Ride of Silence

Those of us who bicycle tend to associate our bike rides with positive memories:  feeling free, socializing with friends, pedaling through stunning scenery, fun times, and more.  There is an event, the Ride of Silence, that has a solemn mood.

The Ride of Silence is a worldwide event that honors bicyclists killed or injured on public roadways, reminds all of us to share the road, and draws attention to bike safety.  This year's ride is slated for May 19 at 7PM local time.  Cyclists in Washington State and around the word will take to the streets in a silent procession, riding slowly, and following the rules of the road.

Eight Washington State communities have organized Rides of Silence this year:  Bremerton, Everett, Seattle, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Tacoma, Vancouver and Wenatchee.  Ride details here.  I encourage you to take part in the ride if you live in one of these communities.  It's haunting and emotional to be riding with so many cyclists in silence.

Whether you participate in the Ride of Silence or not, please pause and remember Gordon Patterson of Vancouver, Kevin Black and Carol Salomon of Seattle, James McClurkan of Bremerton, David Squires of Spokane, and the hundreds of other cyclists killed on our roads each year.  And ride safely.

BTW and P --- The Unsung Reason Why Anyone Might Bike to Work.

Bicycle, check! Helmet, check. Bike To Work route, check. Secure parking, hmmmmmm.....

The key ingredient to a bicycle commuter's routine isn't any equipment, or even a sunny day. The one thing --- that will truly make bicycling a viable form of regular transportation --- is the peace of mind that comes from knowing your bike will be intact when you return to it at the end of the workday or errand.

I have had the experience of sharing space in a small office with my bike and all of my commuter gear. I have carted said bike up flights of stairs into a rented apartment that did not come with a garage. I rarely park on a standard outdoor rack if I cannot also see my bike from where I sip coffee, or shop. I carry a "New York" chain lock with a heavy duty pad lock and a cable leash for my seat and seat post. Blaming bike thieves for this way of life would be like shaking my fist at pigeons adorning my shoulder with droppings: this is the nature of bicycle transport life in a city like Seattle, or Portland, or San Francisco.

Amazingly, I now work in a bicycle parking facility in downtown Seattle in Pioneer Square District. As the manager of BIKE PORT, I regularly talk to bicyclists that express incredible gratitude for having indoor secure parking for their ride. Most of these folks bicycle commute all year long using the BIKE PORT, transforming into their work selves using the lockers and changing room. Lately, I have had a number of folks sign up for parking plans, who live downtown in condos or apartments that did not provide secure bike parking. Some have even bought bikes because they now had a place to park.

BTW month aside, there is a demographic for citizens that bicycle as transportation any time of year. They do not ride the same distances, or make the same incomes, or live in safer parts of town. No doubt they have had a bike or two stolen.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

Okay, I guess it's more like 1.5 minutes on the local channel, but it's still kinda cool. KVOS, the local T.V. station in Bellingham interviewed me at a bicycle rodeo a couple weeks ago. I'll admit I was nervous, especially since it was my first ever interview for T.V. (not counting the time in 5th grade when my class delivered food to the local food bank and the news crew showed up).

I have anxiously awaited the results, hoping I didn't say anything too outlandish or foolish, it was first thing in the morning after all. Both my husband and my coworkers said I did a good job, so I'll share it with you. If either of them had said I looked goofy (which I think I do) the link would remain hidden forever.
Bike to Work and School Day is May 21st, what is YOUR town doing to celebrate?

Thanks KVOS for the publicity!

Enjoy!

Bike to Work and School Day!

Posted using ShareThis

DOT, First Lady & Childhood Obesity Task Force

Three months ago, President Obama established a Childhood Obesity Task Force headed by First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage children to exercise more and adopt healthier eating habits. Now she's teaming up with the Department of Transportation on a shared goal:

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/05/dot-first-lady-childhood-obesity-task-force-share-goal-lets-move.html

"5@5" Events to Raise Funds for Seattle Bike community

Via Tribunali Neopolitan Pizzeria is partnering with Peroni Beer, The Stranger, Caffe Vita and The City of Seattle's Bicycle Program to raise funds for the Seattle biking community.  Each Wednesday for 5 weeks, beginning May 12, Via Tribunali will open its doors to from 5-7PM to the Seattle cycling community.  Margherita pizzas will be free and all $3 purchases of Peroni Beer will be donated to the selected biking group of the week.  Each "5@5" will take place at a different Via Tribunali location.


Locations:
Wednesday, May 12
Georgetown, to benefit Bike Works
Wednesday, May 19
Capitol Hill, to benefit Garage Cycling Team
Wednesday, May 26
Queen Anne, to benefit Cascade Bike Club's Trips for Kids

Wednesday, June 2

Belltown, to benefit the Bicycle Alliance of Washington

2200 2nd Ave at the Crocodile

Wednesday, June 9
Fremont, to benefit The Bikery

Whirlwind of Activity Attracts a Real Whirlwind

This post was submitted by Joanne Yoshimoto.  Thanks to Bike Works for the photo.

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington supported Bike Works as the gold-level sponsor for its annual Kids Bike Swap.  Last Saturday, nearly 300 families gathered at Genesee Playfield in Southeast Seattle under cloudless blue skies to trade outgrown bikes for larger bikes.  Typically, when a bike is exchanged at the Bike Swap, the "customer" is able to take home a newly recycled ride for no more than $12.

The Bike Alliance organized and staffed the Bicycle Rodeo in which kids could test-ride bikes before purchasing them.  Once fitted with a helmet, the youngsters received a basic review of hand signals and cycling technique from League-Certified Instructor Every Day.  They then rode a course with uphill, downhill, stop sign, left turn, and other commonly encountered road features.

"This is so cool," enthused one volunteer as she surveyed the whirlwind of activity.  "This is what you want to see in every community across America.  Kids and bikes, bikes and kids!"

Suddenly, the shade canopy started pitching, and papers started rustling.  Soon tables, chairs and bicycles were flying through the air.  For a long moment, kids and adults hunkered down, hoping not to be hit by the flying debris...or blown away altogether.

Then it stopped, almost as suddenly as it had begun.  The Seattle Times reported it as a "tiny twister."

Our question to Bill Nye the Science Guy is this:  Can a whirlwind of activity attract a real whirlwind?

Courtesy, Legality, and Cycling

When I was growing up, my mother talked about "heaping coals of kindness" on people who wronged me. It took many years before I really understood what she meant. Now that I commute by bicycle, though, I have the opportunity to put this good advice into practice on an almost daily basis.

Let's take a little vignette from my commutes last week.

A gentleman in a small pickup truck honked at me twice in the same place on different days and rolled down his window to admonish me to get in the bike lane where I belonged. I know he thought he knew the law. However, as a certified League Cycling Instructor and employee of the Bicycle Alliance, I knew that RCW 46.04.670 and RCW 46.61.755 clearly delineate the bicyclist's right to the full roadway. (Check out all the laws relating to bicycling in Washington State if you ride on the road -- it pays to be informed.)

That said, I knew that this gentleman was mistaken. Yet instead of reacting angrily when he honked at me the second day, I smiled and waved as he went by. Why? Because when I ride my bike, I represent all bicyclists. My courteous smile and wave could very well make the difference in his interaction with other bicyclists in the future. And sometimes, responding to rudeness with courtesy and kindness can be my most effective rebuke.