New Belgium Commuter Special Edition Arrives!

This year we are going to give away two bicycles to two lucky BCC registrants!

(Thanks to New Belgium Brewing Co., Jamis Bicycles and OlyBikes!)

Just check the box on your registration form to indicate which bike you would like to be entered for, and turn in your registration form before the MAY 2 deadline to be entered to win either this New Belgium Brewing Co. 3-speed commuter bike, or the Jamis comfort bike shown below.

NBB Commuter bike spec's:

• Comfy saddle and handlebars
• 29" standover height, and long seat post- suitable for riders up to 6' tall
• Sturmey-Archer 3-speed internal gear hub, w/coaster brake
• alloy rims with 700x35c tires
• spring-loaded rear rack with reflector
  

Sign up soon and GoodLuck!

Jamis Explorer bike donated by Jamis, courtesy of OlyBikes

Win this Jamis Comfort Bike!

Register for the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest, and check the appropriate box on your Registration Form to be entered to win either this 15.5" frame Jamis Explorer Comfort Bike (for riders up to 5'4"), or an Adult-sized Cruiser bike from New Belgium Brewing. A drawing will be held on Monday May4, after the May 2 registration deadline, so all registered riders will have a chance to win!

EARTH DAY MARKET RIDE SCHEDULED Saturday April 18, Presented by Intercity Transit and Group Health Cooperative

The Earth Day Market Ride is a great way to show your support for alternative transportation, meet other cyclists, and register for the Bicycle Commuter Contest! Organize your own group to ride with, or ride with one of the many veteran cyclists leading neighborhood rides downtown from neighborhoods all over the Olympia metro area. Riders from the different neighborhoods will converge in downtown Olympia at 11am Saturday April 18 before continuing on together to the Farmers Market for live music, free giveaways when you sign up for the BCC (while supplies last) and other fun stuff!

Remember to obey all traffic laws as a group (see our link to Washington Bicycle Laws), and that every cyclist is an ambassador for all the cyclists on the road. Be confident and predictable, hold your own, and obey traffic laws, which are there for everyone’s safety.

Stay tuned for further developments and information, coming soon!

URBAN CYCLING WORKSHOPS - Check this out!

The City of Olympia, partnering with the Capitol Bicycling Club, is holding Urban Cycling workshops in March and April, just in time for Spring cycling and May’s Bicycle Commuter Contest! The workshops instruct on:

negotiating with traffic,
navigating through intersections,
fitting your bike,
basic maintenance,
emergency maneuvers and more.

The workshops are available for adults (16 +), youth (ages 12-15) and a women-only course is offered. Adult courses are broken into a weekend, two part workshop with classroom time and parking-lot drills the first day, and more classroom discussion and a group ride the second day. Youth workshops are offered as a two part, Monday/Wednesday course after school on weekdays. A bike in good working order and helmet are required for both sessions. There is a $5 fee for each adult session and a onetime $5 fee for the Mon/Wed youth workshop. Sign up through Olympia Parks and Recreation: 753-8380. For more information, visit our website www.ci.olympia.wa.us/cityservices/par/recreation/activityguide.htm

SCHEDULE:

Adult-Ages 16 and up
Urban Cycling I: Sat March 7, 10am-2pm
Urban Cycling II: Sun March 8, 10am-2pm

Urban Cycling I: Sat March 21, 10am-2pm
Urban Cycling II: Sun March 22, 10am-2pm

Women’s Workshops-Taught by Women! (this class is filled, but please call and ask to be placed on the waiting list, we will hold another if there is enough demand)
Urban Cycling I: Sat April 4, 10am-2pm
Urban Cycling II: Sun April 5, 10am-2pm

Youth-Ages 12-15 (2 day course)
Urban Cycling: M/W April 6 & 8, 4-6pm
Urban Cycling: M/W April 13 & 15, 4-6pm

These workshops are offered as a part of the Olympia Walks, Olympia Bikes campaign: a grant funded program to increase the safety of walkers and cyclists and encourage more people to try walking and biking.



On a more personal note; I highly recommend these courses to anyone who rides a bike on our urban roads. As a part of my training to teach these courses I had to take the two part workshop myself. I have been an avid cyclist and bike commuter for 7 years now, commuting in urban settings such as San Diego, CA and now Olympia. I went into the course thinking I knew everything I needed to know about cycling with traffic. The course changed my riding style immensely. I did not realize I was uncertain in many traffic situations on where to place myself or how to navigate through a multi-lane left turn. I now ride with much more confidence and can say that I offer motorists a more pleasant view of cyclists by following traffic laws and riding predictably.



Kerry Tarullo
Bicycle & Pedestrian Education Specialist
City of Olympia, Public Works Transportation
360.753.8575
Mail address: PO Box 1967, 98507-1967
Street address: 924 7th Ave SE, Suite A
Olympia, WA

Worth The Weight

Worth The Weight, originally uploaded by duncan herondancer.

I like to see and be seen! Winter commuting has it's hazards, and darkness is one of them at this latitude. Perhaps I go a bit overboard, but I really like being able to see where I am going on a dark road in the rain.
I have a dynamo light (old bottom bracket generator), a cateye LED light and a cygo-lite battery-halogen set (on this particular bike). Planet Bike Superflash on the back!

Bike Lane Rearview

IMG_0569, originally uploaded by duncan herondancer.

Rearview mirrors can be handy for commuting!

Welcome to the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest!

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the 2009 Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest, hosted by Intercity Transit! This will be the 22nd year that the contest has been encouraging and inspiring people of all ages and walks of life to benefit the health of the earth, their community and themselves, by making the choice to ride a bike instead of driving.

As always, the BCC runs for the month of May, with signups beginning in April. My name is Duncan Green, and I’ll be coordinating the BCC this year, so feel free to get in touch. You can e-mail me at dgreen@intercitytransit.com, or call me at 360-705-5874. I’m looking forward to a great year for the Bicycle Commuter Contest, and hoping you’ll join me to make it so!

A quick heads-up about an imminent (and eminent) event:

The Seattle Bike Swap is this coming Saturday (Feb 21, 2009)- a great event with many, many vendors selling every imaginable type of bikes, parts and gear, often for garage sale prices.

Seattle Bike Swap Magnusen Park Hangar #30 (off Sand Point Way at about 70th St. NE)
Saturday Feb 21 9am-2pm (arrive early for good selection, stay late for the best prices)
$5.00 from 9am-1pm
free from 1-2pm
kids under 15 free all day

2008 BCC Results ARE IN!!!

I want to thank you all again and congratulate you all for setting another record this year with participation and miles ridden. Not only are you participating in a community building event, you are choosing a healthy and clean transportation method, and bringing more awareness to bicycle commuting! As a community, we all traveled:

• 104,000 miles! Roughly 4 trips around the world!


• 11,750 commute trips by bicycle-that's 11,750 cars trips off the road in May!


• We prevented the consumption of approximately 4,700 gallons of gasoline, saving about $18,000 in fuel costs!*


• Prevented the release of 92,000 lbs. of CO2!


• For a list of individual winners, click here: http://www.intercitytransit.com/files/13/Resultsallcategories.pdf


• For a list of team winners, click here: http://www.intercitytransit.com/files/13/Bicycle%20CommuterContesTeamFinalResults.pdf


• Everyone Wins with the Thurston County BCC, Congratulations to you all!

Those numbers are a great deal to be proud of Thurston County! I hope you all found the month of May to be rewarding and hopefully the BCC has influenced you to keep up the healthy habit of bike commuting. Those sought after coupon packets are being mailed out to everyone who turned in a mileage log this week. If you are a winner, you can expect your prize in the mail in the next two weeks or you will be notified by mail to pick it up at the Olympia Transit Center. Please wait for your letter to arrive, you will need this as proof to pick up your prize.

*Based on AAA Fuel Gauge Report for Olympia, WA in May 2008, average price of regular unleaded $3.81 per gallon and 22 miles per gallon.

Thanks for another great BCC season and see you on the road! ~KT

Rider Profile #4

Meet Keith and his girls, Acadia & Sierra!

Keith Edgerton, Acadia (8), Sierra (5)

Age: 38

Occupation: Commercial Construction Project Manager

Years Commuting: 3 years 2 months or 401 hours and 5,387miles : )

Current Average Commute: Just under 5 miles roundtrip. I use Intercity Transit almost every weekday in combo with bicycle commuting. Starting my day off by riding up Courthouse Hill is not always appealing. It’s always nice to have options with non-car commuting. When I have meetings or errands to run, my max ride will be about 13 miles a day.

What got you started? I became legally blind on March 10, 2005. My brother and I were born with a degenerative disease of the retina (Retinitis Pigmentosa). Our peripheral vision is slowly deteriorating and I crossed the threshold of legal blind status in March ’05. It happened earlier than I thought and it was a big adjustment at first but it has be so rewarding. I still have excellent central vision but my blind spots in my periphery could continue to grow. I was feeling less safe driving and my doctor confirmed that it would be best to stop driving. He agreed that cycling would be great for me because I would be moving at a slower speed than a car and I would be able to hear what’s going on around me.

What keeps you pedaling? I still have a sense of independence without driving. I absolutely love cycling. What most people considered a tragedy in my life has turned into such a blessing. I love being in shape. I love the sights (@ slower speeds than a car), sounds and smells of the different seasons. It’s always a stress reducer for me. I also hope that my girls are learning that there is always a way to do what you want even if the most convenient or obvious option is not available. All (3) of us have really learned how to get around without a car, whether it’s a vacation to the San Juan’s or bowling on the west side. The fringe benefits are no car payments, gas/maintenance, car insurance and less of an environmental impact. It’s such a win/win for the girls and me.

Is the route you chose the safest, fastest, most fun or only route? I would say all of the above. I always look for the less car traveled road or the most beautiful route when I am running errands, going to project meetings, shopping or taking the girls to school. Being safe around cars probably trumps all options, especially when my girls are riding with me. As I tell my girls, “whether you are right or wrong, the car will always win!” Being defensive cyclists is always a priority in our house.

What style of Bike do you commute on? I had a company truck before I stopped driving and my employer, Andy Johnson & Co. bought me a company bike for my first ride. It was a 2005 Jamis Coda Comp. But a year later, I fell in love with my current bike. It’s a 2005 LeMond Tourmalet or as I like to call it, my Orca Bike! I can race with it or pull a 100lbs of groceries in the bike trailer. I hope to be riding my Orca Bike for years to come as long as I can hold onto the vision I have left. Acadia rides the Raleigh Rowdy (not in picture) and Sierra is decked out on the Dora bike.

How many BCC's have you participated in? This is my 4th Commuter contest and the girls 2nd. I love all the stats that come out at the end, especially the total miles. You can really see how a group of people can make a huge difference for the health of themselves and the planet!

Thanks for sharing this with us Keith, Acadia and Sierra! What a positive outlook you have, thanks for showing us how a loss was a gain for you in a way. It really seems like you know how to get around car-free! Keith shared a story with me of a car-free vacation he took with his girls in the San Juan's. He told me it was filled with Bikes, Buses, Ferries, etc., and was a total blast and his girls had a fantastic time. How inspirational! With the seriousness of high gas prices around, some of us are having trouble making those vacation plans, among other things, because of the additional expenses. Thanks for showing us that it's not only possible, but fun to live and vacation without using your car! Thanks for pedaling and see you on the road Keith, Acadia and Sierra! ~KT

For more information on how to bike and bus, click here: http://www.intercitytransit.com/page.cfm?ID=bikesOnBuses

Bike the Deschutes Event: July 27!

Want to learn more about your watershed area while cycling? Come join cyclists of all ages and abilities on the 2nd Annual Bike Your Watershed event hosted by a team of individuals dedicated to improving our community and environment. This FREE family and friends event is designed to create watershed awareness and to promote bicycling as an environmentally friendly form of transportation. After registering, come to the Tumwater Historical Park anytime between 8am and 10am on Sunday, July27. Registration is limited, so register early!

Registration info here: http://web.mac.com/bikeyourwatershed/Site/Registration.html

See you there!

Contest Ends, But the Pedaling Continues!

Bob Lang, last year's overall winner with 1218 miles, commuting to work.


I want to Congratulate all of the BCC participants for a GREAT month of bike commuting. I have never seen so many bikes and received so many comments on the vast abundance of bicycles on our streets this May. And I have been noticing during these first few days of June, that you all are keeping it real out there. Congratulations because once again, we have received record participation with over 1450 participants. Now make sure to get those mileage logs to me so I can tally up our stats to see as a community how many miles & commute trips we conquered and fuel & air pollution we saved. If you have not received one, you can print one here, or email me and I will send you one: ktarullo@intercitytransit.com. You can send them in any of the following ways, but please get them in by Wednesday, June 4th:

1. Mail to the Olympia Transit Center (address on your mileage log)


2. Pedal or walk it in to the Olympia Transit Center 6:30am-7pm and weekends 9am-7pm


3. Scan and email it to me: ktarullo@intercitytransit.com


4. Fax it to: 306-357-6184

Every participant whether they rode one day or 31 will receive a very awesome coupon packet in the mail, please expect these around mid-late June.

Winners will be announced at Super Saturday at the Evergreen State College, June 14th at 10:45am on the main stage. Please come join us to celebrate bicycle commuting, find out our 2008 BCC results and winners, and not to mention the good food and festivities.

I truly hope this BCC has created a rewarding pattern in your lifestyle and you will continue this pattern throughout the year. Once again, thank you for participating, you are contributing to a healthier community. ~KT

Rider Profile #3

Meet Tonya!

Age Range: 30-40

Occupation or place of work: Unclaimed Property Auditor

Years of bike commuting: 11 months

Current average bike commute trip: 50 miles round trip

What got you started bike commuting?
This is a funny story. I have 2 coworkers (Mark & Mike) who have been riding from Lakewood to Olympia for a few years now. I would see them on the road and would think these two are nuts! Isn't that why God invented motorized transportation? So like a crazy person I agreed to ride to work with them on a tandem bike. Off we went, it’s dark and cold when we hit Dupont. I was thinking this was a big mistake but I had no other option because my feet were locked into the pedals like a prisoner. As we approach a busy intersection in Olympia Mark say’s, “ Ok I’m going to just grab the post and wait for the light.” YEAH right, easier said than done . Next thing I know I’m sitting on my bum and Mike and Mark are laughing. “They call this fun.” Well we made it to work I was exhausted – broke out in hives and all I could think was there is now way I’m going to make it home, Mark is just going to have to ride that tandem bike by himself. After being guilted into going back home the only thing I could think of was a small side bet I had made with my husband. It was for $100 because he did not think I could make it either. And I made it hives and all.

What keeps you pedaling instead of driving?
It’s the best on a hot sunny day when traffic is at a dead stop on I-5 and you ride by everyone! The other is riding with Lisa...girl rides are the best.

Is the route you choose the fastest, safest, most fun, or the only route available?
It’s the only route I know, haha!

What style of bike do you ride on your commute?
Thanks to Old Town Bikes I have the best road bike in the world!! SPECIALIZED for women !

What are a few pieces of gear that you find very useful on your commutes?
The most useful in my commute is my Team Barley Davidson – Mark, Mike & Lisa. Without someone to change my flat tires and wait for me at the top of the hills I would never have never guessed in a million years I would be riding my bike to work !!! Thanks guys.

How long have you been a BCC participant?
It will be my first year this May!

Thanks for sharing your commute with us Lisa, funny story too! Now, do not get discouraged by Lisa's commute. This is a long one and hectic, riding on that stretch of I-5. This is legal to ride on this stretch as it is the only way to get through the Fort Lewis area. There is a proposed trail plan that will connect our existing I-5 trail with Tacoma, but do not know when this will happen. Tonya rides with a group that makes it much safer too! ~KT

BCC REACHES NEW RECORD!

As of right now, we have over 1450 participants registered for the Bicycle Commuter Contest!


This is a feat worth recognizing, as our community has increased its participation by 45%! Last year set our previous record of 1005 participants. Since May 1st, I have seen more bikes on the roads than ever before. It is great pulling up to a stop light beside fellow cyclists and being able to say hello and chat about the day. We don't really get to do that in our cars...

I have heard a lot of great stories of how people are getting used to their routine of cycling instead of driving and making record times to work. Thanks for all of the support and input. I love hearing about your commutes!


My favorite part of my bike commute to and from work is being able to ride with a couple friends down the road, as if we were kids again riding bikes after school. A great alternative to sitting in my car by myself! Leave a comment and tell me your favorite part of your commute to work or school, or wherever! Keep up the good practice of bike commuting, we are contributing to a healthy environment!

How to Lock Your Bike

I have been getting some questions about how to effectively lock your bike, so I thought I would go over a few tips on locks and how to best use them.

First and foremost, the best styles of locks are the popular U-Lock or a hefty metal chain lock. The cable style locks can be a deterrent, however, they can be cut quite easily. Although they are a little more pricey and heavier, I highly recommend the U or chain style locks over the cable style.

Depending on whether you are in a high risk or low risk area you can choose how thoroughly you want to lock your bike up. The most simple way is to place your bike next to a pole and run the U-Lock or Chain through the front wheel and frame at the same time, and then through the pole itself. A cable lock can be a nice partner to a U-Lock as shown below:

These photos are courtesy of Kryptonite Locks.

The most secure way would be to remove your front wheel, line it up with the rear and run the U-Lock through both tires and the frame. This will entail disengaging your brakes on most bikes, see your local bike shop if you do not know how. Locks are sold at all local bike shops and they vary by brand in size and locking mechanism (combination or key). Hope this was helpful, please let me know if you have any questions about this or any other topics you would like discussed.
 

Leaving your bike parked outside is always a risk, but with a good lock and a few other tricks, the risk can be lessened. Use the best lock you can afford and always lock your bike TO an immovable object. Try not to leave your bike locked in the exact same location every day, or for a prolonged period. One view is that an old ratty-looking bike is less likely to be stolen, but I am not sure this has been proven. Olympia Police have told me that most of the bikes stolen here are lower-end bikes that have been left unlocked. If your bike is stolen, DO report it to the police. A significant number of bikes are actually recovered. It helps to have recorded your serial number, and to have a photo of your bike! You can also register your bike at nationalbikeregistry.com 

The Contest Has Started, Not Too Late to Sign Up!

Happy First Day of the BCC to Everyone! It is NOT too late to sign up if you have not yet, you have until May 3rd! Just print out the registration form here, and mail it in or visit the Olympia Transit Center downtown at 222 State St.

I forecasted some nice weather for you all, I hope you enjoyed your first logged commute trip. I saw a lot of bikes out on the road today, good work!

Tell me how it went...leave some comments of your trips to the store, work or school...or where ever you rode!

Here are some great ways to find routes and count your miles:

• The Thurston County Bike Map: Find a trail entrance near you or a calmer route through a neighborhood.
• Google's Pedometer (mileage counter): To calculate mileage: type in your zip code and then press "Start Recording". Double click on where your trip starts, then the next point in your trip, then the next. Every double click will draw a linear point on the map, it does not know how to follow the road. You can view elevation gain and loss with this tool as well, click on Elevation "small" or "large". You can save your routes and share them!

Let me know if you need help finding a less busy route. Good luck and stay safe. See you out there!

May 1st Bike Ride...where? Anywhere!

Ride your bike…
to work.
to school.
to shop.
for fun.
for health.

On May 1st stop by the Decatur Street Bike Station on your way to or from. Decatur Street is the quickest, safest route between “here” and “there.” Stop and write a poem, post a note, grab a snack. Two wheels are good in the Southwest Neighbor ‘hood!

Help start a chain reaction.

WHO: The Southwest and Northwest Olympia Neighborhood Associations in collaboration with the South Puget Sound Community College’s Sustainability Committee . . . and everyone who lives in West Oly and regularly travels outside.

WHAT: Use the Decatur Street Bike Connection to ride to work or school in the morning, and to return home in the afternoon. Stop at the SW Neighborhood Walking Park’s "Poetry Post" – leave a bike poem, a bike pic – grab a coffee, water, juice, bagel or cookie – mark your start and finish on an aerial map of the city. Live the life bikeful!

WHY: To kick off the May Bike Commuter Contest, to promote use of the Decatur Street Bikeway, to promote SPSCC’s Sustainability Committee and to introduce the SWONA Poetry Post Walking Park stop. breathe clean air, meet your neighbors, get healthier, spend less on gas, help save Puget Sound, halt global warming, write a bike poem, have some fun on a beautiful work day. Yes!

WHEN and WHERE
Thursday May 1st, 7-9 am & 4-6 pm
am: coffee, juice, bagels; pm: 4-6 juice, cookies.

BYOC (cup); BYOP (poem); BYOBP (bike photo)

Aerial map and poetry post available all day long.

End of Decatur St SW, south off 9thAve,
at the Caton Way cul-de-sac

More information or to help staff the "Poetry Post" – contact swona2007@yahoo.com

May 10 - Third Annual Bike & Hike Trail Day

Come celebrate the Chehalis Western Trail on Saturday May 10th!

Thurston County Parks and Rec is putting on their 3rd Annual Bike and Hike Day to kick off their Friends of the Trail Program! Get out your bike, or walking shoes...even roller skates and come and join the community in celebrating our trail system. Event starts at 9am, at the Chambers Lake Trail Head off of 14th Ave, and goes until noon. Starbucks and Jamba Juice are a couple of the sponsors and will be there giving away free samples!

What fun, see you there!

Earth Day Market Ride Huge Success!

We had over 100 people attend the 3rd Annual Earth Day Market Ride, despite the forecast for snow! Thank you to all of the kids, families and individuals who came out and pedaled!

Everyone rode from our six designated neighborhood spots down to the fountain downtown and we proceeded on to the Farmers Market together. Once there, people registered for the contest received their free 2008 BCC waterbottles and did some grocery shopping. A lucky individual won the New Belgium Cruiser Bike we gave away, and has been contacted. Thank you everyone who entered in the drawing!