improving lives through bicycling
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December 2015 / Vol. 45 No. 12
Let’s Get Moving
By Kelli Refer, Seattle Advocacy & Field Programs Director
cascade.org
King County approves rail removal to build interim trail on Eastside Rail Corridor By McKayla Dunfey, Eastside Policy & Government Affairs Manager
A mother-and-daughter pair ride together on the Cross Kirkland Corridor.
The ballots are counted and the people of Seattle have spoken — safer streets and a better transportation system are in our future! We know it was the hard work of our Connect Seattle teams that made this win possible. Thank you for volunteering and for your votes. Thanks to your help in 2014,
If you’ve had a chance to ride along the Redmond Central Connector or the Cross Kirkland Corridor, you probably already have a sense of how amazing and transformative a fully connected corridor from Renton to Snohomish will be once complete. Last week, the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved phased rail removal through King County-owned sections of the Eastside Rail Corridor, bringing us one step closer to realizing this vision of a more connected Eastside.
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We did it! Thanks for voting YES on the Levy to Move Seattle. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Mullis.
Seattle has a world class Bike Master Plan, and Move Seattle will help turn that plan into pavement. In the next nine years we will see half of the Bike Master Plan built out. When we build out this plan, neighborhoods will have safe bike routes that connect people to the places they need to go. Cascade will keep a close eye on the development of our bike network to ensure that all protected bike lanes and greenways are the best the nation has to offer. Every single Seattle public school will benefit from Safe Routes to School funding, thanks to Move Seattle. There is an emphasis on equity, with schools with high rates of free and reduced lunch seeing more of these investments. Safe Routes to School improvements range from traffic calming measures like additional speed humps or improved pedestrian crossings, to more sidewalks and added bike parking. Move Seattle sets aside important funds to ensure that our city becomes a safer place — no matter how you get around. Eliminating traffic fatalities is a top priority for the city’s transportation department. We know what it takes to make Vision Zero’s goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries happen: slower speeds, safe crossings for pedestrians and all ages and abilities bike infrastructure. With safety as a core value of the levy, all projects will be assessed for their safety impacts. The future of transportation in Seattle is bright. So let’s get moving.
“After nearly a decade of working to preserve this unique corridor, we can now look ahead to the day people can get out and enjoy it.” -Dow Constantine, King County Executive
The Eastside Rail Corridor, a 42-mile corridor stretching from Renton to Snohomish, is a former rail line that is now being converted into a multi-use corridor for walking, biking and future transit. The corridor will connect the cities of Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Redmond and parts of unincorporated King and Snohomish counties. The recently approved motion enables phased rail removal. Phase 1 includes King County-owned sections of the corridor from the south end
of the Cross Kirkland Corridor to Coulon Park in Renton, and Phase 2 includes sections north of Kirkland and Redmond. Phase 1 designs and permitting will begin in early 2016, and rail removal and interim trail will be complete by mid-2017. “After nearly a decade of working to preserve this unique corridor, we can now look ahead to the day people can get out and enjoy it,” said Executive Constantine in a recent King County press release. “With phased removal of unusable tracks, we could be opening the first interim trail segment in two years.” Cascade has been working with the Trust for Public Land and a larger coalition to move forward on multi-modal corridor development. We are thrilled to be a part of the process of planning and building a new way to move, connect and live on the Eastside, and we thank the King County Council for its recent approval of rail removal. Please join us for the Eastside Rail Corridor Summit on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue to help us realize the great vision for this corridor. Email mckaylad@cascade.org for more information about the event.
Eastside Rail Corridor Summit Saturday, Jan. 9 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Meydenbauer Center Bellevue
December 2015
Vol. 45, No. 12
Moving forward
Members, it’s time to vote!
Cascade welcomes Brent Tongco
By Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director
By Ariana Rundquist, Membership & Development Manager
By Briana Orr, Communications Manager
Members of Cascade’s building team at a recent awards ceremony. From left to right: Bob Vincent, Elizabeth Kiker, Séamus Kelly, Ron Sher, Daniel Poppe.
Cascade’s annual election begins Tuesday, Dec. 1 and will finish Tuesday, Dec. 15. Cascade Members will receive a unique digital ballot at their primary email address, and will be asked to vote on the five candidates running for Cascade’s Board of Directors. Members will also vote on whether or not to approve the proposed changes to the Cascade Bicycle Club bylaws, which your board unanimously approved earlier this year. Detailed board candidate bios and bylaws changes were published in the September and October
Joining us all the way from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, we are pleased to welcome Brent Tongco as Cascade’s new Communications & Marketing Director! Brent brings nearly a decade of marketing and communications experience, in addition to working within the bicycle industry. Brent launched into the world of two wheels at an exciting time in the bike movement, the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Working under the mayor, he supported the marketing and promotions of all civic engagement events during the convention, including a temporary, manned bike share service with 1,000 bicycles. That temporary service evolved into a permanent bike share system, Denver B-cycle, where Brent served as Interim Marketing & Communication Director. “At the time, I didn’t realize I could make something I loved so much a profession,” said Brent. “From then on, I knew bicycling was my professional calling.” Brent also worked at the nonprofit Bike New York as Marketing & Communications Director, where he led marketing efforts for one of the largest recreational cycling events in the U.S., with 35,000 riders and 40 miles of closed streets in the chaotic New York City! After Bike New York, he joined Trek’s bike share arm, B-cycle, establishing bike share systems across the country. And most recently, he served as the general manager of Oklahoma City Spokies, Oklahoma City’s bike share system. But the real highlights of his work have been witnessing the impact of bicycling on lives and communities, he said. At Bike New York, he was touched after attending an adult learn-to-ride class: “My heart was full after that ... seeing the big smiles and feeling
This was a huge, successful, thrilling and stretch year for the Cascade Bicycle Club. You know this, because you are the reason it all happens. From the nail-biter of passing the Move Seattle Levy (WHOOP! Our volunteer hours and endless phone banking and advocacy staff support were key to this success!) to taking collaboration to a deeper level with Washington Bikes, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and Bike Works, we have had a great year. The capital campaign has been a stretch since the very first day I arrived, almost 2 ½ years ago, and we are now in the home stretch of the campaign, with $140,000 left to raise. This money has transformed how we work and how we meet—and the Cascade Bicycle Center expansion, completed in the first half of 2016, will transform how our community learns to ride and gathers to bike. I can’t wait to see the traffic gardens come to life in North and South Seattle. The proposed merger with Washington Bikes, which both boards will vote on Dec. 8, would transform Cascade into a statewide advocacy and education organization, with a powerful partner in Washington Bikes, and instantly deepen our expertise and our skill set statewide by bringing on their smart, successful staff and board. As I look back on 2015—all those lovely rides, all those sunny days, and my personal favorite, the Flying Wheels Century—I can’t wait to see what we are able to do together next year. It is an honor and a privilege to serve you all here as executive director, and I look forward to working with you to improve lives through bicycling in 2016 and beyond. Best,
Elizabeth Kiker
editions of the Courier and can also be found online at cascade.org/ board-directors. If the membership approves the new bylaws, changes will become effective Jan. 1, 2016. This is what it means to be a member, to have a voice in the leadership and direction of Cascade Bicycle Club. Questions about membership, Cascade or the voting process? Contact Ariana Rundquist, Membership and Development Manager, at 206-939-4331 or arianar@cascade.org.
Show up and speak up for protected bike lanes on Eastlake Avenue By Kelli Refer, Seattle Advocacy & Field Programs Director
Eastlake Avenue is a popular bike route to downtown, and currently it only caters to the most fearless and confident bicyclists. At best it contains fragments of bike infrastructure; faded sharrows and a bike lane that disappears soon after crossing the University bridge. Since the inception of the Bike Master Plan, Cascade has been advocating for this vital route to offer a fairly flat, safe and scenic connection to South Lake Union and downtown Seattle. The city has begun planning a High Capacity Rapid Transit study that will bring a rapid ride bus connecting from Northgate all the way to the heart of the city center. Protected bike lanes are on the table as a part of this project, and now is the time to show up and speak up in support of this much-needed connection. We know that many people
C Y C L I N G
pedaling to work currently reroute themselves all the way to the Fremont Bridge because they do not feel comfortable taking Eastlake Avenue. Offering a safe and direct route to major employment centers in the city will give so many more people the option to get to work by bike. Show up and speak up for protected bike lanes at these two upcoming open houses:
Wednesday, Dec. 9
6 – 8 p.m. TOPS School, Cafeteria 2500 Franklin Ave. E, Seattle
Thursday, Dec. 10
6 – 8 p.m. UW Tower, Cafeteria North 4333 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Seattle
Where to shop for holiday gifts this season: support your local bike-friendly businesses By Ariana Rundquist, Membership & Development Manager
Cascade’s Communications & Marketing Director, Brent Tongco.
of empowerment the new adult bicyclists had after that class.” At B-cycle, he noted that “seeing the difference that bike share makes on a community [was] tremendous.” And Brent said he is looking forward to continuing to lend his skills to further Cascade’s programs and goals. “Cascade is one of the – if not the – leading bicycle advocacy organizations. And to be a part of that is humbling and amazing. I’m excited for the challenges ahead.” And to answer the question that is in the back of everyone’s minds: what kind of riding does this guy do? First and foremost, said Brent, the bike is his “utilitarian tool,” but what he loves most is to “explore and get to know new places,” both urban cores on his many skinny-wheeled bikes and exploring nature, on his mountain bike. “And what surprises most people… I love playing bike polo,” said Brent. “The actual sport of bike polo is really fun and while it seems intimidating at first, the camaraderie is very welcoming… it combines my love of team sports and bicycling all in one beautifully intense court.” Help us welcome Brent to Seattle and to Cascade Bicycle Club!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year….to support the bicycle movement with your gift purchases! Consider doing your holiday shopping at bike-friendly businesses this season, and you’ll feel good about spending your time and money at a place that supports bicycling. Need help with your holiday shopping list? Here are a few ideas from a few of our business partners where Cascade Members enjoy a discount: Peddler Brewing Company
• Ballard microbrewery and tasting room, home of outdoor beer garden and dedicated to building community through bicycling. • Location: 1514 NW Leary Way, Seattle, WA 98107 • Website: peddlerbrewing.com • Gift ideas: A beer growler, a Peddler Brewing bike jersey, hoodie, cycling cap, or onesie! • Cascade membership benefit: $2 off growler fills of beer when you show your Cascade membership card Central Cinema
• Seattle’s only dine-in cinema, screening classic favorites and fun film series. • Location: 1411 21st Ave., Seattle WA 98122 • Website: central-cinema.com/ • Gift ideas: A ten-movie punch-card or a gift card with the amount of your choice! • Cascade membership benefit: Free popcorn for Cascade members. Also, show your bike benefits sticker and get two for one admission!
Bicycle Adventures
• Bicycling tour company with great trip offerings on five continents • Website: bicycleadventures.com/ • Gift idea: Book the bike trip of a lifetime for the bicyclist in your life Corpore Sano Physical Therapy
• Physical therapy, custom bike fits, injury recovery and rehabilitation • Locations: Kenmore, Mercer Island, and Tukwila • Website: corporesanopt.com • Gift ideas: a coaching consultation or bike fit from nationally recognized expert in bicycling biomechanics and aerodynamics Sail Sand Point
• Seattle’s community boating center offers classes, rentals and more. • Address: 7861 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 • Website: sailsandpoint.org • Gift ideas: private sailing lessons or group classes for adults or kids. More than 14 bike shops from Bainbridge Island to Everett to Issaquah.
• See cascade.org/join for complete list of Cascade member benefit partners. • Gift idea: The gift that keeps on giving — a gift certificate to your local bike shop! Your loved one will appreciate the chance to get a tune-up, buy a new light set, or maybe, if they’re really loved, a new carbon frame. • Cascade membership benefit: Varies by shop, but most offer 10 percent off your entire purchase.
AT T O R N E Y
Member of Cascade Bicycle Club & Washington Bikes Sponsor of Bikecafe, Bikesale.com, Blue Rooster, Cucina Fresca, Fischer Plumbing, Garage, Group Health, Lakemont, Project 13, Recycled Cycles, SCCA/Starbucks, SnoValley Velo and Spin Cycling Teams
206-343-1888 or 206-714-1085 john@dugganbikelaw.com Free Consultation 2
www.cascade.org
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
3
December 2015
Vol. 45, No. 12
2016 can be your year of...BIKES!
2015 Volunteer of the Year: Joseph Roberts
Group Health + Major Taylor Project = Success!
By Michele Finkelstein, Community Education Coordinator
By Andrew Kopp, Volunteer Programs Assistant
By Ed Ewing, Major Taylor Director
Joseph Roberts was named the 2015 Cascade Volunteer of the Year!
With Group Health’s support, Major Taylor Project is producing overwhelmingly positive results for the students involved.
You’ve probably seen him greeting guests with a smile at the Cascade front desk. In recognition of his many volunteer contributions, Joseph Roberts was named Cascade’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year. Joseph is from Hong Kong, where he learned to bicycle in the sloped parking lot of his apartment building. “My bike still had training wheels, and it was terrifying. I would bike two inches and stop. My mother assured me that I would make it to the end safe, but I never believed her,” Joseph remembered. When he finally reached the bottom, he was elated. “I was so excited, I ended up falling off my bicycle anyway.” Bicycling in the streets of urban Hong Kong was far too dangerous for a child. He didn’t really start pedaling until his family moved to Lantau Island when he was a teenager. “I met some other cyclists and caught the cycling bug,” he said. This new supportive crew helped Joseph build his first road bike, so he could take on Lantau’s hills. “It astonishes me to think I survived those hills,” said Joseph. “This was in the early 80s, so this was the time when you had headbands, and you’d wring out the sweat after your
Group Health has been a longtime supporter of bicycling in the Northwest. Be it sponsoring the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome, creating the successful competitive women’s cycling team Team Group Health, or helping thousands of cyclists complete the Group Health Seattle to Portland, Group Health is a pioneer in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Group Health is also a partner in creating healthy futures for diverse young students. As the Major Taylor Project (MTP) looks toward its ninth year, Group Health will begin its ninth year of supporting MTP in creating healthy futures for the students involved. Through creative discussions about organizational goals, community impact of bicycling and the health variables affecting youth in diverse communities, the sponsorship has evolved into a true partnership. Looking beyond the bicycle, Group Health and MTP have discovered the shared goals of prevention and possibility. In June 2014, the Group Health Research Institute, the University of Washington Master of Public Health program and MTP partnered to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Through the guidance of Group Health Research Institute Senior Investigator Dr. David Arterburn, we now better understand the impact of MTP on the students we reach: the program is producing overwhelmingly positive results for the students involved. Group Health has also helped MTP grow in size and scope. Theresa Tamura, Executive Director, Philanthropy & Community Engagement at Group Health, sees MTP as an opportunity to support organizational community goals and for Group Health staff to connect to their communities. Group Health has a deep history of supporting the Rainier Beach community, thus
Maybe you didn’t get to know your bike the way you had hoped to this year: your chain is gunky and your tires are flat, and it’s a sad, sorry mess. It’s okay, we forgive you. Your bike, on the other hand, will show no mercy. Lucky for you, you’ve got 20 new friends (the entire Cascade instructor staff, to be exact) who are pumped to help you start 2016 right. Cascade has a strong crew of instructors excited to nerd out and teach you all the mysterious workings of your bike. We’ve got offerings for
everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner learning to ride or ready for something more advanced in mechanics. We’ve also expanded our She Bikes Cascade offerings for all who identify as female. Don’t punish yourself (or more importantly, your bike) any longer! Devote the year of 2016 to your bike, join a class, get friendly with your two wheeler and learn something new! All offerings can be found at cascade. org/learn. For questions, email michelef@cascade.org.
Celebrating a successful Ride in the Rain Challenge By Mary Collins, Outreach Manager
Western Washingtonians at times have a reputation for being soft — spoiled with our mild climate, plethora of microbreweries and social acceptability of socks with sandals. Well, 4,100 intrepid riders proved otherwise by making thousands of trips by bike during Washington’s rainiest month and logging them in Cascade Bicycle Club’s Ride in the Rain Challenge. As the days get shorter and the weather gets wetter, the number of people biking decreases. To curb this decline and encourage year-round riding, Cascade Bicycle Club hosted an online trip-logging contest, free bicycling classes, free breakfasts for bicyclists along popular commute routes and a team captains happy hour. The goal of the Ride in the Rain Challenge is simple: we believe that if people try biking in November, they will discover how convenient, fast and enjoyable wet-weather biking is; and they will in turn feel empowered to continue biking all year round. Riders embraced the challenge to bike during November with gusto. Despite especially wet weather— at press time, it has rained 80 percent of days this month and a whopping 6.5 inches of rain — pedalers have
logged an average of 12 trips with an average distance of 4.5 miles per one-way trip. That means that people are hopping on their bikes frequently and proving “bikingin-the-rain-is-crazy” naysayers that it can be done, and it can be fun! Riders have been logging so many trips, in fact, that we had to raise the official Challenge goal from 50,000 trips to 80,000 trips! Maybe Pacific Northwesterners really are hearty folk. Or maybe they have just demonstrated that year-round biking doesn’t require as much grit, machismo or mettle as you might think. If you have a rain jacket, a bike, a helmet and some lights, you can do it. All are invited to the Ride in the Rain Finale Celebration Friday, Dec. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Peddler Brewing Company in Ballard. This was Cascade’s first year organizing the long-running Ride in the Rain program, previously open only to University of Washington and Seattle Children’s employees and students. Ride in the Rain was made possible with generous sponsorship from the University of Washington, Seattle Children’s, O2 Rainwear and SKS fenders.
Daniel's Joke Corner
THE COURIER CREW Editor: Briana Orr Editorial assistants: Diana Bryant Layout: Sarah Kulfan Centerspread and additional design: Tom Eibling Photographers: Tim Bridgham, Briana Orr, Cynthia Mullis Contributors: Tim Bridgham, Andrea Clinkscales, Ed Ewing, Mary Collins, Michele Finkelstein, Meghna Jaradi, Elizabeth Kiker, Andrew Kopp, Tarrell Kullaway, Briana Orr, Daniel Poppe, Kelli Refer, Ariana Rundquist, Stacey Williams
We welcome your contributions! 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. Queries can be emailed to: brianao@cascade.org.
Advertising: We welcome ads and inserts. To check availability and inquire about prices, please contact Briana Orr at brianao@ cascade.org. Let’s be social! Follow Cascade Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. cascade.org facebook.com/cascadebicycleclub @cascadebicycle @cascadebicycle
CONTACT US Cascade Bicycle Club 7787 62nd Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115
www.cascade.org Office phone: 206-522-3222 Email: info@cascade.org
SENIOR STAFF Note: All email addresses are @cascade.org Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director (206) 939-4343 • elizabethk@ David Douglas, Senior Director of Events & Rides (206) 939-4323 • davidd@ Shannon Koller, Senior Director of Education (206) 939-4335 • shannonk@
Tarrell Kullaway, Senior Director of Development (206) 939-4312 • tarrellk@ Kathy Mania, Senior Director of Finance & Operations (206) 939-4321 • kathym@ Brent Tongco, Communications & Marketing Director (206) 939-4307 • brentt@
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Catherine Hennings • catherine. hennings@ Vice President Daniel Weise • daniel.weise@
Secretary George Durham • george.durham@ Director at large Charles Ruthford • charles.ruthford@
Treasurer Alexa Volwiler • alexa.volwiler@ DIRECTORS Nate Glissmeyer • nate.glissmeyer@ Sandi Navarro • sandin@ Joe Platzner • joe.platzner@ Merlin Rainwater • merlin.rainwater@
Jim Stanton • jim.stanton@ Don Volta • don.volta@ Haley Woods • haleyw@ Ed Yoshida • ed.yoshida@
The Cascade Bicycle Club Board of Directors meets five times a year. All meetings take place at the Cascade Bicycling Center, 7787 62nd Avenue NE, at 5:30 p.m. Board meetings are open to the public. The next Board of Directors meeting is Tuesday. Dec. 8.
By Rachel Edlund, Cascade Member
Q: How did the bicycle become president? A: It had a great spokesperson! 4
Help us transform the Puget Sound! Renew now at cascade.org/renew www.cascade.org
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
climb to the top.” One of Joseph’s fondest memories was a bicycle tour of Southern China. Many of the area’s inhabitants had never seen a foreigner before. “We would pass young people on the road, and they would excitedly race ahead to warn the next village up the road of our arrival. When we rolled through town, they would be waiting to meet us.” Soon after that trip, Joseph moved to the United States to attend Harvey Mudd College in California. “I caught the computer bug. I studied physics but spent my nights debugging software.” A job at Microsoft brought Joseph to Seattle, where he bought a bicycle that was soon abandoned in the garage for 20 years. Then, in 2013, “I got the bicycling bug again,” Joseph quipped. “I needed to get back into shape, and I thought, ‘Bike! I like doing that!’” He completed his first STP in 2014 and followed suit in 2015 (and he did it one day). He also rode the second sequence of RAW (Ride Around Washington) (“Totally awesome!”). Bicycling has changed Joseph’s perceptions about what is achievable. “I am actually thinking about doing CHEW [Climbing Hills Eastside Winter] this year,” he said. “And if I don’t die during CHEW, I might do Chilly Hilly.” Joseph is perhaps best known for his work as a Cascade Concierge, greeting visitors and assisting staff members with various projects. “I found that I enjoyed it. I wouldn’t keep volunteering unless I really liked the people.” Cascade would not be the same without Joseph’s generosity of time and spirit. He has truly earned “Volunteer of the Year.”
partnering to bring MTP to Rainier Beach High School was a natural fit. Similarly, Group Health was a great partner in MTP’s recent expansion to Tacoma.
“We chose to support Major Taylor because Group Health looks for community programs that impact health and wellness for youth. ” -Theresa Tamara executive director, philanthropy & community engagement, Group Health
“As Group Health proudly cheered on Major Taylor riders as they crossed the finish line of the annual Group Health Seattle to Portland ride, we celebrated our commitment to Cascade and to our mission of healthy communities. We chose to support Major Taylor because Group Health looks for community programs that impact health and wellness for youth. We leveraged Group Health’s long partnership with Cascade to help expand Major Taylor into more communities. As an organization, we look for ways to do programs ‘with’ not ‘to’ communities. Everyone wins, the partners involved, the community and most of all the students who sign up for such a wonderful program, including the ones we cheered for at the STP finish line in Portland,” said Theresa Tamura, executive director, philanthropy & community engagement at Group Health. Cascade Bicycle Club and the Major Taylor Project would like to thank Group Health for its support, inspiration and partnership. 5
Look what we did together in 2015
Cross Kirkland Corridor moves forward with approved rail removal
We passed the
$930 million Move Seattle Levy
Counted 74,490 Out of 40 races endorsed, we elected 36 bike-friendly leaders
to invest in better bikeways over the next 9 years
people walking and biking in annual statewide count
15,728 rode in 1,886 teams in the Bike Month Challenge
Alanah Baron – Highline High School Literacy Specialist
participated in Bike to School Day
4,260 rode in 505 teams in the Ride in the Rain Challenge
We introduced 3 new rides
Signed a contract to reach EVERY 3rd-5th grade student in Seattle Public Schools with bicycle and pedestrian safety education
“As teachers, we look at ‘Bike Club’ as a way to keep students in school — period.”
65 schools
330 Students at
10 Major Taylor Project sites in
4 school districts rode
47,490 miles and
24,600 students received bicycling education
Recieved funding for 50 permanent bike counters across the state with WA bikes
ate
6,600 granola bars
25,693
We launched She Bikes Cascade, drawing 600 participants to a series of inclusive rides, classes, clinics and social events Taught
140 adults how to ride a bike for the first time
Taught
1,435 adults in bike maintenance and riding classes
We are on track for
event ride participants
Weekly average count of
logged total of
bike trips across the Fremont Bridge
3,333,062 miles
increased 6% from 2014
25% more Free Group Rides in 2015 than 2014
December 2015
Ride for the climate & support Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation
What’s your New Year’s resolution? 200 miles or bust? Join CTS and finish strong!
By Brianna Orr, Communications Manager
By Stacey Williams, Rides and Outreach Director
Join a Climate Ride and enjoy beautiful landscapes while supporting out work.
You’re invited to join Cascade’s Education Foundation riders on one of the Climate Rides or Climate Hikes! We are now a beneficiary and you can join one of these incredible bicycle rides or hikes to explore beautiful landscapes and have the time of your life, all while supporting our work. You can choose to ride from Vietnam to Cambodia, or stay local and ride throughout the beautiful San Juan Islands and Olympic Peninsula, or go big with their cross-country New York City to Washington, DC ride! Participating in a Climate Ride event is an inspiring journey with a group of people who are united to support active transportation, sustainability and civic engagement. People who have participated in a Climate Ride rave about the tour as a “life-changing” and “eye-opening” experience. What is even better is that you can enjoy this great event, while at the same time helping to support the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation’s mission. If you select us as your beneficiary when you register, we will be the
recipient of a portion of the funds you raise, which means our efforts will gain even more traction in the future. Registration for Climate Ride events is $100 (which includes a beautiful cycling jersey or hiking shirt and more), and then you raise at least $2,800 to participate in these all-inclusive events. The events are fully-supported by a team of talented leaders. Climate Ride is with you every step of the way to help with fundraising, training and logistics. To top it all off, Climate Ride is one of the “greenest” multi-day charity ride events in the world. When you sign up, you’ll be joining many other people who want to do something to help create a better future for all of us. Climate Ride is a great way to get involved and experience an incredible adventure, powered by your own energy. Sign up as soon as you can to secure your spot in the events and to support Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation’s mission!
Are you planning on riding one of Cascade’s signature events? Not sure how you’re going to train for Seattle to Portland (STP) or Ride from Seattle to Vancouver (RSVP)? Or maybe you’re looking for a new group of fellow riders? Then you should sign up for the Cascade Training Series! This training series, known as CTS, is designed with the goal of physical and mental preparation for our signature events, the STP and RSVP. You and fellow event riders will be trained in safe group riding skills that are key for anyone interested in riding with groups, and of particular value in these large events. You will get to know riders at your own pace level and can make plans to ride events with them. The Cascade Training Series has a number of elements to help you prepare for your next event. You will receive a training plan that compliments your weekly CTS ride. There are fix-a-flat classes, group riding skills classes and some general maintenance classes. There are also a number of seminars with resources and information to keep you fit and healthy throughout the training series. Of course the key element is the
riding program, which begins in early April with low mileage rides. The slowest pace will be 10-12 mph on the flats and a commensurate level of effort on hills. This is generally considered a “leisurely” pace, and you must be able to ride at this pace to participate. The fastest riders will ride at a brisk pace of 16-18 mph. During the ride series, the route mileage and level of difficulty will steadily increase leading up to STP in July. Riders will be able to move up to faster groups as their fitness and skills improve. The distance progression culminates in a 100-mile “century” ride shortly before STP. After the last CTS ride, we celebrate the times we’ve spent together and how far we’ve all come with an open-air party. After CTS, it’s time to ride STP or RSVP with your new riding buddies! CTS riders will have a members-only website with all the details about the series, including maps, cue sheets and the master schedule. All of these benefits will make you that much more confident and prepared on event day. Hope to see you there! For more details or if you have questions, email Stacey at staceyw@ cascade.org.
FREE GROUP RIDES Ride Leader Certification Class Saturday, Jan. 16, 3:30 p.m. Cascade Bicycle Club 7787 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 Wednesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m. Cascade Bicycle Club 7787 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 For details and registration, visit cascade.org/ grouprides.
EASY PACE (UNDER 10 mph) Please check the Cascade Free Group Rides Calendar for listings of easy rides.
LEISURELY PACE (10-12 mph) Friday, Dec. 4 Friday Riders bike to Swansons to see reindeer, a camel, holiday model train and Carkeek Park 10 a.m. • 20 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: William Lemke Friday, Dec. 18 FRIDAY RIDERS: Pastries and Poinsettias 10 a.m. • 30 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: Norm Tjaden Sunday, Dec. 20 S.P.O.K.E.S. 2015 Tour de Poinsettias 10 a.m. • 17 miles from Sammamish River Park, Bothell •Ride Leader: Michelle Burton
STEADY PACE (12-14 mph) Tuesday, Dec. 1 Eastside Winter Loop/TREATS
Find out more and register at climateride.org.
WEST SEATTLE: 3418 Harbor Avenue SW SANDPOINT: 5440 Sand Point Way NE
SHOP ONLNE AT: CycleU.com Mention this ad for $25 off any purchase of $100 or more Offer expires March 31, 2016. Cannot be combined with any other offer - limit one per customer
www.cascade.org
10 a.m. • 40 miles from East Lake Sammamish trail parking lot, Redmond • Ride Leader: Teresa Lee Lehr-Franks Tuesday, Dec. 15 Christmas Outing and Lunch/TREATS 10 a.m. • 32 miles from East Lake Sammamish trail parking lot, Redmond • Ride Leader: Teresa Lee Lehr-Franks
MODERATE PACE (14-16 mph) Tuesday, Dec. 1 Eastside Tours Holiday Lights Ride #1 6:30 p.m. • 22.50 miles from Overlake Transit Center, Redmond • Ride Leader: Eric Gunnerson Tuesday, Dec. 8 Eastside Tours Holiday Lights Ride #2 6:30 p.m. • 22.50 miles from Overlake Transit Center, Redmond • Ride Leader: Eric Gunnerson Friday, Dec. 18 FRUMPS Puyallup Loop from Russell Road Park 10 a.m. • 46 miles from Russell Road Park, Kent • Ride Leader: Jan Van Fredenberg
BRISK PACE (16-18 mph) Thursday, Dec. 3 Eastside Tours Evening Ride or Holiday Lights Ride (Backup!) 6:30 p.m. • 25 miles from Overlake Transit Center, Redmond • Ride Leader: Eric Gunnerson
VIGOROUS (18-20 mph)
SUPER STRENUOUS: (22mph +)
Monday, Dec. 7 MUMPS: Do The Lake 10 a.m. • 50 miles from Tracy Owen Station/Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn
Thursday, Dec. 3 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Lola Jacobsen
Monday, Dec. 14 MUMPS: Do The Lake 10 a.m. • 50 miles from Tracy Owen Station/Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn Monday, Dec. 21 MUMPS: Do The Lake 10 a.m. • 50 miles from Tracy Owen Station/Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn
STRENUOUS: (20-22 mph) Please check the Cascade Free Group Rides Calendar for listings of strenuous rides.
Thursday, Dec. 10 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Lola Jacobsen Thursday, Dec. 17 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Lola Jacobsen Thursday, Dec. 24 More Cycle Tuesdays CANCELLED Thursday, Dec. 31 More Cycle Tuesdays CANCELLED
This is a sampling of this month’s rides. 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.
Thursday, Dec. 10 Eastside Tours Evening Ride or Holiday Lights Ride (Backup!) 6:30 p.m. • 25 miles from Overlake Transit Center, Redmond • Ride Leader: Eric Gunnerson
Vacation by bike By Stacey Williams, Outreach & Rides Director
Exceptional Ride Leader — Dorothé Reijnders By Stacey Williams, Rides & Outreach Director
Dorothé has been recognized as an Exceptional Ride Leader for all her hard work in growing rides in Snohomish County. Dorothé developed both the South Everett Rides on Wednesdays and the Saturday Morning Rides in the Snohomish County ride series. Dorothé was also instrumental in promoting the International Day of Friendship Ride. Originally from the Netherlands, Dorothé has cycled for transportation for 25 years. Dorothé never owned a car in the Netherlands (and there were no weather cancellations either). After living in the US for 17 years, Dorothé finally started using a car to drive to a ride start and then ride for fun. Dorothé describes her decision to sign up for the STP in 2013 as “doing something crazy.” At the same time, she also signed up for the Cascade Training Series, which “seemed a good idea to support that crazy idea.” Dorothé recalls that she met some amazing ride leaders throughout the experience. “They taught me much about how to become friends with my (brand-new) road bike. But the exploration of the greater Puget Sound and the new friends were the bonus that kept me riding.” She decided to become a ride leader so she could discover and
Classes • Bicycle Repair • Coaching • Bike Fitting
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Vol. 45, No. 12
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
Dorothé Reijnders
share stunning places and experience the charm of nature throughout the different seasons. Dorothé is passionate about introducing people to cycling, as well as to the beauty of Snohomish County. “I live in a beautiful place, enjoy the outdoors, love maps, meet wonderful people on our rides and crest hills I never thought I would conquer. All this seems a natural source of energy to get more people involved in cycling in Snohomish County.” The Saturday Morning Rides in Snohomish County just started in October, so if you would like to experience riding there, come ride with Dorothé. Thank you, Dorothé, for being an Exceptional Ride Leader.
Have you ever wondered about exploring and touring on your bike? Join us! Each year a dedicated group of Cascade volunteers leads a variety of Club-run tours. Bike touring is an amazing way to explore. You are able to bicycle at your own pace, meet new friends and visit scenic areas. We have fully-supported tours where we organize hotels, routes, support vehicles to carry luggage, lunches, snacks, drinks and ride support along the way. We also have basic support tours which do not provide lunch and are usually fixed base tours. There’s also the Tour Lite option where you organize your own accommodation and meals and we provide routes, leaders, sag support and snacks. This option is a cross between a Free Group Ride, a Cascade Club Tour and a Cascade Event. It’s your opportunity to try out multi-day bike touring at a low cost.
Cascade Tour Schedule 2016 Lake Chelan Tour Lite 3 days, May 6-8 Eastern Washington Tour 4 days, May 28–31 Columbia Gorge and Beyond 4 days, June 10–13 Bend and Central Oregon Tour 4 days, June 17–20 Southern Oregon Tour 7 days, September 11–17
In 2016 we will have four fully-supported tours: three four-day tours and one week-long tour, as well as a great tour lite option. Additional tours may be added later. Tours go on sale in January for members. Find more details at cascade.org/
cascade-club-tours. 9
December 2015
Women Bike: Madi Carlson on Urban Cycling By Briana Orr, Communications Manager
L E T ’S
Vol. 45, No. 12
Safe Routes to School: building bikeability into your 2016 application
Using data to drive change (one cyclist at a time)
By Andrea Clinkscales, Principal Planner
By Tim Bridgham, Cascade Volunteer
RIDE
Via Bike SCENIC TOURS
Madi Carlson, Cascade Ride Leader and author of Urban Cycling.
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Mullis.
Just in time for the cold dark evenings, there’s a new bicycling manual to add to your bookshelves and gift to your bike-curious friends and family. Local Seattleite, graduate of Cascade’s Advocacy Leadership Institute and author, Madi Carlson, has released Urban Cycling: how to get to work, save money, and use your bike for city living. Carlson brings a fresh voice to the big question of “how do I start bicycling?” (and the thousands of more questions that arise along the way.) Well-known in the Seattle bicycling community, Carlson is the board president of Familybike Seattle, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting bicycling as a means for moving towards sustainable lifestyles and communities; the cofounder and ride leader of Critical Lass Seattle, an easy social ladies’ group-ride for new and experienced bicyclists; and director of Seattle’s Kidical Mass organization, a monthly ride for families. And, she’s a Cascade Ride Leader! Urban Cycling is a noticeable departure from typical (read: male) voices who all too often provide cycling advice as cut-and-dry as a doctor’s prescription, with complete certainty and zero nuance. Carlson instead embraces the nuances of interest, skill, personality, comfort and purpose, recognizing that individuals want to do different things with their two (or three) wheeled contraptions. For example, in her bike selection chapter, she provides a broad overview of the types of bicycles, states pros and cons of each style of bike and covers bicycles made for women and for people over 250 pounds. She also gives great advice on how to buy a used bike. Covering all that’s out there, Carlson said, is essential to making
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has $20 million in Safe Routes to School funding for the next two-year cycle (2017–19) and will be accepting applications beginning in January 2016. Most requests are for sidewalks, but what about bicycling infrastructure? Join Cascade and experts Charlotte Claybrooke, active transportation program manager at WSDOT; Peter Lagerway, principal at Toole Design; and school officials from Walla County to learn how to include bicycle facility design and engineering into your next application.
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everyone feel that there is a bike out there for him or her. “I don’t want to discourage people from trying,” she said. Her overall advice for anyone interested in bicycling? “Start with what you have, even if it is close to fitting right. You’re going to get fresh air and enjoyment.” When asked how the book came to be, Carlson attributed it to riding bikes and volunteering with Seattle Neighborhood Greenways. “I’ve always wanted to up my game in bike advocacy,” said Carlson, noting that after graduating from Cascade’s Advocacy Leadership Institute, she sought out opportunities to inspire and encourage people to ride. Through all-neighborhood events and attending events organized by Ballard Greenways, Carlson met fellow family biker, Chris Saleeba and then his neighbor, Kate Rogers, editor in chief of Mountaineers Books. Carlson said she’s met a lot of friends through bicycle advocacy and meeting others has “led to some other bike-related ventures, like this!” “I was hesitant about the book at first because as a stay at home mom/bike advocate, I don’t necessarily identify myself as a ‘bike commuter’, which was the original concept of the book Mountaineers Books was looking for the author of,” she explained. The book evolved from the question of “how do I get to work” to “how do I get places?” with Carlson’s wealth of on-the-bike experience and perspective. You can purchase Urban Cycling at the Mountaineers, most local book retailers or get in line to borrow it from the Seattle Public Library. Or better yet, purchase the book at our upcoming event!
We know bike law. Stritmatter Kessler Whelan attorneys are responsible for some of the highest settlements and verdicts in Washington for bicycle injury accidents. Dan Laurence, an SKW attorney and long time CBC member, along with the rest of the SKW bike law team, looks forward to helping you. Call us or email at Dan@stritmatter.com. www.stritmatter.com | Seattle 206.448.1777
Daniel Laurence
Hear more, meet Madi and buy the book! Urban Cycling with Madi Carlson & Holiday Craft Bazaar Thursday, Dec. 10 Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presentation at 7 p.m. Cascade Bicycle Club, 7787 62nd Ave NE, Seattle Free We’re hosting an intimate evening with Madi Carlson, who will be speaking on a variety of the urban cycling topics in her new book, including riding techniques, riding with kids and bike security. Before you settle in, grab a glass of wine and light snacks while perusing our mini bike bazaar brought to you by local bike arts and craft vendors like Unchained Seattle and Toast Tea Threads.
www.cascade.org
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
Building bikeability into your 2016 application Tuesday, Dec. 15 10-11:30 a.m. More details and registration at: cascade.org/ SRTS-bikeability
WSDOT would like to see high-quality projects in areas of high need. Whether you are urban or rural, have previous experience submitting or this is your first time, tune in to learn why bicycling is a Safe Routes to School option you should consider!
Photo courtesy of Tim Bridgham.
When I moved from Kansas City to Seattle just over two years ago, it was clear to me that Seattle is a much more bike friendly town than Kansas City. This is partly due to the temperate climate of Seattle, but more importantly, it is due to political support and the work of organizations like the Cascade Bicycle Club to make Seattle a more “bikeable” city through the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. So commuting to work on my bicycle seemed like the obvious choice, especially when my office provides bike storage and locker rooms. In 2014 I rode nearly 1,120 miles on my bike, and this year I’ve already surpassed that number. When I learned that volunteers were needed to count cyclists as a part of the effort to make Seattle more bikeable, I knew I wanted to help. I chose to spend my time counting cyclists and pedestrians for two main reasons. Firstly, as a bike commuter, I want to see continued improvements made for non-traditional commuters in a city where congestion and traffic seems to be getting worse and worse. And secondly, I can get behind the approach in which Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Cascade Bicycle Club are trying to drive change: through the collection of data. The Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project is an annual bicycle and pedestrian count taken at locations throughout Washington State. And according to the project website, the key part of this project is that “counting bicyclists and pedestrians at specific locations will help more accurately estimate
demand, measure the benefits of investments, and design projects. This information will also help target safety and mobility projects and improve traffic models.” I see the positive way in which data can drive good decision making every day at the user experience firm where I work. Our goal is that the user research we do informs the designs we produce. I, too, feel that important decisions, including how to make Seattle more bikeable, should be made with good supporting data. This concept, data-driven-decisions, is standing out as a key component to creating great user experiences. I hope the information I collected helps to make improvements for the fellow commuters in my neighborhood.
So how are things looking? Here are the numbers for the morning commute at the intersection where I counted since 2009: • 2009 - 139 • 2010 - 123 • 2011 - 289 • 2012 - 258 • 2013 - 233 • 2014 - 315 • 2015 - 308
At least for my intersection, it looks like the numbers overall are trending up, but I’ll leave it to WSDOT to really crunch the numbers. Republished with permission from TIm’s blog, A UX Pursuit. Read more at uxpursuit.tumblr.com.
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December 2015
Starting ‘em young at the Cascade Bicycling Center By Tarrell Kullaway, Senior Director of Membership & Development
My son, Sam, going super fast.
My husband teases me that I’m a sucker for a kid on a bike. I can’t help it. Can you? When I ride past a family biking on the Burke-Gilman Trail, it’s impossible for me to not say hello. If a little guy or gal is riding solo, I always shout out some kind of words of encouragement like “great job staying right” or “wow, you’re fast!” But this joy is tinged with more than a bit of regret. My kids and I were never a biking family. Sure, I taught my boys (now 15 and 19) how to ride. But the idea
that we could get around by bike really just didn’t come across my radar until they were much older, well after I had crossed that threshold in their eyes from savior to weirdo. If I were raising my boys today, I’d have better role models. I’d have seen the hundreds of families on cargo bikes who cart their kids to and fro throughout the city. I would have started my kids young in Cascade’s summer camps and they would have received Cascade’s on-bike safety training in elementary school. And, as my kids grew older and ventured
out on their own, I’d feel solace in the fact that the city streets are becoming safer for them. Though I missed the window for my boys (they’ll come around eventually), through my work at Cascade, and with your support, we get to help spread the joy of bicycling to thousands of families each year. The expansion of our Cascade Bicycling Center, through our capital campaign, is key to our success. We love our new space that so many of you have helped make possible, but it’s only partially complete. We still need to raise $140,000 by the end of the year in order to create an epicenter for gathering and learning, a regionally unique community space where a senior could learn to ride for the first time, a young woman could take a class on how to maintain and repair her bicycle, or a child could practice bicycle safety in an outdoor classroom that simulates an urban streetscape. So many of you have stepped up and given so generously to support this project. If you haven’t, please consider joining your friends and neighbors to help get us to our goal. Together, we are helping to improve so many lives through bicycling. Thank you!
Cascade Bicycling Center recognized with ‘Honor Award’ for design little’ and applauded the architects for striking the right balance between the two. The design was described as ‘architectural watercolor – light, transparent, and delightful.’” Congratulations to ZGF Architects and Cascade members Tim Williams, Ashlie Fuller and Séamus Kelly, who did the project largely pro bono.
$1,800,000
Help fund our future
Help us create a Center for gathering and learning at Cascade
Please support the final push of our capital campaign. Those who give $1,000 or more (or $42/month for two years) will get their name on a metal plaque in the outdoor entryway to the Center. Give online at cascade. org/campaigndonation or call Tarrell at 206.240.2235 to set up a payment plan.
Back for 2016
Cascade Season Pass The ultimate rider’s package for active Cascade riders. (And a great holiday gift!)
By Tarrell Kullaway, Senior Director of Development & Membership
We love the new Cascade Bicycling Center, but now we know that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) does, too! In November, the Center was given a 2015 Honor Award by the AIA, beating out 130 applicants. On their awards website, AIA said, “the jury spoke about the ‘fine line between doing too much and too
We’re almost there!
$1,944,000
The Season Pass will include: An annual individual Cascade membership A Cascade Bicycle Club jersey or shorts, a 2016 STP or RSVP jersey Guaranteed entry into*: • Bike Swap
• Seattle Night Ride
• Chilly Hilly
• Group Health STP
• Ride for Major Taylor
• RSVP 1 or 2
• Seattle Bike-N-Brews
• High Pass Challenge
• Flying Wheels
• Kitsap Color Classic
• Woodinville Wine Ride This package is valued at $800 and we’re selling it for just $625!
October Education Foundation Donor List Corporations & Foundations
CareForce CDK Global, LLC
$10,000-$15,000
George & Rosalie Whyel Ed & Marcy Yoshida
$5,000-$9,999
Lyle & Betty Appleford in memory of Chris Appleford Tim & Bev Hesterberg
$2,500-$4,999
William James Sunderland & Alyssa Beth Kreid Paula & Jeffrey Pyatt $1,000-$2,499 Andrew Bruce Paul Brynes Joni Griffis & Family Sandy & Steve Hill Shannon Koller & Finnegan Wetterau Andrew Miller Steph Stone & Rob Gruhl
Charlie Tiebout & Marti Verkuilen John & Edie Weller Daniel Woodman Team Double Check $500-$999 Anonymous Mark & Melissa Eamer Jaeyeon Jung & Stuart Schechter Akshay Kulkarni Shelli Pereira $150-$499 Don Barden Don Beaty Kate Beck
Premium Add-on: Dave K Carlton Elizabeth Craig Melinda Cumming Bill Frans Alan Greenbaum & Laura Thorne Brice Howard Joyce & Roger Kirk Erich Krueck John Lamb Jason Madlung David Mattson Darcy Mullen Joe Shih Brad Tupper Claude Warner Peter Williams
Donations make our work possible—Thank you! 12
Starting at $100, you can opt to buy either a one or two digit bib number for all events. Numbers are available on a first come, first serve basis. This package is only available until Sunday, Feb. 21, so get yours today!
Learn more at cascade.org/seasonpass *If we add or replace any of these events they will also be included with your season pass.
The Cascade Season Pass includes your choice of a club jersey or shorts, a 2016 STP or RSVP jersey. Available in men’s and women’s cuts. www.cascade.org