BCC Status Update:

OK, no we haven't crawled under a rock- we're just under a mountain of mileage logs! Data entry, data entry, number crunching, spreadsheet merging, coupon mailing, oh my!

View of the BCC 'cockpit'

 To Date:

• Over 1850 participants signed up this year- a new record!
• Nearly 108,000 miles pedaled, on 14,430 trips by bike.
• Together we prevented 54 TONS of CO2 from entering our atmosphere.

 Coupons and Prizes:

• We've started mailing out coupons and hope to have them all in the mail (about 1200 envelopes to stuff and label) by tomorrow. 
• We'll start doing random prize drawings first thing next week, and notify winners by email.
• PRIZE HOOPLA! Saturday, June 25, 9:30 to 10:30am at the Olympia Farmers Market Main Stage. If you win a BCC prize, you can pick it up at the Hoopla. If you can't make it to the Hoopla, no worries, we'll mail it to you, or ask you to come and pick it up if it's too big to mail.

2016 Commuter Profile Number 4: David

• What is your age, roughly speaking?  I’m 35
• What is your occupation or area of study? I’m an Office Specialist and a full-time student at online college WGU pursuing a Bachelor’s degree of Science: IT Security, though I’m in transition mode to starting a new position as a Project Coordinator.
• What is your most frequent destination on your bike?  So far since getting my bike in February: Work / Home / a taproom or brewery in between
• How did you hear about the Bicycle Commuter Contest? I first heard about it about a decade ago when working for the State.
• How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? This is my 2^nd.
• What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)? At the time in 2004, my budget was tight, gas prices were high, and between my bike and a regional rail line, getting to work without using my car was the most practical way to go.  This was back east in Philly.  I’d ride Lancaster Avenue from West Philly out of town into Wayne, PA.  More accurately, I’d ride to a train that took me close to my job in Wayne, but after work, I would ride all the way home, a 14 mile trip, not caring about my sweat build-up.
• How many years have you been getting around by bike? With years of inactivity in between, about 12.

Last Few Days to Ride in the BCC!

Make sure to keep logging your practical bicycle trips on your BCC Mileage Log!  You'll need to report your trips first thing in June-     There are two ways to do this- see options below.

 This year's New Belgium Cruiser ~ you could win this bike

or one of several other bikes from local bike shops- IF you report your trips!

Options for Reporting Your Trips: 

• Return your Mileage Log in person at the Olympia Transit Center, or by mail (address on Mileage Log), OR:
• Report your total days and miles online (instructions below).

You may report your BCC participation online (in fact it saves us work!). Our online system only allows you to enter your TOTAL days and miles ridden, ONE time. So, make sure you wait until the end of May to use it, unless you're sure you won't be biking anymore in May. Here's the link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=eijlmidab&oeidk=a07ecq7292ld4eaa25f

2016 Commuter Profile Number 3 - Victoria

When I started as an Employee Transportation coordinator I had no interest in becoming involved in the Bicycle Commuter Contest. I did ‘poke’ at folks I knew at work that did some riding to see if they were going to form a team. But me-join a team and bike? Got to be kidding! I didn’t own a bike, had not ridden in years, too old (60)-besides 9 miles one way was-crazy! Eventually a team did form, acquired a name and enough attitude to ask me ‘why?’ Why wasn’t I putting ‘my money where my mouth was’. My spouse started riding-and I gave in. I acquired a ‘recycle’ from Craig’s list, gave it some TLC and signed up for the 2013 contest. My work group jumped in-paid my registration fee, took pictures, had breakfast for me on the first day. Included was a giant (really!) chart complete with a 100 mile goal (Holy cow!) After watching my charted progress I was hooked. I checked the bike map and rode various routes for time on my off days. I’ve continued riding since that point going to other bike events in the area. Tips and tricks? If you don’t own a bike decide first what type riding you want to do-then try out different bikes. Purchase a GOOD bike from a reputable source. Have the bike ‘fitted’ to you. Buy riding gear-it helps when you are comfortable (jeans and shorts aren’t the best for longer distances). Don’t forget safety! Lights, reflectors, a bright color shirt/jacket. If you are riding to work check your route while actually riding. You’ll become more aware of possible hazards and how to adjust.  Talk to other cyclists! I like riding even in the not so wonderful Pacific Northwest weather. Staying fit keeps you healthy and happy. You can join a riding group or go with friends-Great way to socialize.

Victoria

Bike to Work Day 2016 in Photos

See more BCC photos on our Flickr page! 

National Bike to Work Day: This Friday, May 20

 Visit one of our 7 Bike Stations!
Join fellow bicyclists for a fun day of riding on National Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 20. The event promotes bicycling as a healthy transportation option. If you participate, visit one of the bike stations along your way and pick up some “fuel” for you, and even get minor repairs done by a bicycle mechanic at some stations. Bike stations supported by Intercity Transit and the local businesses and organizations listed below. All stations will have copies of the most recent edition of the free Thurston County Bike Map!

Visit a bike station at one of the following locations from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, Friday, May 20:

New Station for 2016: Division St NW at Bowman Ave. (NE corner), Sponsored by The Evergreen State College Master of Environmental Studies program and Office of Sustainability, with support from Blue Heron Bakery.

Heritage Park on 5th Ave. (next to Capitol Lake), sponsored by Old Town Bikes, Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters and The Bread Peddler.

Olympia Woodland Trail Entrance on Eastside St. at Wheeler Ave., sponsored by Stevenson Custom Bicycles, Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters and The Bread Peddler.

Ralph’s Thriftway (1908 4th Ave. E.), sponsored by Ralph’s, Bike Tech, and Batdorf and Bronson

Chehalis Western Trail (CWT) and Woodland Trail Intersection (south end of new CWT bridge over Pacific Ave, sponsored by Joy Ride Bikes, Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters and The Bread Peddler.

Capitol Boulevard and Custer Way, in front of South Sound Running, sponsored by Deschutes River Cyclery, Thurston Here-To-There program, Olympia Coffee Roasters and The Bread Peddler.

Decatur St "Cut-Through" at south end of Decatur St. SW:
Sponsored by SWONA (Southwest Olympia Neighborhood Assn.), Bagel Brothers and Olympia Coffee Roasters.  This station ONLY, will be open 6:30am -9 am.

If you work at a State or Local Agency, participate in the Interagency Bike Ride on this day. Look for a poster at your office, or see your Employee Transportation Coordinator for details.

Earth Day Market Ride FUN!

What a perfect day we had for the Earth Day Market Ride this year! Over 160 riders took part, 5 lucky winners got prizes,and we all had fun! Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it happen, to Olympia City Council-member and Intercity Transit Authority Board Member Clark Gilman for the cheer, and our event sponsors Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters and San Francisco Street Bakery. Our next big event is National Bike To Work Day, Friday, May 20.
Remember to log your miles, and if you haven't signed up for the BCC yet, it's not too late!
Click the button on the right to sign up now!  :-)

Earth Day Market Ride

Saturday, April 30, 2016
**NEW RIDE ADDED FROM LIONS PARK**
SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS 
(stay tuned here or on our Facebook page for any other last-minute details)

Meet neighbors, enjoy a Saturday bike ride into town and get a head start on your BCC miles while you're at it! The miles you ride this day can count as your first commute trip on your mileage log. The Earth Day Market Ride is also a great opportunity to gain confidence riding with traffic and meet other riders in your neighborhood.

Volunteer leaders will lead groups of riders from their neighborhoods to Heritage Park Fountain, arriving at around 10:45am. (Coffee, juice and pastries await, courtesy of Batdorf and Bronson, and San Francisco St Bakery). Meet your neighborhood Ride Leader at one of the neighborhood meeting points- meeting points shown below. You'll bike with your group down to the fountain (across from the Oyster House restaurant), following all rules of the road. After a welcome by Intercity Transit Authority representative Clark Gilman, a little prize drawing and a group photo, we all proceed to the Olympia Farmers Market. Once we arrive, you can register for the Bicycle Commuter Contest, catch some great live music and enjoy the food and shopping at the Market!

We ride by the rules of the road. A bicycle is a vehicle on the road, and we'll be obeying all traffic signals even if it means splitting up the group. We can always regroup. Helmet and liability waiver are required.

Earth Day Market Ride meeting points and times: (subject to change- check back before heading out to your ride)

NEW RIDE for 2016:
Lions Park parking area on Wilson St.
(to follow part of the route of the new Bike Corridor)
Meet at 10:15, depart at 10:30
Leaders: Sayre, Jasper and Chris 

NEW RIDE for 2016:

Madison Elementary School (a more family-friendly starting point and route)

Legion and Boundary

Meet up at 10am, depart 10:20 a.m.

Leader: JESSICA G

Cutters Point Coffee

Lacey Boulevard and Pacific Avenue roundabout.

Meet at 9:30 a.m. for coffee, with Leader: YOGI

Depart at 10

Meet more riders at South Sound Center flagpoles at Sleater-Kinney and the I-5 bike path. Leave there at 10:15 a.m.

South Sound Center Flagpoles at Sleater-Kinney and the I-5 bike path.

Meet up at 10am, depart 10:15 a.m. with group from Cutters Point Coffee

Leader: RUSS

Olympia High School

Meet at bike racks on Carlyon Ave side of school (NW corner of school bldg).

Meet up at 10am, depart 10:15 a.m.

Leaders: PAUL and LEE

Roosevelt School parking lot, across from Bakery

San Francisco Avenue and Bethel Street, NE.

Meet up at 10am, depart 10:15 a.m.

Leaders: JESSICA B and DAVID

The Evergreen State College

Meet in the center of Red Square.

Meet up at 9:45am, depart 10 a.m.

Leader: LINDA

Garfield Elementary School

Garfield Avenue and Plymouth Street NW.

Meet up at 10:15am, depart at 10:30 a.m.

Leaders: MICHELLE and TRUDES

Mid-April BCC Update

Registration for the 29th Annual BCC is off to a great start- over 500 people have signed up already! If you are one of them, thanks for signing up. If not, there's still plenty of time, but why not sign up now? It's free, it's fun, and everyone wins, with coupons, free passes and pretty decent odds of winning a prize! Any practical trip by bike counts in the BCC. We have a lofty goal this year- we want to boost participation  to record levels- help us reach 2000 participants, and be a Vehicle For Change! Sign Up Free Online Now

Upcoming Events

Sustainability Fair ~ Thursday, April 14 ~ 1500 Jefferson Bldg. 11am~1pm Front Plaza and Presentation Room Find us at our table with Intercity Transit  to sign up for the BCC in person! Many other vendors with info about other sustainable lifestyle choices will be there too!

Earth Day Market Ride ~ Sat. April 30 Mark your calendar for the 30th and come out for the Earth Day Market Ride! Join friends old and new, in your own neighborhood. Pedal to the Heritage Park Fountain for coffee and pastries, and then we'll all ride to the Farmers Market to enjoy the shopping, music and fun! We'll have a tent set up at the market where you can sign up for the BCC, too. Get up-to-the-minute details and neighborhood ride starting points on our blog or Facebook page the week of the event.

Bicycle Commuter Profile volunteers wanted!

One of the most popular aspects of the BCC blog is our Commuter Profiles. Each year we like to share the stories of at least a handful of people who have made a habit of getting around by bike. We've only had one volunteer so far in 2016- won't you share your story with us? You don't have to be a 'cyclist', or have all the fancy gear. We like to feature anyone who uses their bicycle for transportation, to encourage others to try it too! Take a look at some of our past profiles, and drop me a line at: dgreen'at'intercitytransit.com if you're willing to be a bike transportation star!

All Sizes of BCC T-shirts available now Our ship(ment) finally came in!  ;-) All sizes of our t-shirts are available now at Olympia Transit Center. Get yours while they last- only $10 each!

BCC Early April News: Registration Opens, T-Shirts, and This Week's Event

Registration is now open for BCC 2016 Just click the orange box at right to sign up!

  Bicycle Commuter Clinic offered by Capital Bicycling Club This Wednesday:
Are you a new commuter or an experienced one?  Participating in the BCC this May?  Regardless of your level of experience, the Capital Bicycling Club has the event for you! Come learn about the best equipment choices for riding day or night in all weather conditions, road skills for safe commuting, and many more useful tips for the transportation cyclist. The BCC will be on hand at the end of the event to get you signed up!
Wed. April 6th, 7:30pm Capital Museum Coach House 211 21st Ave. SW in Olympia's South Capital Neighborhood 

  2016 BCC T-Shirts Have Arrived! At least a few of all sizes are available now at the Olympia Transit Center in beautiful downtown Olympia! A total bargain at $10 each. The super-bright orange Fitted shirts are a fast-drying cotton/poly blend, and the burnt orange Classic Fit shirts are 100% organic fair trade cotton. Get them while they last! We'll get the remainder of our order soon, and then there should be plenty for everyone.

Registration for BCC 2016 opens April 1

Spring is here, and the Bicycle Commuter Contest is coming up!
Important dates:

• BCC Registration opens: April 1.
• Earth Day Market Ride: Saturday, April 30.
• Bicycle Commuter Contest: May 1-31
• National Bike To Work Day: Friday, May 20 
• BCC Prize Hoopla: Saturday, June 25

Orange is the new B...

Orange is the new B... ...BCC color for 2016! Our follow up "Run-Off Poll" showed orange was the favorite for the fitted shirts as well as the Classic Fit shirts. We'll be offering the fitted shirts in a bright orange, moisture-wicking cotton/poly blend, and the Classic shirts in a more muted 'Pumpkin' organic cotton fabric. Shirts will hopefully be ready by April 1, and available at Olympia Transit Center. Stay tuned here or at our Facebook page for details...

BCC in Outdoors NW Magazine

Check out this nice article about bike commuting in Outdoors NW magazine:
http://outdoorsnw.com/2016/are-you-an-urban-cyclist

Third Winter Mini-BCC Prizewinner

Greg G. won a PDW light set in this week's random drawing in the Winter Mini-BCC! We'll do one more drawing sometime between now and 'Leap Day', so stay tuned. Thanks to everyone who signed up in the Winter Mini-BCC!

1st Winter Mini-BCC prize Winner

We drew our first Winter Mini-BCC prize winner today. Drawn at random from all the people who have registered so far in the Winter Mini-BCC, Trude L. has won this nice light set from Portland Design Works!
We have another light set and other bike goodies, plus some gift cards for local bike shops and restaurants to award during the rest of February.
The Winter Mini-BCC is open to people who live or work in Thurston County. You can participate if you commute into or out of Thurston County, but if you have a multi-modal commute,  the bicycle portion of your commute must be within Thurston County.
Sign up here: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=eijlmidab&oeidk=a07ec6rh1py38d8c636

International Winter Bike To Work Day is this Friday, Feb. 12! Send us a photo from your commute on Friday, and we'll post it on our Facebook page!

2016 (Winter) Commuter Profile No. 1: Peter

Peter with trusty 1980's Miyata

Our Commuter Profiles are a great way to learn how others approach the challenges and find the rewards in getting around by bicycle in Thurston County. If you are currently using your bicycle for transportation and have participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest (or plan to this year), you could be featured here! If interested, contact dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com 

• What is your age, roughly speaking? 50
• What is your occupation or area of study? Energy programs and energy policy at WA Dept. of Commerce State Energy Office.
• What is your most frequent destination on your bike? Commute to work.
• How did you hear about the Bicycle Commuter Contest? Email, CTR promotion (Commute Trip Reduction), and  IT coach advertising panels.
• How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? 3-6 times.
• What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)? Elementary school commuting and transportation, rekindled for college commuting, which grew to work commuting and triathlon training, recreation and errands, and now predominately work commuting.
• How many years have you been getting around by bike? 12-15 years
• Describe your current average or usual trip (distance, terrain, urban/rural, etc.) 5 mile trip from home to work along the Chehalis-Western trail to the Woodland trail to Eastside St. to Union Ave. to work place. The trail route is flatter since it runs along a former railroad bed, but longer than taking a more direct surface street route. Since I ride a single speed bike it is difficult to tackle going up the hill on the way home on surface streets.
• How have you adapted your habits to make practical cycling work for you? Commuting by bike saves time spent in the gym doing alternate cardio work. Consequently, I save time commuting by bike.

Winter Mini-BCC this month!

The Thurston County Winter Mini-BCC begins Feb. 1! This casual, fun event will run for the month of February, including celebration of International Winter Bike To Work Day on Friday, Feb. 12. We'll have a few random prize drawings in February among all those who sign up- it's that simple! You can sign up here:  http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=eijlmidab&oeidk=a07ec6rh1py38d8c636 or by simply emailing your full contact info to: dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com Check out our Event Page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/429711750552184/

Winners in "Survey Sweepstakes"

We have two winners in the "Survey Sweepstakes"! Thanks for responding to our Wrap-up Survey, and congrats to Shane and Jeriann, who both won ultra-hip bags from Alchemy Goods in Seattle!

Prize Hoopla Report

The 2015 BCC Prize Hoopla was a lot of fun this year! Around 100 BCC participants showed up, and we had some great moments with our bike winners and random prize drawings. Three people went home with new bikes, fifteen with prizes drawn from the hat, and many more with prizes won in the BCC. Awarding the bike to the Youth Category winner was a show-stopper! I believe there were some tears in the audience and there was surely much applause and cheering! More photos on our Flickr page at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129770135@N02/

2015 BCC PRIZE HOOPLA

Saturday, June 27, 9:30am sharp
Olympia Farmers Market Main Stage
The BCC Prize Hoopla is a fast-moving, fun and very unceremonious event! We'll announce the prize winners, and if they're present we'll pretty much toss their prizes to them and carry on with much cheering and hoopla! We'll also have a hat to enter for more prize drawings on the spot, throughout the event. We have exactly an hour on the Main Stage at the Olympia Farmers Market, so there are no speeches or long,drawn-out acknowledgments- just prizes and fun- we hope to see you there!