Defensive Riding Tips of the Day

Eyes forward, check from side to side.

A common hazard to the bicycle commuter riding on urban streets is traffic entering or crossing the street you are traveling on, from a side street. This can be a serious danger, but can be avoided if you develop the habit of riding defensively and keeping this hazard in your awareness.

• Remember that motorists are looking for other cars on the through street, and might look in your direction but just not register your presence because you are not a car.
• Watch for cars approaching from the side or pulling out into the through street.
• Be as visible as you can by wearing bright colors and using lights on your bike.
• When there are cars parked on your right, stay 3 feet away from them- this protects you from doors opening unexpectedly, and makes you more visible to side street traffic (as a cyclist, you are legally a vehicle on the road, with all the same rights and responsibilities as a driver of a car).
• If you see a car pulling out, prepare to stop or take evasive action and try to make eye contact with the driver. Don't assume that the driver sees you or will stop unless you make eye contact.
• Also check the vehicle's front wheels to see if they are rolling and which direction they are steering.
• It is tempting to ride fast, especially downhill, or when trying to make it through timed traffic lights. Just remember that the faster you are going, the less time you and another road user have to react when you see each other, the longer it will take you to stop, and the harder you'll crash if you crash. If you are going to ride fast, do it defensively: be even more sure you are visible, be even more vigilant, ride in the center of your lane, keep your hands near your brakes, and obey traffic laws and signals.

Bike Safe, Bike Visible!

Probably preaching to the choir here but still, a little reminder that when you are out biking around at this time of year, visibility is very often limited for motorists and other cyclists. If it is dark and rainy, it is very hard for a motorist to see a pedestrian or cyclist on the road- unless... that is unless you are wearing bright colors with reflective striping, and have at least one bright, properly mounted and aimed white light on the front of your bike and at least one properly mounted and aimed red rear light. The newest and brightest LED lights are very bright and eye-catching, but even they need to be aimed toward the eye of an approaching driver. LED's are bright, but still very directional, meaning they throw a narrow focused beam, meaning that if the light is not aimed properly, much of it's effectiveness is lost. This is especially important for older LED lights which are much dimmer, and are practically useless unless aimed directly toward the eye of an oncoming driver. Clipping a light to your messenger bag doesn't do the trick. Your light needs to be mounted so that it projects its beam nearly parallel to the ground, and as close as possible to straight forward or back from your bike. As always, ride predictably and respect other road users, and I wish you a long life of safe cycling!

Seattle Bike Swap and Bike Expo

Be sure to plan ahead for the Seattle Bike Swap (Feb 27th, 2010) and the Bike Expo (March 13-14), both are great ways to kick start your cycling season. The swap meet features many, many vendors selling and swapping anything to do with bikes (including bikes), and some very good bargains can be had, especially if you wait until near the end, when folks are really ready to get rid of stuff, and not wanting to haul it home. At past swaps, I have bought helmets, raingear, panniers, all manner of bicycle parts, and even complete bikes, all at excellent prices. It is a crowded and hectic affair, somewhat like an old fashioned flea-market, with a little friendly jostling and a lot of friendly bargaining to be expected. Find out more here:
http://cascade.org/EandR/bikeswap/index.cfm

The Bike expo is the place to see and buy all the latest and greatest gear, see demos and photos, sign up for the STP and other rides, and hob-nob with cycling's shining stars. Find out more:
http://www.cascade.org/EandR/expo/index.cfm

2010 Rider Profile #1 Erika Lari

We didn't have a chance to publish all the rider profiles we gathered in 2009, so we'll start posting a few of them now from time to time- maybe you'll see a friend, or find some inspiration to get out on your bike!

Erika Lari:

What is your age?
31
What is your occupation?
Graphic designer
How many years have you been commuting by bike?
1 year
How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest?
First time this year
Describe your current average or usual commute (distance, terrain, urban/rural, etc.)
2 miles, suburban/urban
What got you started bike commuting?
I inherited some bikes after my dad died and it seemed like the easiest option since my husband and I only have one car. the only thing was that I have never commuted by bike and I hadn't even ridden one in over a dozen years. so, it was a challenge, but I'm glad i started. I eventually bought a bike that fit me better, and I've learned an awful lot thanks to the internet and local bike shops.
How have you adapted to make bike commuting work for you?
I can now how haul a bike up a stair case to keep it in my office. it really doesn't take that long and other than getting some cotton stretch pants to wear under dresses, I don't make many accommodations in my wardrobe.
What are some of the benefits you have experienced from commuting by bike?
I live uphill from where i work, so I've certainly gained stamina and muscle tone as well as the fun ride downhill in the morning. It's like my third cup of coffee.
What is it that keeps you going, especially when the going is tough (weather, darkness, inertia, etc)?
My bike has fenders, dyno hub lights, etc. and most of my winter coats are bright primary colors. I have a bern muse helmet that happened to also be certified as a ski helmet, so it came with a detachable lining. It keeps my head very warm. I even prefer to ride in the cold or rain because I don't sweat as much. With the right gear and such a short ride, it's really not that bad. I only don't ride if it's torrential rain or snow. in those cases, I walk or carpool.
How do you choose your route (most direct, least traffic, most scenic, etc)? Direct and least traffic. The more I ride, the more comfortable I am with traffic.
What style of bike do you ride to commute?
Specialized Globe city commuter bike.
Any words of wisdom for the beginning commuter?
Be patient with yourself. I've never been terribly athletic, and people would tell me that it would get easier in a week or a month, but you just have to do it at your own pace and your own way. I don't feel comfortable in a lot of 'bike gear' either, so I found vintage raincoats and things that make me feel comfortable riding. It really does get easier to fit it into your life and the next thing you know, you miss it when you don't do it.

WELCOME BACK! The Bicycle Commuter Contest is alive and well- yawning and stretching a bit after its 6 month hiatus, but raring to go. We're looking forward to a great year for bicycle commuting and the BCC and hoping to increase participation yet again in 2010. Stay tuned for updates and info, and keep an eye on our Links and Events for interesting and informative commuting advice and news. As always, do stay in touch- feel free to post a comment here, or contact me directly by e-mail at:
dgreen@intercitytransit.com
Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to seeing you at one of our events in April, and seeing your registration form on my desk!

Duncan Green
Bicycle Commuter Contest
dgreen@intercitytransit.com
360-705-5874
PO Box 659
Olympia, WA 98507-0659

Absolute Final Results for the 2009 BCC!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this another great year for the Bicycle Commuter Contest! My stalwart helpers here at Intercity Transit, the many volunteers who helped out with events like the Wrenchers Ball and the Earth Day Ride, the 50 sponsors (mostly local businesses), the local jurisdictions, the Team Captains and EmployeeTransportation Coordinators, and most of all, YOU- the people who got out there on your bikes and rode instead of driving a car!

I have finished entering the data from all the mileage Logs that came in after the deadline, and here are the revised numbers:
1633 people registered to participate.
899 of them turned in a mileage log.
102,379 total miles were logged by those who turned in a log.
11,703 was the number of days those people rode their bikes.
60 teams turned in mileage logs.
695 of the 1182 people on teams returned their log.
194 of the 449 individual participants turned in their log.

We did a mass mailing of coupon packets last week- if you turned in a mileage log, and have not received your coupon packet, please contact me ASAP with all your current contact info, and I will send you your coupons. My last day on the job for this year will be July 9, so if you need to reach me, do so before then! I will be checking in and updating the blog periodically over the summer, but will not be checking my Intercity Transit e-mail account with any regularity. I'll try to post a couple more Commuter Profiles before I wrap up for the year, and I'll be posting interesting links as I find them. Thanks for visiting, and supporting the BCC blog!

2009 BCC TEAM Winner Results

TEAM Total Miles
1 Clean Air Act 10,834.5
2 Evergreen 7,571.1
3 WDFW 6,065.1
4 TEAM BARLEY DAVIDSON 5,547.8
5 Green Wheels 5,530.9


TEAM Average Miles Per Rider
1 TEAM BARLEY DAVIDSON 462.3
2 DOT: Cyclical Psycho Cyclers 255.3
3 Green Wheels 212.7
4 ESRI 203.8
5 PNW Olympia 203.6


TEAM Total Days
1 Evergreen 729
2 Clean Air Act 665
3 WDFW 579
4 City of Olympia 478
5 Green Wheels 304


TEAM Avg Days/per Rider
1 Oly Bikes 28
2 Crossballers 23.5
3 Union Rollers 17.6
4 Team Fish Tale 17.5
5 ESRI 17.3


TEAM First Time Riders Recruited
1 Evergreen 46
2 Green Wheels 26
3 Clean Air Act 24
4 OHS Bikers 21
5Mental Wheelness 16


TEAM First Time Riders, Days Ridden
1 Evergreen 444
2 Pioneer Bear Cubs 223
3 OHS Bikers 187
4 Clean Air Act 177
5 City of Olympia 108


Outstanding Team Captains:
Travis Skinner - Evergreen
Jef Lucero - DOT
Kerry Tarullo - City of Olympia
Margaret Hill - Clean Air Act
Tanna Lambert - Bayview-Ralphs Thriftway
Stephanie Kerr - Green Wheels
Mark Longrie - Barley Davidson
Claire Kunkle - OHS

2009 BCC PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Here is a stripped-down version of the Individual Winners Results for the 22nd Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest. I'll post Team Results separately. Where there is more than one person in the same Place standing, a tie is indicated. I am leaving for a short vacation tomorrow, and will post a more detailed version with complete stats when I get back. Winners will receive a letter in the mail, which they must bring with them to the Intercity Transit Administrative Offices to pick up their prizes.

Thanks again for participating in the BCC this year!

First Time Juniors:
Most MILES
1st Dora Hamilton
1st Amelia Hamilton
2nd ShelbyHageman
3rd Katherine Franklin
4th Dominick Stevenson
5th Leo Gordon
5th Denali Cool

Most DAYS

1st Shelby Hageman
2nd Dominick Stevenson
3rd Forrest Milam
4th Katherine Franklin
5th Amelia Hamilton
5th Dora Hamilton

Veteran Juniors:
Most MILES
1st Lewis Whiley
2nd Quinn Johnson
3rd Ian Cates Doglio
4th AllieBreon
5th William Spidle

Most DAYS
1st LewisWhiley
2nd William Spidle
3rd Ian Cates Doglio
4th Keith Matthews
5th Jack Bowers
5th Aidan Lally
5th AllieBreon

First Time Youth
Most MILES
1st Luke Vannice
2nd ChrisMullen
3rd AshleyHetzel
4th James Kelly
5th TedKnudsen

Most DAYS
1st Luke Vannice
2nd Yoni Browning
3rd Evelyn Carlson
3rd Julia VanDerslice
4th Will Lykins
5th Chris Gage

Veteran Youth
Most MILES

1st Robert Miller
2nd Mirrah Stoller
3rd Claire Kunkle
4th Richard Medeiros
5th Seth Weaver

Most DAYS
1st Skyler Davis
2nd Milo Price
3rd Johnathan Wakefield
4th Lewis Faller
5th Claire Kunkle

First Time Adults
Most MILES
1st Overall Jonathan Hutton
2nd Michaela Favre
3rd Christopher Grande
4th David Van Haelst
5th DaleAckley
5th Jodi Halvorson
5th Mark McArthur

Most DAYS
1st John Paul Kwan
1st Erika Lari
2nd Ken Sutto
2nd Kat Dziekan
3rd Dave Sanford
4th Matthew Anderson
5th EmilyDriskill
5th Mitchell Vorwerke

Veteran Adults
Most MILES
1st Mike Braaten
1st MarkLongrie
2nd Russell Rogers
3rd Bob Kirchmeier
3rd Ann Butler

4th LisaFaker
5th John Hansen
Hon. Mention Rick Kanz

Most DAYS
1st Jacob Austin
1st Sam Kates-Goldman
1st Daniel Saldutti
1st Chris Hawkins
2nd Andrew Gordon
3rd Ann Butler
4th Justin Bombara
5th Jim Dorgan
5th Bil Fleming

FirstTime Seniors

Most MILES
1st Brian Emmons
2nd Bruce Crawford
3rd DonCarr
4th Linda K. George
5th LarryHolt

Most DAYS
1st Linda K. George
2nd Don Carr
3rd Thay Nguyen
4th Larry Holt
5th Bob Zeigler

Veteran Seniors:
Most MILES
1st Bob Lang
2nd Wayne Vander Pol
3rd DeweyWeaver
4th Douglas Woollen
5th Burke O'Leary

Most DAYS
1st Doug Woollen
1st Bob Lang
2nd Ted Focke
3rd Dewey Weaver
4th Steve Schroder
5th Lilly Love

2009 BCC Participation Results Are In!

Thanks for being a part of the Bicycle Commuter Contest- it has been another great year!
Thank you for being one of 1633 citizens to participate the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest. Your commitment to choose your bicycle as your mode of transportation during the month of May helped make our community a more livable, sustainable and healthy place to call home. This year’s participants recorded 100,836 miles on 11,500 round-trip
commutes, preventing roughly 100,000 pounds of C02 from entering our atmosphere, and measurably reducing pollution and traffic congestion. Your efforts and your transportation choices are greatly appreciated. Thanks for riding your bike, and going the extra mile!
I am tallying the final results of the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest today, so any mileage logs received from this point forward (until we mail out coupons) will be gratefully accepted, and you will receive your coupon packet, but it's too late to win any prizes or have your numbers included in our final results totals.
I will be announcing the winners of our many prize categories, and awarding prizes at our Award Ceremony at the Olympia Farmers Market this Saturday, June 20, at 2pm on the main stage.
Please join me in celebrating another great year for the Bicycle Commuter Contest! (you need not be present to receive your prize, if you are a winner)

3rd Annual “Bike the Deschutes” Event

When: July 26, 2009, start any time between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Where: Tumwater Historical Park, 777 Simmons Road SW, Tumwater

Cost: Free!

Celebrate summer at the 3rd Annual Bike the Deschutes event on Sunday, July 26.
The ride offers 5, 20 and 30 mile routes designed for families and recreational cyclists. All three routes begin and end at Tumwater Historical Park. Each route provides opportunities to learn about the Deschutes River watershed. Riders can start any time between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Children and adults who want to join in the fun can make salmon art and a delicious "edible aquifer". The event includes live music, educational displays, free snacks, and a raffle drawing for bike gear and other great prizes donated by local businesses.

New for 2009 is the incorporation of Olympia’s Woodland Trail into the 20 and 30 mile routes. Bike the Deschutes has gone from 100 riders in the first year to 200 last year. The team’s goal for 2009 is 300 riders. Please help make this year’s ride the best Bike the Deschutes yet!

To pre-register for the event or for more information, log on to:
http://web.mac.com/bikeyourwatershed/Site/Welcome.html
Or Google “Bike the Deschutes”

LAST CHANCE!!! TURN IN YOUR MILEAGE LOGS!

Many, many thanks to the many of you who participated in the BCC this year, and have turned in your mileage logs. There are still quite a few of you out there who haven't managed to get that mileage log turned in though, so if that's you, or someone you know, you can still turn it in! We REALLY want to know how much you rode your bike in May! Thanks again, and hope to see you at the Farmers Market on Saturday, June 20 at 2pm for our Award Ceremony!

Counting, Counting, the miles are adding up!

I know, I know, the suspense is unbearable! I am cross-eyed with entering the data into our database, and I still have probably a full day's work ahead of me, just to get the data entered. Then I'll have to tabulate the results for teams and individuals in many different categories, and figure out what prizes to give to which winners, and hopefully I'll be all ready in time for the award ceremony on the 20th! Forgive the lack of entries on the blog- I'm just crunching numbers as fast as I can....

Commuter Profile #6 - Constance Lantagne

What is your age? 55
What is your occupation? Contract Administrator
How many years have you been commuting by bike? First time since the late 90's before the new bridge on Harrison
How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? Second time
Describe your current average or usual commute (distance, terrain, urban/rural, etc.) 18 miles round trip. Ride up Mudd Bay Rd from Kaiser to Providence St Peter hospital. Terrain urban and well Ralph's Thriftway hill in the morning (let's me know I'm alive at 6:00 am and not too old to pump up that long hill) and back up Harrison at night (I really am able to leave work at work, there's not time to labor over work only labor up the hill)
What got you started bike commuting? St Peter's Environmental Committee joined the hospital commute contest to lower our carbon footprint.
How have you adapted to make bike commuting work for you? (I bought padded bike shorts soft on the tush :) I leave the house at 5:30 am so that I'm basically the only vehicle riding down Harrison hill as a result over the month of May I've gotten more confident manauvering the hill at a fast pace. You see, I have no problem working hard to bike up hills, it's the going down hills fast that I had to get used to. Also, when I'm riding through town if it looks like people driving cars don't recognize me I stand up on my pedals so that they see me. I also stand up in parking lots so that I'm more visable. I learned how to fold cloths so that by the time I get to work they look like I just took them off the hanger. It also helps to have showers at the hospital. And when "that guy" (don't know who he is but he's a power house) bikes by me in the mornings as I'm working my way up Ralph's Thriftway hill and leaves me in his dust in an instant it seems; as the days go by he doesn't leave me in his dust as quickly and that makes me feel like I'm getting stronger and not laboring so much up "that hill".
What are some of the benefits you have experienced from commuting by bike? I am braver going down hills fast, the celulite is turning into muscle, and my husband brags about my bike commute to everyone so even after 31 years around each other, he has new bragging material and it's cool to have a veteran biker like him think that my 18 mile commute is something to brag about. Also, in May the lilacs and rhodies were blooming making it a delicious fragarent ride. When I ride my bike to work in the morning I feel like I'm not in auto pilot (re. wake up, get in the car and presto I'm at work) riding my bike takes personal effort and it's something I do just for me :)
What is it that keeps you going, especially when the going is tough (weather, darkness, inertia, etc)? I don't know if I have to get song rights but, when the hills get tough I break into the song "...I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car, don't go too fast but, I go pretty far..." that is my mantra and voila I'm up the hill :)
How do you choose your route (most direct, least traffic, most scenic, etc)? The most direct route in the morning, on the way home I ride into the neighborhood to the right of Harrison hill to stay away from the commute traffic and the heat of the road and I have several ways to go home so I don't get bored.
What style of bike do you ride to commute? Nashbar Road Warrior bike -you could say it is a mountain bike.
Any words of wisdom for the beginning commuter? Stay alert!!! Watch for people in parked cars you are going to drive by, they will open their doors without realizing that your bike is rolling by. Buy padded biking shorts. Go ahead and step out of your comfort zone and try commuting once you've done it for a month or so you will find it is one of the best ways to personally lower your carbon footprint, get stronger mentally and physically. It's very empowering.

" Bridge the Gap" Phase II Ground-Breaking a Success!

City, County and State elected officials prepare to dig in as community members look on, at the June 6 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the bridge over Martin Way, the second of three bridges which will connect the northern segment of the Chehalis-Western Trail with the southern segment, and the Lacey Woodland Trail, further enabling both recreational and practical cyclists and walkers to move safely and efficiently around our community.
(Pictured, left to right: Tumwater City Council Member Pete Kmet, Thurston County Commisioner Karen Valenzuela, Olympia Mayor Doug Mah, Lacey Mayor Graham Sacresen, Thurston County Commisioner and Intercity Transit Board Member Sandra Romero, and Congressman Brian Baird)

Today is the Day!

Time to Turn in that Mileage Log!

We had a record turn-out for the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest,

now let's make sure we follow through and record a record level of participation.

A big part of the impact of the BCC comes from the data that we collect about the cycling habits of our community. It is also a great way to provide feedback to us about the contest, and to the local jurisdictions about cycling conditions in our area. So please, turn in your Mileage Record at the Olympia Transit Center today!

They are open until 7pm, and if you left your log at home, they are downloadable here:

http://www.intercitytransit.com/files/13/Bicycle_Commuter_Contest_2009_mileage_log.pdf

Thanks so much for helping make this a great year for the Bicycle Commuter Contest, and stay tuned for more info about our Award Ceremony, and the winners of the different categories in the contest!

Bridging the Gap - Phase II Ground Breaking

SAVE THE DATE!
June 6 at 3:00 pm
Chehalis-Western Trail
‘Martin Way Bridge’ Ceremony
Saturday, June 6th is National Trails Day and Thurston Regional Planning Council is celebrating it by breaking ground on the Chehalis-Western Trail ‘Martin Way Bridge’!
This is the second of three bridges that will connect the Chehalis-Western Trail over I-5, ultimately linking this trail with the Woodland Trail and the I-5 Bike Trail. Congressman Brian Baird will be on hand for this event, joining local dignitaries to kick-off this important regional trail project.
Festivities begin at 3:00 on the north side of Martin Way, where the Chehalis-Western Trail currently terminates. The location is readily accessible by bike from throughout the metropolitan area, and is served by Intercity Transit routes 62A and 62B. Please plan on joining us as we celebrate the start of the second ‘Bridging the Gap’ project, the bridge over Martin Way. For more information please contact Thera Black at 360.956.7575 or email at blackvt@trpc.org.
June 6, 2009
Ground-breaking Ceremony
Martin Way Bridge
3:00 pm
Chehalis-Western Trail
At Martin Way
Brought to you by:
Thurston County
Thurston Regional Planning Council

Commuter Profile #5 - Lilly Moneer

What is your Age? 38
What is your Occupation? Administrative Assistant
How long have you been commuting by bike? 6 years
Describe your current average or usual commute (distance, terrain, urban/rural, etc.) About 12 miles round trip, from rural to urban. Most of the commute has a bike lane, except the Deschutes River bridge on Henderson Boulevard. I’ve learned to take my part of the lane to dissuade cars from passing me while we cross.
What got you started bike commuting? Cycling to work is a great way to sneak in additional workouts. It doesn’t take that much longer than when I drive and I arrive to work fully awake and in a great mood. Plus I’m already committed to an afternoon workout – no talking myself into napping instead of exercise.

What is it that keeps you going, especially when the going is tough (weather, etc)? I’m not a year-round bike commuter. My bike commute season begins when it’s light outside for the morning ride. Appropriate clothing layers make wet and chilly days much more tolerable.
How do you choose your route (most direct, least traffic, most scenic, etc)? Least traffic and most direct.
What style of bike do you ride to commute? Hybrid
How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? 4
Any words of wisdom for the beginning commuter? Practice riding your commute on a weekend to get a feel of the terrain and how much time your ride will take. I found that the easiest route to drive to work is not the best cycling route. Wear bright, reflective clothing and a helmet. Use your lights even in the day and signal your intentions. Anything that will make drivers notice you is good.

2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest Ends, Bicycle Commuting Keeps on Rolling!

Many thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest!! We set another new record for the number of participants this year, with 1623 people commiting to ride their bikes to work school or on errands during the month of May, and to turn in a mileage log at the end of the month. Now is the time to see how many miles we rode, how many trips we made, how much cleaner our air is as a result, and how much we reduced our "carbon footprint"- and then to celebrate with prizes and awards! We'll have a gala Award Ceremony on Saturday June 20, at 2pm, at the Olympia Farmers Market. So please, turn in your mileage log ASAP (deadline June 8). If you have not received one, you can download and print one by navigating to: http://www.intercitytransit.com/files/13/Bicycle_Commuter_Contest_2009_mileage_log.pdf

or email me and I will send you one: dgreen@intercitytransit.com

You can send them in any of the following ways, but please get them in by Monday, June 8th:

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


• Pedal or walk it in to the Olympia Transit Center 6:30am-7pm and weekends 10am-7pm


• Scan and email it to me: dgreen@intercitytransit.com


• Fax it to: 306-357-6184
• If you are part of a Worksite Team, turn in your log to your Team Captain

2009 Commuter Profile #4 - Michael Braaten

What is your age? 41.

What is your occupation? I supervise the Property Tax Exemption and Deferral Programs for the Department of Revenue.

How many years have you been commuting by bike? I've been commuting by bike on and off for more than 30 years.

Describe your current average or usual commute (distance, terrain, urban/rural, etc.) My usual commute varies depending on traffic conditions and the weather. It's part suburban, part rural, part urban, part freeway. I have a number of great route options to choose from. Some are relatively flat, but my usual route has some good hills.

What got you started bike commuting? I started commuting seriously in college. I attended the University of Washington and worked at a restaurant in Ballard. I didn't have a car, and since it was only 5 miles to work, it was much faster by bike than by bus. In my current job, I am really fortunate to have excellent support at work for bike commuting, including bike parking, alternative commute incentives, and shower facilities. I also get a lot of support from my wife. She is really tolerant of our Friday post-ride "transportation" meetings at my house with my commuter friends.

What is it that keeps you going, especially when the going is tough (weather, etc)? I use bike commuting as a way to train for racing cyclocross and mountain bikes. If you've ever seen an early season mountain bike race or a cyclocross race in December, you know that the conditions we faced in early May are typical racing conditions. I also commute with a good friend, and I know he is going to show up at my door to ride every morning, rain or shine.

How do you choose your route (most direct, least traffic, most scenic, etc)? Weather and traffic conditions are the biggest factors. Some of the roads I ride have little to no shoulder, so while they might be fine on a clear morning with light traffic, they aren't such a good choice with high traffic volumes and bad visibility. When I-5 backs up, it's a lot of fun to ride on the shoulder past hundreds of stopped cars. Most people are supportive and I'm sure a lot of them wish they were riding too.

What style of bike do you ride to commute? I have a Specialized road bike that I ride when it's reasonably dry out, and a Cannondale disc brake cyclocorss bike that has been converted to a wet weather commuter. I have also ridden my Cannondale Scalpel mountain bike to work a few times. My friends and I have a longstanding joke that all of my bikes are mountain bikes.

How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? I have participated in the commuter contest every year since 2004.

2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest Draws to a Close

Yikes! I don’t know how it happened, but it’s almost June, and the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Contest is almost over! I hope your experience of riding your bike this month to work, school or on errands has been successful and enjoyable. I especially hope that you will share your experience with us by sending in or dropping off your Mileage Log at the Olympia Transit Center before June 8!

Two of the biggest objectives of the BCC are:

1. Getting people out on their bikes for utilitarian purposes, and reaping the many benefits of having fewer cars on the road.
2. Having a record of how much you bicycled, and adding to what we know about the bicycle commuting habits of our community.

To that end, when you signed up, we asked you to ride your bike, and we asked you to keep track of your miles and turn in your log. It doesn’t matter how little you think you rode- even if you only rode once in May, we still want to know about it. Your feedback about road conditions is also very valuable, and the cities and the County take it seriously.
On top of all that, when we receive your log, we can send you your coupon and discount packet, and possibly a prize!

So please, send in or drop off your BCC Mileage Log
(or turn it in to your team captain)
to the Olympia Transit Center, 222 State Ave Olympia, WA 98501
hours: M-F 6:30am-7pm, Sa-Su: 10am-7pm

Make Your Miles Count!

And, come to our grand Awards Ceremony
Saturday, June 20, 2pm at the Olympia Farmer’s Market Main Stage
If you wear your 2009 BCC T-shirt, you can have your picture taken with your bike after the award ceremony. T-shirts are still available at the Olympia Transit Center, and are on sale for $7.50 each, or $5.00 if you buy more than one.