improving lives through bicycling
Planning for a bike-friendly Eastside pg. 5 November 2014 / Vol. 44 No. 11 • cascade.org
Pronto Cycle Share launches
Zero
In October Seattle joined the ranks of more than 35 U.S. cities with a bike share system when it launched Pronto Cycle Share. Cascade staff celebrated the launch of the system with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray; Holly Houser, executive director of Pronto Cycle Share; Mia Birk, president of Alta Planning + Design; Scott Kubly, director of Seattle Department of Transportation; and many others who made Seattle’s bike share program possible. Rolling down Second Avenue with this all-star team was inspiring. Seattle is transforming quickly, becoming a better place to live, work and play, in large part to the credit of these players. Diana Birkett Rakow, president of Group Health Foundation, noted at the press conference how wonderful it was to participate in the inaugural Pronto ride saying, “thanks to Pronto, we can have many more mornings like this one.” Pronto Cycle Share launched with 50 stations and 500 bikes in the
Cascade is working to make riding a bike a safe, comfortable experience for all who want to ride. One more bicyclist’s death or serious injury is one too many. That’s why we are working toward a Vision Zero goal. Vision Zero is a road safety effort that began in Sweden in the late 1990s to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on their roads. By designing and building streets that are safe for all users, we can dramatically improve the safety of our roads. As cyclists we are vulnerable road users, but through engineering, enforcement and education— along with embracing a culture of respect—communities can work towards eliminating senseless crashes on our streets.
PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Seattle, WA PERMIT No. 2172
By Briana Orr, Communications Specialist
By Jeff Aken, Advocacy Director
Second Avenue’s protected bike lane was filled with green and blue Pronto bikes at the program’s launch.
This is an important day for the city of Seattle as we introduce new, progressive transportation options for residents and visitors alike.
One more bicyclist’s death or serious injury is one too many.
– Jeff Aken
– Ed Murray, mayor of Seattle
University District, Eastlake, South Lake Union, Belltown, Downtown, Pioneer Square, the International District, Capitol Hill and First Hill. “This is an important day for the city of Seattle as we introduce new, progressive transportation options for residents and visitors alike,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. “I am proud that the city could help make this milestone a reality. We look forward to expanding the program to additional Seattle neighborhoods next year.” As we rode out from Occidental Park, I pedaled next to a fellow who
was on his first bicycle ride in 15 years and his own inaugural ride in Seattle. “I live right there,” he pointed toward a tower two blocks down from us, “so I figured I would use it a lot.” To everyone who recently took their first ride, welcome to the bike lanes and paths of Seattle!
TIME DATED MATERIAL
With a dozen founding members on staff, here’s what Cascadians are saying about Pronto:
“Pronto is going to change the face of bicycling in many ways. I believe it will be the catalyst to get a whole lot more great bicycling infrastructure… it shows that Seattle is serious about biking.”
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– Serena Lehman membership & outreach director
“Bike share will remove a big obstacle that keeps people from riding—the owning and maintaining of a bicycle. Whether it’s a tourist riding to the Space Needle or a business person riding to a nearby meeting, I’m excited for the many people who will make their first commuting bike trip by Pronto bike.” – Anne-Marije Rook communications director
“Bike share will help me show visiting friends and family the joy of riding a bike in beautiful Seattle.” – Kelli Refer volunteer coordinator
We envision a future where there are zero bicyclist traffic deaths in the Puget Sound Region. To work toward that vision, we will collaborate with cities in the region, supporting them in adopting Vision Zero goals in their community. We will work to convene engineers, planners and designers to ensure that streets are designed in a way that increases safety for those riding a bike, walking, using transit or driving. We will partner with educators and law enforcement officers to refine our education efforts and ensure that all users are following the rules of the road. We are beginning work on a rider code of conduct that we hope all members and participants in our events will agree to follow. With the Vulnerable User Law; the Neighborhood Safe Streets bill that allows municipalities to adopt a 20 mph speed limit bill on nonarterial streets; and with protected bike lanes and neighborhood greenways as our tools, we will make our streets safer for all users. The time is now. One more death is one too many. We hope you’ll join us in our Vision Zero efforts.
November 2014
A new beginning
By Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director
Announcing the first Cascade business members By Alan Van Vlack, Membership Manager
B U SI N E SS M E M B E R
Elizabeth, Jason and their three children (left to right) Oliver, Eleanor and Allyson. Photo credit: Wenmei Hill Photography
My family and I bought a new house and moved in last month. A friend came over to help us hang all of our family pictures that we never unpacked in our rental. That night, sitting in the living room, watching the light play on the walls and glancing at our family pictures and treasured belongings, I felt so at home in Seattle, and so content. That same dynamic, on a much larger scale, is how I want each and every person that rides a bike—for fun, for fitness, for transportation—to feel in the new Cascade Bicycling Center. This space, which will be created in two phases, is designed to be a destination for people on a long ride; to be a think tank for people to envision new and better bicycling infrastructure; and to be a welcome spot for anyone to stop by and ask questions, find a riding friend or volunteer to make the Puget Sound Region better for all people on bikes. I am personally inviting you to join us Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. for the grand opening of the Cascade Bicycling Center. We won't have our pictures hung just yet, but the painted, designed and beautiful space will be there for you to see, explore and start to make your very own. Working with the team who designed and built this space for Cascade has renewed my love of bicycling. ZGF, Hoffman Construction and FIX Works have led a team of contractors, sign makers and even a seamstress to construct a beautiful, welcoming space. They worked for free; they went above and beyond; and they stayed with the project for two years—all because each of them has had their life improved by riding a bike, and the work we have done at the Cascade Bicycle Club. We are going to continue this inspiring work, improving lives through bicycling, and this new space is going to allow all of us the room to gather and create even more energy around bicycling for all.
We are excited to announce Cascade Bicycle Club’s first three business members. Congratulations to these inspiring businesses who are encouraging bicycling amongst their employees and in the Puget Sound Region through their support of Cascade.
Anchor QEA www.anchorqea.com
Anchor QEA’s core values align with the goals of Cascade Bicycle Club, encouraging more people to travel by bicycle. Anchor QEA has a strong bicycling culture, and applying for the Business Membership enhances and formalizes this culture while providing opportunity to share their enthusiasm with the community. Anchor QEA has a strong lead-by-example mentality. Bike commuting occurs at all levels of the company, including the most senior staff. Also, the firm has made longstanding strategic decisions and commitment to make commuting by bicycle as easy as possible. This strategy goes hand in hand with the company’s sustainability program which promotes biking as a healthy commute alternative. Corpore Sano www.corporesanopt.com
Corpore Sano is Puget Sound’s premier physical therapy clinic to visit when serious about rehabilitation from injury and correcting biomechanical issues. A cyclist himself, owner Erik Moen has extensive experience in the treatment bicyclists of all levels. Their premium facility, helpful staff and passion for success can help patients move beyond the path of recovery to achieving optimal performance in life and sport.
Please join us. Best,
Elizabeth
Keep us Pedaling! Renew now at cascade.org/renew
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Forum One www.forumone.com
Forum One is a digital agency that crafts solutions for influential problem solvers. They are the firm that helped launch Cascade’s new website last year! Other clients in the region have included The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH and Gorongosa National Park.
The business membership program provides resources to businesses for encouraging bicycling amongst employees, helps facilitate bicycling as a commute mode, provides visibility and passes Cacade’s membership benefits onto employees. To learn more, go to www.cascade.org/businessmembership or call 206-522-3222
www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 11
2014 Statewide Bike/Ped Counts By McKayla Dunfey, Eastside Policy and Government Affair
Women Bike: Helmet hair By Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director
As women, there are a lot of topics relating to cycling comfort which are either not frequently talked about or just too embarrassing to ask a male salesperson at the local bike shop. Topics like: “I’m hurting down there” or “Do you have any tips about riding while menstruating?” or “Why can’t I find cycling clothes that fit?” You get the idea: personal, women-specific and potentially awkward to explain. We’ll do our best in addressing these topics here.
Today’s topic: helmet hair
And, if you like to wear your hair down, just braid it loosely for the time on the bike and undo it when you get to your destination. It will look just fine. The Rope
WSDOT Secretary of Transportation, Lynn Peterson, counts bicycles and pedestrians
Thank you! A standing ovation to our 350+ dedicated volunteers (including WSDOT Secretary of Transportation, Lynn Peterson) who counted bicyclists and pedestrians across the state as part of the seventh annual Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. More data = More investments in biking and walking. Bicycle and pedestrian data helps better inform state policy decisions around non-motorized transportation. This project is a key part of how we make Washington the best state in the country for bicyclists and pedestrians. Just take a look at what YOU helped us accomplish: • 53 cities participated • 68 new count locations • 11 new cities • 400+ count locations • 350+ volunteers • 35 Seattle sites We are processing all of the fantastic data you collected. Keep your eye out for results in the coming weeks. For more information contact McKayla Dunfey, mckaylad@cascade.org.
Cascade Bicycling Center
Opening Celebration Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. until noon In Magnuson Park at 7787 62nd Ave. NE Seattle, Washington 98115 We can hardly believe the time has come—join us as we open the doors of the new Cascade Bicycling Center! Come see our new space on the shores of Lake Washington. Win door prizes, drop-in for a bike workshop, join us for a free group ride, hear speakers and more! Coffee and food provided
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
For you buzz cut rocking ladies, rock on! But this column is not for you. Ladies (and dudes) with longer hair, let’s talk about helmet hair. You know how it goes. It’s the morning and you’re getting ready to ride to work or drop your kids off at school. You’ve readied yourself for the day, washed your face, maybe put on some make-up and done your hair. Yet when you get to work and remove your helmet, your hair looks barely any different from when you got out of bed a few hours ago. The obvious solution would of course be to wait to style your hair until you’re at your destination. But that isn’t always an option. So here are some hairdos to keep you looking good with and without a helmet.
Don’t have time to braid your hair? Try the rope. Start by putting your hair in a mid or low ponytail (mid if you want to thread the ponytail through your helmet’s retention system, low if you want it below). Part the ponytail in two equal sections and twirl or twist each section individually before twisting them around each other. Secure with a hair tie and voila! It’s as easy as that.
The Bun
Messy or neat, the bun is another great way to keep your hair out of your face while diminishing bad helmet hair. Style your hair while still damp or use some anti-frizz product on the top, and make sure the bun is low enough to fit below your helmet’s retention system. If your hair tends to get undone, try two smaller buns on each side. Pigtails
If your hair is not quite long enough for a pony tail, low pigtails are great. They keep your hair out of the wind and out of your face. Ponytail with hair ties
The Braid
Next to short hair, a braid is the most helmet-friendly hairdo. Braids fit snugly under your helmet, keep the hair out of your face and keep your hair from tangled and knotty. A single braid down the middle also happens to be the most aerodynamic hairdo. It’s true, it’s been wind tunnel tested by Specialized! Plus, there are dozens of different braids to to try - including the side dutch braid recently made popular by Hunger Games character, Katniss Everdeen. The classic Heidi and French braids never go out of style.
For those with straight, long hair who like to wear it down, try putting your hair in a loose midhigh ponytail. Thread it through your helmet’s retention system, and add another loose hair tie in the middle and bottom of your ponytail. When all is removed, you hair should still be tangle free. Hairband or wrap
Don’t feel like doing your hair? A nice hairband or wrap may be the easiest fix to keep your hair out of your face and tangle-free. Plus, you can wear it on and off the bike. Thanks for the positive feedback to this column. I’m happy to help! Please continue to email me your questions at amrook@cascadebicycleclub.org and I’ll answer them anonymously.
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November 2014
Letters to the Editor Via Twitter
@cascadebicycle
I [learned how to fix a flat] in a safe and controlled environment, thanks to Cascade Bicycle Club! \o/”
@grrlcoder
THE COURIER CREW Editor: Anne-Marije Rook Editorial Assistants: Diane English and Briana Orr Layout: Tom Eibling Photography by: Anne-Marije Rook, Briana Orr, Wenmei Hill Photography, KCTS 9
@cyrushabib @CascadeBicycle thank you for recognizing [bike/ped infrastructure] is an issue! I’ve had way too many close calls biking around town.
@billyduss
Went to the waterfront on our bikes! #majortaylorproject #indiansummer @CascadeBicycle
@YesofWC
Contributors: Briana Orr, Jeff Aken, Alan Van Vlack, Anne-Marije Rook, McKayla Dunfey, Elizabeth Kiker, Josh Miller, Sheila Walsh, Alexa Volwiler, Robin Randels, Rob Snyder, Sarah Lounsburym, Khatsini Simani
We welcome your contributions!
Advertising:
Got an inspiring story or a great photo? We welcome submissions. The editorial calendar is planned one month in advance. If you wish to contribute an article to a future issue, contact the editor as early as possible. Articles and photographic submissions are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Articles submitted after that will be considered on a space-available basis. All submissions are subject to editing for content and space.
We welcome ads and inserts. To check availability and inquire about prices, please contact Briana Orr at brianao@ cascade.org.
Queries can be emailed to: amrook@cascadebicycleclub.org.
Via email
My Cascade Courier came today and I just finished thumbing through it. I've really enjoyed the Women Ride column and thought this month's was especially fitting because I bought my first pair of bib shorts this summer (actually two so I would have a fresh pair for the second day of RSVP). I'm so glad I switched—the benefits of bib shorts far outweigh the annoyance in the bathroom. Keep up the good work with your column, Lori Safer
Board election results
By Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director
Cascade Bicycle Club is pleased to announce the election of its new board members. After counting the ballots and certification of the election, we welcome Nate Glissmeyer, Charles Ruthford, Jim Stanton, Alexa Volwiler and Ed Yoshida to the Cascade Board of Directors. These new board members will serve a three-year term starting on January 1, 2015. Additionally, the proposed amendments to the club’s bylaws were approved by the membership, with 88.6 percent voting in favor. Thank you to everyone who voted!
Members were invited to vote for the board candidates and bylaws amendments by three different methods – online, in person or with a physical ballot. We received 577 ballots for a member participation rate of 3.67 percent.
cascade.org facebook.com/cascadebicycleclub @cascadebicycle @cascadebicycle
CASCADE CONTACTS
amrook@cascade.org
Anne-Marjie,
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Home Page
www.cascade.org Office phone: 206-522-3222 Fax: 206-522-2407 Email: info@cascade.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Note: All email addresses are @cascade.org President Charles Ruthford • charles.ruthford@
Cascade Bicycle Club
7787 62nd Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Elizabeth Kiker • (206) 523-9495 or elizabeth.kiker@
Vice President Daniel Weise • daniel.weise@
SENIOR STAFF Jeff Aken, Advocacy Director (206) 300-5932 • jeff.aken@
Treasurer Don Volta • don.volta@
David Douglas, Rec. Riding Director (206) 769-6575 • david.douglas@
Secretary George Durham • george.durham@
Ed Ewing, Director of Diversity & Inclusion (206) 778-4671 • ed.ewing@
Executive Committee Member-at-large Catherine Hennings • catherine. hennings@ Directors Maggie Sue Anderson • maggiesue. anderson@ Dr. Rayburn Lewis • rayburn.lewis@ Mo McBroom • mo.mcbroom@ Joe Platzner • joe.platzner@ Merlin Rainwater • merlin.rainwater@ Ron Sher • ron.sher@ Jim Stanton • jim.stanton@ Jessica Szelag • Jessica.szelag@ Ed Yoshida • ed.yoshida@
Shannon Koller, Director of Education (206) 696-4425 • shannonk@ Serena Lehman, Director of Membership & Outreach (206) 291-4032 • serenal@ Kathy Mania, Finance Director (206) 498-2607 • kathy.mania@ Robbie Phillips, Director of Strategic Development (206) 229-5187 • robbiep@ Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director (208) 870-9406 • amrook@ Tarrell Wright, Development Director (206) 240-2235 • tarrell.wright@
Learn more at cascade.org/board
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Vol. 44, No. 11
Bicycle and driver’s education: a collaboration opportunity By Josh Miller, Classes and Camps Coordinator
Planning for a bike-friendly Eastside
By McKayla Dunfey, Eastside Policy and Government Affairs Coordinator
Whether you live, work or just ride your bicycle on the Eastside, you’ll be pleased to hear about the myriad of bicycling-related improvements coming your way. Between planning our regional trail networks—like the Eastside Rail Corridor—to updating bicycle and pedestrian transportation master plans, the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond are poised to become thriving bike-friendly cities over the next decade. Fortunately, Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond are already invested in the process. Here is a snapshot of the current plans and progress that will turn the Eastside into a region where bicycling thrives: Bellevue will update its Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
Josh Miller points out the door zone. Photo courtesy of KCTS 9
Traffic safety is critically important for public health and safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle injuries are nearly all avoidable, yet they are a leading cause of injury and death in the U.S. On Oct. 3, I presented to 80 driving instructors and directors of driving schools, addressing road safety for all users and including bicyclists in the driver’s education curriculum. In talking with these instructors, I found that bike educators have a lot in common with driving instructors. And I think there is enough interest to support ongoing collaboration between bicycling and driving instructors. We all recognize the need for safer streets. My presentation centered around empathy and having understanding for others and even patience for their mistakes. To help illustrate the bike rider’s perspective we reviewed photos of traffic hazards for bike riders and talked about the risks that bike riders (and motorcyclists) face such as cracks in the road, narrow roads, door zones, narrow lanes and turn movements. Our discussion was open and the audience was engaged. After the presentation, a handful of instructors were keen to seek out any additional safety material that they could share with their students. We realized that one of the biggest challenges shared by biking and driving instructors is marketing safety education and disseminating safety messages broadly and effectively. We look forward to future collaborations and will keep you posted on our progress.
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
The city of Bellevue is in the process of updating their 2009 PedBike Plan, which lays the foundation for 90 more miles of sidewalks, 144 miles of bikeways and 20 miles of trail facility improvements. In light of a quadrupled downtown population since 2000 and projected growth over the next 30 years, implementing this network will be essential to comfortably accommodate everyone living and working in Bellevue. Cascade looks forward to working with the city of Bellevue throughout the planning stages and hopes to engage community members in the process as well. You will be hearing more about ways you can be involved later this year and in early 2015.
Redmond Central Connector, four miles long, is known as the “artery of the city,” linking Sammamish, Redmond and Kirkland.
rich character of Totem Lake while providing a safe facility for biking and walking in a heavily trafficked intersection. Redmond focuses on wayfinding and planning phase two of the Redmond Central Connector.
Sound Transit plans for bicycling accommodations on East Link Light Rail.
Sound Transit is one step closer to bringing light rail to the Eastside. Designs are coming to fruition. By 2023, light rail will serve Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Bel-Red and Overlake in Redmond. Cascade is working with Sound Transit to ensure that East Link will accommodate those who wish to travel by bike. Station designs include bike cages, lockers, short term bike racks, runnels and easy access to stations from on-street bicycling networks.
Kirkland will make updates to its Transportation Plan and is currently building the Interim CKC.
Kirkland is already a recognized leader in walkable communities and is focused on creating a healthy and livable city as part of the Kirkland 2035 initiative, which will ignite conversation around the city’s comprehensive plan updates. The city will soon update its Transportation Master Plan and include more neighborhood greenways and protected bicycle infrastructure in the city’s expanding network of routes. The interim trail along the Cross Kirkland Corridor—a 5.75mile segment of the Eastside Rail Corridor from the South Kirkland Park & Ride to Totem Lake—is under construction and will serve as an exemplary project that will improve biking and walking in Kirkland. This corridor will not only become a destination for recreation and tourism, but will serve as the spine for a bicycling network that connects neighborhoods across the city. Innovative plans, such as a structurally dramatic bridge at the crossing of 124th and Totem Lake, will highlight the ecologically
Lawn neighborhood and Willows business district, making it easier for people to take more trips by bike.
The city of Redmond wants to make it easier for bicyclists to find their way around the city. They’re in the process of drafting a wayfinding design manual and plan to roll out new signage along with other Eastside jurisdictions to help create a more integrated and connected network. A critical link to this connected network is Redmond’s portion of the Eastside Rail Corridor. Known by Redmond as the artery of the city, the Redmond Central Connector is a four-mile section of the Eastside Rail Corridor that links Sammamish, Redmond and Kirkland. Last year, Redmond completed phase one of the project, which runs from the Bear Creek Trail to the Sammamish River Trail. The city plans to start construction on Phase two in 2015, extending from east of the Sammamish River to the 9900 block along Willows Road. This project incorporates the rail corridor’s history through thoughtful trail design, and will connect the Redmond Town Center, historic Downtown, Glass
We believe light rail has enormous potential to make bicycling more possible and prevalent on the Eastside. Trip distance often inhibits Eastside residents from choosing to bike commute, but light rail will enable more people to conveniently become multi-modal commuters when they have the option of easily bicycling to a light rail station, leaving their bike at the station (or bringing on board) and taking the rail into work. Complete with the latest and most innovative bicycle infrastructure, the Eastside will soon become a place where parents feel comfortable letting their children bike to school. Planning and implementing this kind of transformation requires entire communities, from city staff and elected officials to neighborhood groups and interested individuals. We look forward to working with you! If you would like to become active in making this vision a reality, email McKayla at mckaylad@cascade.org
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November 2014
Q & A with Amy Brockhaus, coalition director at Mountains to Sound Greenway By McKayla Dunfey, Eastside Eastside Policy and Government Affairs Coordinator
of citizens, led by members of the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, staged a march from Snoqualmie Pass to the Seattle waterfront. With the rallying cry to save some of our magnificent landscapes before it was too late, Seattle civic leader Jim Ellis brought together a broad coalition of interest groups to work together to balance thoughtful development and conservation. Thus, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust was born in 1991.”
Amy Brockhaus
The Mountains to Sound Greenway is an incredible asset to our region. We consider ourselves lucky to work with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and thank Amy Brockhaus, the Trust’s coalition director, for taking the time to answer a few questions about the great work happening throughout the greenway. Q: What exactly is the Mountains to Sound Greenway?
A: “The Mountains to Sound Greenway landscape encompasses 1.5 million acres of connected natural lands and thriving communities surrounding Interstate 90 between Puget Sound and Central Washington. The Greenway conserves a shared heritage of working forests and farms; parks and natural areas; historic towns and vibrant cities; rivers, lakes and wildlife habitat; all providing limitless outdoor education and recreation opportunities. “In 1990, the Puget Sound region was on the verge of a significant economic boom with the accompanying increase in population. Unchecked, development could have stretched across the forested hillsides along I-90. Instead, hundreds
Q: What are some of the key missing links on the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trail that you are currently working to fill in?
A: “The Greenway vision is that a walker or bicyclist could travel on safe, enjoyable, non-motorized trails connecting Puget Sound urban areas, the Cascade Mountains, and Central Washington. There are a few significant missing links in an east-west network, which are difficult to fill. The Greenway Trust is working with the City of Bellevue to plan for and fund a 3.6-mile trail connection through the highly urbanized Factoria area. We also work with Washington State Parks to secure funding to repair historic railway tunnels in Iron Horse State Park, the former Milwaukee Road railway through the Cascades. And we are keenly interested in working with Cascade Bicycle Club, City of Seattle and others to design and build a safe, enjoyable connection from the Mountains to Sound Trail on Beacon Hill, across Interstate 5, to the Seattle Waterfront.” Q: What are you most excited about in respect to the Greenway in the next five years?
A: “No one person or entity can keep the Greenway the wonderful place that we all enjoy. We are thrilled to see the many accomplishments of all of our coalition partners across the Greenway, and here are two major initiatives that
Cascade Bicycle Club and Greenway Eastgate Corridor joined together for an advocacy bike ride. Photo credit: Karl Forsgaard
should see great progress in the next five years: Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley
“A gateway into the spectacular natural lands of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the Middle Fork Valley boasts rugged peaks, expansive forest, a magnificent river, and prime wildlife habitat. Located only a 35-minute drive from downtown Seattle, this valley just outside North Bend has great potential as a recreational destination and economic driver for the population in Washington’s largest metropolitan areas. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington State Department of Natural resources, we launched a major campaign to build new trails, increase capacity for recreational use, install signage and complete restoration projects to improve the ecological health of the basin.
the U.S. Congress to designate the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a National Heritage Area.” Q: How can interested community members get involved with the Greenway?
A: “Join us to volunteer to plant trees, remove invasive weeds or maintain trails. Every Saturday throughout the year, volunteers are on the ground making a true positive difference on this landscape. Sign your science classroom up for outdoor education lessons and field study trips. Or contact me or other Greenway staff to learn how to support policy initiatives such as regional trail connections or securing funding for recreation access.” Who would you like to hear from next? Email us at amrook@cascade.org.
National Heritage Area
“ From salmon and coal to timber and recreation, the natural wealth of the Greenway has shaped local culture and history. Native travel ways are interwoven with historic transportation routes still used today. Traces of logging roads and abandoned mines can be found in parks, along with salmon runs and bear dens. To honor this unique regional identity, we are asking
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Vol. 44, No. 11
8 to 80: why it matters
By Robin Randels, Community Connections Advocate
So how spicy is Seattle? • Seattle has an updated Bike Master Plan and is currently updating the pedestrian plan with an eye towards becoming the most walkable city in the nation. • Seattle’s plan to build 250 miles of neighborhood greenways and protected bikes lanes addresses the needs of a people-oriented mobility system. • Through an active Safe Routes to School program, the city is funding speed cameras near schools; enforcing 20 mph speed limits in school zones; creating safer routes to schools along the neighborhood greenway network; and adding more sophisticated, safer, signals at intersections.
Families and children riding their bikes is just one indicator of an 8 - 80 city.
Imagine the kind of place in which you want to live. My imagination conjures up a happy place. A place that attracts young workers; where children grow up pedaling to school; where older folks walk around their neighborhood and can find a bench to sit and take a breath. Recently, I spent an evening listening to one of my heros, Gil Penalosa, executive director of 8 - 80 Cities. It was the second time I’ve had the pleasure to hear about his “8 - 80 Cities” vision and both times he challenged me to stretch my imagination. 8 - 80 cities is a vision of a city designed for ages eight through eighty years old. They are the wave of the future and we have the power to create them, says Penalosa. In his presentation, Penalosa challenges the audience to compare Seattle to the best cities in the world—Paris, Vancouver, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Portland, Just to name a few—and take stock of what makes them great. Those cities share several common elements: numerous, delightful public spaces and parks; convenient and abundant bike-parking; lots of pedestrians and bike riders; wayfinding signs; protected bike routes; and bike sharing programs.
• Recently installed Broadway and Second Avenue protected bike lanes in Seattle dramatically changed the feel of riding those two busy streets from scary to comfortable. Ridership on Second Ave has increased threefold since it’s opening, and people who have never ridden in the city are giving it a try. Although we are well on our way to becoming one of the cities on Penalosa’s short-list, there is still plenty of hard work ahead. Seattle has an upcoming opportunity to create an amazing, community space, with the Westlake Protected Bike Lane Project. A generous amount of separated space allocated to pedestrians and bicyclists through the public space along the Lake Union waterfront, Cheshiahud Loop Trail, reflects a city committed to future growth in South Lake Union and creates an enticing environment for current citizens, families and prospective job seekers. How will we know if all of this is working?
The answer, says Penalosa, is when people stay in the public space. They linger in the parks, have coffee in sidewalk cafes, take walks along pleasant and interesting corridors. Kids play in their neighborhood streets and ride their bikes to school, arriving more ready to learn. Imagine this people-oriented place. What does it look like? I challenge you to ask yourself: what types of city investments support that vision?
Penalosa’s recipe for a “spicy” 8 - 80 city: • Start with public space, as it is “the glue that links it all together,” according to Penalosa. • Add great space for pedestrians to walk. “When people walk they use their senses and it makes them happy to hear birds singing, see children playing, smell the aroma from the coffee shop,” he adds. • Then, mix in space for people to ride bikes. “It’s just a more efficient way of walking,” says Penalosa. As Parks Commissioner in Bogota, Columbia, Penalosa’s administration built 280 km of protected bike lanes, increasing ridership from 28,000 to 350,000 during his three-year term. • Connect places to work, live and play with public transit. • Mix slowly. Reducing the speed limit to 20 mph increases a person’s chance of survival to 95 percent if hit by a car. • Spice it up with Open Streets or Ciclovias. The streets are closed to cars and opened for people. City parks serve up a wide variety of fun such as musical performances, yoga, aerobics classes and plenty of kid’s activities. Bogota attracted 1.8 million people to participate in it’s Ciclovia according to the New York Times. Penalosa is emphatic when he says, “There are no losers!” “It’s fantastic for business! It is the best thing Colombia has ever done!” This may sound like it’s as easy as baking a cake, but it “takes political will to get it done,” according to Penalosa. Why 8 - 80?
When thinking about investments in pedestrian and bike infrastructure, look no further than our children, “if it is safe enough for them, it is safe enough for everyone,” says Penalosa. If we begin now to provide safe ways for them to walk, bike or take the bus, we will have a healthier population, cleaner air and water, happier people in the workplace and a vibrant place to reside. Improving Lives Through Bicycling
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November 2014
Cascade’s fall session of ALI is rolling By Robin Randels, Community Connections Advocate
Our fall cohort of Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI) began in September and is off to a great start. Weekly evening sessions include local guest speakers covering a range of topics that will help ALI graduates effectively advocate for important local projects. Our speakers thus far have included our own Ed Ewing, Council member Mike O’Brien and Esther Handy (legislative assistant to O’Brien) and Bill LaBorde from SDOT. Topics have ranged from the importance of advocacy, to compelling storytelling and navigating city government. Many of our new people were spurred to action by the untimely death of Sher Kung on Second Avenue bike lane, wanting to do something to make it safer for people to bike or walk safely. ALI students are encouraged to pick a local project to work on with several others. Teams are formed to strategize and devise action plans that move the projects forward. Here is a sampling of the projects: • Expand the network of downtown protected bike lanes. • Work toward a viable solution for the “missing link” in Ballard and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and access on the Ballard Bridge. • Partner with Rainier Valley Greenways to support their work. • Partner with a strong group of advocates on the Portage Bay/ 520 Bridge replacement. • Advocate for the bike and pedestrian bridge project over I-5 at Northgate. • Engage with the public and ensure the Westlake protected bike lane project stays on track. Our fall cohort includes: Adam Blumenthal, Lindsay Buzzo, Mary Collins, Brian Estes, Edward Feeley, Brooke Gately, Marla Husnik, Kevin Lugo, Scott McKinley, Kate Hotler, Scott McKinley, Phyllis Porter, Julia Trippel, Nick Valera, Paul Wirsing and Natalie Witte. Here’s a little more about a few of our ALI students:
Kids Bike Bonanza
By Rob Snyder, Cascade Ride Leader
Bike Works seeks bike donations for kids. Photo courtesy of Bike Works
Share your love of cycling with a child whose family is getting back on their feet, join us at Kids Bike Bonanza! Presented by Bike Works, Kids Bike Bonanza benefits residents of Solid Ground's Sandpoint housing community. Tenants of Solid Ground’s Sandpoint housing community have recently been homeless and are working to create stability for their families. The bike that is collecting dust in your garage can make a big difference for one of these kids. Please donate gently used bikes suitable for kids between the ages of four and eight years old. Larger bikes will go to Bike Works. We can also use accessories like locks or lights. After the bikes are donated & inventoried, we will host a work party to ensure that each bike is in good working order before presenting the bicycle to its recipient. To make a donation, please email Rob Snyder at rls3213@msn.com
Two weeks into life in Seattle By Sarah Lounsburym, AmeriCorps volunteer
Brooke Gately wanted to do volunteer work with a local nonprofit, but couldn’t quite figure out which area to focus on – animal shelters, bikes or books? After months of commuting to her job along the North Seattle Greenway, she became excited to help drive change for the bicycling community.
Scott McKinley had a lifechanging moment two years ago when he was hit by a car, breaking both hands and his femur. He has made a close-tofull-recovery but is still reminded of the experience daily. Despite that, he commutes year-round from Seattle to Woodinville about four times per week. He believes in bicycles as a transportation alternative to cars and hopes that ALI will be a vehicle to put action behind his beliefs.
Natalie Witte has been riding for four years and volunteers at the Bike Shack in North Seattle, a co-op that focuses on teaching people to do their own repair. She is excited to get off the sidelines and get involved. Natalie also aspires to help others do the same!
It is an honor to be working with these energetic, passionate people on projects that will make Seattle a safer and more enjoyable place to live, work and play. 8
It’s incredible how much I have learned after only living in Seattle for a few weeks. I moved from a city with a population of 144,000 to one with 652,000. There are half a million more people to observe, to learn from and to interact with in a half a million different ways. Without a car, I have been able to immerse myself in the culture. I ride my bike to work, home and to most other places. I am excited to see the infrastructure that supports bicyclists and am optimistic that these efforts will continue. I have ventured to various parks and seen how families and individuals enjoy their weekend recreation. As my feet push down on the pedals in steady synchronization, I feel like I am learning something. I’m becoming more familiar with my surroundings, recognizing certain landmarks as I ride home each day. I watch others as they stop at crosswalks, red lights and at street corners, all heading in every direction. It’s the only time in which we’re not all riding at different paces. I believe that in bigger cities, it is easier to come up with bigger ideas. There are more people to engage with and that are able to see both sides of an issue. We all have the ability to advocate for ourselves, to discover our passion and to pursue our goals. It doesn’t matter if you are a youth or an adult. There’s always a way to incite positive changes in our communities. At the grocery store the other day, I saw a man holding a newspa-
per titled Real Change. He asked if I wanted to purchase it for two dollars. While I told him I didn’t want the paper, I did tell him that I would like real change. One issue I’m particularly passionate about is education. I have worked in many suburban schools, and I am used to the constant upkeep and renovations that taxpayers are able to afford in those districts. It’s surprising to see some of the inadequacies in urban schools, yet rewarding to see that students are still eager to learn, regardless of the resources and aesthetics of their institution. I’m happy to be part of an organization that brings bikes to urban schools and allows students to learn to ride a bicycle safely. Riding a bike at school can bring joy to a child’s life and provides him or her a simple freedom. In the next 10 months, I know I will continue to learn more about what it means to serve and help others. It won’t be easy to live on a stipend, but I know there are also other people that have even fewer resources than I do. I am thankful for these sunny fall days in which I have been able to become acquainted with my new city. I am able to view both the mountains and large bodies of water from the seat of my bicycle. I honestly feel like I am the luckiest person in the world. In my work over the next few months I will keep pedaling forward, teaching and improving lives. I hope to become more of a leader and inspire children in a variety of ways. www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 11
FREE GROUP RIDES EASY PACE (UNDER 10 mph) Saturday, Nov. 29 SLOW Ride with Senior Ladies On Wheels 11 a.m. 5 miles from the Northwest African American Museum by I-90 Trail, Seattle • Ride Leader: Merlin Rainwater
STEADY PACE (12-14 mph) Tuesday, Nov. 4 TREATS: Redhook - Lake Sammamish Loop 10 a.m. 34 miles from Red Hook Brewery, Woodinville • Ride Leader: Aimee Mamich Saturday, Nov. 8 Annual Fall City Church Harvest Festival 10:30 a.m. 22 miles from Tolt McDonald Park, Carnation • Ride Leader: Jan Johnson Tuesday, Nov. 11 TREATS: Log Boom Park-Redmond 10 a.m. 30 miles from Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Loretta Goetsch
LEISURELY PACE (10-12 mph) Saturday, Nov. 1 Wine, Spice & Everything Nice 11 a.m. 26 miles from the Sammamish River Trail parking lot, Woodinville • Ride Leader: Jeff ey Stewart Sunday, Nov. 2 Sunday Crepes Ride 10 a.m. 33 miles from Gasworks Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: David Bordewick Friday, Nov. 7 FRIDAY RIDERS: Seattle Design Center 10 a.m. 25 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: Norm Tjaden Saturday, Nov. 8 Fall City Church Harvest Festival Annual Event 10:30 a.m. 17 miles from Tolt McDonald Park Parking lot, Carnation • Ride Leader: Norm Tjaden
Tuesday, Nov. 18 TREATS: Lowell Riverfront Park/ Snohomish/Everett Ride 10 a.m. 25 miles from Lowell Riverfront Trailhead, Everett • Ride Leader: Clarice Sackett Tuesday, Nov. 25 TREATS: Ride to Edmonds 10 a.m. 30 miles from Gasworks Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: David Bordewick
MODERATE PACE (14-16 mph) Sunday, Nov. 2 CAFES #4: Uptown Espresso (Magnolia) 9 a.m. 50 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue • Ride Leaders: Nan Haberman, Rob Latino Sunday, Nov. 16 Saints and Sinners - Resurrection Sundays 1:30 p.m. 20 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: Roger Salstrom
Friday, Nov. 14 FRIDAY RIDERS go to Lake Forest Park 10 a.m. 20 miles from Green Lake Aqua Theater leachers, Seattle • Ride Leader: David Bordewick Friday, Nov. 21 FRIDAY RIDERS: Roads and Trails 10 a.m. 25 miles from Log Boom Park/Tracy Owen Station, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Jan Johnson
BRISK PACE (16-18 mph) Sunday, Nov. 2 CAFES #4: Uptown Espresso (Magnolia) 9 a.m. 50 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue • Ride Leader: James Coliz Monday, Nov. 3 MUMPS: Do the Lake 10 a.m. 50 miles from Tracy Owen Station/ Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn Wednesday, Nov. 5 Bellevue Night Rides 6 p.m. 22 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue • Ride Leader: Alexa Volwiler Sunday, Nov. 9 CAFES #5: The Den Coffee House (Bothell) 9 a.m. 50 miles from Woodinville Sports Fields (near Wilmot Gateway Park), Woodinville • Ride Leaders: Wilfried Mack, Alexa Volwiler
SUPER-STRENUOUS PACE (+22 mph) Thursday, Nov. 6 More Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Vincent Haag, Lola Jacobsen, Russ Moul Tuesday, Nov.11 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton • Ride Leader: Vincent Haag Thursday, Nov. 13 More Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Vincent Haag, Lola Jacobsen, Russ Moul
Monday, Nov. 10 MUMPS: Do the Lake 10 a.m. 50 miles from Tracy Owen Station/ Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn Sunday, Nov.16 CAFES #6: Sandy’s Espresso (Carnation) 9 a.m. 50 miles South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue • Ride Leader: James Coliz Monday, Nov. 17 MUMPS: Do the Lake 10 a.m. 50 miles from Tracy Owen Station/ Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn Monday, Nov. 24 MUMPS: Do the Lake 10 a.m. 50 miles from Tracy Owen Station/ Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn
VIGOROUS PACE (18-20 mph) Please review our online calendar cascade.org/ calendarfreegrouprides for rides at this pace.
STRENUOUS PACE (20-21 mph)
Tuesday, Nov. 18 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton • Ride Leader: Vincent Haag Thursday, Nov. 20 More Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Vincent Haag, Lola Jacobsen, Russ Moul Tuesday, Nov. 25 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton • Ride Leader: Vincent Haag Thursday, Nov. 27 More Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Vincent Haag, Lola Jacobsen, Russ Moul
Please review our online calendar cascade.org/ calendarfreegrouprides for rides at this pace.
This is a sampling of this month’s rides.
On Twitter? Or Instagram? Tag your post with #grouprides Improving Lives Through Bicycling
For a complete listing, see cascade.org/calendar. For full details of the listed rides, see cascade.org/grouprides. This is also where you’ll find ride guidelines to help you select a ride that suits your style, skills and energy level. Weather conditions may cancel the ride. Helmets are required on all rides. Earbuds/headphones are not allowed on any Cascade ride. All riders are required to sign a waiver form. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Riders are expected to be ready to ride at the time listed. Participants do not have to RSVP, simply show up to join the fun!
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November 2014
Fall bike-y movies
By Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director
When I think about fall, I think about long hours on the saddle in cold and wet weather followed by snuggling up on the couch with a hot cup of tea and watching movies. Here are some of Cascade’s staff favorite bike movies to add to your fall watching list!
Student at Stevens Elementary receives Bike to School challenge grand prize! By Khatsini Simani, Education Program Coordinator
Remember our friendly Bike to School Challenge from last spring? Well, Stevens Elementary came in first place in our K-5 category with 44,497 reported minutes of biking in May! They decided to raffle off their grand prize – a brand new Raleigh bike – at a celebratory assembly this fall, and student Milo was the lucky winner.
DOCUMENTARIES Hell on Wheels
A sobering look behind the scenes of the German TMobile squad as they struggle through the 2003 Tour de France with Erik Zabel as their best contender.
Congrats, Milo!
A Sunday in Hell
This 1976 Danish documentary film chronicles Eddy Merckx's epic battle on the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix. Asiemut
This Canadian film follows a young French Canadian couple as they journey 5,000 miles from Mongolia to India.
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY The Triplets of Belleville
Written and directed by Sylvain Chomet, this animated film follows Madame Souza who goes on an epic adventure when her bike racing grandson goes missing during the Tour de France. With her grandson’s overweight and faithful pet dog Bruno at her side, Madame Souza goes looking her grandson and befriends three eccentric elderly women – who were once the renowned jazz singing group The Triplets of Belleville – and who join the quest. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
Directed by Tim Burton, this 1985 classic follows the eccentric man-child Pee-Wee Herman as he sets out across the U.S. on the adventure of his life in search of his stolen bicycle.
BIG THEATRICAL RELEASES American Flyers
Sports physician Marcus (Kevin Costner) persuades his unstable brother David to come with him and train for a bicycle race across the Rocky Mountains. He doesn't tell him that he has a brain aneurysm which could render him paralyzed or dead at any given moment. Fun fact: The original 7-Eleven team as well as the great Eddy Merckx make an appearance in this movie. Breaking Away
Starring a young Dennis Christopher and Dennis Quaid, this coming of age story centers around a small-town boy obsessed with the Italian cycling team as he vies for the affections of a college girl and the approval of his father.
This Thanksgiving we are thankful for YOU. Thanks for riding. Thanks for volunteering. Thanks for giving. You make our work possible
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Stevens Elementary P.E. teacher Spencer Beard presents student, Milo, with a new Raleigh bike.
Interest in after-school bike clubs, bike trains and pre-spring planning for Bike to School Month is growing among the schools we are working in. As of now, nearly all of our bike fleets are out at schools in Edmonds, Lake Washington, Highline and Seattle. Stay tuned for more updates from our team about what's happening in the field.
Age doesn’t matter
By Sheila Walsh, Cascade member and a member of the Fisher Plumbing racing team
As a recreational rider, occasional commuter and mom dragging kids around in a trailer, I had no idea there was such a big racing community in Seattle. But one day I was on a ferry and complimented a woman on her beautiful Ridley racing bike, and a conversation started. She was a Category 4 racer and confided in me that she may be a “Cat 4 forever”, because she was 40 and had to race alongside 20-year-olds. She wished more older women would race so there would be bigger fields with more age categories at races. The spark of inspiration took hold. I felt I needed to start racing to pad the field with older racers. So, at a tender age of 57, I entered my first race. I bought a one-day license for five dollars, and ignorantly jumped into the race with full water bottles, mountain bike shoes, tool kit, fenders, etc. Watching and learning from the other women racers—who were so friendly, inclusive and generous with their knowledge—I realized the duct tape over the holes in my helmet wasn’t really going to make me go faster or be more “aero”. Despite standing out like a sore thumb, I was hooked. I loved the speed and competition, the thrill of being in the pack, conquering the courses, sprinting to the finish lines. I joined one of the nearly 20 local teams, all committed to offer frequent team rides, pack riding skills, race strategies, bike handling skills, and help with training schedules, building confidence and improving fitness.
After her first bicycle race at age 57, Shelia was hooked
Ultimately, with improved fitness and experience comes better placings and wins. These wins give you points toward an “upgrade” to Category 3, then Cat 2, Cat 1 – and if you are young and talented – on to Pro. There are teams to support all racing disciplines: road racing including time trials and criteriums; mountain biking including single track, cross-country, downhill and enduro; cyclo-cross racing; and track racing at our local jewel, the Marymoor Velodrome. What I learned was that it’s never too late to learn a new sport. Age doesn’t matter! It’s all about training, finding self-fulfillment, challenge and community. To me, it’s about the power of the bike; feeling the transfer of power from body to tool; feeling the change in metabolism and the pump of endorphins. Feeling the symbiosis of the peloton, the camaraderie and laughter, can transform you. Learn more about women’s racing at wsbaracing.com/women
www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 11
Kick off the Cascade Bicycle Club tour season in sunny San Diego! By Ken Condray, Cascade Ride Leader
Tour registration will be open mid-December. Please check the website at www.cascade.org/tours for tour and registration details.
Ken Condray and Becky Bottino enjoy ocean views while riding Discover San Diego
Put your winter riding gear in storage and join us for some fun in the sun! This tour is designed as a late April “Spring Break” when San Diego is warm and sunny while much of the U.S. is still recovering from winter. Average April daytime temperatures in San Diego are about 55 - 70°F. Discover San Diego is a fixed base tour in which we will experience this beautiful, ocean-side city by bicycle. Our lodging for the week will
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
be in Old Town, which is a hub of activity with numerous shops, restaurants and historical sites. This tour is ideal for non-riding partners who can enjoy San Diego’s numerous attractions while cyclists participate in the scheduled rides around the city. Non-riding partners can participate in events but cannot participate in the daily rides (other than meeting for lunch). Non-riding partners will be expected to cover the cost of any event they attend. If your partner wants to join you in San Diego, simply sign up as a single supplement then email the leader with the name of your nonriding partner. Since rides are in the city with numerous resources at hand, there will not be a SAG vehicle for this tour. Discovering quaint coffee shops and lunch spots will be part of the San Diego experience.
CHEW Rides again in 2015 Alexa Volwiler, Cascade Ride Leader
Come join us for the third annual Climbing Hills Eastside in the Winter (“CHEW”) rides. This is a series of free group rides that run every weekend starting the first weekend in January through last weekend in March (with rest week for Chilly Hilly). These will be climbing routes on local hills which target elevation is 85 feet per mile with distances between 30 miles and 55 miles. Routes mix in a variety of areas so you’ll get a good sense of what our local hills have to offer. We have a lot of fun staying in shape during the winter – motivating each other over hard climbs and pushing ourselves to ride even in the rain. Riders will gain hill climbing strength and will be ready to start the spring cycling season off strong. This year, we are running the series in two regions – Eastside and South. For the Eastside, paces offered will be steady (12-14 mph) to strenuous (20-22 mph) with start locations between Bellevue and Woodinville. For the South End, paces will be steady (12-14 mph) to brisk (16-18 mph) with start locations between Kent and Federal Way. We hope to see you on the rides! For more details, visit the Cascade Calendar online, or contact Alexa Volwiler at alexa.volwiler@gmail.com or Stacey Williams at staceyw@cascade.org
September donors to the Cascade Education Foundation Our donors make our work possible—Thank you! Steven D. Abercrombie James Ahmed Ben G. Antonio Caglayan Arkan Brock D. Arnold Rex Backman Nancy Backus Karan Bajwa Donald W. Barden Alexander B. Barnett Charley E. Bell Nathan Bialke Dave Bricklin Roy D. Bueler Judy K. Butler Lizzy Carter Tori Carter Th ce W. Colyn Erik Cota-Robles John O. Crichton Roy Davis Paul M. De Groot Larry DeBardi Domenick Dellino David A. Dichek Earl A. Dorsey Brian East Tony East Bradley Edmison Mark Eidem Jeff R. verhart Michael Filipovic Bryan D. Flint Christian Folk Steven C. Frazier Jacki Freeman Franklin H. Furlong Eric P. Gierke David P. Giugliano Demian Godon Shannon Grant Joey Gray Randy J. Hanson Shani Hawley Dana K. Hinman
Colleen M. Hinton Luther M. Hintz Shari L. Hogshead Juanita E. Holmes Eric G. Holtz Christy Hoyt Amy Hsieh Bastiaan M Hugenholtz Peter C. Hummel Matt Inpanbutr Lola I. Jacobsen Aaron Kahn Melanie Kelsey Marianne C. Klaas David Klotz Julie A. Knott Bill LaBorde Tanya Lamp Martha C. Lane ms Joyce M. LaRose David A. Longmuir Hannah E. Love Mandie Majerus Michel Martel George L. McCain Michael A. McClinton Bruce McLachlin Rudy J. Moeller Greg Moore Chuck Morgan Pamela Morgan john mrozek Bob Nebel Linda K. Nehser Doru C. Nica Kim Osmond Larry A Palmer Don A Pease Mark Peterson Julie Peterson David Powell Merlin Rainwater & Gregory Foster Julie A Robinson
Craig Ruble Allen Safer Deb Salls Dragos Catalin Sambotin Amber Sanguinetti Alison Scheiderer Carolyn M Shaw Tyler J Smith Robert Smith Kelly R Sommerfeld Patrick A Taylor Leif Tellmann Lynne Thoma Brad J Tupper Lisa Vaillancourt Stacey Van Eps Todd M Versaw Laurie S Vette Kim Voros Joanne K Warren Michael J Wayte Pat Weiler Diane Wiatr David Wiegand Rick Wiltfong Deborah Wrona Ella Zander Lee Zuckett Dave K Carlton Blair & Laura Dillaway John & Nancy Rudolf Dan Woodman Corporate Google Microsoft Corporation Matching Gifts The Boeing Compan Foundation Grants The ullitt Foundation
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November 2014
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen becomes honorary Major Taylor rider! By Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director
When bicycles fly
By Briana Orr, Communications Specialist Business: Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery Co-Founders: Brian Caldwell, Shawn Becker and Tim Frommer Industry: Beer Brewing Find them: www.flyingbike.coop
A fan of bikes and craft beer, David Wiegand is a founding member and one of nine volunteer board members of Flying Bike, Washington’s first cooperative brewery.
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen (second from the left) joined Major Taylor riders at Global Connections High School for an afternoon of activities.
School is back in session, which means so is the Major Taylor Project! The Major Taylor Project (MTP) is a year-round youth development program focused on creating access and opportunities for high school youth from diverse and underserved communities to experience and connect with the outdoors. The program uses bicycling as a forum for inspiring youth to seek community activism, leadership and self-efficacy through goal-setting and relationship-building. Currently, there are Major Taylor riding clubs at six schools in the region: five high schools and one middle school. Last week, Major Taylor riders at Global Connections High School received a special surprise when Seattle Councilmember Tom Rasmussen joined in the club activities that afternoon. Councilmember Rasmussen shared some of his bike travel stories and joined them for a 10-mile ride around SeaTac. In return, Councilmember Rasmussen was rewarded with a Major Taylor jersey. “After our 10-mile ride I was so inspired by the work the Major Taylor Project is doing for youth in underserved communities throughout the Seattle area,” said Rasmussen. “I saw firsthand how this program empowers students to explore their neighborhoods and beyond. I’m thrilled to be named an honorary Major Taylor rider and can’t wait to ride with them again!”
Born and raised in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, Wiegand said he’s always been into bicycling, riding his bike throughout his childhood years, but he only recently got into recreational road and mountain biking. Craft brewing is a hobby he picked up from his dad, and he started brewing with friends post-college. “It helps that a lot of my friends are avid cyclists… and that a lot of my friends are avid craft beer drinkers, too,” he said. And Wiegand’s group of friends is ever expanding—at the time of publication, Flying Bike Brewing Cooperative had 872 members and counting. One of those members is Cascade’s very own Tim O’Connor, who frequently sports Flying Bike apparel around the office. Drawn to its member-driven operation, O’Connor joined the co-op just five minutes after hearing about it. He’s been an active member ever since. “I'm a part owner and I have the opportunity to craft/design the beer that the brewery brews,” he said. Wiegand explained that the cooperative model emerged as the only viable way to fund a brewery with a group of friends. That was four years ago, and at that time it seemed funding a brewery seemed as “improbable as a ‘flying bicycle,” he said. Hence the name.
S AV E at the new Cascade Bicycling Center 7787 62nd Ave. NE Seattle, Washington 98115
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Currently operating without a physical space, Flying Bike engages their members in events like brewing competitions, member meetups and educational beer events. All of the beers brewed are selected from member competitions in which members vote on their favorites. An keen homebrewer himself, O’Connor recently participated in a brew competition and took eighth place out of 19 submissions. “When we finally get first place, Flying Bike will brew our beer and distribute it across Seattle!” he said, adding that he’s currently working on a “Winter warmer” brew. For Wiegand, community engagement is a key ingredient to this cooperative mash.
It’s not just about making a buck, Wiegand explained. “It’s about serving our members in terms of giving them a say in how the business is run, providing them a way to be involved in the business, and feeling a sense of pride and ownership to belong to a business that is doing good in the community,” he said. Flying Bike is the organizer behind the popular “Tour de Pints” pub crawl during Seattle Beer Week, which is done on bikes. A physical space is currently in the works for Flying Bike’s Brewery and Taproom. Wiegand said it will be welcoming to cooperative members and their friends, open to the public and multi-use. Flying Bike envisions it to be available for community meetings and rent out for special occasions. “We also want to partner with other bicycle-oriented businesses to mutually support each other’s activities and goals,” Wiegand said. Flying Bike will operate with sustainability at the front, which they’ve listed as one of the “seven core cooperative principles.” “We will make every effort to conserve resources and practice environmentally responsible practices wherever economically possible… to buy local whenever possible, recycle our waste, and recover heat and water from the brewing process as much as possible,” Wiegand said. Flying Bike is currently negotiating the final points on a lease for a space in the Greenwood neighborhood, adjacent to Naked City Brewing. Flying Bike hopes to open their doors in the Spring of 2015. Until then, you can learn more at www.flyingbike.coop/ Know a bikey business that should be featured? Email us at amrook@cascade. org
www.cascade.org