Hub and Spoke is Returning to Vancouver

Bicycle Alliance of Washington is returning to Vancouver with another Hub and Spoke event!  This time we’ve partnered with Bike Clark County to present a half-day workshop to discuss techniques and opportunities to grow bicycling in Vancouver and surrounding communities.

 

Hub and Spoke: Vancouver

Growing Bicycling in Your Community

June 21, 2012, 12:00-4:45pm

Public Service Center, 6^th floor, Hearing Room

1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver

In this interactive workshop, attendees will examine models from around the state and nationally, discuss opportunities to promote safety, expand Safe Routes to Schools, and learn how to engage your community to make riding a bike easier for everyone. discuss opportunities to promote safety and economic development locally, and develop tools for engaging with local and state governments to make riding a bike easier in their community.  We’ll also take a short bike tour, so be sure to bring your bike!

There is no charge for the workshop but space is limited, so please register using our online registration form.  Light refreshments will be provided.  The workshop will be followed by a Hub and Spoke Happy Hour.

Can’t attend the workshop but still interested in getting the lowdown on what’s happening for bicycling?  Join us for a post-workshop happy hour which will include a discussion with state and local advocates.  No RSVP is necessary for the Happy Hour.  Celebrate Bike to Work Week with us!

Hub and Spoke Social Hour

5-7 pm at Niche Wine Bar

1013 Main Street, Vancouver

Connecting the Dots in Vancouver

Today's guest blog post was submitted by Eric Giacchino of Vancouver.  Eric is the President of the recently formed Clark County Cycling Coalition. 

Cyclists in southwest Washington have something to be excited about this year as the newly formed non-profit, Clark County Cycling Coalition or “C-4” has hit our local streets and bikeways!  Using the Clark County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (approved last November) as our guide, the list of advocacy and education work C-4 has accomplished continues to grow.  And backed by a growing group of incredible volunteers from the cycling community, we’re constantly evaluating our efforts and seeking ways to improve cycling in our area.

Photo by Eric Giacchino.

In June we wrapped up our two-week bicycle safety course at two Vancouver middle schools with over 350 sixth, seventh and eighth grade cyclists.  Each student received a properly fitted helmet thanks to a generous donation from the Vancouver Bicycle Club.  Although this program has existed for almost a decade thanks to active Bicycle Alliance member Joe Gruelich, he never had the resources to expand it.  As the program gains notoriety now, C-4 was regrettably forced to decline invitations from other interested schools that also want the program...Only temporarily.

It is our vision that with enough resources we can successfully add one school a year to the program.  It took some convincing, but I helped Vancouver School District officials apply for a State Safe Routes to School grant and developed a plan to deliver the program should the District win the grant.  We’re also looking into adding after school programs and summer camps based on the availability of volunteers and finances.  The Safe Routes Grant is a necessary step for the school programs.

Last week C-4 participated in the Washington State School for the Blind tandem ride and doubled the number of tandems that rode last year.  It was a fun event and a way to reach out to a group of kids that might not otherwise have the chance to ride a bike.

 Through the summer we continue bicycle outreach and education efforts by organizing several family oriented Pedalpalooza rides last month, and staffing a bike parking facility for big events like the Ft Vancouver Fourth of July Celebration and the popular Six to Sunset Concert Series.  This continues to be an effective way to connect with the bicycle community and let people know about local trails and safe bike routes as well as our organization and programs.  We’re grateful to Vancouver Senior Planner and Bicycle Alliance Board Member Jennifer Campos for the opportunity to use the City’s bike racks and spread the bicycle word during these events.

As we grow, (115 Facebook friends and over 600 viewers a day!) we continue to search for a space that will store our school bicycle fleet and become C-4’s home.  Several bike friendly real estate agents have joined the search and pointed us toward a few positive leads.  I hope we’ll have a space soon that will evolve into a small community shop and gathering place.  The website is under construction and will host our events calendar and the usual electronic info.

I’ve noticed a marked increase in both new and veteran cyclists around town this year and its awesome!  I don’t know if it’s the cost of fuel, the desire to stay fit or simply the enjoyment of riding, but the outpouring of support only proves the area has gone far too long without a central, uniting voice for bicycling issues.  C-4 will continue to gain momentum and connect the dots of the individual efforts to become the “hub” for bicyclists and cycling issues in this area.

Keep an eye out for an invitation to our “roll out” party this Fall! 

Coming to a City Near You: Car-free summer events

What happens when you take cars off the streets for awhile?  Folks come out to bike, walk, skate and socialize with each other!

Ciclovia (Spanish for bike path) refers to events that temporarily close streets to vehicle traffic, turning them into public space for people.  Bogota, Columbia, the city that pioneered the Ciclovia movement, has closed streets to cars every Sunday since 1976.  People of all ages and classes pour into the streets to do everything except drive.  Watch a video on Ciclovia in Bogota.

Ciclovia style events are appearing in US cities, including communities in Washington.  Seattle Summer Streets are car-free events scheduled in four different neighborhoods.  The city also closes a portion of Lake Washington Boulevard to vehicles most Sundays between May 1 and September 25 for Bicycle Sunday.

Spokane is bringing its SummerParkways to three neighborhoods, one of which will be an evening event.  Four miles of roadway will be closed and citizens are encouraged to come out for fun and physical activity.

Although Vancouver does not organize a car-free event, folks can head across the Columbia River and experience Portland’s Sunday Parkways.  Five parkway events are planned in different neighborhoods throughout the summer.

Folks in Tacoma can have a car-free experience every weekend. Five Mile Drive in Point Defiance Park is closed to vehicular traffic every Saturday and Sunday morning until 1PM.  Details are here.

Did I overlook a ciclovia event in your community?  Please share the details with us.

Should the Ride of Silence be silent?

It began in 2003 as a bike ride in Dallas to remember a cyclist who was hit by a mirror on a passing school bus and killed.  Today it has evolved into an international event, with 250 rides scheduled in nearly 20 countries.

The Ride of Silence was created to remember cyclists who have been killed or injured on our roadways, to raise public awareness that bikes belong on our roads, and to encourage everyone to share the road.  This year's ride occurs on May 18 and five Washington communities are hosting Rides of Silence:  Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver and Wenatchee.  Ride details can be found on the ROS website.

Thousands of bicyclists are drawn to this somber ride because they know someone who has been killed or injured on our public roads, or they themselves have been injured by a vehicle collision.  I have ridden several Rides of of Silence--to remember friends who were killed and to remember my own collision with a vehicle.  It can be an emotional experience. You can view a video of a past Ride of Silence in Seattle.

In spite of its popularity, not all cyclists are comfortable with the Ride of Silence.  Some believe that it places too much emphasis on the dangers of riding a bike.  Others don't like the fact that participants are supposed to ride in silence--how can you educate curious onlookers and passing motorists why you're doing the ride if you must be silent?  (If you watch the video of the Seattle ride, you'll see one of the riders speak to a pedestrian--no doubt explaining what the Ride of Silence is.)

Some Ride of Silence organizers have chosen trails and residential streets as their ride routes.  Again, this seems to undermine the visibility and public awareness potential of the ride.  It also doesn't speak to the bicyclists' right to use public roads.

Have you ridden in a Ride of Silence?  How do you feel about this event?

New Faces on the Bicycle Alliance Board

Two new faces have joined the Bicycle Alliance board of directors.  The board officially seated and welcomed Jennifer Campos and Joe Platzner at their February board meeting.  Both will serve three-year terms.

Jennifer Campos of Vancouver is our first ever board member from Southwest Washington.  She has been a bicycle and pedestrian planner for over 12 years and currently works for the City of Vancouver.  Some of her major bicycle projects have included a citywide bike route signage system, development of the Vancouver/Portland and I-5 bridge bike maps, and the installation of BikeLink electronic bike lockers and bike corrals in downtown Vancouver.

"Vancouver is unique in that it is part of the Portland (OR) metro area but we can't access or utilize many of their bike-related programs," she said.  "I want to help this region better connect with Washington programs and initiatives that benefit bicyclists."

Jennifer is the mother of two young children who frequently travel with her by bike.

Joe Platzner of Bellevue is a stay-at-home dad.  He is a former aerospace executive with a background in transportation planning.  Joe enjoys the challenge and camaraderie of riding with the Seattle International Randonneurs.  He grew up racing road and track in New Jersey where he worked in bike shops and paid for vacations with a well-used spoke wrench. 

"I am fortunate to be in a position where I have time to donate to projects that I feel passionate about.  I believe that cycling can change people's lives," he commented. 

Joe is equally happy riding all night on the winter solstice or taking his young daughter on an “epic ride” to the corner for a kid’s hot chocolate.  Joe believes that we are on the cusp of a great cycling renaissance as we reevaluate our priorities and focus more on energy independence, environmental responsibility, and healthy lifestyles.    

You can read about the rest of the Bicycle Alliance board on our website.

Alert: Vancouver's MacArthur Blvd bike lanes in jeopardy

A year ago, the City of Vancouver conducted a visioning study to make safety improvements along MacArthur Boulevard.  Based on community outreach, an alternative emerged to do a road diet:  reduce traffic lanes to one in each direction, add bike lanes, and enhance pedestrian safety at intersections.  The City has funding to resurface the road and these improvements would occur at that time.

Apparently the Public Works Department has had a change of heart on this project, so it’s time for Vancouver citizens to voice their support for making this a safer corridor for all users.  Please contact the following city officials and tell them that you support the planned road diet, bike lanes and pedestrian enhancements on MacArthur Boulevard.

If you live in Vancouver, please contact the following city officials:

Mayor Tim Leavitt, Tim.Leavitt@cityofvancouver.us

City Manager Eric Holmes, Eric.Holmes@cityofvancouver.us

Public Works Director Brian Carlson, Brian.Carlson@ci.vancouver.wa.us

Here’s a link to the study, but I was unable to get it to work:

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/upload/images/Planning/01%2002%2011%20%20FINAL%20MacArthur%20Vision%20Plan.pdf

I was able to read portions of this document:

http://64.4.176.81/search?q=cache:lfz9b9MXriwJ:www.cityofvancouver.us/upload/images/Planning/01%252002%252011%2520%2520FINAL%2520MacArthur%2520Vision%2520Plan.pdf+macarthur+boulevard&access=p&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&lr=lang_en|lang_ko|lang_ru|lang_es&client=COV01&site=default_collection&proxystylesheet=COV01&oe=UTF-8

Congressional Listening Tour Comes to Washington

What does a Representative from Florida have to do with Washington State transportation? The answer: EVERYTHING.

Representative John Mica (R-FL), House Chair of the Transportation and Infrastucture Committee, travels to Washington on Monday, February 21st for one of a series of 14 national field hearings and public forums on the pending major surface transportation legislation.  The hearings with state and local officials and transportation stakeholders will help inform the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s drafting of a long-term reauthorization of the nation’s highway, transit, highway safety programs. The previous multi-year law (SAFETEA-LU) expired in September, 2009.

Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), from the 3rd Congressional District (Southwest WA) who also sits on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with Representative Mica, will host the public hearing at the Vancouver PUD, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver from 9 to 11a.m. on the 21st of February. Eight officials have been invited to speak and then it will be open to the public for testimony.

The Bicycle Alliance is calling on bicyclists and pedestrians in the 3rd Congressional District to attend the hearing or submit written copy to Representative Herrara this week and make two critical points:

1. Bicycling and walking are essential to your community (include an example that make the point).
2. Ask her to support continued dedicated federal funding for bicycling and walking programs.

Here are a few reasons why we should support biking and walking:

• It’s cost effective: It’s about saving money on popular practical ways for Americans to complete short trips. It’s cost effective – 12% of trips are biking or walking trips but the federal expenditure is only about 1.5% of federal spending.
• It’s popular: more bicycles will be sold than cars and trucks combined. US Census reports that bike commuting increased more than 40% between 2001-2008.
• It’s practical: half of all trips are three miles or shorter and ¼ are less than a mile – an easy distance to walk or pedal if the conditions are safe.
• It addresses safety; it’s healthy; and it saves money.

Please ask Representative Herrera to support continued dedicated funding for vital bicycling and walking programs such as Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School.

Clark County Passes Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Today's post was submitted by Brendon Haggerty, who regularly bike commutes from his home in Portland to his job in Clark County.

The Clark County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, recently passed by a unanimous vote of the Board of County Commissioners, represents the county’s first coordinated effort to plan for bicycles and pedestrians.  Included in the plan are proposed policy changes that would help the county become more supportive of bicycle and pedestrian transportation.  Also included are proposals for promotion and encouragement programs, such as temporary street closures that provide a car-free environment for residents to meet their neighbors and enjoy physical activity.  An advisory committee worked with the county to identify a prioritized network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in unincorporated Clark County.

A unique feature of the plan is that it makes special consideration of the health impacts of cycling and walking, whether for recreation or transportation.  In prioritizing projects, planners worked with staff from Clark County Public Health to identify projects that are likely to increase physical activity among residents.  As part of the planning process, Clark County Public Health prepared a Health Impact Assessment to highlight the health benefits of physical activity and to help prioritize actions that enable more Clark County residents to enjoy opportunities for physical activity in their neighborhoods.  The plan and health impact assessment can be found at http://www.clark.wa.gov/planning/bikeandped/docs.html .

Hub and Spoke: Next Stop Vancouver

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington continues to grow and nurture the seeds of bicycle advocacy in our state. In March, we launched our Hub and Spoke outreach tour in Wenatchee and over 50 cyclists joined us for a discussion of biking issues at the local, state and national levels.

Tomorrow we take our Hub and Spoke tour to Vancouver, where critical cycling issues have hit the forefront. We’ll meet with members of BikeMe! Vancouver, Vancouver Bicycle Club and other area cyclists to discuss the bike issue du jour, elimination of funding for the City’s Bicycle Program, among other things.

We also want to celebrate the cycling successes--and there have been successes. We want to thank Vancouver advocates who helped us pass the cell phone bill, which is now law. We want to hear about the new bike facilities that are in place. We want to talk about the progress that has been made with Safe Routes to School.

Please join us for this timely event if you live in Vancouver/Clark County. And please share this with others you know who care about the future of bicycling in this important region. Light appetizers will be provided. A no-host bar will be available.

Hub and Spoke: Vancouver
Thursday, June 24 at 5:30PM
Woody’s Tacos/Vancouver Marketplace
210 W Evergreen Blvd (corner of Columbia)