Cascade Bicycle Club organization brochure

In 1970, a small group of people on Mercer Island had the idea to form the Cascade Bicycle Club.

From those modest origins, the organization has grown in scope and influence and now rides 14,000+ strong.

cascade bicycle club dedicated to creating a better community for the next 40 years

Today, Cascade Bicycle Club is on the front lines to make bicycling better for everyone.

Our work is united around promoting bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation.

T H E C A S C ADE BICYCLE CLUB:

• Advocates for better bicycling conditions throughout Washington;

• Encourages safer, healthier choices for everyone who wants to bike;

• Works to make bicycling a convenient transportation choice;

• Offers riding opportunities every day

of the year for every kind of rider; and

• Envisions communities that bike.

BICYCLE ADVOCACY

We work for better biking throughout Washington. protecting rights and ensuring access through forward thinking policies

In 1970 our founding members had the foresight to establish the organization with bicycle advocacy in mind, and this core value has remained a vital focus as we’ve evolved. Without a respected voice at the table, the requests, needs and rights of cyclists would be dismissed.

Through education, engagement and activism, Cascade has established solid relationships with city, county and state leaders. Our organization has influenced legislation and policies, leading to major victories for bicycling over the years.

We actively engage elected officials, holding them accountable to their word and to our mission. By helping shape policies and plans to be probike, Cascade’s work has a direct impact on our built landscape, our transportation choices, our environment and—most of all— our communities.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• Lobbied to establish the Burke-Gilman Trail in the early 1970s.

• Started the popular family-friendly Bicycle

Sundays along Lake Washington Boulevard.

• Won adoption of Seattle’s first Bicycle Master Plan along with the essential voter-approved funds to implement 450 miles of improvements by 2017.

• Brought the national Complete Streets

movement home to Seattle, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah and Tukwila.

• Coordinated two years of successful

statewide bicycle and pedestrian counts in 25 cities and towns.

• Ongoing work in the Washington Legislature to see passage of a Vulnerable User Bill.

BICYCLE EDUCATIO N

We encourage safer, healthier choices for everyone who wants to bike. guiding future generations to choose fitness for life

Riding a bike starts in childhood, and that’s at the core of our education programs. From fitting helmets on hundreds of heads to teaching a veritable peloton of kids to ride on their own two wheels each year, we’re helping kids and families embrace healthy, active lifestyles.

Since 1998, we’ve brought bicycle education directly into school curriculums to teach kids how to bike safely and have fun. Our afterschool bike clubs lead middle-school students

through safety clinics and group rides, and our Trips for Kids takes underprivileged youth on mountain bike adventures. In 2009, we kicked off the Major Taylor Project, which offers King County teenagers in underserved communities the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and benefits of cycling.

Education isn’t just for kids. Thousands of adults have learned bike maintenance, urban cycling techniques and confident riding skills through our programs. Our Bicycle Ambassadors are out in the public at hundreds of events, talking with people about the benefits of bicycling.

“We were riding together when my 10 year old son flipped and landed directly on his head. I have little doubt he is alive today because of the bike helmet.

Quite simply, it saved his life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

MARIA, A PARENT

BICYCLE COMMUTING

We believe cycling can be a convenient transportation choice.

BIKE TO WOR K D AY Every third Friday in May, Cascade invites everyone to take to the streets by bike.

Participation has risen steadily, from 5,365 in 2000 to 19,097 in 2009.

promoting active transportation and sustainable living for a cleaner environment

Increasing bicycling for transportation is one of Cascade Bicycle Club’s top priorities.

We believe that almost anyone can bicycle commute—riding saves money, improves health, reduces pollution and is fun, all at once.

Through better riding conditions, education and events, we’re making it easier—and more accepted—for more people across Washington to choose a bicycle for transportation.

Throughout the year, Cascade’s professional staff consults with companies on planning, programming, education and best practices to

help them grow successful bicycle commuting programs at their workplaces. We help employers recognize that biking makes good business sense through lower healthcare costs, decreased parking costs, increased employee retention and a better environment, in the office and in the community.

“When I joined the Green Bike program, I did it because I really wanted the bike. By the end, I had earned the bike and gained so much more.

I rediscovered the joy of bike riding. I became more fit and had more energy at work.”

LAURIE, NEW BIKE COMMUTER

Total Riders

COMMUTE C H A L L E N GE Thousands of new riders and seasoned commuters across the region form workplace teams to see which businesses will log the most bike commutes during May.

Total Miles Ridden and CO2 Saved 1,115,011 1,084,328

10,369

1,002,172

8,668 7,367

740,684

5,707 3,194

2004

432,833

3,645

2005

379,297

2006

2007

2008

2009

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

BICYCLE EVENTS & R I D E S

Ride with us every day of the year. encouraging active lifestyles for healthier, happier citizens

C A S C A D E BICYCLE C L U B E V E NTS

“I’m meeting new people, expanding my knowledge about how bikes work, how bikes are usually better than cars; it’s easier to get around by bike and I get to know new places.”

MAJOR TAYLOR PROJECT S T U D E N T

Seattle Bike Swap Chilly Hilly Seattle Bicycle Expo Bike to Work Breakfast Bike Month Bike to Work Day Commute Challenge Flying Wheels Summer Century Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic Cyclefest Ride from Seattle to Vancouver, BC and Party Ride Around Washington High Pass Challenge Cascade Spawning Cycle Kitsap Color Classic

Recreational riding is a great way to meet fellow cyclists while exploring the region.

Cascade’s volunteer ride leaders organize more than 1,200 rides per year that are free and open to everyone. From short distances to multi-day tours, from leisurely jaunts to challenging lungbusters, we’ve got a ride for anyone who wants to bike.

Cascade Bicycle Club also produces some of the most well-known cycling events in the United States. All are important fundraisers to support the organization’s work.

Bike events are more than pleasure activities; they present a transition to active living. Many riders don’t hang up their bikes after achieving a successful event. They are energized and motivated to form a new commitment to health, fitness and bicycling for work and play.

BICYCLE COMMUNITY

We envision a community that bikes. aiming for vibrant neighborhoods and connected communities

D E S I G N : DavidOwenHastings.com

WE HAVE MEMBERS IN: Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Michigan Maine Missouri Minnesota Montana

North Carolina Nebraska New Hampshire Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington Washington, DC Wisconsin Canada (BC, Alberta, Ontario) Sweden Australia Denmark

No matter what kind of bike you have or where your ride takes you, our goal is simply to make it an easier, safer and more frequent choice.

At Cascade Bicycle Club, there is something for everyone who wants to ride a bike. We are teachers, doctors, baristas, CEOs, elected officials, entrepreneurs, techies, ferry captains, bankers, moms, dad, kids, grandparents…

We ride tandems, cruisers, fixies, mountain bikes, unicycles, longtails, trikes, recumbents, scrapers, BMX, carbon, aluminum, steel…

M E M B E RSHIP B R E A K DOWN GENDER 39% women 61% men

AGE RANGE Under 18 = 6% 18 – 30 = 13% 31 – 40 = 14% 41 – 50 = 25% 51 – 60 = 28% 61 – 70 = 12% 71+ = 2%

We are bike advocates, commuters, racers, recreational riders, activists, tourists, randonneurs, coaches, stokers, captains, mechanics...

Together, we are creating a better community through bicycling.

“As an antidote to traffic congestion and a component of a healthy lifestyle, bicycling is a big part of the future we envision. We thank and congratulate the Cascade Bicycle Club for the great work they do to enhance our city, spoke by spoke.”

DAN, BUSINESS LEADER

www.cascade.org

www.cbcef.org

Cascade Bicycle Club, a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, promotes individual health and recreation through education and advocacy to create a more bicycle friendly environment and a more livable community for members, bicyclists and the community at-large.

The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, provides education programs and consulting services in the interest of creating a better community through bicycling. We educate elected officials and agencies about building bicycle-friendly communities; teach safe cycling to kids and adults; promote bicycle commuting through individual and corporate programs; review transportation plans to ensure that our cycling voice is heard; and work with schools on fitness programs and Safe Routes to Schools.

Programs and materials are free or low-cost.

Our goals are to get more people riding more often more safely; to increase the voice and visibility of the Cascade Bicycle Club and the cycling community to improve facilities and the environment for cyclists; and to promote cycling as a transportation alternative.

info@cascadebicycleclub.org • PO Box 15165, Seattle, WA 98115 • p: 206-522-3222 • f: 206-522-2407 Creating a better community through bicycling