralph Wessels, BAW Legislative Committee and Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club member, drafted legislation to require compliance with existing standards so that people using wheelchairs, bikes, or their feet are considered when construction or maintenance closures & detours are necessary.

Some fiscal objections have been raised to date on this proposed legislation.

Status: Did not make it out of House Transportation Committee.

Traffic Actuated Signals (HB 1403)

BAW Legislative Committee and Capital Bicycling Club member Brian Faller drafted legislation to require new traffic signals to detect bicycles and motorcycles at vehicle-activated traffic control signals and also requires needed enhancements at existing signals when upgrade construction occurs.

We added "subject to funding" and other revisions, including a system to file complaints about specific signals, to address fiscal impact concerns raised by the Washington Department of Transportation, The Association of Washington Cities, and others. Other than fiscal concerns, no objections have been raised to date on this proposed legislation. We have received substantial support from The Washington Road Riders, a motorcycle group, as well as other organizations such as Cascade Bicycle Club to move this legislation forward.

Status: Passed House Transportation Committee. Didn't make it out of the Rules Committee.

Vulnerable User Law (SB 5838)

The Cascade Bicycle Club has been working on an important bill related to vehicular assault, SB 5838, which allows for misdemeanor criminal charge in crashes causing serious injury or death when not caused by use of alcohol or drugs. This bill will help fill the gray area that allows police and district attorneys to charge motorists with more than mere traffic fines when they injure or kill cyclists. Washington cyclists are urged to contact their State Senators to support bringing this bill to vote.

Status: Did not make it out of Senate Transportation Committee.

27 March 2009
Board Ballot and New Board Appointment

The latest edition of The Advocate will soon be in your mailbox and it contains a ballot with a slate of Board candidates. Be sure to return your completed ballot by March 27!

In addition to the Board candidates being voted on, John Whitlow has been appointed to fill the unexpired term of former Board member Molly Johnson, who recently moved to California. John, a Bainbridge Island resident, is an architect for Collins Woerman in Seattle and a bike or motorcycle commuter. He and his wife are active with the West Sound Cycling Club as ride leaders and volunteers. John is coordinating West Sound's support for RAPSody (Ride Around Puget Sound) this year. He has served as the chairperson for the Washington State Ferries Community Advisory Group for Winslow. He became involved with the Bicycle Alliance to promote bike infrastructure, commuting alternatives, public education and safety. In addition to his service on the Board, John is a member of BAW's new Education Committee.

19 March 2009
Annual Meeting of the Woodland Greenway Trail Association

Celebrate the 2008 accomplishments of the Woodland Greenway Trail Association and review plans for 2009!

Thursday, March 19,2009
6:30-8:30 PM
Lacey Community Center in Woodland Creek Park
6729 Pacific Ave SE
Lacey

19 March 2009
Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Burke-Gilman Trail

An evening of Questions and Answers about the Burke Gilman Trail Missing Link and other alt transportation topics in Seattle with Grace Crunican, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation

Thursday March 19, 2009
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Northwest Senior Center in Ballard
5429 - 32nd Avenue NW
Seattle

This is your chance to ask some of the same old questions and even some new ones. Let’s work to get some real answers and better yet, some action.

10-12 March 2009
National Bike Summit

Bicycle advocates from around the country will converge in Washington DC in March for the National Bike Summit. This year's Summit will focus on making a powerful case for expanding federal support for bicycling - for active transportation and recreation.

The Bicycle Alliance will be at the National Bike Summit to represent you and we are making appointments with our members in Congress. For more information, contact Dave Janis at the Bike Alliance or check with the League of American Bicyclists.

2009
Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision: Update

After 7 long years of work by Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) the Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision finally passed by being attached as an amendment to HR1425, now Public Law 110-343: The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (The Bush Administration's Sept 08 Stimulus bill).   It went into effect January 1, 2009.

This provision allows employers to offer a transportation benefit package of $20 a month to bicycle commuters. (The original bill called for $80 and Blumenauer promises to try to increase the limit to $80 in the future.)

A cyclist may receive $20 for every month in which a bicycle is used for "the substantial portion of the travel" between their residence and place of employment. It is a substitute for any transit or parking benefits and may not be combined with them. If you have a multi-modal commute (bus/bike or train/bike) you currently have to choose which benefit to receive transit or bicycle. Representatives Blumenauer with encouragement from the League of American Bicyclists is also hoping to change that in the future.

The $240 annual benefit may ONLY be used for

• the purchase of a bicycle
• bicycle improvements,
• bicycle repair or
• bicycle storage.

This Benefit may be offered by an employer as either a pre-tax exclusion, or as a subsidy.

• If it is offered as a subsidy, the employer pays the full cost.
• If it is offered as an exclusion, the employee pays the full cost, but the employer deducts it from the employee's gross pay before taxes are taken out, thus saving both the employee and the employer the income tax, SSI and FICA taxes on the exclusion.

All offices from single person offices to multinational corporations are eligible. Self employed workers are not eligible.

The League of American Bicyclists advocated for this provision, is advocating for improving it and is tracking the current status of the law. Keep an eye on their website for more information on how this new law can benefit you.

Accor Services is a company that provides transit benefit checks for employers. They have developed a bicycle voucher program which employers can subscribe. The vouchers are given to the employee as a transportation benefit and are redeemable at bike shops and bike storage facilities such as Bikestation Seattle.
It is likely that other providers of transportation benefit and pay check handling services will soon have voucher programs as well.

24 Feb 2009
Transportation Advocacy Day - Olympia

On Transportation Advocacy Day Feb. 24 we meet in Olympia to learn about legislative issues, meet with your legislators and network with other advocates.

Tuesday February 24
9am - 5pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
2020 Franklin St. SE
Olympia

The Bicycle Alliance has an ambitious legislative agenda and we'll also be supporting our partners in pushing for :

• Longterm Funding For Transportation Solutions
• Safe Routes To School
• Transit Oriented Communities
• Reducing Global Warming
• Safety For All

Talking points and details to come. If you are planning on attending you can Register online now. Carpool, take the train, even bike down for the day (it's been done!).

Liz McNett Crowl (far left), BAW board member from Mt Vernon, provided testimony in support of the Safe Routes to School legislation. The bill had a hearing before the House Transportation Committee on February 24.

Early Feb 2009
BAW Advocates for Legislative Agenda around the State

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has been talking to elected officials from around the State about its legislative agenda. BAW Acting Director Dave Janis and Board Member Eileen Hyatt met recently with Spokane City Councilmember Richard Rush to explain how our legislation, if passed, would benefit cyclists at the local level.

We have also provided testimony at recent public hearings in Olympia. Read more about the bills we are supporting under the Legislative Issues section of our website.

8 Feb 2009
Bikes on and off Buses in the Ride Free Area!

Great News! Thanks to the work of BAW and other advocates, King County Metro has finally changed the restrictive rules about bicycle loading in the ride free area.

Starting February 8th you will be allowed to load and unload your bicycle in downtown Seattle on surface streets.

The only time bicycle loading/unloading will continue to be restricted is Monday through Friday (6 - 9am and 3 - 7pm). At those times, cyclists may load and unload bicycles only at each particular route's first or last stop in the ride free area.

Bicycles may be loaded and unloaded at all stations of the Seattle Downtown Transit Tunnel during any hours the tunnel is open.

2 February 2009
Bikestation Changeover Happening Now

Bicycle Alliance of Washington has taken over management of Bikestation Seattle. A new cardkey access system will be installed as of February 2nd. Your current fobs will work until then (9am Feb 2nd). Current Bikestation members should have received a notification in the mail and a new card access key (they were mailed Jan 8th).

Read about new service plan options on the Bikestation Page.

Note: in conjunction with this expansion of our services, the Bicycle Alliance offices have moved next door, to 309A 3rd Avenue South. Our mailing address is unchanged.

February 2009
New Board Members, Leaders

Per our bylaws, members of the Bicycle Alliance vote on our board of directors. Our nominating committee is currently working on a slate of candidates to present for election. Please watch your mail and email for more information in March.

Meanwhile, the board itself has elected new officers for 2009. Kristin Kinnamon is the new president of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. Kristin first joined the board in 2005 and has been chair of the BAW Legislative and Statewide Issues Committee since that time. She is the past president and an active member of B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County. Through her job at Community Transit, Kristin has organized Snohomish County Bike to Work events since 2001, growing the event from 150 participants the first year to 1,500 in 2008. Kristin been a B.I.K.E.S. representative on the Ride Around Puget Sound organizing committee since the BAW benefit ride began in 2004. Kristin and her partner live in Marysville with one car, nine bikes and a well-used bus pass.

Long-time board member Thom Skaanland has joined the BAW Executive Committee as second vice president. Thom has been on the board since 1998, and has served on the executive committee in the past as secretary. He is looking forward to focusing on BAW membership expansion and retention. He recently took an early retirement offer from Weyerhaeuser, where he was an environmental compliance manager. Thom and his wife, a nurse, look forward to spending more time on their tandem, and to traveling and providing service through medical mission work. They live in Enumclaw.

Past-president Ralph Wessels, a Tacoma Wheelmen from Gig Harbor, continues to serve on the board and will work with the BAW executive committee in a mentoring role. King Cushman of Seattle, Eileen Hyatt of Spokane and Mark Thomas of Redmond all continue their important roles as members of the BAW executive committee.

The new chair of the Legislative and Statewide Issues Committee is Bob Duffy, a longtime BAW volunteer and new board member in 2008. Bob lives in Lacey where he is a member of Capital Bicycle Club. He is retired from the Department of Ecology.

Looking for an older news item or announcement?   Check out our Archived News page.

Newsletters

PDF versions of our quarterly newsletters:

• June 2009 Newsletter
• March 2009 Newsletter
• December 2008 Newsletter
• September 2008 Newsletter
• June 2008 Newsletter
• March 2008 Newsletter
• December 2007 Newsletter
• September 2007 Newsletter
• June 2007 Newsletter
• March 2007 Newsletter
• December 2006 Newsletter
• September 2006 Newsletter
• July 2006 Newsletter
• May 2006 Newsletter

Bicycling in the News
B = BAW mentioned.
Are we missing an interesting article? Send a link to our Webmaster.

• Green Bike Project reduces congestion, changes lifestyles - 26 June 2009, Seattle P-I
• B Bicycle Advocacy doesn't just happen - 9 June 2009, examiner.com
• Biking enthusiasts sought for panel - 20 May 2009, Seattle Times
• Power Commute: A reporter's-eye view of Bike to Work Week - 17 May 2009, Daily News (Longview)
• Riders share their rewards for braving elements, traffic - 17 May 2009, Daily News (Longview)
• Seattle getting better for bikes, still needs work, club says - 15 May 2009, Seattle P-I
• Get on your bike, ride; Friday is Bike to Work Day - 15 May 2009, Seattle Times
• Our View: Bike to Work Week shows signs of progress - 12 May 2009, Spokesman-Review
• Seattle bicycling clubs for disadvantaged kids get rolling - 11 May 2009, Seattle Times
• Cycle of Justice: UW Student Turns Craigslist Against Bike Thief - 21 April 2009, The Stranger
• Green light at the end of the bicycle path - 11 April 2009, Seattle Times
• Drivers, bikers, joggers: Can't we all just get along? - 8 April 2009, Seattle Times
• B To pass a bicyclist, bill calls for 3-foot clearance - 17 February 2009, Seattle Times
• Bill would allow insurance to offer pay-as-you-drive plan - 6 February 2009, Seattle Times
• B Repeat Customer [of Bikestation Seattle] - 4 February 2009, The Stranger
• County seeking stimulus funds for Klickitat Trail - 20 January 2009, The Enterprise (White Salmon)
• December's snow remedy wreaking havoc on cyclists - 21 January 2009, Seattle Times
• A Bicycle Evangelist With the Wind Now at His Back - 12 January 2009, New York Times
• Biking should be encouraged, not taxed further to support roads - 13 December 2008, Seattle Times
• New tax law gives bicyclists subsidy - 16 October 2008, Seattle Times
• Bailout bill benefits bicycle commuters - 10 October 2008, Everett Herald
• B State of Washington is the best for bicyclists - 23 September 2008, HeraldNet
• B Everett hopes to become friendlier to bicycles - 13 September 2008, HeraldNet
• Here Come the Bikes - 3 September 2008, Pacific Northwest Inlander.
• Bicyclists can trump cars waiting to turn right - 21 July 2008, Seattle P-I
• Deadly tension on the roads - cars vs. bikes - 18 July 2008, MSNBC.
• Driving less pays off - 18 July 2008, Spokesman Review.
• Gearing up for Bikes - 17 July 2008, Spokesman Review.
• First Person: Pedaling allows for freedom of movement - 13 July 2008, Seattle P-I.
• Chinese pedal through car boom - 7 July 2008, Seattle Times [AP].
• More commuters pedaling to work - 6 July 2008, Seattle Times.
• Puget Sound-area commuters are getting creative to avoid rising gas prices - 1 July 2008, Seattle P-I.
• Seattle anticipates more "car-free days" - 27 June 2008, Seattle Times.
• Danger in the bike lane - 4 February 2008, Seattle Times.
• Soon the trails could be one - 15 December 2007, News Tribune.
• Burke-Gilman trail given right of way in Lake Forest Park - 26 July 2007, Seattle Times.
• Bicycle trail wins in Lake Forest Park - 25 July 2007, Seattle P-I.
• B Getting there by bicycle - 23 July 2007, Spokane Spokesman-Review.
• How Valet Parking Could Save the Planet - 24 May 2007, TIME Magazine.
• Tacoma's new bike trail pedals a healthy path - 11 May July 2007, The News Tribune.
• Road Warriors: The State of Urban Cycling in Spokane - March 2007, Out There Monthly.
• Wheeler Dealers: Seeing a shift in opportunity, cyclists are riding a spurt of political power - 22 October 2006, Pacific NW Magazine (Sea Times/P-I).
• Seattle Bikes: Bumps in the plan - 4 September 2006, Seattle P-I.
• Toward a safer Seattle for bicyclists: 400 riders weigh in to help create a pedal-friendly city - 30 August 2006, Seattle P-I.
• Everett bike shop manager keeps the customers rolling - 16 August 2006, Daily Herald.
• Bicyclist won't be charged with felony for assaulting deputies - 27 July 2006, Seattle P-I.
• Cycling in Snohomish County: Bike trails gain riders as roads gain drivers - 21 June 2006, Seattle Times.
• [Ride of Silence] Trek a memorial for bicyclists - 17 May 2006, Seattle Times.
• For bicycle commuters, pedal can be test of mettle - 1 May 2006, Spokane Spokesman-Review.
• We Need Bicycle Infrastructure - April 2006, Out There Monthly.
• Bicyclists face rough ride in region - 14 April 2006, Seattle P-I.
• Pedaling to work works - 8 April 2006, Seattle Times.
• Fixed-sated: Coasting is for poseurs. Fixed-gear bikes are about the pedaling - 30 March 2006, Seattle Times.
• Classes teach city riders how to thrive and stay alive - 16 February 2006, Seattle P-I.
• Should Critical Mass continue? PRO/CON - January 2006, Out There Monthly
• Getting There: Should bikers dismount at all crosswalks? - 5 December 2005, Seattle P-I.
• Crossing paths: Cyclists and motorists are far apart on rules of the road - 29 August 2005, Seattle P-I.
• Behind the wheel: Drivers sound off about reckless cyclists - 29 August 2005, Seattle P-I.
• Behind the handlebars: Cyclists sound off about dangerous drivers - 29 August 2005, Seattle P-I.
• 'Ghost bikes' offer eerie reminder to share the road - 3 August 2005, Seattle P-I.
• "Ghost bikes" eerie reminders of accidents - 2 August 2005, Seattle Times.
• Slade Groene was 13, like Cooper Jones - 1 June 2005, Spokane Spokesman-Review.
• Bicyclists vs. homeowners: Facing off on a trail of fears—Debate over changes to Burke-Gilman in Lake Forest Park is coming to boil - 26 May 2005, Seattle P-I.
• Mayor vetoes restrictions on Burke-Gilman Trail - 8 June 2004, Seattle Times.
• Getting There: Even on a bike, the law is the law - 22 September 2003, Seattle P-I.
• Use your head: Wear a helmet - 21 September 2003, Seattle P-I.
• Getting There: Why do bikes have to stop at those trail crossings? - 14 July 2003, Seattle P-I.
• Getting There: Speeding cyclists are subject to the law -- and gravity - 24 June 2002, Seattle P-I.
• Crosswalks Cover Bikes, Court Says - 3 June 1999, Seattle Times.
• Cyclists Must Upgrade Traffic-Safety Skills - 9 July 1998, Seattle Times.

Archived News & Announcements

Read older news items and announcements on our Archived News page.

E-Newsletters | News & Announcements | Bicycling in the News | Archived News