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!

Earth Day Market Ride 2015- what a fun day!

Thanks Everybody! :-)

Earth Day Market Ride Today!

See details in the Earth Day Market Ride post below, or on our Facebook Event Page

BCC T-shirt weather for Earth Day Ride

Yowza, look at that weather report for tomorrow's Earth Day Market Ride!! Looks like BCC t-shirt weather to me! Get yours today at the Olympia Transit Center downtown on State Ave, so you can wear it tomorrow!
OTC is open until 7pm. 100% Organic Fair Trade t's only $10. Limited supplies!

2015 Earth Day Market Ride - Saturday, April 18

Welcome Spring with the BCC's Earth Day Market Ride!

Whether you're getting on your bicycle for the first time this year, or have been biking all winter, the Earth Day Ride is a great way to welcome Spring. Biking through town on a usual day, I'll see a few other people on bikes, going their way, and maybe we'll wave. At the Earth Day Ride, I get to see a whole crowd of people who use their bikes for transportation, all in one place having coffee and treats and chatting- and then biking through downtown together  - it's so sweet! We take a group photo at the Heritage Park Fountain, and then head over to the Farmers Market to shop, have lunch or listen to the music. We'll also have a table at the market where you can sign up for the BCC if you haven't already. Details below...

(Coffee generously provided by Batdorf and Bronson, Chocolate Corks by Bread Peddler!)

2014 Earth Day Market Ride Beats Expectations

Intrepid Earth Day Riders

Earth Day Market Ride 2014 was a splashing success! Over 80 riders braved the gush and the gusts to meet at the Heritage Park Fountain and bike together to the Farmers Market. One participant biked from Lakewood (about 25 miles) to meet the group starting at South Sound Center, and then turned around to bike home after this picture was taken! Many thanks to all who came out today, anbd to Batdorf and Bronson and San Francisco St Bakery for coffee and treats.

Online registration page is working again!

Our online registration page is now working again! You can also register in person at the Olympia Transit Center or download and print out a registration form from the Intercity Transit BCC web page and mail it in. Thanks for your patience, and hope to see you tomorrow on the Earth Day Market Ride! You can register at the Farmers Market after the ride, too!

Earth Day Market Ride, Coming April 19

Earth Day Market Ride: Saturday, April 19, 2014
(stay tuned here or on our Facebook page for 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 build community and meet other riders in your neighborhood.

EARTH DAY TODAY, and everyday at Intercity Transit and the BCC

Over 150 riders showed up for the Earth Day Market Ride on Saturday, and fun was had by all!
The rain held off and we signed up lots of folks for the BCC. The coffee from Batdorf and Bronson was a hit, along with pastries from San Francisco Street Bakery.

Every Day is Earth Day at Intercity Transit and the BCC, and today we won a Silver Award form the League of American Bicyclists for being a "Bicycle Friendly Business"!

Stay tuned here or check out Events Page for the Wrenchers Ball, coming up this Friday!
While you're at it, cruise over and Like our Facebook page- help us reach 400 Likes!

2013 Earth Day Market Ride: SAT. APRIL 20- RAIN OR SHINE!

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 cyclists from their neighborhoods to Heritage Park Fountain, arriving at around 10:45am. (Coffee 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 Chair Martin Thies 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!

Helmet and liability waiver are required. 

Earth Day Market Ride Meeting points and times:

Cutters Point Coffee at Lacey Blvd/Pacific Ave. roundabout. Meet at 9:30 am for coffee before the ride, depart at 10:00 to meet more folks at South Sound Center flagpoles at Sleater-Kinney and the bike path, departing there at 10:15 am - Leader: Dane Clay

Olympia High School, meet at bike racks on Carlyon Ave side, Olympia, Departs at 10:15 am - Leader: Paul Brewster

San Francisco St. Bakery
San Francisco Ave & Bethel St. NE, Departs 10:15 am - Leader: Jessie Weaver

The Evergreen State College Red Square bus stop area, 10 am - Leader: Linda Weaver

Garfield Elementary School, Garfield Ave. and Plymouth St NW. 10:30 am - Leaders:Susan, Paul & Cruz 


  To get BCC updates and news, including details about our events like the Earth Day Ride, join our mailing list! We won't flood your inbox, and we won't share your name. We'll just send you an email once every week or two during the BCC, with important news.

Registration opens for the BCC on April 1

To participate in the 2013 BCC:

Register in April (or by May 10) online, or in person at the Olympia Transit Center.
(you can also register by mail: BCC c/o Intercity Transit PO Box 659 Olympia, WA 98507-0659)
Adults: $5. Up to age 18 and currently enrolled college students register FREE.
Record your miles and days biked in May (on provided Mileage Log*)
Report your participation by June 7 (by returning your mileage log or reporting online)

On April 1, we'll post a link to the online Registration Page (pay with PayPal) and to a downloadable Mileage Log* and mail-in Registration Form, in case you'd rather register by mail.

*When you register online or by mail, we'll send you your mileage log. You'll also receive valuable discount coupons to local bike shops, and a cool reflective sticker for your bike!

Rewards! When you return your mileage log, we'll send you a fat envelope full of great discounts and free offers from local merchants: grocers, gift shops, bakeries, gyms, a flower shop, bike shops and others. We'll also enter you in a random drawing for one of several new bikes and other great prizes!

You can earn extra miles by participating in our Earth Day Market Ride on Saturday, April 20.
Join our mailing list to receive complete info, or watch this blog and our Facebook Page for regular updates.

See you in April and May, on your bike!

What a Day for a Ride!

2011 Earth Day Market Riders

Over 100 riders from eight different neighborhoods around Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater participated in this year's Earth Day Market Ride- thanks so much everyone for coming out! Special thanks to Intercity Transit Authority member Karen Messmer for a spontaneous welcome speech, and Intercity Transit General Manager Mike Harbour for leading us all to the Market! Once we got there, nearly 70 people registered for the Bicycle Commuter Contest.

Happy Earth Day!

Celebrate today at the Olympia Farmers Market, 10- 3

or at SPSCC's Earth Day Forum, 12-2

CHECK OUT THIS WEATHER REPORT
and come on out tomorrow for the Earth Day Market Ride!

See post below for details.

Join the EARTH DAY MARKET RIDE THIS SATURDAY- here's how:

 

2010 Earth Day Riders

Volunteer leaders will lead groups of cyclists from their neighborhood to Heritage Park Fountain, arriving at 11am, THIS Saturday, April 23. Meet your neighborhood Ride Leader at one of the meeting points below- rides will depart the meeting points approximately 15 minutes after the posted meeting time. You'll bike with your group down to the fountain (across from the Oyster house), following all rules of the road. After some brief announcements including greetings from Intercity Transit general Manager Mike Harbour, we all proceed as a large group to the Olympia Farmers Market where the Bicycle Commuter Contest will have a booth set up to register participants. Ride into town, register for the BCC, meet old friends and new. Stick around for the festivities at the Market, and stay or come back in the afternoon for ArtsWalk activities and the Procession of the Species!

MEETING POINTS AND TIMES:

* South Sound Center flagpoles at Sleater-Kinney and the bike path- 10 am - Leaders Dane Clay and Yogi Fox (Yogi will be meeting a group at Cutters Coffee at the Lacey Blvd/Pacific Ave. roundabout at 9 am for coffee before the ride, leaving there at 9:30 to join Dane at South Sound Center)

* Chambers Lake Chehalis-Western trailhead parking lot(14th Av SE) 10 am – Leader Troy Warnick


* Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School, Tumwater, 10 am – Leader Joy Rogers

* Olympia High School, at bike racks on Carlyon Ave side,  Olympia, 10 am - Leader Paul Brewster

* Roosevelt Elementary School, San Francisco Ave NE, 10:15 am – Leader Kris Fransen

*The Evergreen State College, Red Square bus stop area, 10 am - Leader Chloe Stamper

* Garfield Elementary School, Garfield Ave. and Plymouth St NW. 10:15 am - Leaders Camille Hodges and Susan Lasiter


 For more information or if you would like to lead a ride from your neighborhood, contact Duncan Green at dgreen"at" intercitytransit.com
The Earth Day Market Ride is sponsored by Intercity Transit- wearing a helmet and signing a liability waiver are required.

Form a Team to Participate in the BCC

Participating in the Bicycle Commuter Contest as a team with family, friends or co-workers provides extra fun and motivation to ride in May and return your Mileage Log. It's so SIMPLE! Just decide on a team name and contact person, and fill in the blanks on your Registration Form. Mail in or take your Registration Form to the Olympia Transit Center and get your Mileage Log, and sticker, and you're set to go! Come along for the Earth Day Market Ride on April 23, and count your miles toward your total. More info at intercitytransit.com or by contacting Coordinator Duncan Green at: dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com or 705-5874

BCC News: Preparations in Full Swing

Now entering its 24th year, the Bicycle Commuter Contest encourages community members of all ages and abilities to use bicycling as a means of transportation, and gives rewards and recognition to novice and veteran bike commuters alike. We're looking forward to all of our great events this year and we hope you'll join us! We're off to a running start with preparations for BCC 2011. Dates are set for our major events:

• Earth Day Ride: Saturday, April 23, 2011 (more info to follow about time and place)
• Wrencher's Ball: Friday, April 29, 2011 (BCC registrants get a free bike safety check)
• National Bike to Work Day: Friday, May 20, 2011
• Award Ceremony: Saturday, June 25, 2011 (more info to follow about time and place)

Stay tuned here for frequent updates, news and bicycle commuting tips and stories. Get important BCC news and updates emailed directly to your inbox by signing up for our e-newsletter. Just send me an email at dgreen@intercitytransit.com and I'll add you to our list! (We never share your contact info with anyone)

Earth Day Ride a big success!

Intercity Transit General Manager Mike Harbour addresses the throng at the fountain

Despite the threatening weather (which later followed through on the threat!), 75 intrepid practical cyclists turned out for the 5th Annual Earth Day Market Ride! Many thanks to all the volunteer leaders, and to everyone who came out and rode this year. At our booth at the Farmers Market, 54 riders registered for the Bicycle Commuter Contest. Hopefully everyone got home before the skies opened at around 2:30. I saw that cloud coming and got our canopy down and put away in a hurry! Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events, like the Wrencher's Ball.
If you haven't registered yet for the BCC, make sure to do it before May 1.

Thanks everybody!!

Will post a full report on Monday. Thanks so much to everyone for coming out!