Call to Artists!

2nd Annual Zeit-Bike - Call to Artists
From Exit 133

The City of Tacoma has announced the second annual Zeit-Bike competition at the Tacoma Art Museum. This year’s theme is Surrealist Impulse where artists will employ the aesthetic approaches of Surrealism to render ordinary bicycles into art objects. The finished pieces of art will be on display at the Tacoma Art Museum from May 13 – 16.

Participating artists will also be invited to speak to the public about their work at the Tacoma Art Museum during May’s Artwalk, (the 15th). There will be a public judging of the bikes that night. The top prize will be a $250 Visa gift card, with a $100 second and $50 third prize.
(read more on how to enter)

How very cool! You have two months to design and build your Surrealist Impulse bicycle. Let us know if any of you Thurston County commuters enter the contest, I will post a write up about your art. ~KT ktarullo@intercitytransit.com

By Land, Sea, or Sky?

Commuting in the liquid lane

From The Seattle Times 1.22.08

Nat Hong and Bob Barrett commute on Puget Sound by bike — water bike, that is — to their jobs in Bremerton and Steilacoom.

"This is pretty hard to beat in terms of a pleasant commute," said Hong, who lives on Bainbridge Island and teaches at Olympic College in Bremerton.

The drive would be 80 miles round trip. But with his water bike, the trip to work is just 12 miles — including one mile on the water. Hong said he used to be irked because he could look across the water and see the place he worked.

"It needled and gnawed at me. The long drive didn't make sense." He began water biking in September.

Hong, 54, rides a regular bicycle a half-mile to the water, hops on his water bike for the 12- to 15-minute ride, and has another bicycle waiting for him at Illahee State Park in Bremerton. He rides up a steep hill to his job.

For nearly seven years, Barrett has been riding his bike two miles across Puget Sound from his home on tiny Ketron Island to a marina in Steilacoom. There, he catches a bus to his job as a safety-and-training instructor with Pierce Transit. (read more)

What an inspiration! And a truly beautiful commute. ~KT

Gasoline may hit $4 per gallon

Fuel prices are 12 cents short of record set in May 2007
From The Olympian 2.28.2008

South Sound drivers likely will pay a record-high price for gasoline this year, and there is a chance that prices could climb to $4 a gallon, industry observers and an economist predicted Wednesday.

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Olympia area Wednesday was $3.34, up 77 cents compared with a year ago and up 31 cents from a month ago, according to AAA. Still, it's 12 cents short of last year's record of $3.46, set in May, AAA reported. AAA spokeswoman Janet Ray wouldn't rule out the possibility that prices could climb to $4 a gallon in markets known to have the state's highest prices, including Bellingham and Vashon Island. "Maybe we can dodge the $4 bullet, but I don't think we can dodge the $3.50 bullet," she said of the Olympia area.

A spokesman for independent gasoline dealers said drivers' use of fuel will determine whether the milestone is reached.

"If people don't cut back, it's likely we will see $4," said Tim Hamilton, executive director of the nonprofit Automotive United Trades Organization of McCleary, which represents independent gasoline dealers statewide. (read more)

Note from the editor: This could be a great time to cut back, as mentioned above, if we do not, we could be looking at a new record for gas prices. I see this as a great incentive to get your bike out of your garage, give it a nice tune-up for about two weeks worth of gas money and get that thing out on the road instead of your car. I have been a bike commuter for several years now and an alternative transportation goer, but I spent the month of January commuting in my car because of limitations I endured during the month. I was appalled at the money I forgot I was saving by riding instead of driving. I spent $130 during the month to fuel my 26 mile per gallon Hyundai. That's almost $1600 per year spent on fuel for an economy car! Although I do not recommend getting back in your car if you already bike commute to check yourself, this was a great wake up for me to realize how much money I do save by commuting by bicycle. See how much money you would save...

Getting Started Bike Commuting

Have the gas prices got you down? Ever thought of bike commuting? You are not alone if you have thought about it, but have not made the move of venturing out for the first time. Some people need some tips on how to get started and some need a little push. This is precisely what the BCC is all about! Hopefully we can get you started. Here are a few tips on setting a beginning pace, what to wear, and finding the right route:

1. Start out easy: Don't be intimidated by stories of 25 mile bike commutes. Start out with a short 2 mile trip to the store or to a friend's to see how you feel on your bike. Set an easy goal of riding once a month or once a week to get started. If it rains on the day you have decided to venture out, re-schedule your ride for another day when you are more comfortable. Have someone more experienced ride with you your first time out if you are uncertain about riding in traffic (we have an event just for this near Earth Day called the Neighborhood Market Ride where experienced riders familiarize new bike commuters with riding in traffic, check out last year's).


2. Don't get scared off by all of the gear: The spandex and neon colors can be a bit frightening for people trying to get into bike commuting. While you want to be safe and be seen, you do not have to go out and buy all new stuff. Try biking with something in your closet first and see how you do. Lots of people commute in their jeans. Try to keep your hands and your feet warm and dry, your core will warm up a bit when you get your heart rate up. If you have a particularly long ride, you might want to gear up a bit more, especially if rain is in the forecast. Gear is different for everyone. It all depends on what you are comfortable wearing. There are a few necessities however: ALWAYS wear a helmet, even if you are only riding a mile down the street. Make sure your shoe laces are tied if you are wearing regular sneakers, and you will want to roll up your pants or tie them with a Velcro strap on your right leg (the drive train side of your bike). Wear a brighter color to be seen and if you are riding at night or in heavy fog, always have a white headlight and a red taillight affixed to you or your bike. If you are riding in the rain, fenders will become your best friend. These pieces of plastic (or metal) are way underrated. They will also keep the morning dew on the roads from spraying on your clothing even when it is not raining.


3. Finding your route: It is very important that you find a route that is accessible by bike for your commute. If you live on a busy street or normally drive your car on one to get to and from work/school/store, chances are good that there is an alternate way to get there that has less traffic. Look at a map and find a route that runs through a quiet neighborhood, or ride a little farther to use one of the local trail systems. Check out the Thurston County Bike Map to find streets with the most bike accommodations or to find the nearest trail to you. You can then map out a route for yourself and save it using Gmaps Pedometer. If you need help finding a route, send me an email and I will help you. ktarullo@intercitytransit.com

I will post in more detail about commuting tips and traffic etiquette, but for now, be safe and share the road!

Lance in the news, but not on racing...

Lance Armstrong unveils his new commuting bike shop
Cyclist hopes to encourage bike use in downtown
From the Austin American-Statesman 2.18.08

It's not about the bike sales.
That from Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, who plans in May to open a bike shop, commuting center, training facility and cafe in a 1950s-era building at the northwest corner of Fourth and Nueces streets.

"This city is exploding downtown. Are all these people in high rises going to drive everywhere? We have to promote (bike) commuting," Armstrong said Wednesday, gazing up at the towering 360 condos rising next to the site of his new shop. "This can be a hub for that."

Mellow Johnny's, named for the nickname Armstrong earned while wearing the Tour de France leader's "maillot jaune," or yellow jersey, will be housed in a yellow- and red-brick building next to the music venue La Zona Rosa. It is a block north of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, a path that will cut east-west through downtown Austin.

Armstrong said he'd like to see Austin evolve into a place like Portland, Ore., where biking is part of the culture and people pedal to work, to restaurants and to run errands. "Walk outside, and the streets are lined with bikes — because they have a safe place to ride," Armstrong said of the city long known for its bicycle-friendly amenities and policies.

So how does Austin get to that point?

"The (Lance Armstrong Bikeway) is a big start," he said. Armstrong and his general partner in the project, Bart Knaggs, said they'd like to see Austin create bike lanes separated from vehicle traffic and a system like a new one in Paris where people can use a credit card to rent a bicycle from a bike rack station and return it at any of the dozens of other stations around the city. (read more)

News: Washington State Bike Commuter

Story from the Columbian (WA) 2.17.08

Road Tales From A Bike Commuter
Tom Simon knows it made little sense to choose November to start commuting to work by bicycle. It can be cold, foggy, rainy, snowy and icy. It's dark both going and coming. But three or four days a week since November, Simon, 44, pulls on Lycra and neoprene and rides from his Felida home to work in Portland. It's a trip of 17 miles each way to his office on Northeast Sandy Boulevard. But there are bike lanes most of the way and other bicyclists to commune with. "It's a relatively bike-friendly commute," he said. "The best part is the commuting community. You feel safe."Simon, an engineer, is among a small but growing number of ­Vancouver commuters who brave the Interstate 5 Bridge from the bike lanes. Their numbers are expected to increase with higher gas prices, more highway delays and expanded bike capacity planned for the new I-5 bridge. He rates both Vancouver and Portland pretty good for bike friendliness but wishes drivers would keep their eyes open. "Please give us room," he said. "We're your neighbors out there living the American Dream and commuting to work." (Read More)

Bicycling Season is Around the Corner, or for some, it Never Ends!

Hello Bicycle Commute Enthusiasts! Bicycling season is around the corner, or should I say, BCC season. It is already time to start the planning for our countywide event that keeps growing every year! Last year we set new records and hopefully this year will follow with even more impressive participation. A few stats from last year to keep in mind:

• 1005 bike commuters signed up!
• 71% sent their mileage logs back in and pedaled over 87,500 miles collectively!
• Over 10,100 commute trips made by bicycle instead of a car
• We prevented the release of over 80,000 lbs. of CO2 into our environment

Some cycling events coming up for those who think the cycling season never ends!

• Feb 10th: Worst Day of the Year Ride, Portland, OR (2,000 person max)
• Feb 24th: Clif Bar Chilly Hilly, Seattle, WA (Must Register by Feb 13th!)
• Capital Bicycling Club's Weekend Rides: they go on ALL year long for all you die hards!

Stay tuned for more community bicycling info, rider profiles, and 2008 BCC news.

Ride Safely!

Rider Profile #2

Meet Gene!

Age: 40-50

Occupation: Test Lab Manager

Years of Bike Commuting: 1.5 yrs on the Oly to Dupont commute plus I commuted by bike to class when I was in college, 1976-1980, a few miles round trip most days

Current Average Commute Trip: 23 or 36 miles round trip. My commute frequently combines bike and vanpool.

Q. What got you started bike commuting? I have ridden for years, racing bikes in college then continuing to ride for fun and fitness. Leaving the car at home was the right thing to do. I was already hauling my bike to work a few days a week to ride at noon so it made sense to get more out of the time I spent riding each day. My wife and best friend, Karin, strongly encouraged me to ride to work. Once Pacific Hwy construction over the railroad was completed I had no excuse not to ride.

Q.What keeps you pedaling? I always enjoy riding. It never feels like a chore. There are few things more fun than the bike, but cycling is something I can do almost every day. It keeps me healthy and satisfies my “need for speed”.

Q. Is the route you chose the safest, fastest, most fun, or the only route available? Safest and fastest. Some days after work I hang the bike on an Intercity Transit Van in Dupont. I take the van to Sleater-Kinney where I get on the bike for a quick 5 mile ride to the house via the Chehalis-Western Trail.

Q. What style of bike do you ride on your commutes? 1992 GT Karakoram MTB frame with an outrageous paint job for visibility and theft deterrence, high pressure road tires for speed, full fenders with extensions and mudflaps for a dry ride on wet days, clipless pedals, cyclocross shoes for easy walking, a rear rack and pannier for cargo, an HID headlight, flashing tail lights, a bell and a compass.

Q. How long have you been a BCC participant? First time was last year. I won the “most miles for a first time participant” award.

Rider Profile #1

Meet Elaine! (see bike in background!)

Age: 25-35

Occupation: Webmaster, TwinStar Credit Union

Years of Bike Commuting: 3


Current Average Commute Trip: 11 miles

Q. What got you started bike commuting? I started bike commuting for the exercise and to be able to enjoy the nice weather (I've never been much of a driver.)

Q.What keeps you pedaling? I keep at it because it's the easiest way for me to get exercise; it's a quicker commute than the bus; I get time to think and enjoy the weather on nice days; and it's a huge boost to my overall mental health. Once I get into the rhythm of it, then it's just part of my routine. Plus, it's fun to ride the really short distances to go out to lunch.

Q. Is the route you chose the safest, fastest, most fun, or the only route available?
I picked my current route for a combination of reasons--it's reasonably safe, because the Boulevard stretch is all bike lane and the rest is low-traffic; I find Yelm Highway, which is more direct, too intimidating with the heavy traffic and really dirty bike lane; it's one of the less hilly routes so I'm not totally exhausted when I'm done, and that stretch through the side streets is a lot of fun to ride. Once the Woodland Trail is further along, though, I'll probably switch to that and the Chehalis-Western trail, because the Chehalis-Western is one of my very favorite places to ride.

Q. What style of bike do you ride on your commutes? The unusual part of my bike commuting story is that I only learned how to ride a bicycle at all 3 years ago, at the age of 29. I had some childhood experiences that led to my never learning how to ride, and then once you're an adult, it's tricky to get started. My husband, who is an avid mountain biker, found an unusual bike that is designed for putting your feet down easily. I bought my Electra Townie three years ago next month, and quickly discovered that I love riding, just the feel of it, the speed, and so on.

Q. How long have you been a BCC participant, and what are the benifits of participating? This is my second year. I like participating in the BCC as a challenge to myself, and this year as a way to encourage other people at work to bike. This year I persuaded 5 other people to take part as a work team, which makes me feel pretty good. My small part for the environment. And my current employer is paying the registration fees as part of their commitment to employee health.

Ride of Silence, May 16th

Unfortunately included in the realm of bicycle commuting, as in all of life's circumstances, are accidents. The Capitol Bicycling Club organized Olympia's local Ride of Silence to honor those who have been killed or injured on their bikes to conjoin with the National Ride of Silence on May 16th. The turnout was great with about 30 people attending. Mayor Foutch came to speak about rising environmental issues and the city's plans for more bike lanes, and thanked us for pedaling.

The more bikers we have out on the roads, the more awareness there will be which will hopefully lead to less accidents. So share the roads and keep on pedaling!

A NEW RECORD!

The BCC continues to grow! We have set a new record this year for participation in the BCC, as of right now we have 1002 participants!

• 2006: 889 participants
• 2005: Over 600 participants
• 2004: Previous record of 928 participants

What a way to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the contest. Thank you everybody for signing up and pedaling, both veterans and first timers. You are making a difference!

Thanks to all for their help with the 2007 Wrencher's Ball!

Thanks to local bike shop mechanics, community volunteers, and their wrenching abilities, we were able to tune-up 80 bikes at our annual Wrencher’s Ball! The Wrencher’s Ball is an all day, annual event that takes place the last Friday in April, right before the contest starts. It is a last chance effort to offer free bike service to those who wish to commute by bike and have signed up for the contest.

Thank you to Larry, Sam and Adam at OlyBikes for their professional mechanical work and all of their help and support with the BCC!




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

Thank you to Min Lee from Joy Ride in Lacey for your help and wrenching!

Thank you to Neil Siviy from Bike Guy, a bike repair service on Lybarger St NE, for your help wrenching!

And thank you to all of the community members who offered their help and/or wrenching abilities at the Wrencher's Ball!

The day ran very smoothly, thank you to everyone for your help! Great job!

If you missed this year's Wrencher's Ball, be sure to make next year's! Tune-up and safety check is free to all who sign up for the Bicycle Commuter Contest!

If you are missing a frame pack or lock, please email ktarullo@intercitytransit.com or call 705-5839.

Wrencher's Ball: Friday, April 27!

All registered participants can come get a free bicycle safety check and mini tune-up this Friday at our annual Wrencher's Ball event.

• Where: Olympia Transit Center (222 State Ave NE, downtown)
  


• When: Friday, April 27 from 7am-5pm



• Who: Anyone who is registered for the event, you may register here if you have not already
  

We still have a small amount of CatEye tail lights we are giving away with registration! So come early and sign up! It is first-come first-serve for bike maintenance, so be prepared to leave your bike with us for a while.

The Wrencher's Ball has been the BCC's most famous event, happening annually for the past several years! A couple of Intercity Transit employees started this event years ago to aid those who thought they could not participate in the contest because their bike was not in good enough shape. They took on the roll of tuning up their bikes for them, so they could participate and log their miles! So no excuses, come and get your bike fixed up to ride during May, and in the warm months to come!

Earth Day Market Ride a Hit!

Thanks to everyone who led rides and attended this past Saturday's Earth Day Market Ride! Despite the rain we had a great turnout of 44 riders!After meeting at the fountain we all pedaled to the Farmer's Market to sign everybody up for the contest and give away free CatEye tail lights with registration! We still have more lights which we will have at the Wrencher's Ball this coming Friday...stay tuned for more details!


















This is the group heading down Capitol. This ride counts as the first commute trip for the contest! So log those miles on your mileage log if you haven't already!



If anyone has any other pictures from
Saturday, send them to ktarullo@intercitytransit.com

Earth Day Market Ride: Saturday, April 21

This coming Saturday is the BCC's 2nd annual Earth Day Neighborhood Market Ride! A great way to kick off the contest and gain extra miles on your mileage log! We have ride leaders designated to seven different neighborhoods around Olympia this year. Check out our map and find the nearest meeting point to you and join in the ride! The ride leaders will take each ride downtown to Heritage Park and from there the rides will proceed together to the Olympia Farmer's Market. There will be an extra box on the mileage logs to log this trip.

At the Farmer's Market:

• Register for the contest at the Intercity Transit table
• FREE CatEye tail lights with registration! While supplies last
• Flat fix and basic bike maintenance demos
• Bike commute and bus route information available

This ride is a great place to gain experience riding with traffic if you are new to bike commuting, but anybody is welcome to come...we encourage it!

Check out our ride map (click on map for more details).

2006 Nieghborhood Market Ride

See you Saturday!

Welcome to Our New BCC Blog!

Welcome Bicycle Commuter Enthusiasts! Here you will be able to find out more detailed information about our events that are coming up and info on bike commute related topics. And if you have comments you would like to list about the related topics, please feel free! We are hoping this blog will enable us to be more interactive with our Bicycle Commuter Contest participants! Please remember all comments will be monitored before posting and if you leave contact information it will be viewed by all other visitors to this site.