BCC IN THE NEWS!!!

Biking to work yields rewards: Cyclists enjoy health benefits, skip gas station, have time to reflect

From The Olympian 4.13.08

Last May, Dr. Bob Lang parked his car in the garage of his Johnson Point-area home at the beginning of the Bicycle Commuter Contest. "And I didn't take it out for the month," the neurosurgeon said.

Not only did Lang, 60, ride his bike more than 20 miles round trip to Providence St. Peter Hospital almost daily, he also used pedal power to run all of his errands.
The result: Lang biked a whopping 1,218 miles during the month of May, the most miles reported i n the competition, which drew more than 1,000 participants.

Registration is open for this year's Bicycle Commuter Contest, also known as the BCC. It begins May 1 and is open to all Thurston County residents.

In its 21st year, the contest offers cycling education, free bike tune-ups, and prizes and awards. To participate, riders need to register, record and report their mileage during the month of May. The contest began in 1988 as a challenge between a few workplaces in Olympia and about 30 participants.

These days, it's organized by Intercity Transit and features an assortment of related events, such as next Sunday's Earth Day Market Ride, which encourages people to form neighborhood rides to Olympia Farmers Market, and the Wrencher's Ball, a free bicycle safety check at the Olympia Transit Center on April 25.

Organizers say the contest has grown mainly because more people are choosing to run their errands by bicycle and bike to work.

Surveys show bicycle commuting has increased more than 75 percent during the past decade, according to the state Department of Transportation.

"The level of interest in alternative travel modes has jumped substantially," said Meg Kester, a spokeswoman at IT. "... Commuting is expensive, and is getting more expensive every week."
Lang bikes to work during the spring, summer and fall. Besides saving gasoline money, he said it allows him to view wildlife and get a good cardio workout every day.

"I lost 17 pounds during the last contest," he said.

But riders say a lengthy commute isn't required to benefit from the experience. For example, Kathy Chapman only rides about two miles from her home to the state Department of Health in Tumwater, where she is a manager for the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program.

It usually takes less time to ride than it does to drive.

"It's also easy to park," said Chapman, 42. "I don't have to worry about parking in the parking garage. I have front-door parking."

Last year's participants pedaled more than 87,000 miles during May, Kester said.
"There was a cumulative reduction of 80,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions," she said. "Anytime there is a reduction in CO2 emissions, that helps offset the greenhouse effect and the contribution on global warming."

Riders collectively saved more than $14,000 in gasoline money, as well, IT officials said.

Brian Mitchell, 35, of Olympia used last year's contest to begin a major lifestyle change - one that makes little use of his Nissan Frontier truck, which burned through more than $120 a month in gasoline. (read more)

What great coverage of the BCC and bicycle commuting! The article touched on three main points of bicycle commuting, and the contest, and why it exists:

First, the long hauls that Dr. Lang endures on his daily commute are very beneficial in that he saves a ton of money in gas prices and stays fit.

Second, the short trips that Kathy Chapman makes to her worksite, merely two miles away benefit her in a major way. She spends ten minutes biking to work, and ten minutes back, which does not seem like a lot, but adds up to 20 minutes a day of exercise that she would not get sitting in her car, AND she does not have to find parking once she gets there, she gets front row...and it's free.

Third, Brian Mitchell has started bike commuting because of the BCC which encouraged him to start when he joined for the first time last year. THIS is precisely what the BCC is all about. Way to go Brian, for starting a lifestyle change that spawned from the BCC.

Let's ALL get out and ride this year, and ditch those gas prices! ~KT

How to Fit a Bicycle Helmet

Easy Instructions from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute:

Time invested in fitting a helmet pays big safety and comfort dividends!

Your objective: Snug, Level, Stable
You want the helmet to be comfortably touching the head all the way around, level and stable enough to resist even violent shakes or hard blows and stay in place. It should be as low on the head as possible to maximize side coverage, and held level on the head with the strap comfortably snug.

Be Prepared for the Worst
Heads come in many sizes and shapes. You should be prepared for the possibility that the helmet you are trying to fit may not be compatible with this particular head. And unfortunately, you should expect to spend ten to fifteen minutes to get your helmet properly fitted.

1. Adjust the fit pads or ring
Helmets that fit with pads come with at least one set of foam fitting pads, and if you got a second set of thicker pads it can be used to customize the shape. For starters, you can often remove the top pad entirely or use the thinnest ones. This lowers the helmet on the head, bringing its protection down further on the sides. It may reduce the flow of cooling air slightly, but probably not enough to notice.

Adjust the side fit pads by using thicker pads if your head is narrow and there is a space, or add thicker pads in the back for shorter heads. You may also move pads around, particularly on the "corners" in the front and rear. Leaving some gaps will improve air flow. The pads should touch your head evenly all the way around, without making the fit too tight. The pads may compress slightly over time, but not much, so do not count on that to loosen the fit. The helmet should sit level on the head, with the front just above the eyebrows, or if the rider uses glasses, just above the frame of the glasses. If you walk into a wall, the helmet should hit before your nose does!
There are also helmets on the market that use a fitting ring rather than side pads for adjustment. With these one-size-fits-all models you begin by adjusting the size of the ring. Some of them may require the ring so tight for real stability on your head that they feel binding, but loosening the ring can produce a sloppy fit, indicating that the helmet is not for you.

2. Adjust the straps
Now put the helmet on and fasten the buckle. Be sure the front is in front! You want to adjust it to the "Eye-Ear-Mouth" test developed by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine:

• When you look upward the front rim should be barely visible to your eye
• The Y of the side straps should meet just below your ear
• The chin strap should be snug against the chin so that when you open your mouth very wide you feel the helmet pull down a little bit.

With the helmet in position on your head, adjust the length of the rear straps, then the length of the front straps, to locate the Y fitting where the straps come together just under your ear. That may involve sliding the straps across the top of the helmet to get the length even on both sides. Then adjust the length of the chin strap so it is comfortably snug. If it cuts into the chin and is not comfortable, it is too tight. Now pay attention to the rear stabilizer if the helmet has one. It can keep the helmet from jiggling in normal use and make it feel more stable, but only a well-adjusted strap can keep it on in a crash.

When you think the straps are about right, shake your head around violently. Then put your palm under the front edge and push up and back. Can you move the helmet more than an inch or so from level, exposing your bare forehead? Then you need to tighten the strap in front of your ear, and perhaps loosen the rear strap behind your ear. Again, the two straps should meet just below your ear. Now reach back and grab the back edge. Pull up. Can you move the helmet more than an inch? If so, tighten the rear strap.

For a final check, look in a mirror or look at the wearer whose helmet you are fitting. Move the helmet side to side and front to back, watching the skin around the eyebrows. It should move slightly with the helmet. If it does not, the fit pads are probably too thin in front or back.
When you are done, your helmet should be level, feel solid on your head and be comfortable. It should not bump on your glasses (if it does, tighten the nape strap). It should pass the eye-ear-mouth test. You should forget you are wearing it most of the time, just like a seat belt or a good pair of shoes. If it still does not fit that way, keep working with the straps and pads, or try another helmet.

Note: with a helmet that fits this well on a child, you must be sure the child removes the helmet before climbing trees and playing on playground equipment. Otherwise there is a risk of catching the helmet and being strangled! That doesn't happen in normal bike riding, even in crashes, but it can happen while climbing trees or monkey bars. Here is a page with details on that problem.

Finally, you want the straps to stay adjusted. Some helmets--even expensive ones--do not have locking pieces on the side where the straps come together under your ear. If you can move the side buckle with your hand, it will migrate in use. We call that "strap creep," and it is a major problem. If your helmet has non-locking side pieces, that means you have to either put on a rubber band and snug it up under the side buckle, or you will need to sew the straps when you have the fit just right. If you use heavy thread you only need five or six stiches to hold it. It's an extra chore, but worth it. We have a page on strap creep if you need more details.

You're Done!

We hope it worked for you. Let the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute know how they can improve these instructions.

DOT Seeking Comments

The Washington Department of Transportation is seeking the publics' opinion about the 2008-2027 draft plan for state bicycle facilities and pedestrian walkways.
See details here: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/bike_plan.htm

Please take this chance to comment about your opinions on our community's bicycle/pedestrian future! Click on the link above and you can download the draft plan and leave comments through email or phone. There are public hearings planned for the month of April as well, anyone can attend these hearings and speak their mind about the plan for our state's bike/ped accessibility:

April 22, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
WSDOT, Southwest Region Office
11018 NE 51^st Circle
Vancouver

April 23, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Hal Holmes Center
209 N. Ruby Street
Ellensburg

April 24, 7 – 9 p.m.
West Central Community Center
1603 N. Belt Street
Spokane

April 25, 4 – 6 p.m.
REI – Downtown Seattle
222 Yale Avenue N.
Seattle

WSDOT staff will open the hearing with a short presentation and take testimony from individuals who sign in. Speakers will be asked to limit their comments to three minutes to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be heard.

Be Nice to Budd - Nikki McClure Tote-Bag Give Away

The City of Olympia is hosting a promotion for Budd Inlet. Attend three of several events that include clean-up workshops, informational lectures and of course participating in our Bicycle Commuter Contest, and get a free hemp tote bag with a Nikki McClure print! Details here.

Student Cyclists Making a Difference

Eco-bikers begin 5,400-mile journey

From The Seattle Times 3.31.08

For 22 days they'll meet with big-city mayors, christen biodiesel buses and plant ceremonial trees like eco-Johnny Appleseeds. For 22 days they'll blog, shoot video and call attention to global warming.

All while riding bicycles across the country.

And one more thing: They've got to turn in homework, too.

The six West Seattle students who will set out today are nothing if not ambitious. The youngest is just 10; the oldest, 18.

It's all part of what they call "An Inconvenient Ride," led by Chief Sealth High School teacher Gary Thomsen, who has organized similar student bike trips, including two that paid tribute to the legacy of Negro-leagues baseball.

"We want to show people that teens and youth can make a difference," said Arielle Washington, 15, who is not riding but making the trip to help organize meetings and speak with news media.
"If we can bike across America, hopefully it will get people thinking, why not turn off that light bulb or unplug that computer they're not using," said Jacob Kenny, 15.

The journey is scheduled to conclude with an Earth Day return to Seattle, where the students will be feted by Mayor Greg Nickels and acclaimed nature photographer Art Wolfe at a Benaroya Hall fundraiser with the goal of planting 2,500 trees in the city. (read more)

These kids are motivated to make a difference! They have a lot of distance to cover and a lot of people to influence. And it looks like they will be in Olympia April 21! I wonder if we could give them a welcome to our city and state capitol to show them we support their efforts! ~KT

Wrencher's Ball 2008!

Come join bike commute enthusiasts at the downtown Olympia Transit Center (222 State Ave) on Friday, April 25 from 7am - 5pm. Register for the contest, get a free water bottle with the 2008 BCC theme (while supplies last) and best of all, get a free bicycle safety check and mini tune-up! We will have a bus bike rack demo available if you'd like to learn how to put your bike on the bus. Local bike shop mechanics will be volunteering to tune-up bikes from:

• The Bike Stand


• The Evergreen Bike Shop


• Joy Ride


• Old Town Bicycle


• OlyBikes
  

Bikes will be tuned-up on a first come, first served basis, so be prepared to leave your bike with us for a while. We close up shop at 5:15pm sharp, so please pick your bike up by this time, we are not responsible for bikes left at the Olympia Transit Center.

Earth Day Market Ride 2008

Get a head start on the contest at our 3rd Annual Earth Day Market Ride scheduled for Sunday, April 20. You may count your miles for this ride on your mileage log!

This event is for people who are new to bike commuting and want to become familiar with riding in traffic, but anyone can come, we encourage it! Experienced ride leaders will start a ride from various parts of our community and will lead them downtown to Heritage Park (the fountain). If you would like to ride with someone for your first time out or learn some commute tips from experienced riders, join one of the rides below! And if you are an experienced rider and want to join us to promote bicycle transportation, everyone's welcome! All rides will keep a slow pace and will be about 2-7 miles long. Once all rides converge at Heritage Park, we will proceed on to the Earth Day Celebration at the Olympia Farmers Market and visit the Intercity Transit tent where we can:

• register for the contest and enter to win a NEW BELGIUM Adult Cruiser Bike, drawing held at 1pm


• get free water bottles with the 2008 BCC theme! while supplies last!


• learn how to fix a flat tire and what to carry with you at the 'flat fix demos'


• get free bike maps and more bike commute info

1 Evergreen Ride, students and area residents invited
Where: Evergreen State College, Red Square
Ride Leader: Ava and friends from the Evergreen Bike Shop
When: Ride leaves at 9:45am

2 Westside Ride
Where: 6th Ave SW and Decatur (1609 6th Ave SW)
Ride Leader: Chris Jennings
When: Meet at 10am

3 Eastside Ride
Where: Roosevelt Elementary, meet in front of school
Ride Leader: Kris Fransen
When: Ride leaves at 10:15am

4 Olympia/Tumwater Ride
Where: Olympia High School, North St. parking lot near stadium
Ride Leaders: Ann & Brian Mitchell
When: Ride leaves at 10am

5 Lacey Ride
Where: South Sound Center, by the flag pole
Ride Leader: Dane Clay
When: Ride leaves at 10am

6 Northeast Olympia/Boston Harbor Ride
Where: Shincke Rd Trailhead, Chehalis Western Trail Ride
Ride Leader: Lee Peterson
When: Ride leaves at 10am

2008 BCC T-Shirts are Available!

The 2008 Bicycle Commuter Contest theme is Start a Chain Reaction...Go Green by Cycling! This theme was thought up by Rob Bricel, avid bike commuter from DOR, and Barbara McConkey, graphic designer from InForm Design. Purchase a contest t-shirt with registration!
T-shirts are $15 and are available at the downtown Olympia Transit Center and select pre-contest events. They can be ordered along with your registration on the registration form or you can walk in to the Olympia Transit Center and register in person and pick yours up there. T-shirts will not be mailed out if you order yours through the mail. They will be available for pick up from April 1-May 31. Questions? Email Kerry Tarullo at ktarullo@intercitytransit.com

Enter to Win a New Belgium Cruiser Bike!

The 2008 Bicycle Commuter Contest is holding a drawing for a free, New Belgium Adult Cruiser Bike!

To enter the drawing you must be registered for the Bicycle Commuter Contest. Print a registration form here, pick one up at the Olympia Transit Center or any local bike shop. Check the box on your form to enter in a chance to win this bike ! It's that easy!


If you would like to see this bike in person, visit Ralph's Thriftway at 1908 East 4th in Olympia where they will have it on display for the month of April. You can pick up a registration form here as well. The drawing will take place after our Earth Day Market Ride at the Farmers Market at 1pm Sunday, April 20. You must register before then! You do not have to be present to win. This bike was donated by New Belgium Brewing. This is an adult sized, single speed w/ coaster brake cruiser bike with a front and rear rack and battery powered headlamp. The bike is not intended for use by children.

And now for a word...film from our sponsor, New Belgium Brewing:

UK Awareness Campaign

Do the Test

This UK Awareness Campaign was developed by Transportation for London to reduce the number of cyclists that are hurt on London's roads. Visibility of cyclists is very important for us in improving the number of bicycle related injuries. London is not the only city implementing this campaign idea: New York City has their own clever campaign called "Look" which begs drivers to share the roads and pay attention when driving (some of their visuals are a must see). While Thurston County does not have any major cities like NYC or London, we are growing, as well as the numbers of cyclists out there, and it is still very necessary to look out for cyclists when driving. On a bike or in a car, please be safe and share the roads. ~KT

RAP VIDEO teaches how to put your bike on the bus...

TARC Represents with new Rap Video!




Louisville, KY's transit authority (TARC) knows how to represent! Intercity Transit has the same bike racks they use, so please use this as a helpful reference to load your bike! If you have never loaded your bike on the bus and wish to, it is a very easy process. Like the video shows, squeeze the handle of the rack itself to bring it down to its horizontal position. Then load your bike in the wheel wells and lift the wheel hook over your tire. Simple!
Just let the driver know you will be taking your bike down when you exit the bus. If your bike is the only one on the rack, please squeeze the handle again and turn the rack to its upright position. Only conventional, single seat, two-wheeled bikes allowed on racks, details here: http://www.intercitytransit.com/page.cfm?ID=bikesOnBuses

We will have a bus bike rack demo at our Wrencher's Ball on Friday, April 25 at the Olympia Transit Center from 7am - 5pm. Register for the contest, get a free bicycle safety check and learn how to load your bike on the bus! Details of this event coming soon.

Hartford, Conn joins in bike-ped revolution

Not Just For Cars Anymore
From The Hartford Courant 3.16.08

If America is going to conserve energy and become more physically fit, a good place to start would be with the streets. Since at least World War II, streets have been regarded primarily as conduits for cars and trucks. But if streets and their sidewalks and intersections were handled in a more far-sighted way, they would serve a bigger slice of the population — pedestrians, bicyclists and mass transit riders , as well as motorists. Throughout the United States, a "Complete Streets" movement is emerging, causing more and more governments to broaden their outlook. According to a report last fall in the AARP Bulletin, 52 municipalities, six counties, 10 regional governments and 14 states have adopted Complete Streets policies. These policies require transportation departments to design — or redesign — streets and roads so that they accommodate people using all modes of travel.

The West Coast is a hotbed for such efforts. The first state to pass a law mandating that facilities for bicycles and pedestrians be included in all road projects was Oregon, in 1971, says Michael Ronkin, who for 16 years managed Oregon's bike and pedestrian programs. Oregon initially focused more on improving conditions for bicyclists than on serving pedestrians.

"Until the last 10 years, bike advocates were always more vocal than pedestrian advocates," Ronkin points out.

But that's been changing, in Oregon and elsewhere. The National Complete Streets Coalition, which was formally launched in May 2006 in Washington, D.C., represents a coming together of cyclists, pedestrians and transit users. The goal is to influence how communities are laid out and managed so that they're accessible for everyone. (read more)

Nice to see the east coast joining in the revolution to reduce drive alone trips and make bikes a normal from of transportation. Being from the Hartford area myself, I know that it can be a beautiful place to ride, and I also know that traffic congestion is becoming an issue, just like a lot of urban growth areas around the country. It is nice to see the west coast, particularly Portland, can set an example for the rest of the country. ~KT

Inter-National Bike to Work Day?

Pedal pushers consider power of the hour
From The Sydney Morning Herald 3.12.08

STAND BY for Earth Ride. The success of Earth Hour's international expansion has motivated those working in other areas, including the folks at Bicycle NSW. After all, the environmental benefits of bike riding are well known, so why not push for worldwide pedal power?

The chief executive officer of Bicycle NSW, Alex Unwin, saw a golden opportunity. "We have already been in touch with cities around the world, including London and New York, about ways we could work together to encourage bike riding," he said. "In addition, we share a view with Earth Hour about the importance of community engagement."

Whether any venture will be called "Earth Ride" is still up in the air, although Unwin said it was being used at the Bicycle NSW office "and it might be helpful in communicating our ideas globally, as Earth Hour has done".

Unwin is a great supporter of community events as a means of changing people's behaviour. Results from the national ride-to-work day back up his view: research in Victoria showed that 34 per cent of "first timers", those who cycled to work for the first time on the 2006 ride-to-work day, were still doing it five months later. (read more)

How inspiring. I don't know how many people really think deeply about National Bike to Work Day and how communities across the nation are joining together for a great cause, but this is an opportunity for a revolutionary event. Imagine the feeling while riding to work, knowing your neighboring countries are doing the same... ~KT

UW well into a bike commute contest of their own

UW students and faculty spend a month leaving their cars behind
From THE DAILY of the university of washington 3.10.08

Riding in the rain has never been so rewarding to bicycle commuters in Seattle.
Cyclists will get the chance to participate in the fifth annual Ride in the Rain, a four-week event in which students, staff and faculty members are encouraged to commute on their bicycles for trophies.

“Commuter Services holds Ride in the Rain to do something fun for our dedicated cyclists and to introduce new riders to the joys of bicycling,” said Celeste Gilman, the transportation systems manager for the UW Motor Pool. The event has 1,093 participants registered, 250 more than last year. More than 1,000 of those participants are in one of 124 registered teams.

Registered teams and individuals keep track of the number of one-way trips and miles ridden, as well as what sort of weather they experienced on their commutes.

At the end of the event, each participant who logged at least 20 one-way trips will be invited to a celebration luncheon and award ceremony April 17 in Red Square.
(read more)

It is great to see other communites and colleges creating their own challenges to get more cyclists on the roads and less cars. And what participation! They had 1093 people register for their 5th annual contest! I would love to see us have that kind of participation this year, and from looking at last year's stats, it looks like we can do it. The BCC's main mission is to try to get people to try bike commuting and stick with it, but participation really matters in its own way. The more participation we have with the BCC, the more awareness bike commuting gets in our community, and the more accomodations will be made for us cyclists! So if you are a die hard bike commuter that bears it throught the winter months or if you have never tried riding to work or to run an errand, try it this May with the BCC and join in the community to promote the bike as transportation! See you out there... ~KT

Indonesians ditching their cars

Thousands of Jakartans biking to work
From The Jakarta Post 3.2.08

When Dany Fernando decided to start cycling to work a year ago, he was hoping to lose some weight and help reduce pollution in the city.

"There has not been any significant change with my weight," he laughed, "but I am a lot healthier."

Dany, 27, lives in Meruya, West Jakarta, and works in Mampang, South Jakarta. He covers approximately 15 kilometers to work three times a week.

He had been interested in biking to work and looked for information on the Internet. He found a biking commuters' group, Bike To Work (B2W)-Indonesia. He joined and started biking to work.
B2W-Indonesia is a group dedicated to the pedal-driven vehicle to commute; an answer to traffic congestion and air pollution in a city that consumes at least 6 million kiloliters of fuelannually.
Started in 2004 by cyclists in the capital, the group's membership has rapidly grown in recent years.

Ozy Sjarindra, chief executive of B2W-Indonesia, said the community started with less than 100 members. "We now have more than 4,600 members listed on our website. If unlisted members or unaffiliated bike-to-workers are counted, I believe there are more than 10,000 bike-to-workers in Jakarta," said Ozy, a middle-aged man who rides to work two or three timesa week.
Biking commuters ride up to 35 kilometers each day to their work place from areas such as Bekasi and Tangerang in the city's outskirts.

These cyclists wear sports clothes and carry their work outfits in backpacks. Most take a bath or shower at work, although others simply wipe off and change clothes.

Many of the B2W commuting cyclists form groups based on their residential area or work area and ride together on certain days of the week.

A group called Rombongan Bekasi, for example, rides together on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while Rombongan Selatan, in the south, get together on Wednesdays and Fridays.

There are more than seven large groups in B2W, who all agree that on Fridays they'll ride together forming a long line of bicycles, like snakes slithering through the city.

It is always interesting to see what other cultures are doing about rising gas prices and climate change. These Indonesians might be able to teach us a thing or two about ditching our cars. What a great idea to form a club like theirs to support and encourage each other. They also add a bit of fun to their commutes with their once a week group ride...must be a sight to see a long line of cyclists on their way to work in the morning! ~KT

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)