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!