The Online Voice of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Biking for Bicycle Alliance on Bainbridge Island


Last June Vega and Lula Piper, thirteen year old twins living on Bainbridge Island, still hadn’t completed the community service project assigned by their middle school teacher. Then it occurred to them:  Instead of performing a typical community service assignment like volunteering at a nonprofit organization, “why not do something we love?” 

That realization led them to do a bike-a-thon for a bicycle organization. With assistance from their dad, they browsed the internet and discovered the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.  They thought our organization looked the “coolest” and liked our campaign for Safe Routes to School.  Building bike routes to make travel safer made sense to them. Consequently they chose to contribute to the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.

 
Lula (l), Vega (r) after their trek in California

They asked for sponsors after school at pick up time. Their goal was to try to ride their bikes, in a school week, the distance that they commuted each day to and from school by car. They recruited 30 contributors and raised nearly a thousand dollars! 

Former Executive Director Barbara Culp praised the girls saying, “Vega and Lula demonstrated that everyone can make a difference, no matter how large or small, in their community. The Bicycle Alliance membership, board, and staff thank them for hosting their own bike-a-thon and finding people to donate to their efforts.”

So what does the sister bicycling team plan to do next? During the months of July and August they accompanied their father on a road trip to California and brought their bikes. “It’s definitely not as bike-friendly in California,” they said. On the brighter side, “it was very flat, a good thing if you’re touring.”

Vega and Lula have been riding bikes since they were three or four. They currently get around on Raleigh mountain bikes. When asked how it feels to ride on a bike rather than in a car, they responded, “It’s more scenic, you get to enjoy the view more than if you’re zipping by in a car.”

The girls agreed they enjoy biking because it’s a fun way to get exercise. They’d also like to extend a big thank you to all their sponsors, because without them “this would not have been possible.”

If you’re dreaming of a fun, creative way to raise awareness and support for bicycling in your community, and benefit the Bicycle Alliance of Washington in the process, we welcome your ideas. Contact Fund Development and Membership Manager Jack Hilovsky with your idea at jackh@BicycleAlliance.org!

Friday, August 24, 2012

New Ride Supports Bicycling in Washington



The American Lung Association celebrates 30 years of cycling in Washington with its inaugural Ride Around The Sound event on September 15!  This fully-supported ride around the Puget Sound region features spectacular water and mountain views and beautiful scenery.  Ride length options vary from a 12-mile family ride all the way up to a full century, offering something for everyone!   The course winds from West Seattle to Southworth, ending with a ferry ride back to West Seattle for a finish line celebration!  Bicycle Alliance members can save $10 off the registration fee by using Discount Code “BAW”.  (Minimum fundraising/donations of $125 required to participate, but the ALA provides outstanding fundraising support!)




Ride Around The Sound
September 15, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Spokane Bike Board Looking for Members


There are many ways to be an effective bike advocate.  Hopefully you’re a member of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and respond to our calls for action with a letter, email or phone call to your elected officials.  (If not, you can join now.) Perhaps you’ve attended Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia and met with your legislators.

Another important role for a bike advocate is to serve on his/her local bike advisory board.  And if you live in Spokane, you have an opportunity serve your community in this capacity now.

The City of Spokane is accepting applications from citizens interested in serving on the Spokane Bike Advisory Board.  Members of SBAB provide advice and direction to city council and all city departments on matters of bicycling.  The board meets monthly and SBAB members take their duties seriously as advisers and advocates.  They have their own website and Facebook page to communicate with others who care about biking in Spokane.

If you’re interested in making Spokane a better community for riding a bike, consider applying for an open seat on the bike board.  Follow this link to an application.