Spontaneous Interactions

Perhaps one of my favorite things about bicycling is the possibility for spontaneous interactions. You know, like when you're biking to the store and you see a friend walking their dog, you both stop and chat for awhile, having a meaningful dialog. That wouldn't happen if you were both in a car, you'd possibly see each other and wave, but there would be no interaction. Or meeting someone at the bike rack, you're both locking or unlocking your bikes and you chat for a bit.  Maybe it's small talk or maybe it's deeper than that.  Either way, I can't remember the last time, if ever, I've had a conversation with the car driver parked next to me. I'm sure we've all experienced this, I'd love to hear your story about an amazing spontaneous interaction you've had while on your bike.

I will leave you with one I think my daughter planned. On a Saturday morning my almost 9 year old daughter and I were going to go to the grocery store. She asked if we were going to take the car or the bikes and I told her the car.

"No, let's take the bikes," she says.

"Okay," I reply, happy to oblige and happy that she wanted to bike, even if I was hungry.

As we head down our hill and get ready to cross over the bike/ped bridge that takes us into the neighboring streets she says, "I wonder if Suzzy will be outside, we can say hi to her if she is".

Suzzy (not her real name), is a good friend of my daughter and her parents are good friends of mine. We often walk or bike to and from school together or to the farmers market. They live a few blocks away near a trail and if we bike or walk anywhere we go past their house. If we drive the car, we take another route. It just so happens that Suzzy was outside that morning, we talked for awhile and tentatively set up an afternoon play date.

I couldn't help thinking that maybe, just maybe, Izabelle wanted to bike because she knew there was a good likelihood her friend would be outside and that we'd stop and chat. She knew there was a possibility for a spontaneous interaction that couldn't take place if we drove. I didn't ask her if that was what she was thinking, because she probably wouldn't admit it even if it were true. Even if that wasn't her intention and she just wanted to bike because she loves biking, then great! If she did plan it, I couldn't be happier. It means that she has learned one of the best things about bicycling: spontaneous interactions.

Calling all artists and bicyclists: Share the Road t-shirt design contest

Now more than ever, we need to promote the message of “Share the Road” to increase safety for all roadway users.  The Bicycle Alliance of Washington invites you to put your creativity to work by entering our Share the Road t-shirt design contest.  Deadline is October 14, 2011.

Share the Road is more than a public campaign to increase awareness and safety.  It’s the law.  RCW 46.61.755 states:

Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in RCW 46.61.750 through 46.61.780 and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.

In 2006 the Department of Licensing created the special “Share the Road” license plate which reminds motorists and bicyclists to share the road. Proceeds from the sale of this special plate support the advocacy and education programs of the Bicycle Alliance.

In communities throughout Washington, transportation departments post signs to remind road users to share the road with each other.

You can help us take this message another step further by submitting a design for our Share the Road t-shirt design contest.  The winner will receive a $100 REI gift card.  Contest details are here.

Volunteers Needed for Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Count

Washington State Department of Transportation will be counting bicyclists and pedestrians across the state on September 27, 28 and 29, and volunteers are needed to assist with this effort.  Counts will be assembled from all over the state, but focused on several cities including:  Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Burien, Ellensburg, Everett, Ferndale, Issaquah, Kelso, Kent, Kirkland, Longview, Lynden, Mercer Island, Mountlake Terrace, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Redmond, Renton, Richland Seattle, Shoreline, Spokane, Tacoma, Tukwila, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima.  Information about the statewide count can be found here.

WSDOT is working with the Cascade Bicycle Club to coordinate volunteers.  If you’re interested in volunteering contact:

Ian Macek

Email:  maceki@wsdot.wa.gov

Phone: 360.705. 7596

Tessa Greegor

Email:  tessa.greegor@cascadebicycleclub.org

Phone: 206.204.0913

Presentation on the Safe Routes to School Bike and Pedestrian Statewide Education Program in Washington

Photographs by the author.

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington, in collaboration with Feet First, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is delivering a two year, grant-supported safe bicycling and walking education program to middle school students across the state. “It provides bicycle and pedestrian safety education to students in Grades 5-8 in approximately 25 school districts across the state.” http://www.saferouteswa.org/schools/safety-education/title-page

At the Safe Routes to School National Conference in Minneapolis Seth Schromen-Wawrin (Bicycle Alliance of Washington), Jen Cole (Feet First) and Charlotte Claybrook (the Washington State DOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator) presented on the statewide program. The presentation was on Thursday morning August 18, 2011 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The presentation was fun and informative and the presenters did an excellent job engaging the audience.

Charlotte Claybrooke and Seth Schromen-Wawrin address the audience.

Jen Cole talks about curriculum and teacher training.

Jen Cole launching into her presentation on "Eyeballs" the interactive classroom game played with ping pong balls. http://www.saferouteswa.org/schools/safety-education/curriculum/Lesson%203%20-%20OSPI_Final_XIII_Full.pdf

More "Eyeballs."

And more "Eyeballs."

Jen Cole introduces the game "Captain Barclay" to the audience. http://www.saferouteswa.org/schools/safety-education/curriculum/Lesson%202%20-%20OSPI_Final_XIII_Full.pdf

Audience members play "Captain Barclay."

The game is on!

It's getting more serious...

Participants on the edge of their seats.

The charade round of "Captain Barclay."

Playing Captain Barclay con gusto.

As you can see, Jen, Charlotte and Seth did an excellent job of making the presentation interactive and informative and engaging the audience in active learning. More information about Washington's State-wide Safe Routes to School program can be found here: http://www.k12.wa.us/HealthFitness/SafeRoutes.aspx

Join us for a gear changing celebration!

October 22, 2011
Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion
Silent auction starts at 5:30pm
Dinner served at 7:00pm

Help the Bicycle Alliance of Washington shift gears for bicycle advocacy statewide by joining us at our annual fundraiser on October 22!  Proceeds from this event support our advocacy and education efforts statewide.  These funds help us deliver Safe Routes to School services to districts around Washington and make it possible for us to bring our Hub & Spoke events to bike advocates in their communities.  They help us shift the gears of government policies and change the minds of legislators.

Fun is a given at the auction.  Besides the silent and live auctions, there is a dessert dash, wine grab bag, and a split-the-pot raffle.  Nearly 300 friends of bicycling attend this gala and there’s ample time to socialize, catch up with old friends and meet new ones!

Donations needed!
We're still accepting auction donations and we need a variety of items that will generate spirited bidding.  We'd welcome any of the following donations and more:  restaurant and retail gift cards, themed gift baskets, massages and spa treatments, yoga and pilates classes, acupuncture treatments, unique experiences, tickets to theater and sporting events, and cash donations.  Use our handy online donation form to submit your information  or contact Louise McGrody if you have questions.

Purchase tickets!
Tickets are $70 each or $700 for a table of ten--if purchased by September 30.  After that date, prices are $85/$850.  Tickets may be purchased online, by check, or by calling Donna Govro at 206.224.9252 x300.  Check our auction page for more details.

Volunteer!
We rely on volunteers to help make this event a success.  We need volunteers to help with event set up, clean up, registration, check out, serving food, and much more.  Contact Matt Lyman if you'd like to help out.

Check our auction page for additional information or call 206.224.9252.  We're looking forward to seeing you on October 22!

Thanks to our auction sponsors:
John Duggan, Cycling Attorney
Seattle Children's Hospital - Research - Foundation
Third Place Books
Pike Brewing Company
REI
H4Consulting
Kat Marriner Graphic Design

Cyclists of Greater Seattle (COGS)       

Why I Joined the BAW Board of Directors

Mary disguised as her alter ego, Sprocket Hero.

About two years ago I got a call from acting executive director Dave Janis. He asked if I might consider applying for the BAW Board of Directors. After giving it some thought I decided to apply. I liked the idea of being on a Board with lots of other bicycle enthusiasts. It sounded fun and the thought that I could help make Washington a better place for bicyclists was alluring. Plus, it's nice to be part of something bigger than oneself, part of something that is making a positive change in the world.



Weather you bike for transportation, recreation, fitness or fun, I'm sure you love it. Some of us love it a little more than others, these are the people we need on the Board. People who are enthusiastic about bicycling and making Washington a better place to bike for everyone. People who want to see more kids biking to school, more adults biking to work and more people trying a century ride.



Each board member has a different story and brings different abilities to the table. Some of us are comfortable talking with our legislators and lobbying for the rights of cyclists in Olympia, some of us aren't. Some of us teach bicycle education to kids, others wouldn't know what to do with a group of kids on bikes. Our interests and abilities are as vast as the citizens of Washington, but we have one thing that unites us: BIKES.

We need a few more outstanding citizens to join our Board of Directors. Could you be one of them?



Current geographical ares we need representation from include: Yakima, Wenatchee and Kitsap/Olympic Peninsula. If you don't live in those areas but are still interested in applying, please do so!



A passion for our work, the ability to lead with a team, and time to devote to board responsibilities are a must. Prior board and business experience is a plus. Ready to apply? Please submit a letter of interest with credentials to Board@bicyclealliance.org by September 30.

Bicycle Alliance Endorses Streets for All Campaign to fund Active Transportation and Transit in Seattle

This post was submitted by Blake Trask, Statewide Policy Director.

 

Join us at the Campaign Kick-Off TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 13!

Today the Bicycle Alliance of Washington Board announced its endorsement of Seattle’s Proposition 1 – a 10-year $204 million package of investments in bicycling, walking, road repair, maintenance, and transit.

These investments are significant because they prioritize family-friendly bike infrastructure, increases in safety for everyone with new sidewalks, better crosswalks, repave and repair local streets to make them work better for everyone. For each year of its 10-year life, Proposition 1 will directly dedicate $1.4 million to bicycle improvements, $3 million for pedestrian and neighborhood improvements, up to $7 million in roadway maintenance improvements that can include Complete Streets elements, and close to $10 million in transit improvements.

In short, Proposition 1 represents a new way of funding transportation – one that prioritizes safer streets, more Complete Streets, and better transit, too.

To ensure investments in biking are effectively implemented, the Bicycle Alliance endorsement includes our commitment to carefully follow and monitor implementation activities.

Help us support the campaign! Please join us at 6pm, tomorrow, Tuesday, September 13th at Moe Bar (1425 10th Ave E) as we officially kick off the Streets For All Seattle campaign to keep Seattle moving.

For additional information and volunteer opportunities, visit www.streetsforallseattle.org.

Thanks and see you tomorrow!