Registration is open for the 2010 Bicycle Commuter Contest! Find registration forms at the Olympia Transit Center, Ralph's Thriftway, or a downloadable one, by clicking on the title of this post. Tomorrow I will distribute registration materials to all the local bike shops and other merchants around town. Our excellent new t-shirts are available at the Olympia Transit Center.
Stay tuned for further updates!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Martin Way Bridge Opens!
From left: County Councilmember Sandra Romero, Lacey Mayor Tom Nelson, Congressman Brian Baird, County Councilmember Karen Valenzuela. Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet, State Representative Sam Hunt. Dignitaries abounded, cyclists and walkers flocked, planners and engineers crowded, and the ribbon was cut. All that, and it didn't even rain! The Chehalis-Western trail now crosses Martin Way on a bridge, safely above the speeding traffic below. The second of three links in the chain is complete. According to Thurston County Councilwoman Karen Valenzuela, the third bridge over Pacific Avenue will be begun in about one year, and complete in about two years. The current bridge was completed on time and under budget, by about $200,000.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday Bridge Dedication- Be There!
Come celebrate the (near) completion of the Chehalis-Western Trail bridge over Martin Way, and register for the Bicycle Commuter Contest! 11:30 am Wednesday March 31 at the north end of the new bridge, which is about halfway between Sleater-Kinney and Lilly Roads, on Martin Way. Rain or shine, show your bicycle commuting hutzpah!
Monday, March 22, 2010
New Status for Bikes in National Transportation Planning
On Monday, March 15th, US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced a new “complete streets” policy that would put planning for bicycling and pedestrians on equal footing with highways and transit. In his blog, Secretary LaHood states that “this is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.”
He goes on to say:
“We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
· Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
· Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
· Go beyond minimum design standards.
· Collect data on walking and biking trips.
· Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
· Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
· Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects”.
The new US DOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations are posted on FHWA’s website.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm
Thanks to Karen Parkhust, TRPC
He goes on to say:
“We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
· Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
· Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
· Go beyond minimum design standards.
· Collect data on walking and biking trips.
· Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
· Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
· Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects”.
The new US DOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations are posted on FHWA’s website.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm
Thanks to Karen Parkhust, TRPC
Friday, March 19, 2010
New web inititiative from Bikes Belong
Another way to share your passion for biking! http://www.peopleforbikes.org/
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Be among the first to sign up for the BCC!
The first opportunity to register for the Bicycle Commuter Contest this year will be a sneak pre-April event- at the Martin Way Bridge Dedication ceremony mentioned in a recent post on this blog. On Wednesday, March 31, at 11:30 am, I will be on hand at the dedication ceremony to register participants for the BCC. Bring your checkbook or five bucks (twenty if you want a t-shirt too!), and be among the first registrants for this years BCC! These events are also a great chance to rub elbows with a veritable who's-who of state and local transportation planners and bicycle commuting advocates- don't miss the fun!
The new bridge spans Martin Way at the Chehalis-Western Trail, about a quarter mile East of Lilly Rd.
The new bridge spans Martin Way at the Chehalis-Western Trail, about a quarter mile East of Lilly Rd.
BCC In the News
Christian Hill of The Olympian has a story on his "Outside" blog that mentions the BCC and some items of interest to BCC followers and participants. Here's a link: http://bit.ly/bKdaU7
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Martin Way Bridge Dedication Scheduled
Wed. March 31 11:30 am - There will be a dedication ceremony for the new (almost complete) Martin Way Bridge. Present to dedicate the bridge will be County Commissioners, Congressman Brian Baird and the Mayors of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. The ceremony will be held at the North end of the new bridge.
Bridge Status Update From Thera Black, Thurston Regional Planning Council:
As those of you who commute through this area know, the bridge over Martin Way is not yet open. Last week the contractors learned of a problem with the fence mesh for enclosing the bridge. That fencing now has to be remanufactured and installed before the bridge can be safely opened to the public. As soon as we hear of a firm date for completion of that installation we’ll let you know. In the meantime you can still cross I-5 and make connections to the trail north of I-5 by using the at-grade crossing on Martin Way.
Once the Martin Way crossing is complete work will begin on the Pacific Avenue crossing!
Bridge Status Update From Thera Black, Thurston Regional Planning Council:
As those of you who commute through this area know, the bridge over Martin Way is not yet open. Last week the contractors learned of a problem with the fence mesh for enclosing the bridge. That fencing now has to be remanufactured and installed before the bridge can be safely opened to the public. As soon as we hear of a firm date for completion of that installation we’ll let you know. In the meantime you can still cross I-5 and make connections to the trail north of I-5 by using the at-grade crossing on Martin Way.
Once the Martin Way crossing is complete work will begin on the Pacific Avenue crossing!
League Of American Bicyclists recognizes Olympia and the BCC
The City of Olympia has been given the Silver designation in the "Bicycle Friendly Community" program of the League Of American Bicyclists. The City's most significant recent accomplishment? Growing the Bicycle Commuter Contest from a handful of participants in 1988 to over 1600 in 2009 (the numbers in the LAB article are a little out of date- they must have been using 2008 figures). See the article here: http://bit.ly/dA4TDK
Friday, March 12, 2010
Capitol Bicycling Club offers Urban Cycling Workshops
The popular Urban Cycling Workshops are back for 2010, now under the banner of the Capitol Bicycling Club. The new website is up! Visit: www.decidetoride.org
Ever thought of taking a bicycle ride or commuting by bike but are unsure of how to get started?
Take an Urban Cycling workshop and learn:
· Traffic laws and how to ride comfortably with traffic
· Navigating intersections
· Outfitting yourself and your bike with tools and gear
· Fixing a flat tire, and much more!
· All classes end with a slow-paced ride, practicing everything learned in class
Register online with the Capital Bicycling Club at www.decidetoride.org
Registered Participants in the 2010 Bicycle Commuter Contest will recieve a coupon code for $5 off the price of an Urban Cycling Workshop during April or May. See BCC registration form for details.
Ever thought of taking a bicycle ride or commuting by bike but are unsure of how to get started?
Take an Urban Cycling workshop and learn:
· Traffic laws and how to ride comfortably with traffic
· Navigating intersections
· Outfitting yourself and your bike with tools and gear
· Fixing a flat tire, and much more!
· All classes end with a slow-paced ride, practicing everything learned in class
Register online with the Capital Bicycling Club at www.decidetoride.org
Registered Participants in the 2010 Bicycle Commuter Contest will recieve a coupon code for $5 off the price of an Urban Cycling Workshop during April or May. See BCC registration form for details.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Seattle Bike Expo This Weekend!
CascadeBicycle Club's Seattle Bike Expo Expo is the largest consumer bicycle show in the United States! Expect more than 300 exhibits of bikes, gear, travel, health and fitness. Should be lots of fun and educational, too. Make sure you take public transit to get there of course (or at least corpool). See Intercity Transit's website for help getting there: http://www.intercitytransit.com/Pages/default.aspx
Follow this link for more info about the Expo: http://cascade.org/EandR/expo/
Follow this link for more info about the Expo: http://cascade.org/EandR/expo/
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Our Flag is Flying!
The Bicycle Commuter Contest Banner is UP!
For the first time, the BCC banner is flying in Lacey, over College St. between 6th and Pacific Aves. Not neccessarily a big bike route, but we're showing ourselves off to all those car commuters who might decide to change their ways!
Google Maps launches directions for bicycling
At the National Bike Conference this morning Google announced that they had turned on an option for bicycle directions in its "Get Directions" feature on Google Maps. The new feature is in Beta testing form, and is limited to Google's online data set – so some neighborhood shortcuts and trails are not included. There is a link for reporting unmapped routes or streets that are unsuitable for cycling. I and several people I know have tested the feature, and it seems to work pretty well!
Bridging The Gap Update- I-5 Bridge Open
The new bridge over Martin Way on the Chehalis-Western Trail is nearing completion- only the railings remain to be installed. The bridge over I-5 has re-opened, and has access to Martin Way via a street and sidewalk on the West side of the new bridge approach.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Bridging the Gap Update
According to a flagger on the jobsite that I talked to yesterday, we can expect that the Chehalis-Western I-5 bridge will re-open to traffic (with a path on the West side of the new bridge ramp leading to Martin Way) in about a week, or around the middle of March. The Martin Way Bridge should be finished by the end of the month. Of course this is unofficial information, but from a worker on the site, so keep your fingers crossed, and I'll post info about the official opening of the new bridge as soon as I get it.
In other news: preparations for this year's BCC continue apace; sponsors are all lined up, most of our graphics are ready to go to print, Bicycle Commuter Month Proclamations are scheduled with the local jurisdictions, and we're planning our publicity campaign.
There's obviously no need to wait until May to start riding your bike to work, school or on errands, especially with the mild winter we're having. Keep pedaling, stay safe, and save a pound of carbon emissions for every mile you ride!
In other news: preparations for this year's BCC continue apace; sponsors are all lined up, most of our graphics are ready to go to print, Bicycle Commuter Month Proclamations are scheduled with the local jurisdictions, and we're planning our publicity campaign.
There's obviously no need to wait until May to start riding your bike to work, school or on errands, especially with the mild winter we're having. Keep pedaling, stay safe, and save a pound of carbon emissions for every mile you ride!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sponsors and more sponsors for BCC 2010!!
Preparations are proceeding apace to put everything in place for this year's Bicycle Commuter Contest. We've chosen a "Theme" for 2010, which you can see to the left of this post:
Been There, Doing This! We are in the midst of designing a t-shirt and finishing up the process of signing up sponsors. I have updated our list of links to our sponsors' websites- check it out, under "Supporting Businesses and Sponsors" in the list of gadgets on the left. We have many returning loyal sponsors from past years, and some very exciting new ones as well! We are going to have some great stuff to award as prizes this year, thanks to many generous sponsors form near and far, but mostly near; I have been making an effort to engage sponsors as locally as possible this year, going farther afield only when I think we couldn't do better right here in the Pacific Northwest.
In other news, the SEATTLE BIKE SWAP is TOMORROW from 9-2 at Magnusen Park in Seattle, hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club. Go to their website for directions and more info. See you there!
Been There, Doing This! We are in the midst of designing a t-shirt and finishing up the process of signing up sponsors. I have updated our list of links to our sponsors' websites- check it out, under "Supporting Businesses and Sponsors" in the list of gadgets on the left. We have many returning loyal sponsors from past years, and some very exciting new ones as well! We are going to have some great stuff to award as prizes this year, thanks to many generous sponsors form near and far, but mostly near; I have been making an effort to engage sponsors as locally as possible this year, going farther afield only when I think we couldn't do better right here in the Pacific Northwest.
In other news, the SEATTLE BIKE SWAP is TOMORROW from 9-2 at Magnusen Park in Seattle, hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club. Go to their website for directions and more info. See you there!
Friday, February 19, 2010
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