BCC closing up for 2012- take our survey!

The 25th Annual BCC has come to a close, with a very successful spring season behind us.


When it comes right down to it, the BCC is about improving the quality of life in our community, and you are our community. We hope that you will share your thoughts with us and allow us to include the needs and preferences of our community by taking a brief survey. There is a link to our survey on our Facebook page. The survey has some multiple choice questions and some open-ended questions designed to help us improve the BCC for next year and the next 25 years!

BCC Office Closing for 2012:


BCC Central is closing up shop for the remainder of the year, but please feel free to stay in touch. You can reach us by contacting Kris Fransen at kfransen"at"intercitytransit.com or 705-5836. You can also "Like" us on Facebook to stay informed about practical cycling issues in our area.

HENDERSON BOULEVARD SIDEWALK PROJECT – BICYCLE LANE CLOSURE

HENDERSON BOULEVARD SIDEWALK PROJECT – BICYCLE LANE CLOSURE
For bicycle and pedestrian safety, the northbound bicycle lane on Henderson Boulevard from McCormick street to the trail head of Watershed Park will be closed during the sidewalk construction. The bicycle lane closure will start on July 3, 2012 and the lane will reopen approximately the end of August.

Contact:
• Brett Bures, Project Manager, City Of Olympia
• 360.753.8290
• bbures"at"ci.olympia.wa.us

BCC Progress Update: Coupons and Random Drawings

We had our annual "coupon stuffing party" this morning and stuffed 897 envelopes with BCC Rewards Coupons! They are waiting for the mail pick-up now and should be in particpants' mailboxes tomorrow or Saturday. Several teams will be distributing their team members' coupons "in house". Members of the Thurston County, City of Olympia, DOR, UTC or Intercity Transit teams, should see their Team Captains to get their coupons.

In Random Prize Drawing News, also in the mail are three gift cards to Joy Ride Bikes and four cards for a pound of coffee at Batdorf and Bronson. The lucky winners: Dawn, Ryan, Alan, Burke, Anna, Erika and Krista!

Awards Ceremony Draws Crowd in Spite of Rain

Photos by: Paul Mongillo of www.wideawakephoto.com

Over 100 stalwart BCC riders showed up at our Awards Ceremony last Saturday morning in spite of the wetness of the air...
Three of the four Bike Prize winners came out, plus lots of kids and families. Around 200 participants won prizes in this year's BCC, including Eddy, who won the New Belgium Cruiser (pictured), Kalina, who won a bike from Joy Ride Bikes, Paul, who won a bike from The Bike Stand, and Kim, who won a bike from Bike Tech. Now we're busy getting the rewards coupons ready to mail- hopefully the first batch will go out tomorrow!

"Official" 2012 BCC Results

Believe it or not there are still a few mileage logs trickling into BCC Central, so the real numbers are actually very slightly higher than these, but we had to quit adding and publish sooner or later so these are the "official" results of the 25th Annual BCC!

See the Team Results Page (in the tabs above) for team standings in four categories.
(Scroll down to find all the categories)

Registrants: 1545
Logs turned in: 1058
Miles traveled: 120,653 (all time record)
Trips by bike: 13,974 (all time record)
Teams Returning Mileage Logs: 72 (all time record)
Avg. Daily miles per rider: 10.75
Avg. Monthly miles per rider: 114
First Time participants: 542
Prize recipients: 200
Sponsors: 56
CO2 prevented: 60 tons
Gallons gas saved: 5500
Gas dollars saved: 23,000

BCC Prizes and Awards Shaping Up

We're on track to award many prizes at our award ceremony on Saturday (this Sat. June 23, 9:30 am at the Olympia Farmers Market): outstanding BCC participants will be receiving prizes donated by our sponsors, such as Ortlieb Panniers, Timbuk2 Messenger Bags, CatEye, NiteRider, Portland Design Works and Planet Bike Lights and light sets, Showers Pass and Novara rain gear, bike accessories from REI and Swift Industries saddle bags. We have Gift Cards from Joy Ride Bikes, Bike Tech, Alpine Experience, Old Town Bicycle, Batdorf & Bronson, Fish Tale Pub, Compass Rose Gifts, The Beauty Temple and 5th Ave Fitness.

We have winners in our random drawings for FOUR NEW BIKES, and will announce them once we've managed to contact them all. We'll be holding more random drawings for cool prizes tomorrow, so watch your email!

Mileage Count Update:

We have smashed all previous records for the number of miles traveled by bicycle in the month of May by participants in the BCC! Together, the 1044 participants who returned their Mileage Logs recorded 117,642 miles, on 13,512 practical trips by bike in May!
Way to go, BCC participants! That is almost 60 tons of CO2 that we prevented from entering our atmosphere, and that is just the tip of the iceberg of the positive effects we contributed to our community and planet, not to mention our own health and well-being. Thank you!

BCC STATUS UPDATE:

1006 Mileage Logs counted, out of 1547 participants. We rode well over 114,000 miles- a new record for the BCC!

Thanks for your patience while we churn through the data and prepare for the prize drawings and awards. Your rewards coupons will go in the mail before the end of the month. Random prize drawings for several new bikes and other very cool prizes will happen next week.

Our Award Ceremony is on Saturday, June 23 at 9:30am at the Olympia Farmers Market main stage. We have many categories of participants and achievements, so there will be LOTS of prizes. Prize winners need not be present, but there WILL also be random prize drawings for those who are present, so come on down! Free REI water bottles for the first 50 people to arrive!

BCC Mileage Log Update

Wow, 964 BCC Mileage Logs counted so far! Still that doesn't get us to the level of follow-through we had last year. If you, or SOMEONE YOU KNOW, hasn't turned in their BCC Mileage Log, please do! We want to count you as a practical cyclist in Thurston County! We're going to start doing some random prize drawings soon from among all participants who have returned their Mileage Logs- don't miss out!

We are on track to break a couple of records, for number of miles traveled, and number of new participants. Let's set some other new records too, but that's only possible if everyone turns in their Mileage Logs...

Mileage Log "deadline", today!

Why is "deadline" in quotes, you might ask?

Well, we really want you to turn in your Mileage Log, and the sooner the better! The sooner you return your Log, the better chance you have of winning one of our random drawings for a new bike or other great prizes. So, to maximize your chances, return your Log today (or over this weekend)!

All that being said, we will accept Mileage Logs and count them in to our participation totals right up until we submit our Final Report to the local jurisdictions at the end of June. So if you MUST dally and wait, you can still turn in your Mileage Log and it will help the BCC show how many practical cyclists are on our roads, even if it doesn't win you any prizes. Thanks!

The Fun Goes On In June

The time for recording your miles in the BCC may be over, but the fun continues in June! We'll have a few more mini-contests here on the blog and starting soon after June 8, we'll have random prize drawings from among all participants who turn in their Mileage Log, including random drawings for several new bikes! We've already taken delivery of the New Belgium Cruiser for this year, and it is an impressive set of wheels...

 We'll also have several other more practical commuting bikes to award in random drawings, so be sure to turn in your mileage log by June 8, and attend our Awards Ceremony on Saturday June 23 at 9:30 am, at the Olympia Farmers Market for even more fun and prizes!

LAST DAY to record your miles in the BCC!

It's happened again, another May has gone by and we're on the last day of the BCC. Don't let a little sprinkle stop you from riding your bike to work, school or on errands on the last day! Bike safe and remember to return your Mileage Log by June 8 to receive your rewards coupons and be entered to win a new bike and other great prizes!

2012 BCC Rider Profile # 4: Sara Eve

• What is your age, roughly speaking? I’m in my mid-40s.


• What is your occupation or area of study? I work for the Washington State Department of Health. I have my Master’s Degree in Public Health, Community Health Education.

• What is your most frequent destination on your bike? Last summer was the first time I had a bike in more than 20 years, and I rode to my office in Lacey from my home on the upper Eastside. I changed jobs to work at the Department of Health in Tumwater, so it’s a longer ride now.

• How did you hear about the BCC? I saw flyers about it for years and longingly wanted to participate, but this is the first year I’ve had a bike!

• How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? This is my first year.


• What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)? I wanted to feel like a “true Olympian,” I wanted to get more exercise, and I find that I do best with regular exercise if it is “practical.” I also had an injury about a year ago that made it hard to do what I usually did for exercise – dancing and walking – and needed to find another way to be active, so now it’s biking and swimming.

Mini-Contest Winners!

We have three winners in our Tuesday Mini-Contest!
Mike S., Shanti H. and Paul B. all answered the "where is it?" question correctly, as:
West Bay Drive Southbound, near the site of the old plywood mill (who's been around long enough to remember that fire?) Thanks for participating in the BCC and our Tuesday Mini-Contest, everybody!

BCC Mini-Contest and Countdown

Less than 3 days left in the 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest! Be sure you've recorded all the practical trips you made by bike in May on your Mileage Log, and be sure to return it by June 8 to the Olympia Transit Center or by mail to BCC c/o Intercity Transit, PO Box 659 Olympia, WA 98507-0659 Fabulous coupons and prizes await!

Tuesday Mini-Contest: Where is this- what street and which direction of travel? The first three people (registered in the BCC) who answer correctly by sending me an email (to dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com) will win a cool prize! Winners announced after 2pm. Good luck!

Washington is #1 Bike Friendly State- again!

For the fifth year in a row, Washington State has earned the number one spot in the League of American Bicyclist's Bike Friendly State ratings. Olympia has also kept it's Silver rating as a Bike Friendly Community!

To find out more about what all this means, check out Washington's Bike Friendly State report card and the League's Bike Friendly America pages.

Congratulations, Olympia and Washington State!

Rider Profile #3: Kirsty F.

• What is your age, roughly speaking? 19


• What is your occupation or area of study? I am a student, studying Community Organization and Change.

• What is your most frequent destination on your bike? I most frequently ride my bicycle to work.

• How did you hear about the BCC? I first heard about the BCC three years ago at an information stand in Lacey.

• What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)? When I was 15 years old, my mother purchased me a car for fear that if she did not, I would never do so myself and I would not desire to drive. After having the car for a few months, I came to realize that the costs of owning a car were very high. I sold the car and got a bicycle instead!

6th Annual Inter-Agency Bike Ride

Over 70 riders took part in the 6th Annual Inter-Agency Bike Ride

Pioneer School's Bike To School Day a Success

Pioneer School: The morning parent drop-off traffic was noticeably lighter as swarms of students rode their bikes to Pioneer Elementary School in Olympia during Bike to Work Day. Countless students also walked or propelled themselves on their scooters. Stacey Brewster, a parent, greeted the young cyclists at the front of school, offering them bright orange slap bands and green bicycle pins provided by Intercity Transit to celebrate the occasion. Principal Randy Weeks wondered, “I don’t know what we will do once the racks fill up!” Another parent replied, “That is a good problem to have!” Over 150 students rode to school, packing the bike racks well beyond capacity. Maybe it’s time for Pioneer to assess its bike parking problem!

2012 Rider Profile #2 Greg W.

What is your age, roughly speaking? 50


What is your occupation or area of study?
Computer Programmer

What is your most frequent destination on your bike?
(Unfortunately) Work

How did you hear about the BCC?
I've been participating regularly since it began

How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest?
Probably 15-20 times
What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)?
I guess three things: (1) the fun of riding; (2) concern for the
environment; and (3) the need for daily exercise

National Bike To Work Day- This Friday, May 18

Bicycle to work, school or on other practical trips this Friday and record double your miles for that day in the BCC! The day is highlighted on your mileage log, so plan ahead to make the most of your contest miles. Rain or shine!

Join fellow bicyclists in a fun day of riding on National Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 18. The event promotes bicycling as a healthy transportation option. Visit one of the "Bike Stations" in five locations around Olympia. Bicycle Commuter Contest participants: wear your BCC t-shirt or show your participant sticker or mileage log, and get a free gift when you stop by! We'll have a very limited number of our 25th anniversary logo bike bells to give away at all five "Bike Stations", plus reflective leg/arm bands and some other cool stuff. Each station will have coffee and treats and representatives from a local bike shop on hand with a few basic tools. There will also be copies of the NEW Thurston County Bike Map, and the Urban Cycling Guide from the City Of Olympia. Bike stations sponsored by the City of Olympia, Intercity Transit, and the local businesses listed below. See you there!

Visit a Bike Station at one of the following locations from 7 to 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 18:

• Heritage Park on 5th Avenue downtown: sponsored by Old Town Bikes and Oly Coffee Roasters
• Olympia Woodland Trailhead at Eastside Street: sponsored by the Bike Stand and Batdorf & Bronson
• Ralph’s Thriftway Station: sponsored by Ralph’s Thriftway, Bike Tech, and Batdorf & Bronson
• Westside Station: at Harrison and Division: sponsored by REI and Oly Coffee Roasters
• Lacey Station: at the I-5 Bicycle Trail and Chehalis Western Trail intersection: sponsored by JoyRide Bikes and Group Health (this station located at the South bridge approach to the Chehalis-Western Trail bridge over I-5)

Remember: Please be courteous to other trail and road users, and abide by all rules of the road, just as if you were driving a car.  Bike safe and bike happy!

Olympia Bike Month Proclamation tonight!

It would be so great if you could join us for just 15-20 minutes while the Olympia City Council Proclaims May 2012 as Bike Commute Month TONIGHT, Tuesday May 15 at 7pm in celebration of the 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest. It'll be short and sweet, and we'd love to pack the house with practical cyclists! Show up at the new City Hall a little before 7pm wearing a new or "vintage" BCC t-shirt to show our city council your support for the BCC and for practical cycling in our community. We'll bring a few vintage t-shirts to loan for the event in case you don't have one. Bring a friend or spread the word!

7pm, this evening, May 15, Olympia City Hall

A New Kind of BCC Mini-Contest

Here are the rules (wow, so many rules!)...

1. Be registered in the BCC.
2. Join the BCC blog, or "Like" our Facebook page.
3. Answer the question below.
4. Email the correct answer to: dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com between the hours of 1pm and 3pm, Friday, May 11
5. Wait for a reply from me with your "winner's code" to collect your prize.
6. Collect your prize at the Olympia Transit Center between 5pm Friday May 11 and  7pm Monday, May 14.

THE QUESTION (drum roll....)...
It looks like this cyclist is about to turn right at the intersection in the picture. If so, what do you think is the most likely place the cyclist could be going?

City of Olympia Proclaims May as Bike Month

On the agenda for the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday May 15 is the Bicycle Commute Month Proclamation for 2012- the 25th year of the Bicycle Commuter Contest. If you would like to show Olympia how much you support the BCC and practical cycling in our community, please come to this meeting of the City Council, and wear your BCC t-shirt! If you have a t-shirt from a long-ago BCC that would be even better, as we would LOVE to have one for each of the 25 years! If you don't have a BCC t-shirt, come anyway, we might have an extra you could wear for the meeting. 7pm, Tuesday, May 15, Olympia City Hall on 4th Ave.

Limited sizes T-shirts back in stock today

We got a few BCC t-shirts in yesterday and will get a few more (all sizes) today, which I will drop off at the Olympia Transit Center around 5pm today. There are a few of all sizes there this morning, with the possible exception of size L. There was only one size L as of 5pm yesterday. I'm glad the shirts are so popular this year!

BCC T-shirts temporarily SOLD OUT

BCC t-shirts are currently, (TEMPORARILY) SOLD OUT! More t-shirts will arrive on Wednesday afternoon, May, 9. Please check back at the Olympia Transit Center for your t-shirt around 5pm Wednesday. Pick up one of our super-fantastic bike bells while you're there!

How to Decide- Which Miles to Count in the BCC?

We get a lot of questions regarding which miles to count on the Mileage Log during the Bicycle Commuter Contest. Here's some guidance: The spirit of this event is to reduce car traffic and its negative effects, and increase awarness and promote the practice of using a bicycle for transportation, not just as a recreational or fitness machine. So...

• Count the miles you ride your bike for practical purposes: to work, school or on errands or social calls... any trip you might have otherwise made in a car. To the movies, the farmers market, out to dinner, or to the bike shop to pick up a new bike light or some rain gear!
• Don't count the miles you ride when you go out for a training or fitness ride, or a recreational ride just for the fun of it.
• Many practical cyclists will take the "long way" home if it's a nice afternoon, to get a little more of a bike ride in. Great! Enjoy those extra recreational or fitness miles, but be honest, that's what they are! Don't count them on your log.
• Some participants will feel safer on quieter streets or on the bike trail, and will take a slightly less direct route to be safe on their commute. That is fine- count the miles you ride on a safe and reasonable route.

Practical Cycling can be fun and add to your fitness and health- enjoy yourself on your practical trips by bicycle and feel the benefits to your own health and well-being! Know that you are also benefitting your community and the planet at the same time. Thanks for participating in the Bicycle Commuter Contest!

Discount for BCC'ers for Willie Weir Show on May 9

One of the BCC's biggest sponsors, the Capital Bicycling Club, is pleased to present Willie Weir’s show Cycling and Wild Camping through Portugal, at the Olympia Center on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.


Willie Weir is a renowned adventure cyclist, actor, author, speaker, and funny guy—his books include SpokeSongs and Travels with Willie.

The show is on Wednesday, May 9, 7:10 pm at the Olympia Center, MPR A. $10 admission at door ($5 if registered in the Intercity Transit Bicycle Commuter Contest)

Though this show is not strictly related to "Practical Cycling", Willie is a big proponent and has lived car-free for many years. He is also very entertaining and a great inspiration to go places you never dreamed of going on your bike.

See you there!

2012 Commuter Profile #1: Ashley H.

• What is your age, roughly speaking? I am 19 years old.


• What is your most frequent destination on your bike? Since I graduated, it'd have to be the grocery store or other errands around town. I am currently unemployed but am seeking an internship in the environmental field.

• How many years have you been getting around by bike? I've been commuting for a little over four years now.

• How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? This year will be my fourth year participating in the BCC

25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest Begins!

The 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest starts tomorrow! It's not too late to register for the BCC, the official deadline is Friday, May 11. Register now and record your practical cycling miles in May, and return your mileage Log by June 8 to be eligible for prizes and random drawings! If you have already registered online or by mail but have not yet received your Mileage Log, you can download one and print it out to record your miles. If you do not receive your Mileage Log, coupons and sticker within one week of registering, please contact Duncan Green at dgreen"at" intercitytransit.com.

We hope you enjoy riding your bike to work, school or on errands in May. Please ride courtiously and legally (abide by all the same rules of the road as any other vehicle), dress for the weather, make yourself visible (especially at night) and have fun! Stay tuned here for mini-contests and random prize drawings for BCC participants throughout the month of May.

Next Big BCC Event: The Wrencher's Ball!

Annual Wrenchers Ball: Friday, April 27, Olympia Transit Center, 222 State Ave NE, Olympia, WA. A free Safety Check for registered participants in the 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest. Participants may bring their bicycles to the Olympia Transit Center from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and pick them up by 5 pm (One bike per participant, please). Mechanics from our sponsor bicycle shops will do free safety checks on bicycles that belong to Commuter Contest participants. This is not a major tune up and we are not equipped to do major repairs nor do we have replacement parts such as tubes, tires, cables, brake pads, etc. If your bike needs major work or replacement parts we will refer you to your local bike shop. There are several bike shops in the area. If your bike has a flat, pick up a tube or whatever parts you need and we may be able to install them. To have your bike checked in, you must register for the contest in advance or in person at the event. Space is limited so first come, first served!

A Lovely Day for the Earth Day Market Ride

Yay, thanks everyone for coming out for the best Earth Day Market Ride yet! I hope you all had a great time and a lovely afternoon on your bikes in the sun!

Earth Day Market Ride Details

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

Volunteer leaders will lead groups of cyclists from their neighborhoods to Heritage Park Fountain, arriving at 11am, THIS Saturday, April 21. 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 food, shopping, music and festivities at the Market.

Helmet and liability waiver required.
 

MEETING POINTS AND TIMES:

*NEW RIDE FOR 2012: Horizon Pointe Park 5700 Balustrade Blvd. Lacey  -9:30-

 Leader Terran Wheeling. Meet at picnic tables and depart about 9:50.

* 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 9:30 am for coffee before the ride, leaving there at 9:50 to join Dane at South Sound Center)

* 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 Franzen

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

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

 

 

Sustainability Summit, Sat. April 14 at SPSCC

We'll be there during the noon hour registering for the BCC.
You can also get an "Undriver's License" from Intercity Transit at the same time! Check the link for all the info...   http://www.oly-wa.us/transitionolympia/

East Capitol Campus Bike Commuter Fair

Local Bike-Related Businesses Gather for Pedalers Fair

Check out this nice event if you're in Seattle on April 21,22
http://pedalersfair.com/

25th Annual BCC T-Shirts and Bike Bells Available Now

Extremely limited quantities of 25th Annual BCC T-Shirts and Bike Bells are now available at the Olympia Transit Center, 222 State Ave NE, in downtown Olympia! T-shirts are bright red, long sleeve 6.1 oz. cotton and cost $15.

These super cool bike bells are all metal with a durable acrylic logo on top: Only $7.

Move fast, these are not going to last long!

Registration is Open for 25th BCC!

No Foolin'! The 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest is open for registration! Who will be the first to register??

You can register online by clicking on the button to the right, or head down to the Olympia Transit Center to register in person.
Register in April, Ride in May in the BCC!

Countdown to the 25th Annual BCC!

Spring is here, and there is less than a week to go until the launch of registrations for the 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest! Registration opens on April 1st. You'll be able to register in all the same ways you always have (in person at the The Olympia Transit Center, by mail and at some workplaces), PLUS: Individuals and members of most teams will be able to register ONLINE, right from this blog! We'll install a "Register Now" button on the eve of April 1st, which will take you to our Regsitration Page, where you can register and pay with Paypal (if applicable). Adults $5.00. Those 18 and under, or currently enrolled college students are FREE.

So, register in April, Ride in May, in the 25th BCC!

Local Bicycle and Gear Swap Meet: Wed March 7

The Capital Bicycling Club's Annual Bike and Gear Swap is coming up on Wed. March 7 from 7:30 to 9pm at the Capital Museum Coach House (entrance off of 22nd Ave SW at Water St.).
This is a popular event where CBC members can bring their bikes and gear to swap or sell, and the public is invited to come and shop! There will be some great bike gear at bargain prices! If you are not a club member and would like to sell bike gear, join the club! Sellers may show up at 7:15 to set up (tables provided).

Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator Job opening at Intercity Transit

Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator Job opening at Intercity Transit It will be highly competitive, but if you are qualified, check it out!

Eloquent Pictures and Testimony for Practical Cycling

Olympia Cycling Infrastructure...

Check out this great Sightline Institute blog post for inspiration!

17th Annual Seattle Bike Swap

This Sunday, 9am-2pm, Seattle Center Check it out here. Have a great weekend!

Nice weather for biking, but all that debris in the bike lane!

 Most of the large branches and debris have been removed from area road shoulders and bike lanes, but there is still a lot of smaller debris including gravel, small rocks, branches, broken glass, etc. If you are affected by debris on your bike route, call or email the appropriate jurisdiction’s Public Works department and tell them- specifically where you have seen debris in the bike lane or road shoulder on your route.


I know the bike lanes are trashed everywhere, and the Public Works people know that too, and they are working to get them swept. But if you make a request for a particular location, they are likely to get there much quicker. If your route is in the City of Olympia, publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us is the address to send your request to. The number for Olympia Public Works dispatch is: 753-8333. Ask them nicely to sweep your location (for example, “Division St NW between 20th and 26th Aves NW”), and they will send the sweeper there as soon as they can.

Here are contact numbers and emails or request for service forms from the other local jurisdictions:

• Thurston County: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/publicworks/servreq.htm or or call 360-786-5495
• Lacey Public Works: http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/public-works/operations-and-maintenance/report-a-problem or call (360) 491-5600
• Tumwater Public Works: email jeaton@ci.tumwater.wa.us or call (360) 754-4150

Thurston County Bike Map Update

A team is updating the Thurston County Bicycle Map and would like your feedback. Please take a short survey to improve the new map: http://svy.mk/wdGryg


2012 Thurston County Bike Map Survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/

Safely Navigating Storm Debris on Your Bike

Here in Thurston County, we're still cleaning up from the snow and ice storm that broke many trees and left a lot of debris on our roads. Many bike lanes and road shoulers in the area still have a lot of sand and gravel and smaller tree debris covering them in certain places. Here are a few tips to safely ride your bike in these conditions:

Winter Cycling Tips

We've had some requests for information on how to prepare for and successfully navigate commuting by bike in the winter. We are fortunate in our area to be able to ride almost all year round. I have compiled a few thoughts and tips on the subject, including some specific to the kind of weather we've been having.

In the longer term, an excellent source of information on bicycle commuting, including inclement weather tips is the WSDOT Bicycle Commute Guide, by Larry Leveen, of OlyBikes. It is available online (also in a print-friendly version), and will be available in print sometime this spring.

WINTER BICYCLE COMMUTING

Commuting by bicycle in inclement weather, especially in the winter, requires a bit more commitment, preparation, care and attention, but also offers its own rewards. Breathe the fresh outside air while staying fit and healthy year round. Feel the comeraderie when you see another intrepid winter commuter! Save money on gas and car repairs. Be good to the planet and your community by reducing your carbon footprint and reducing traffic congestion. Feel the satisfaction of knowing you got there on your own steam...

Depending on the distance and conditions of your commute:

The bus is a great option in this weather!

Riding Intercity Transit in the Snow

...and if you happen to be stuck in the snow with your bike, you can always put it on the rack on the front of the bus to get home!

Bike Shop Profiles coming soon....

We have posted Commuter Profiles for the last few years, with a picture and some details about the featured commuter's bike, commute routines, how they adapt to inclement weather, etc. This year we'll add profiles of the bike shops in town who are sponsors of the BCC- in part to thank them for their HUGE contribution to the continued success of the BCC, and to inform you of their locations, services, brands, hours and specialties. Stay tuned for the first profile in the next week or so!

Winter: A great time to get your bike tuned up!

Where is your bike right now? Stored away for the winter? Parked outside your house or workplace in the elements? Waiting patiently for better weather? Carrying you reliably through the rainy season?

Wherever your bike is and whether you are riding through the winter or not, chances are it could use a little TLC. The Olympia area is lucky to have a nice choice of great bike shops, well distributed around town.

Now is a great time to take your bike in to your Local Bike Shop for a tune up, and to install any winter riding accessories you may need, like fenders and lights. The bike shops are less busy at this time of year, which means your bike will be ready quicker, and the shop staff will be extra happy to see you!

Most likely your Local Bike Shop is a generous sponsor of the Bicycle Commuter Contest, for which we are very grateful. When you take your bike in, tell them Duncan sent you, and thanks from the BCC!

Yawn, Stretch... the 25th BCC is waking up!

Good morning and Happy 2012! The office of the Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest is officially open for the 25th Anniversary BCC.
We'll be dusting off our files, opening up our databases, planning and strategizing, conjuring slogans and logos, and generally conspiring to present the best Bicycle Commmuter Contest ever! Of course it is really our participants who make the BCC the great event that it is and has been for the past 24 years. We're looking forward to being in touch with YOU, our valued participants, sponsors and volunteers! We'll do our best to encourage and support you in your choice to bike instead of drive, and to reward you in May with tons of great coupons, prizes and events. See you on the road!