Saturday, March 29, 2008
UK Awareness Campaign
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
RAP VIDEO teaches how to put your bike on the bus...
Louisville, KY's transit authority (TARC) knows how to represent! Intercity Transit has the same bike racks they use, so please use this as a helpful reference to load your bike! If you have never loaded your bike on the bus and wish to, it is a very easy process. Like the video shows, squeeze the handle of the rack itself to bring it down to its horizontal position. Then load your bike in the wheel wells and lift the wheel hook over your tire. Simple!
Just let the driver know you will be taking your bike down when you exit the bus. If your bike is the only one on the rack, please squeeze the handle again and turn the rack to its upright position. Only conventional, single seat, two-wheeled bikes allowed on racks, details here: http://www.intercitytransit.com/page.cfm?ID=bikesOnBuses
We will have a bus bike rack demo at our Wrencher's Ball on Friday, April 25 at the Olympia Transit Center from 7am - 5pm. Register for the contest, get a free bicycle safety check and learn how to load your bike on the bus! Details of this event coming soon.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Hartford, Conn joins in bike-ped revolution
From The Hartford Courant 3.16.08
If America is going to conserve energy and become more physically fit, a good place to start would be with the streets. Since at least World War II, streets have been regarded primarily as conduits for cars and trucks. But if streets and their sidewalks and intersections were handled in a more far-sighted way, they would serve a bigger slice of the population — pedestrians, bicyclists and mass transit riders , as well as motorists. Throughout the United States, a "Complete Streets" movement is emerging, causing more and more governments to broaden their outlook. According to a report last fall in the AARP Bulletin, 52 municipalities, six counties, 10 regional governments and 14 states have adopted Complete Streets policies. These policies require transportation departments to design — or redesign — streets and roads so that they accommodate people using all modes of travel.
The West Coast is a hotbed for such efforts. The first state to pass a law mandating that facilities for bicycles and pedestrians be included in all road projects was Oregon, in 1971, says Michael Ronkin, who for 16 years managed Oregon's bike and pedestrian programs. Oregon initially focused more on improving conditions for bicyclists than on serving pedestrians.
"Until the last 10 years, bike advocates were always more vocal than pedestrian advocates," Ronkin points out.
But that's been changing, in Oregon and elsewhere. The National Complete Streets Coalition, which was formally launched in May 2006 in Washington, D.C., represents a coming together of cyclists, pedestrians and transit users. The goal is to influence how communities are laid out and managed so that they're accessible for everyone. (read more)
Nice to see the east coast joining in the revolution to reduce drive alone trips and make bikes a normal from of transportation. Being from the Hartford area myself, I know that it can be a beautiful place to ride, and I also know that traffic congestion is becoming an issue, just like a lot of urban growth areas around the country. It is nice to see the west coast, particularly Portland, can set an example for the rest of the country. ~KT
Friday, March 14, 2008
Inter-National Bike to Work Day?
From The Sydney Morning Herald 3.12.08
STAND BY for Earth Ride. The success of Earth Hour's international expansion has motivated those working in other areas, including the folks at Bicycle NSW. After all, the environmental benefits of bike riding are well known, so why not push for worldwide pedal power?
The chief executive officer of Bicycle NSW, Alex Unwin, saw a golden opportunity. "We have already been in touch with cities around the world, including London and New York, about ways we could work together to encourage bike riding," he said. "In addition, we share a view with Earth Hour about the importance of community engagement."
Whether any venture will be called "Earth Ride" is still up in the air, although Unwin said it was being used at the Bicycle NSW office "and it might be helpful in communicating our ideas globally, as Earth Hour has done".
Unwin is a great supporter of community events as a means of changing people's behaviour. Results from the national ride-to-work day back up his view: research in Victoria showed that 34 per cent of "first timers", those who cycled to work for the first time on the 2006 ride-to-work day, were still doing it five months later. (read more)
How inspiring. I don't know how many people really think deeply about National Bike to Work Day and how communities across the nation are joining together for a great cause, but this is an opportunity for a revolutionary event. Imagine the feeling while riding to work, knowing your neighboring countries are doing the same... ~KT
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
UW well into a bike commute contest of their own
From THE DAILY of the university of washington 3.10.08
Riding in the rain has never been so rewarding to bicycle commuters in Seattle.
Cyclists will get the chance to participate in the fifth annual Ride in the Rain, a four-week event in which students, staff and faculty members are encouraged to commute on their bicycles for trophies.
“Commuter Services holds Ride in the Rain to do something fun for our dedicated cyclists and to introduce new riders to the joys of bicycling,” said Celeste Gilman, the transportation systems manager for the UW Motor Pool. The event has 1,093 participants registered, 250 more than last year. More than 1,000 of those participants are in one of 124 registered teams.
Registered teams and individuals keep track of the number of one-way trips and miles ridden, as well as what sort of weather they experienced on their commutes.
At the end of the event, each participant who logged at least 20 one-way trips will be invited to a celebration luncheon and award ceremony April 17 in Red Square.
(read more)
It is great to see other communites and colleges creating their own challenges to get more cyclists on the roads and less cars. And what participation! They had 1093 people register for their 5th annual contest! I would love to see us have that kind of participation this year, and from looking at last year's stats, it looks like we can do it. The BCC's main mission is to try to get people to try bike commuting and stick with it, but participation really matters in its own way. The more participation we have with the BCC, the more awareness bike commuting gets in our community, and the more accomodations will be made for us cyclists! So if you are a die hard bike commuter that bears it throught the winter months or if you have never tried riding to work or to run an errand, try it this May with the BCC and join in the community to promote the bike as transportation! See you out there... ~KT
Friday, March 7, 2008
Indonesians ditching their cars
From The Jakarta Post 3.2.08
B2W-Indonesia is a group dedicated to the pedal-driven vehicle to commute; an answer to traffic congestion and air pollution in a city that consumes at least 6 million kiloliters of fuelannually.
Started in 2004 by cyclists in the capital, the group's membership has rapidly grown in recent years.
Biking commuters ride up to 35 kilometers each day to their work place from areas such as Bekasi and Tangerang in the city's outskirts.
It is always interesting to see what other cultures are doing about rising gas prices and climate change. These Indonesians might be able to teach us a thing or two about ditching our cars. What a great idea to form a club like theirs to support and encourage each other. They also add a bit of fun to their commutes with their once a week group ride...must be a sight to see a long line of cyclists on their way to work in the morning! ~KT
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Call to Artists!
From Exit 133
The City of Tacoma has announced the second annual Zeit-Bike competition at the Tacoma Art Museum. This year’s theme is Surrealist Impulse where artists will employ the aesthetic approaches of Surrealism to render ordinary bicycles into art objects. The finished pieces of art will be on display at the Tacoma Art Museum from May 13 – 16.
Participating artists will also be invited to speak to the public about their work at the Tacoma Art Museum during May’s Artwalk, (the 15th). There will be a public judging of the bikes that night. The top prize will be a $250 Visa gift card, with a $100 second and $50 third prize.
(read more on how to enter)
How very cool! You have two months to design and build your Surrealist Impulse bicycle. Let us know if any of you Thurston County commuters enter the contest, I will post a write up about your art. ~KT ktarullo@intercitytransit.com
Monday, March 3, 2008
By Land, Sea, or Sky?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Gasoline may hit $4 per gallon
From The Olympian 2.28.2008
South Sound drivers likely will pay a record-high price for gasoline this year, and there is a chance that prices could climb to $4 a gallon, industry observers and an economist predicted Wednesday.
The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Olympia area Wednesday was $3.34, up 77 cents compared with a year ago and up 31 cents from a month ago, according to AAA. Still, it's 12 cents short of last year's record of $3.46, set in May, AAA reported. AAA spokeswoman Janet Ray wouldn't rule out the possibility that prices could climb to $4 a gallon in markets known to have the state's highest prices, including Bellingham and Vashon Island. "Maybe we can dodge the $4 bullet, but I don't think we can dodge the $3.50 bullet," she said of the Olympia area.
A spokesman for independent gasoline dealers said drivers' use of fuel will determine whether the milestone is reached.
"If people don't cut back, it's likely we will see $4," said Tim Hamilton, executive director of the nonprofit Automotive United Trades Organization of McCleary, which represents independent gasoline dealers statewide. (read more)
Note from the editor: This could be a great time to cut back, as mentioned above, if we do not, we could be looking at a new record for gas prices. I see this as a great incentive to get your bike out of your garage, give it a nice tune-up for about two weeks worth of gas money and get that thing out on the road instead of your car. I have been a bike commuter for several years now and an alternative transportation goer, but I spent the month of January commuting in my car because of limitations I endured during the month. I was appalled at the money I forgot I was saving by riding instead of driving. I spent $130 during the month to fuel my 26 mile per gallon Hyundai. That's almost $1600 per year spent on fuel for an economy car! Although I do not recommend getting back in your car if you already bike commute to check yourself, this was a great wake up for me to realize how much money I do save by commuting by bicycle. See how much money you would save...
Monday, February 25, 2008
Getting Started Bike Commuting
- Start out easy: Don't be intimidated by stories of 25 mile bike commutes. Start out with a short 2 mile trip to the store or to a friend's to see how you feel on your bike. Set an easy goal of riding once a month or once a week to get started. If it rains on the day you have decided to venture out, re-schedule your ride for another day when you are more comfortable. Have someone more experienced ride with you your first time out if you are uncertain about riding in traffic (we have an event just for this near Earth Day called the Neighborhood Market Ride where experienced riders familiarize new bike commuters with riding in traffic, check out last year's).
- Don't get scared off by all of the gear: The spandex and neon colors can be a bit frightening for people trying to get into bike commuting. While you want to be safe and be seen, you do not have to go out and buy all new stuff. Try biking with something in your closet first and see how you do. Lots of people commute in their jeans. Try to keep your hands and your feet warm and dry, your core will warm up a bit when you get your heart rate up. If you have a particularly long ride, you might want to gear up a bit more, especially if rain is in the forecast. Gear is different for everyone. It all depends on what you are comfortable wearing. There are a few necessities however: ALWAYS wear a helmet, even if you are only riding a mile down the street. Make sure your shoe laces are tied if you are wearing regular sneakers, and you will want to roll up your pants or tie them with a Velcro strap on your right leg (the drive train side of your bike). Wear a brighter color to be seen and if you are riding at night or in heavy fog, always have a white headlight and a red taillight affixed to you or your bike. If you are riding in the rain, fenders will become your best friend. These pieces of plastic (or metal) are way underrated. They will also keep the morning dew on the roads from spraying on your clothing even when it is not raining.
- Finding your route: It is very important that you find a route that is accessible by bike for your commute. If you live on a busy street or normally drive your car on one to get to and from work/school/store, chances are good that there is an alternate way to get there that has less traffic. Look at a map and find a route that runs through a quiet neighborhood, or ride a little farther to use one of the local trail systems. Check out the Thurston County Bike Map to find streets with the most bike accommodations or to find the nearest trail to you. You can then map out a route for yourself and save it using Gmaps Pedometer. If you need help finding a route, send me an email and I will help you. ktarullo@intercitytransit.com
I will post in more detail about commuting tips and traffic etiquette, but for now, be safe and share the road!
Lance in the news, but not on racing...
Lance Armstrong unveils his new commuting bike shopCyclist hopes to encourage bike use in downtown
From the Austin American-Statesman 2.18.08
It's not about the bike sales.
That from Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, who plans in May to open a bike shop, commuting center, training facility and cafe in a 1950s-era building at the northwest corner of Fourth and Nueces streets.
"This city is exploding downtown. Are all these people in high rises going to drive everywhere? We have to promote (bike) commuting," Armstrong said Wednesday, gazing up at the towering 360 condos rising next to the site of his new shop. "This can be a hub for that."
Mellow Johnny's, named for the nickname Armstrong earned while wearing the Tour de France leader's "maillot jaune," or yellow jersey, will be housed in a yellow- and red-brick building next to the music venue La Zona Rosa. It is a block north of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, a path that will cut east-west through downtown Austin.
Armstrong said he'd like to see Austin evolve into a place like Portland, Ore., where biking is part of the culture and people pedal to work, to restaurants and to run errands. "Walk outside, and the streets are lined with bikes — because they have a safe place to ride," Armstrong said of the city long known for its bicycle-friendly amenities and policies.
So how does Austin get to that point?
"The (Lance Armstrong Bikeway) is a big start," he said. Armstrong and his general partner in the project, Bart Knaggs, said they'd like to see Austin create bike lanes separated from vehicle traffic and a system like a new one in Paris where people can use a credit card to rent a bicycle from a bike rack station and return it at any of the dozens of other stations around the city. (read more)
News: Washington State Bike Commuter
Road Tales From A Bike Commuter
Tom Simon knows it made little sense to choose November to start commuting to work by bicycle. It can be cold, foggy, rainy, snowy and icy. It's dark both going and coming. But three or four days a week since November, Simon, 44, pulls on Lycra and neoprene and rides from his Felida home to work in Portland. It's a trip of 17 miles each way to his office on Northeast Sandy Boulevard. But there are bike lanes most of the way and other bicyclists to commune with. "It's a relatively bike-friendly commute," he said. "The best part is the commuting community. You feel safe."Simon, an engineer, is among a small but growing number of Vancouver commuters who brave the Interstate 5 Bridge from the bike lanes. Their numbers are expected to increase with higher gas prices, more highway delays and expanded bike capacity planned for the new I-5 bridge. He rates both Vancouver and Portland pretty good for bike friendliness but wishes drivers would keep their eyes open. "Please give us room," he said. "We're your neighbors out there living the American Dream and commuting to work." (Read More)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Bicycling Season is Around the Corner, or for some, it Never Ends!
- 1005 bike commuters signed up!
- 71% sent their mileage logs back in and pedaled over 87,500 miles collectively!
- Over 10,100 commute trips made by bicycle instead of a car
- We prevented the release of over 80,000 lbs. of CO2 into our environment
Some cycling events coming up for those who think the cycling season never ends!
- Feb 10th: Worst Day of the Year Ride, Portland, OR (2,000 person max)
- Feb 24th: Clif Bar Chilly Hilly, Seattle, WA (Must Register by Feb 13th!)
- Capital Bicycling Club's Weekend Rides: they go on ALL year long for all you die hards!
Stay tuned for more community bicycling info, rider profiles, and 2008 BCC news.
Ride Safely!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Rider Profile #2
Age: 40-50
Occupation: Test Lab Manager
Years of Bike Commuting: 1.5 yrs on the Oly to Dupont commute plus I commuted by bike to class when I was in college, 1976-1980, a few miles round trip most days
Current Average Commute Trip: 23 or 36 miles round trip. My commute frequently combines bike and vanpool.
Q. What got you started bike commuting? I have ridden for years, racing bikes in college then continuing to ride for fun and fitness. Leaving the car at home was the right thing to do. I was already hauling my bike to work a few days a week to ride at noon so it made sense to get more out of the time I spent riding each day. My wife and best friend, Karin, strongly encouraged me to ride to work. Once Pacific Hwy construction over the railroad was completed I had no excuse not to ride.
Q.What keeps you pedaling? I always enjoy riding. It never feels like a chore. There are few things more fun than the bike, but cycling is something I can do almost every day. It keeps me healthy and satisfies my “need for speed”.
Q. Is the route you chose the safest, fastest, most fun, or the only route available? Safest and fastest. Some days after work I hang the bike on an Intercity Transit Van in Dupont. I take the van to Sleater-Kinney where I get on the bike for a quick 5 mile ride to the house via the Chehalis-Western Trail.
Q. What style of bike do you ride on your commutes? 1992 GT Karakoram MTB frame with an outrageous paint job for visibility and theft deterrence, high pressure road tires for speed, full fenders with extensions and mudflaps for a dry ride on wet days, clipless pedals, cyclocross shoes for easy walking, a rear rack and pannier for cargo, an HID headlight, flashing tail lights, a bell and a compass.
Q. How long have you been a BCC participant? First time was last year. I won the “most miles for a first time participant” award.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Rider Profile #1

Age: 25-35
Occupation: Webmaster, TwinStar Credit Union
Years of Bike Commuting: 3
Current Average Commute Trip: 11 miles
Q. What got you started bike commuting? I started bike commuting for the exercise and to be able to enjoy the nice weather (I've never been much of a driver.) Q.What keeps you pedaling? I keep at it because it's the easiest way for me to get exercise; it's a quicker commute than the bus; I get time to think and enjoy the weather on nice days; and it's a huge boost to my overall mental health. Once I get into the rhythm of it, then it's just part of my routine. Plus, it's fun to ride the really short distances to go out to lunch.
Q. Is the route you chose the safest, fastest, most fun, or the only route available?I picked my current route for a combination of reasons--it's reasonably safe, because the Boulevard stretch is all bike lane and the rest is low-traffic; I find Yelm Highway, which is more direct, too intimidating with the heavy traffic and really dirty bike lane; it's one of the less hilly routes so I'm not totally exhausted when I'm done, and that stretch through the side streets is a lot of fun to ride. Once the Woodland Trail is further along, though, I'll probably switch to that and the Chehalis-Western trail, because the Chehalis-Western is one of my very favorite places to ride.
Q. What style of bike do you ride on your commutes? The unusual part of my bike commuting story is that I only learned how to ride a bicycle at all 3 years ago, at the age of 29. I had some childhood experiences that led to my never learning how to ride, and then once you're an adult, it's tricky to get started. My husband, who is an avid mountain biker, found an unusual bike that is designed for putting your feet down easily. I bought my Electra Townie three years ago next month, and quickly discovered that I love riding, just the feel of it, the speed, and so on.
Q. How long have you been a BCC participant, and what are the benifits of participating? This is my second year. I like participating in the BCC as a challenge to myself, and this year as a way to encourage other people at work to bike. This year I persuaded 5 other people to take part as a work team, which makes me feel pretty good. My small part for the environment. And my current employer is paying the registration fees as part of their commitment to employee health.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Ride of Silence, May 16th



The more bikers we have out on the roads, the more awareness there will be which will hopefully lead to less accidents. So share the roads and keep on pedaling!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
A NEW RECORD!
- 2006: 889 participants
- 2005: Over 600 participants
- 2004: Previous record of 928 participants
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Thanks to all for their help with the 2007 Wrencher's Ball!
Thank you to Larry, Sam and Adam at OlyBikes for their professional mechanical work and all of their help and support with the BCC!


Thank you to Evergreen Bike Shop for their involvement and support with the Wrencher's Ball and the BCC!



Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wrencher's Ball: Friday, April 27!
- Where: Olympia Transit Center (222 State Ave NE, downtown)
- When: Friday, April 27 from 7am-5pm
- Who: Anyone who is registered for the event, you may register here if you have not already
We still have a small amount of CatEye tail lights we are giving away with registration! So come early and sign up! It is first-come first-serve for bike maintenance, so be prepared to leave your bike with us for a while.
The Wrencher's Ball has been the BCC's most famous event, happening annually for the past several years! A couple of Intercity Transit employees started this event years ago to aid those who thought they could not participate in the contest because their bike was not in good enough shape. They took on the roll of tuning up their bikes for them, so they could participate and log their miles! So no excuses, come and get your bike fixed up to ride during May, and in the warm months to come!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Earth Day Market Ride a Hit!
Thanks to everyone who led rides and attended this past Saturday's Earth Day Market Ride! Despite the rain we had a great turnout of 44 riders!After meeting at the fountain we all pedaled to the Farmer's Market to sign everybody up for the contest and give away free CatEye tail lights with registration! We still have more lights which we will have at the Wrencher's Ball this coming Friday...stay tuned for more details! 
This is the group heading down Capitol. This ride counts as the first commute trip for the contest! So log those miles on your mileage log if you haven't already!
Saturday, send them to ktarullo@intercitytransit.com




