Barb Chamberlain tapped as new ED for Bicycle Alliance

The search is over. Our board has hired a new Executive Director and we are thrilled to announce that it is Barb Chamberlain of Spokane.

Barb currently serves as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Washington State University-Spokane campus, where she has built the communications staff from one person to a team of six. She is also a founding board member of the Empire Health Foundation, led a successful Spokane public school levy campaign, and served on the North Idaho College board of trustees.

With a passion for bicycling and active transportation, Barb worked with the Bicycle Alliance and a host of other groups when she volunteered to spearhead Spokane’s Bike to Work Week beginning in 2008. She was a member of the Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board and chaired the group in 2010-2011, and currently serves on the Transportation Advisory Committee for Spokane Regional Transportation Council. She is a daily bike commuter and launched the blog, Bike Style Spokane, as a way to encourage more women to try biking.

Barb has been a policy maker as well as a policy advocate. In 1990 she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Idaho state legislature, where she served as a state representative and senator for the Coeur d’Alene area. An Inland Northwest native, she welcomes the opportunity to apply her talents with a statewide organization.

“The Bicycle Alliance does great work that doesn’t get as much recognition as it deserves. With my experience in communications, marketing and branding I hope to position it for a clear understanding of its statewide role and importance,” Barb stated.

“It’s essential that we do that in partnership both with bike groups and with others working in this general arena, so another priority for me personally is to understand and assess all existing partnerships and look for opportunities to strengthen and to add to the overall network so it’s truly statewide,” she continued.

On the policy front, Barb wants to grow awareness both within the community of people who ride bikes and with leaders who work on tra nsportation policy and community and economic development of just how important bicycling is and why it deserves serious policy attention and consistent funding. She believes bike infrastructure and a fully multimodal transportation network in general will make critical contributions to improved health, to congestion mitigation, to air and water quality, and so many more problems we face.

"We have critical work to do given last week's congressional action on transportation and the Bicycle Alliance will work with partners at all levels to ensure our future transportation system reflects how America wants to travel, which is increasingly multimodal in scope," reflected Barb.

“It’s transportation for everyone, even for people who will never ride a bike because it helps them if others make that shift to cut down on traffic, parking, emissions, and wear and tear on the streets,” she elaborated. “With Washington named the #1 Bike-Friendly State for the fifth year in a row by the League of American Bicyclists, and with the attention biking is getting on many fronts, we need to grow as an organization to rise to the expectations and the opportunities we have before us. We can genuinely lead the nation and that’s where we need to be.”

Ted Inkley, president of the Bicycle Alliance board of directors, is looking forward to working with Barb to grow the organization and to achieve their mission of bringing cycling into the transportation mainstream.

“Barb has a great combination of skills, a long history of activism and political involvement, and a passion for cycling advocacy. I’m confident that her background as a professional communicator will serve us well in helping a broad segment of policymakers and the public to understand that getting more people on bikes will benefit everyone,” he remarked. “The goals we’ve set for ourselves as an organization are challenging, but with Barb’s leadership I know we’ll create and seize every opportunity we can to achieve them.”

Barb grew up in the Inland Northwest, first near Lewiston, Idaho, then in the Spokane Valley. She was a recreational rider until a bike lane was installed in front of her house. The new bike facility motivated her to try bike commuting and she’s been biking to work ever since.

She and husband Eric Abbott, who is a bike racer, have four children between them. They enjoy family bike rides, movies and board games. Barb loves to cook and bake bread using her pet sourdough starter. When time allows, she also practices yoga and knits.

Barb will take the reins as Executive Director in August. Outgoing director Barbara Culp announced her retirement earlier this year and will assist with the transition.

Missing the Bike Commute

Kristi races for the finish line.

Today's post was written by Bicycle Alliance member and volunteer Kristi Moen of Burien. 

I have a confession to make to all of you who are asking me if I’ve been cycling to work lately. I haven’t. 

It’s not what you think. It’s not the rain or the colder-than-average weather. Those aren’t stopping me. Nor is it the traffic or the very occasional rude driver. Nope. It’s me. I’m stopping myself. It’s odd, especially to me because much of my identity is wrapped into cycling. I’ve not been riding to work because – here’s where it gets weird – I’ve been training for triathlons. Sound strange? It does to me, too. But the more I look into training for tris, the more I find that there’s not a lot of value in my downhill, uphill, slow sidewalk, meandering route to work. (Not to mention that I paid someone a lot of money for a tri training plan and it doesn’t have room for commuting.) Sure, there’s always something to gain, but compared to an intense interval workout on my trainer or a long non-stop ride on one of our many regional bike routes, I don’t get the same time/value ratio. And for me, who can get surprisingly competitive with myself, the idea of not taking full advantage of a tri workout kills me. 

It also kills me to not ride to work. Therein lies the dilemma. But my last logic-based motivator, minimizing impact to the environment, is gone with the acquisition of my electric car. And so for now, I drive to work and continue with my very strategic tri workouts.

This is a rambling way of saying that I can’t wait until I can start commuting on my bike again. I see you all out there in the downpours and cold and can barely stand it I’m so envious. So keep it up. Keep riding. Ride more! Enlist your friends. The more of you we drivers see, the more awareness of the need for better safety and infrastructure will come to light. That’s the most important part. More safety equals more riders. And by all means, if you have ideas of how to train while commuting, please let me know.

From Dusk 'til Dawn: Good Times at the 2012 Nine to Five All-Night Bicycle Scavenger Hunt

photos by the author except as noted.

                                James Grindle photo
The fourth annual Nine To Five All-Night Bicycle Scavenger Hunt had an auspicious beginning as declared by a double rainbow that appeared when the sky cleared after some rain drops and intimidating clouds. This ride, organized by Go Means Go began and ended at Gasworks Park in Wallingford. 

    Only a piece of the double rainbow that showed up as the ride started (looking south from Gasworks)

                            Admiring the awe-inspring sky (looking East from Gasworks)

                               Participants receive final instructions before the ride starts
This was my first time participating in the Nine to Five, and the first time that I’ve stayed up until dawn in more than a decade.

The ride was a blast. There were about 75 participants, some solo riders and others organized into teams of up to five riders. I teamed up with Benjamin Rainbow of Back Alley Bike Repair and James Grindle to compete in the scavenger hunt.

                               And we're off! (James Grindle Photo)
The challenges were issued on three manifests which were distributed progressively through the night; participants received one at the start and the second at midnight and the third at 2:30AM. 

    Midnight meetup at the Collonade

    2:30 AM meetup at Ly's Donuts on 45th and Roosevelt
Riders earned points by:  1.) collecting items specified on the manifest,2.)fullfilling photo opportunities from the manifest, and/or 3.) completing “Shoot for the Moon” challenges by riding to farther flung locations to find a cryptic message on a sticker stuck to a sign post.

Our team of three completed all three shoot for the moon challenges by assigning one to each teammate, this way we each got to put on some miles. I made a fifteen-minute sprint to Mercer Island from Pioneer Square at about 1:30 AM and was able to make it back to the U-District for the 2:30 rendezvous. To complete the other two shoot for the moon challenges, Ben rode to West Seattle and James rode to Meadowbrook Pond. The photo opportunities provided some of the most fun, forcing participants to have spontaneous interactions with strangers. For example we had to pump gas for a stranger. These guys were Dick’s Drive-In employees getting off the late shift and were happy to let us pump their gas.

                                 Ben pumping gas for a couple of Dick's employees

                                 the author at Gasworks, 5AM bike lift (Ben Rainbow photo)

      Dawn at Gasworks! (James Grindle photo) 

    Josh pitching the tent at the finish for 5 extra points. Ben's in a daze for zero points. (James Grindle Photo)

    The team is ready for some sleep after earning 315 points

Fun was had by all participants except for a few who had mechanical failures or had their bike stolen during the hunt! I managed to get 5 hours of sleep on Sunday morning and only had to cut short my work day on Monday by a couple of hours.

    Greg Mertzlufft addressing the group from the podium ten hours after registration opened.

    The trophy and other prizes

The winning team accepts their trophy!


So just days later and it’s back to regular daily life, but the 2013 Nine to Five is already beckoning.

Say hello to Elliott Bangs

Please welcome Elliott Bangs, who has joined the Bicycle Alliance staff as our Office and Membership Manager.  He is a lifelong resident of Puget Sound and previously served as the Membership and IT Coordinator at CityClub, a Seattle nonprofit which promotes civic engagement.

Elliott is delighted to be part of an organization that promotes the growth of bicycling in Washington.  He recently returned from a six-month, 6000-mile solo bicycle tour from Seattle to the Panama Canal.

"I dreamed of taking such a trip since the summer of 2006, when I first toured on the Pacific Coast.  That was the summer I truly fell in love with the bicycle," recalled Elliott.  "Having crossed the deserts of Mexico and the seemingly-endless mountain ranges of Guatemala, my daily cross-town commute might still be my proudest cycling accomplishment," he added.

When not at work, pedaling, eating or sleeping, Elliott is aspiring to be a fiction writer.

It's been a short, sweet ride

This is the last post from regular contributor Alexa Heidrich, who has returned to Portland.  We will miss her energy and enthusiasm.  Thanks, Alexa!

That's me in the red freezing on the Seattle Neighborhood Greenways ride with Elly Blue during Bike Expo.  Elly appears to be handling the wind better than me.

Well Bicycle Alliance blog readers, it’s been short but sweet.  My one year anniversary in Seattle was quickly approaching when I was offered an opportunity to relocate back to Portland.  I will miss Seattle, the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had, especially with bike and pedestrian advocacy.  (In addition to Off the Rez, the roaming Native American food cart that everyone in Seattle should find.)  I am keeping the door open to return, and think there is such a great community spirit up here in the Puget Sound region. I cannot endorse more the unique grassroots Greenways movement which I feel lucky to have been a small part of, and which continues to gain traction with City Hall and the Department of Transportation.  I look forward to continuing my advocacy efforts in Portland, even though I suspect it will have a slightly different flavor.  Already on my ‘commute’ to work I’ve encountered 8am rush hour bike traffic on the Broadway Bridge! 

Happy pedaling, and I wish you all happy National Bike Month!

Here’s some fellow bikers on our way home. 

Photo credit: John Maus

Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Hunt

Let me introduce you to Jim Hunt. He’s a Bicycle Alliance volunteer and stalwart biker—wait until you read about his graveyard commute! He also gives a technical set-up preference for getting around the Seattle topography, and tips for getting comfortable on a bike again!
 
Thanks for your time Jim, and happy trails out there!
 
What is your first memory of biking? 

As a child, bicycling through the woods and crossing a small creek.  I had to go through at just the right speed – too fast and you would not be able to handle traversing the creek bed and if too slow you would get stuck in the creek.

What roles have you filled as volunteer for the Bicycle Alliance over the years?  

A few monthly work parties, a few Fat Tire beer festival events, a couple of auctions, some office work, and assistance with the strategic planning summit.

When and how did you become involved with the Bicycle Alliance?

In 2004 after I was unemployed I was interested in meeting some new folks and helping out.  Bicycle advocacy for me has involved attending city transportation committee meetings, volunteering for bike/ped annual counts and stopping on my commute to move a fallen tree branch out of the bicycle path.  I try to say hello to folks on my morning commute and try to stay calm with motorist.

What is your favorite ride, in the Seattle region or elsewhere?

Fall City to North Bend area with a stop at George’s Bakery for lunch.

What are you riding these days?

To and from work – started a new job on the graveyard shift and have yet to find many folks interested in riding together after midnight.

What is your winter riding gear set-up?

Light & Motion Seca 800 front light, DiNotte 120r back lite, a safety vest from Western Safety Products and an old Burly rain cape and gators.  Fenders, rack and panniers to carry lunch and rain gear when not in use.

What is your strategy for tackling the topography of the region? 

A modified front triple crank with a 26t small chain ring and mountain rear cassette with a 32 tooth cog that allows me to spin up most hills.

How does biking improve your quality of life? 

I enjoy the exercise, seeing other folks out running, walking the dog or pushing baby strollers.  It is nice to see the seasons change and observe what trees and plants are blooming.  If I am lucky, I will see a bald eagle in the Juanita Marsh park area.

Lastly, any tips for people who may be tentative in dusting off that old bike in the garage? 

Load the bike up in the car (if necessary) and head down to the Burke Gilman or Sammamish River Trails after work on a nice spring or summer relaxing ride.  Turn around before you get tired.  When starting out try to pedal into the wind, if it is windy.  Don’t overdo it and practice shifting and braking. Before tackling the city streets read Bicycling Street Smarts at www.bikexprt.com.  Some air in the tires always helps.

I agree Jim! Thanks so much for your dedication to integrating biking into your everyday life. If you too are interested in volunteering with the Bicycle Alliance, visit our website to get involved! 

USBRS: Inspired to Get Involved

Thanks to intern Scott Chilberg for preparing this post.

Portions of SR 20 may become part of the USBRS.

The reasons behind Bicycle Alliance of Washington's support of the US Bike Route System (USBRS) are obvious. USBRS’s astounding and seemingly idealistic mission, to create an interstate bike highway connecting urban centers with some of the country’s most idyllic natural environments, would be a dream come true for many of our state’s avid bicyclists. Even more impressive is the progress that’s been made toward achieving that dream; over 40 states are currently working on the project with several more in the works. 

So, with this clear alignment of interests, it was only natural that the Bicycle Alliance would agree to partner with Adventure Cycling Association to create US Bike Routes in Washington.  With the support of Washington State Department of Transportation, it was decided to tackle a cross-state northern route first.

Several of our individual members, however, have extended their involvement with USBRS beyond the professional realm, and their reasons for doing so are, as stated by Bicycle Alliance Executive Director and soon-to-be USBRS volunteer Barb Culp, “purely selfish.”

“Washington is a great place to bicycle, with diverse climates and breathtaking views,” said Barb. “My husband Andy and I want to both explore the state from the seat of our bikes, and then share  our experiences so that others will see the state in a new way.  The cool thing about the USBRS is that we’ll be able to keep right on riding into Idaho on the bike route system, or down the coast into Oregon.  Eventually we’ll be able to follow signed routes all over the country just like we did in Scotland.  We rode for days just following the signs.”

Barb celebrates the fact that the US Bike Route System will focus on a 50 mile swatch on either side of the road, “thereby giving the bicyclist a reason to explore off the beaten path and visit the sights and communities along the way.”

Bicycle Alliance Board Member John Pope, of Anacortes, has also committed his personal time to assist with the US Bike Route Project. John first came into contact with USBRS in the 1990s while doing bike map work with the Skagit Council of Governments’ non-motorized advisory committee, and was thrilled when the idea was rekindled and the Bicycle Alliance pledged their involvement in the past few years.

“I love the back-roads of Washington and the greater Northwest,” said John. “I grew up in eastern Washington, at a time when the North Cascades Cross-State Highway project captured our hearts and opened new avenues for adventure and scenic beauty.  My early bike touring across that new highway and into the BC border regions got me hooked.  The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and other interests over the years have convinced me that a small, dedicated band of volunteers can make an enduring difference.”

Both John and Barb hope that, by being part of that dedicated band of volunteers, they will be able to help the USBRS dream become a reality in the Pacific Northwest. 

Become a part of the USBRS movement! Click here to make a donation to our May fundraising effort for building the USBRS.  Twenty percent of funds raised by the Bicycle Alliance will be used for USBRS efforts in Washington.

We also need additional volunteers!  If you live in northern Washington and would like to help us develop this route, please contact Louise McGrody.  We need volunteers to assist with community outreach and researching routes.

Build it.  Bike it.  Be a part of it.

Biking for Baseball

Meet Steve Lunn, Chase Higgins and Adam Kremers.  These three friends, along with pals Rex Roberts and Tim Sherman, are the Biking for Baseball team.

Biking for Baseball combines three interests that the five friends share—biking, baseball, and mentoring youth—into an ambitious goal.  The team plans to bike to every Major League ballpark for a home game while raising awareness and funds for local Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

They kicked off their tour at the Seattle Mariners’ season opener on April 13, which is when they dropped by the Bicycle Alliance office to say hello.  They have since pedaled down the West Coast and made their way across the Rockies to Denver.  The tour will wrap up on September 21 and 11,000 miles later in Boston. 

You can check out their route, follow their progress throughout the summer, and support their effort at bikingforbaseball.org.

Thank you to our Safety Education Trainers!

This blog post was submitted by our SRTS Training Coordinator Seth Schromen-Wawrin.

In mid April, our Safe Routes to School Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education Program finished the last training for our current grant. In the last 14 months, we conducted 25 trainings all over Washington State. This was possible due to the amazing talent and dedication of Eileen Hyatt and Katie Ferguson.

Eileen Hyatt

Eileen Hyatt has been a member of the Bike Alliance since the 1990s and is currently a board member. She lives in Spokane where she has pioneered teaching bicycle safety skills in schools in Washington State. Katie is a former Americorp intern for the Bike Alliance. She has an unfaltering enthusiasm for teaching bicycling skills. 

Together, this duo faired snowy mountain passes, long lonely drives to remote sections of the state, teaching outside in sleet and the blistering sun, and came back smiling. Teachers unanimously raved about their high quality teaching and knowledge. As one teacher said, “it is so great to have this training taught by someone experienced working with students.”

Katie Ferguson

The training is a two-day training on how to teach the Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education curriculum to middle school students. The training “opened up my eyes and will keep kids safe and having fun,” one participant commented.

Most of the participants in the trainings were physical education instructors, yet the proficiency with riding was very varied. Often participants would come back from a road ride stating that this was the first time they felt safe riding with traffic. Through the skill and dedication of Eileen and Katie, we are growing safe, confident, and comfortable bike riders all over the state.

They trained 141 physical education teachers at 27 districts in 18 counties. This first statewide class of Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education teachers will continue teaching the curriculum in the years to come. About 15,000 students will go through the curriculum every year. Fifteen thousand students from two trainers. That is an impact!

Farewell to my job at the Bicycle Alliance, but not Goodbye

After three years as our Office Manager and Membership Coordinator, Donna Govro is moving on.  She looks back on her time with the Bicycle Alliance with some fond memories.

I have decided to leave my job at the Bicycle Alliance to pursue other interests of an entrepreneurial nature.  It’s with mixed feelings that I say goodbye, as the Bicycle Alliance has not only been an employer to me but an organization that supports my views on bicycling as a way to promote a healthy lifestyle. 

From the very beginning, I knew that the Bicycle Alliance was not going to be a typical, quiet office job.  After only a few weeks on the job, I volunteered to participate in the Gay Pride parade and found myself in the office practicing the hand signals to the tune of the pop song “YMCA” and then bicycling down 2^nd Avenue next to my new boss on his folding bike dressed in a clown costume.  Then there was the Tour de Fat bicycle event where everyone donned zany costumes.   We had volunteers dressed as the “Lunch Ladies” serving beer and the President of the Bicycle Alliance wearing a beer tap vest and beer cap construction helmet as he carried the cash to the safe!  Or on a more serious time when everyone in the office pedaled to Golden Gardens park one brisk, sunny morning to plant a memorial Susie Tree.  There were many times that I traveled to various events during the work day or on weekends not by bus or car but by bicycle, giving me an even greater appreciation for our mission.

Looking back, I am sure that these are the things that I will miss the fun and quirky times.  I might even some day miss the administration and organization that it took to support them.   But most of all I think that I will miss my co-workers and the volunteers.  I also have to say thank you to everyone at the Bicycle Alliance, the staff, volunteers, members and the board.  Through my association with the Bicycle Alliance I have learned many things, but mostly that I can bicycle anywhere I please. 

Ale-Liance IPA: The Story Behind the Beer

May is the month that beer and bicycles share the stage.  It is National Bike Month, a time to celebrate all things bicycling – and we do it up in a big way in Washington.  May is also the month for Seattle Beer Week, a collection of events celebrating local beer culture.

Erinn and Barb sample some Ale-Liance IPA at Schooner Exact.

This year, the two cultures have come together in a unique and exciting way.  The Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Schooner Exact Brewing Company have partnered together to present Ale-Liance IPA.  This specially created beer celebrates bicycle advocacy in a popular Northwest way – the IPA.

The idea for such a beer was hatched one evening at a party hosted by Bicycle Alliance Executive Director Barbara Culp.  Some guests were discussing how there seemed to be a natural affinity between bikes and beer, and wouldn’t it be cool if a local brewery produced a special beer that promoted bicycle advocacy.

“I think I can make it happen!” exclaimed Erinn Hale and she promptly volunteered to take it on as a project.

Erinn was the perfect person for the assignment.  She combined her knowledge of the local beer culture with her creative marketing skills and interest in bicycling, and called upon the bike friendly folks at Schooner Exact.  Ale-Liance IPA was born!

Schooner Exact has produced 30 kegs of Ale-Liance IPA for Bike Month and launched the first keg at the Bicycle Alliance’s open house on May 3. Kegs of this limited edition beer will be available at select Puget Sound locations during the month of May, and a portion of every keg sold will benefit the Alliance’s work to grow bicycling statewide.  Serving locations will be posted on the Bicycle Alliance and Ale-Liance IPA Facebook pages.

Tour de Pints – a pub crawl on bikes – is also an opportunity to sample Ale-Liance IPA.  Three pubs on the route will feature the beer: Fiddler's Inn, Ravenna Alehouse, and Wurst Tavern. The Bicycle Alliance will be on hand at Pike Brewery - the start of the ride - with a $20 membership special that includes an Ale-Liance pint glass and beer!

Happy Bike Month and cheers!

Volunteer Spotlight: Ted Inkley

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington wouldn’t be what it is today without the blood, sweat and sweat (yes, bike advocacy involves a lot of sweat!) of its amazing volunteers. Today I’d like to present a brief interview with Ted Inkley, who is the current board president for the Bicycle Alliance, and a big advocate for everyday cycling.
 
What is your first memory of biking?
 
One early memory will be seared in my brain forever. It was summer. I had just gotten my first "big" bike without training wheels--a red one-speed J.C. Higgins from Sears, Roebuck. Unfortunately, I got the hang of riding it long before I got the hang of getting off. So I'd practice by riding around and around the block. When I wanted to get off I'd yell at my mother as I passed our house; she'd run out the front door and snatch me from the bike. But one day she got busy and didn't come out when I yelled. I rode around and around the block for what seemed like hours (but was probably no more than ten minutes), screaming every time I passed our house and getting more terrified with every circuit. Things ended well--she finally came out and grabbed me. I was scared, and highly indignant that she hadn't heard me earlier. But the incident didn't dim my enthusiasm for cycling. And I eventually learned to get off without falling over, although I have to admit that I still fall over occasionally.
 
When and how did you become involved with the Bicycle Alliance? And what does bicycle advocacy mean to you?
 
During the 90s I worked with a woman, Sara, who was both a bicycle commuter and a Bike Alliance volunteer. At the time, I rode the bus to and from work. Sara would pass me every night on her bike as I stood at the bus stop. As she went by she'd always yell, "Ride your bike!" So I eventually began bike commuting. The more I rode, the more I realized that cycling conditions were far from ideal, and the more interested in advocacy I became. Sara told me that I should get involved with the Bike Alliance, and suggested that I go to meetings. So I found myself at the Bike Alliance's old, funky headquarters in the storage area of an old apartment building in the shadow of the Convention Center parking garage. I found that I liked the people and the organization, and within months I was on the board.  

To me, bicycle advocacy means spreading the gospel of cycling beyond those who are already bicycle enthusiasts. It means working to convey both the joy and the practical advantages of cycling to people who haven't been on a bike since before they were teenagers. It means trying to demystify cycling, and showing people that you don't have to have a fancy machine, wear lycra, or be an athlete to enjoy your time on two wheels. It means showing people that the bike can be a tool as well as a toy, that it's a form of transportation worth investing in. And it means trying in a positive way to change the cultural norms about transportation in our country.
 
What roles have you filled as volunteer for the Bicycle Alliance over the years?
 
I've been on the Bike Alliance board since 1998, and have been board president twice. I've helped in a number of ways, from drafting and lobbying for legislation to writing blog posts to serving on committees to helping draft our bylaws. I'm currently on the legislative committee and on the executive director search committee. My passion is advocacy, but I try to help any way I can.

What is your favorite ride, in the Seattle region or elsewhere?
 
I have lots of favorites, both here and elsewhere. I live in North Seattle, and have worked out a meandering ride to Edmonds that involves lots of quiet roads, views of the Sound and Olympic Mountains, and coffee and pastries at the half-way point. I try to do that ride at least once a week when the weather cooperates. I'm also a big fan of bike trails, and especially love the unpaved Snoqualmie Valley trail east of Seattle. It lets you cycle through beautiful farmland and forests with great mountain views, and goes over several spectacular trestles. It also gives you a 60-mile round-trip ride with practically no traffic hassles. It's everything a day on the bike should be. Although I'm not a real mountain biker, I also occasionally like to explore logging roads on my old mountain bike. There's a trip to the top of a small mountain east of Seattle that I try to do every year. Lots of uphill, no people, and spectacular views of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at the top. Finally, I have vivid memories of several days on the bike during a visit to Denmark a few years ago. I particularly remember one evening, riding through the streets of Copenhagen just as the street lights were coming on. I was surrounded by cyclists of all descriptions--everyone in Denmark rides a bike, mostly old-fashioned, upright three speeds. It was like a graceful peloton, but without the competition, everyone just gliding together down the street in the soft evening light. It was magic.
 
What are you riding these days?
 
I tend to keep bikes forever once I get them. I've collected five bikes over the past 20 years or so. I have an old, steel-framed Trek mountain bike; it was my original commuter but I use it now for dirt-road riding. My workhorse is a Trek 520 touring bike; I lost count of the distance I'd ridden it after about 60,000 miles. I also have a fire-engine red Bike Friday, great for traveling and running errands. My sweet ride is a Marinoni road bike. Finally, I have an old English-made Raleigh three-speed with a huge headlight and a big brass bell, good for stately cruises on the bike trail.
 
What is your winter riding gear set-up? (Ed.’s note—Surely this still works for the spring showers we won’t be able to avoid!)
 
I'm still searching for perfection in this regard. I believe that Gore-Tex is your friend, and have a Showers Pass jacket and Gore-Tex rain pants. I keep my feet dry-ish with nylon rain boots. I've given up on keeping my hands dry, but insist on keeping them warm. Neoprene kayaking gloves work well for this. I've also considered buying an old-fashioned English-style riding cape, although I haven't taken the plunge yet. And every bike that I own has fenders. They are worth their weight in gold in the coastal Northwest climate.
 
What is your strategy for tackling the topography of the region?

One of humankind's greatest achievements of the last hundred years is the triple chain ring. Gear down low enough and the hills get a lot easier. But since I got my vintage three-speed Raleigh I've discovered another way: when you can't avoid steep terrain, just get off and walk. I think that non-cyclists are sometimes intimidated when they see strong riders standing in the saddle, grinding their way up a steep grade. But you don't have to be an athlete to walk up a hill.
 
How does biking improve your quality of life?
 
It does wonders for my state of mind. After I ride I feel clear-headed, positive and ready to tackle anything. And while I'm no athlete, I'm in great physical shape for a person of my age. I beam every time the doctor checks my blood pressure and resting pulse. Everyday things, like going to the store or post office, become fun when I do them on the bike. And I can park for free just about everywhere, even in Seattle.
 
Lastly, any tips for people who may be tentative in dusting off that old bike in the garage?  

Riding a bike is easier than you think. You don't need a three-thousand dollar machine--any bike that's mechanically sound will do. You don't need to be a jock--there's no need to use the club riders whisking past you as role models. It's not dangerous--all you have to do is use common sense and give some thought to your routes. Although I'm an avid cyclist I'm also a chicken, and I've used a bike map to avoid busy, high-speed streets and chart comfortable, low-traffic routes all over Seattle. You don't need to take the plunge all at once. Just pump up the tires and ride around the block a few times. And cycling is fun. When you finally get on the bike you won't be able to resist smiling. I saw a sign recently that said: "You can't buy happiness, but you can buy a bike, and that's pretty close." Truer words were never spoken.
 
I agree Ted! Thanks so much for your dedication to integrating biking into your everyday life. I loved his story about not being able to dismount his bike, and think he provides a great inspiration to get involved. If you too are interested in volunteering with the Bicycle Alliance, visit our website to get involved!

Retiring Again

Barb (R) & Andy are ready for pedal adventure.

It's true!  I'm retiring and this time I really mean it!  

In 2007, I left the Bicycle Alliance to travel in France with my husband and friends.  I worked briefly as a consultant, and hated it.  Then I tried my hand in program implementation at Seattle Children's Hospital, and loved it. Except...I missed bicycle advocacy and the day to day excitement and enthusiasm of growing bicycling statewide.

What has changed since I returned in 2010?  What's changed is me and my priorities!  My daughter is expecting; she lives in Portland with her husband, and I want to spend a lot of time there.

More travel is in my future: my husband Andy and I absolutely love long distance bike touring and will combine train and bikes to see more of the  national parks.  We'll help with outreach along the US Bicycle Route System.  I'll spend more time gardening, more time with friends, more time reading, and of course, I'll have a grandchild to teach about the joys of bicycling!  

I'm super excited about the direction the Bicycle Alliance is moving with outreach, legislation, and programs around the state.   We have a great staff, and a wonderful board of directors sprinkled all across the state.  Check our website for the job posting, apply or forward it to a great candidate.

This isn't  "so long";  it's more like  "I'm rolling along down the road in search of another adventure!" 

Bicycle Alliance Launches Legacy Society

The simplest—yet high impact—way to leave a legacy gift is to name the Bicycle Alliance as a beneficiary in your will.

Inspired by John Streich’s generous bequest to the Bicycle Alliance in 2011, several current and veteran Board members met recently to lay plans for a Legacy Society.  "This will give our most dedicated members an effective way to plan for significant future support,” said founding Board member Amy Carlson.

 Providing for the Bicycle Alliance of Washington in your estate plans can be as simple as adding a codicil to your existing will. You can make a specific or percentage bequest, a residuary bequest, or a contingent bequest. “Planned giving” arrangements also include charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and various other gift vehicles. Planned gifts ideally require advance consultation with your financial planner and/or attorney.

“We’ve had the Life Member designation for a long time,” said former Board President Cynthia Putnam. “It’s been extremely helpful for our dedicated members to support us at a high level and also to self-identify as a group. The Legacy Society gives folks an opportunity to take their support to the next level.”

The Board of Directors has put in place three new policies to safeguard both the donor’s intent and the organization’s welfare. A board-designated endowment policy ensures that gifts made by bequest will meet priority needs of the Bicycle Alliance. An investment policy ensures that funds are invested prudently, with ongoing oversight. And a gift acceptance policy provides a process and framework for the Bicycle Alliance to determine whether and how to accept specific types of gifts.

If you have already made provisions for the Bicycle Alliance in your will or another type of planned gift, please let us know. We would like to thank you and welcome you to the Legacy Society. The Bicycle Alliance is planning an annual special event for Legacy Club members, along with a listing in our annual report and other publications. And a few additional “surprises” are in store for Legacy Club members.

If you are interested in learning more about gifts by bequest or other planned giving vehicles, please contact Jack Hilovsky at jackh@bicyclealliance.org.

Remembering Susie Stephens

It's hard to believe, but March marked the tenth anniversary of Susie Stephens' death. 

For those not acquainted with her, Susie was a former Executive Director for the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and the Alliance for Biking & Walking (formerly the Thunderhead Alliance).  She was a mover and shaker on the national bicycle scene, and a legend in her own time. 

I remember Susie especially today because it would have been her birthday -- and Susie loved her birthday!  She liked to organize a party to celebrate her birthday and once confessed to me that she did this because she was afraid that no one else would remember it.  Fat chance! 

Susie’s legacy lives on in many ways, but perhaps her greatest contribution was branding the work of bicycle advocacy as a national movement and giving this movement a song.  The video clip below is a testimonial to her ability to rally and inspire others.

Happy birthday, Susie.

Board News: Meet the Newest Members

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is governed by a dedicated group of individuals from around the state who provide vision, leadership and organizational oversight.  We recently welcomed three new members to the board:

Marc Mims of Spokane Valley brings his experience in grassroots activism and social media marketing to the board.  You can read a past blog post about Marc’s successful effort to save a bike lane project.  An avid bicyclist, Marc sits on the Spokane Bikes committee and leads a weekly group ride for his local bike shop.  Some of you may have met Marc in March when he staffed a table for us at the Spokane Bike Swap.  When he’s not riding his bike or spoiling his granddaughter, Marc pays the mortgage as a freelance software developer.

John Pope of Anacortes is passionate about creating statewide bicycle routes and is eager to help the Bicycle Alliance with developing a northern route that would become a part of the US Bicycle Route System.  His community involvement is extensive and includes serving on the boards of Skagit Regional Transportation Planning Organization, the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and Skagit Council of Governments/RTPO Active Communities Taskforce.  John works for Tesoro Refining and Marketing and also serves on our Legislative and Statewide Issues Committee.

John Vona is a lifelong bicyclist and a daily bike commuter since moving to Seattle in 2007.  He got the cycling bug as a teen riding on congested roads to shore points such as Asbury Park and Belmar—Bruce Springsteen’s theme of being “sprung from cages out on Highway 9” was more than a metaphor. Those formative years gave John an appreciation of the bike facilities available to cyclists in Washington and he wants to see that network grow.  John is a forester and works for Green Diamond Resource Company as a business planning manager.  He will serve as our board treasurer.

You can read bios on all of our board members here.