Cascades daily rides are free and open to anyone and everyone. If you’ve never come on one of our rides, take a quick peek at our info for newcomers so you know what to expect. Select a ride at a pace level that you can handle comfortably over the terrain indicated. On the day of the ride, please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, prepared with a bike in good working order (tires pumped!), tools and knowledge to repair a flat, your helmet, some cash and — this being Halloween weekend — some treats.

Below are three spooktacular rides rolling out this weekend, but if they’re not your speed, we’ve got many more on the schedule. Happy Halloween!

FRUMPS: Search for the Great Pumpkin
Friday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.
25 – 30 miles at a 12-14 mph steady pace.
Meet at Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation

Please join us on our search for the perfect pumpkin and lunch at the end of the ride at Remlinger Farms.

Pedaling for Posthumous Pastures
Saturday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.
30 miles at a 14 – 16 mph moderate pace.
Meet at Burnett Linear Park in Renton.

Welcome to another yearly edition of cemetery exploration. As we near the night when ghosts, ghouls, and goblins appear to spook us all into giving them treats, we’ll again embark on a journey to the grave of Baby Monster.

SPOKES: Celebrity Bones Ride–Jimi Hendrix
Sunday, Oct. 31, noon
25 miles at a 10 – 12 mph leisurely pace.
Meet at South Bellevue Park & Ride, 2766 112th Ave SE

SPOKES will start at the South Bellevue Park & Ride and take a roundabout way to the Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton to visit Jimi Hendrix’s grave in honor of Halloween. We will stop on the way to or from for a hallowed snack.

The day of the event, five intrepid students from Global Connections High School in SeaTac turned out for the event.

The course was long, with what seemed like an endless number of switchbacks, mud coated hills, barriers to jump over, and even a man made bridge to ride under and over. In the hour prior to the race, we had to register and warm up with rain pouring down, so we hid under tents as much as possible. Luckily, as the kids were about to line up, the rain stopped and their whole race took place rain-free, but not mud or puddle  free. They had 30 minutes to complete as many laps of the course as they could, with the goal being three. Each and every one of them achieved what I see as the main goal for cyclocross: mud splattered not only on their backs, but on their faces and even behind their ears. And they finished with enough time to get inside and warmed up with pizza before the real storm hit.

As a recent Seattle transplant I’m still blown away by the number of fellow cyclists I see every day, especially on concentrated arterials like the Burke-Gilman or the University Bridge. Just last week we counted more than 400 cyclists cross the University Bridge in two hours.

So I was a little surprised to learn that only 3% of Seattleites bike to work. Several blogs have in-depth information about the numbers. The great news is that Seattle dominates the region in terms of transportation choices – 36% choose chose not to drive alone!

I looked more carefully at the cycling numbers. First of all, the statistics only show our primary commute mode. This only counts people who bike to work most of the time – it excludes recreational riders, people who bike to the grocery store and those who commute a few times a week.

New York City cyclists have noticed a disconnect between the census data and their own counts. The census data have recorded a decrease in bike commute rates in New York while the NYC Department of Transportation and Transportation Alternatives recorded year-over-year increases of 26% and 28% respectively.

So the exact numbers are up for debate, but everyone agrees that biking is on the upswing in Seattle. As a cyclist and Cascade employee I’m glad more people are riding their bikes. But really, why do these numbers matter to me?

Sure the Burke is more crowded, but there is one great, selfish reason to be excited about more cyclists on the roads. Studies and studies show that the more cyclists on the road, the safer everyone is. Because, even though there are more cyclists than ever, nationally there is a 12% drop in cyclist fatalities from 718 in 2008 to 630 in 2009. The “safety in numbers” phenomenon, first introduced by Peter Jacobsen in 2003 and supported by mountains of data, is as simple as it sounds. The more cyclists on the road, the more likely drivers are to look for them, and the safer everyone is. In fact, more bicycle infrastructure and more cyclists make the roads safer for everyone, not just bikers. Cities like Copenhagen and Portland invested in cycling infrastructure and have seen dramatic increases in cyclists, but as opposed to a proportional or even non-linear increase in injuries, there has actually been an overall decrease in injuries. So thanks to the increase of cyclists the roads are safer than ever before, and will continue to grow more so the more we all ride.

Here’s to even more riders trying out Seattle’s burgeoning bicycling infrastructure!

Seattle’s proposed 2011/2012 budget includes two important funding mechanisms for projects that improve our ability to safely and efficiently walk, bike or take transit through the city: 1) a five percent increase in the commercial parking tax and 2) an increase in on-street parking meter rates. Both of these measures are in real danger of being thrown out by City Council. If we are going to prevent this, we must act now! Below are some talking points that I feel compelled to share with our readers. Please spread the word and help Cascade convince City Council that these revenue generators—and the essential programs and services they fund—must stay in the proposed budget.

Commercial Parking Tax Increase:

** The Mayor’s proposed 2011/2012 budget includes an increase in the commercial parking tax (CPT) of an extra five percent for dedicated support of walking, biking and transit projects; core Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) services; and the South Park Bridge replacement.

** If the City Council does not support the proposed increase, funding for biking and walking will decline by 25 percent in comparison to last year (from $20.6 million in 2010 to $15.6 million in 2011). This represents a huge step backwards in the city’s commitment to walking, biking, transit and the environment.

** The Mayor’s proposed CPT increase amounts to only 50 cents on a $10 parking fee and that’s only if pay lot owners choose to pass the tax on to consumers. Given the current state of the market, it is unlikely that they would do so.

** When more people walk, bike and take transit, public health gets a boost due to better air quality and more physically active people. Bicycle, pedestrian and transit investments are one of the most effective ways of combating obesity.

** Funding walking, biking, and transit projects through the proposed CPT increase is important for climate protection and the city’s commitment to being carbon neutral by 2030.

On-Street Parking Meter Rate Increase:

** Parking meter revenue goes to the General Fund, of which the city has a $67 million hole to fill. If the city does not increase the parking rates, more support for our transportation system will have to come from the General Fund, reducing funding for essential services like police, fire, human services and libraries.

** The Mayor’s proposed 2011/2012 budget includes an increase in parking meter rates from $2.50 to $4 an hour downtown and just 50 cents in other areas. Paid parking hours would extend to 8 p.m. (from 6 p.m.) Monday through Saturday, and to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (previously free).

** Studies indicate that increased parking rates on Seattle streets would benefit businesses, increase parking turnover and availability, and reduce the number of motorists circling in search of parking (estimates from different cities conclude that between 30 and 45 percent of traffic in downtown areas is due to people looking for street parking). Best practice is to price parking so that 15 percent of parking spots on a street are available at any time. Downtown Seattle street parking is currently at 100 percent capacity for most of the day.

Please educate others about what these funding mechanisms would mean for Seattle. Here are two ways to help:

1)  Tell three people why the commercial parking tax and on-street parking meter rate increases are essential for walking, biking and transit in Seattle.

2)  Tell City Council. Here are some great, pointed questions to ask (copy and paste them into your email):

** Do you support walking, biking and riding transit?

** Are you going to cut all the projects that the five percent increase in commercial parking tax would fund?

** If the five percent commercial parking tax is out, how are we going to pay for Walk Bike Ride? How will we pay for the South Park Bridge? What about the core SDOT services that will go unfunded?

** If the commercial parking tax increase is cut, the dollar amount we’re spending on pedestrian and bicycle improvements will go from $20.6 million in 2010 to $15.6 million in 2011. How can reducing funding for these modes by 25 percent possibly be okay, given the city’s goals to address climate change and support healthy and livable communities?

In addition to emailing City Council, you can also attend the October 26 budget hearing to urge the Council to approve dedicated funding for bikes, feet and transit:

Tuesday, Oct. 26, Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers
2nd floor, 600 Fourth Avenue, 98104
Sign-in at 5 p.m. Hearing starts at 5:30 p.m.

Thank you!

MEETING AGENDA

Welcome

State of the Cascade Bicycle Club
Program area reports
Financial report
Membership report

Strategic Plan overview

Facilitated discussion / Q&A

Members are invited to submit their ballots for the 2011 board of directors election at the meeting or by mail. If mailed, ballots must be postmarked by Oct. 21.

Those who are unable to attend but wish to submit questions or comments can are invited to add them below in the comments section.

Read more club news and announcements…

But there is hope! King County Metro Transit has increased its service across the bridge by 130 new bus trips every day!  Since each bus has a three-bike rack that means an additional 390 cyclists can portage their bikes daily across the bridge.

It gets even better. Cyclists can catch a FREE ride on out-of-service or dead-headed buses crossing the bridge. Catch a bus at either the Montlake (eastbound) or Evergreen Point (westbound) station and then get off at the first stop on the other side. The out-of-service buses will say “Terminal,” “Bellevue Base” or “East Base.” You’re most likely to catch an eastbound bus during weekday morning peak hours and a westbound bus during weekday morning and afternoon peak hours.

The additional bus service commenced Oct. 2, in anticipation of spring 2011 tolling. Tolls will help fund a new bridge, which will feature a bike and pedestrian path. With tolls as high as $3.25 for peak trips, driving across the SR-520 Bridge will soon cost you more than time in traffic, so take advantage of the opportunity to bus your bike across the bridge.

Don’t know how to put your bike on the bus?  This video makes it easy: http://bit.ly/aGaFIz

Bicycle Ambassadors Brian and Sander talk with a new cyclist.

By the time I arrived and was escorted to the event space, Cascade’s trusty Bicycle Ambassadors had already arrived and set up our table with maps, reflective slap bracelets, stickers and brochures. We all grabbed some coffee and snacks (on the house, thanks SBUX!) and soon the Starbucks employees began to trickle in.

Some people just wanted stickers, others wanted maps, and still others wanted answers to their bicycle-oriented questions. We could easily answer most of the questions, but there were some where we were at a loss. Here, I’ll give you a sample of both and (with a computer at my disposal) I hope to provide more complete information.

What do I need to bike in the rain?

Fenders are a great place to start, along with good rain gear. I cannot stress enough how much better your commute will be with fenders. Fenders prevent rain and road grim from splattering up your back. Additionally, it keeps you drier and your bike cleaner.

We were also asked how important it is to have bicycle specific rain gear. Bicycle specific rain gear, though not necessary, tends to provide more coverage in the right places, and also tends to be more breathable, which will help you stay dry inside and out, even on more strenuous hill climbs. Biking in the rain can be just as fun – or more fun (depending on who you ask) – if you have the right gear!

Do you recommend going up on the sidewalk at red lights to push the “Walk” button?

We recommend staying in your lane on the road. Look out for large circles cut into the cement, small white “T”s, or a white image of a bicycle, all located just before the cross walk. These indicate traffic signal sensors beneath them. The sensors detect metal, not weight, so putting your bike over them should cause the light to change.

How hard is it to bring your bike on the bus? Does it cost extra?

Not hard, and there is no extra charge! It just takes a little getting used to. I recommend watching this video for a demonstration.  If you’re interested in taking your bike with you on other modes of transit, here is a useful website with links to each different transportation agency and their bicycle policies.

There seems to be a lot of construction going on in this area. How do these projects affect bicycle commuting?

Large construction projects require traffic mitigation (planned detours, etc.) and all cities require that these mitigation efforts include routes for bicycles and pedestrians. Smaller projects are generally just annoying. Do your best to avoid construction areas, and if they are unavoidable, please use caution! Here is a map of current SODO projects.

How do I get from ___ to here?

Obviously, it depends on what you’re filling in that blank with. At the fair we were showing people routes on the Seattle Bike Maps put out by the Seattle Department of Transportation. But since you’re on a computer, I would also recommend Google Maps as a great resource. You can type in your address and the address of your destination and click on the bicycle to designate that you are traveling via bike. It usually provides a couple of alternative routes and fairly accurate time estimates.

If you have never biked to work before or are new to an area I recommend trying out the bike route on an off work time so you have time to figure it out without the stress of having to get to work on time.

All in all it was a great event that hopefully inspired a few bicycle commute converts. I’ll be attending one event per week and reporting highlights and answering unanswered questions on this blog. Hopefully I’ll see you out there!

On Monday, Sept. 27, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn released his proposed budget for 2011 and 2012. Within that budget, $13 million over the next two years is allocated to the city’s Walk Bike Ride initiative, which includes dedicated funding for bicycle, pedestrian and transit improvements.

Of the $13 million, up to $2 million would go towards the Linden Ave. North Complete Streets Project over the next two years.

Of great interest to our readers is the fact that the project provides bicyclists with a buffered bike lane — what some would call Seattle’s first-ever cycle track. But Linden Avenue improvements go far beyond bike lanes.

The project’s overall goal is to improve pedestrian safety along Linden Avenue North. Other goals, as stated on the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) website, include keeping the neighborhood thriving and vibrant, as well as improving aesthetics along the corridor.

Neighbors in Bitter Lake gave the project a warm reception at the Aug. 20, 2010 SDOT Open House. Among the 65 attendees were patrons of the Bitter Lake Community Center and residents of the New Haven Apartments, a Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) location. In particular, open-house attendees appreciated improvements — such as enhanced street lighting and the separation of cyclists from parking areas — that increase the safety of all corridor users.

There is no doubt that Complete Streets projects like the one proposed for Linden Avenue North directly benefit cyclists, but projects of this nature also contribute to the safe mobility and accessibility of the elderly, children, people with disabilities and everyone who walks or uses transit.

The Mayor’s budget for 2011 – 2012 totals $3.9 billion. At $13 million, the money dedicated to pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders is an incredibly small piece of the pie. Yet the funding benefits many more people than you might think.

Bitter Lake residents, including those who live in the New Haven Apartments, have been waiting a long time for the city to make Linden Avenue safer. Without the $13 million in dedicated funding, those residents will have to wait even longer.

Want to help shorten the wait?

Write the Seattle City Council or attend the Oct. 26 budget hearing to urge the Council to approve dedicated funding for bikes, feet and transit:

Tuesday, Oct. 26, Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers
2nd floor, 600 Fourth Avenue, 98104
Sign-in at 5 p.m. Hearing starts at 5:30 p.m.

A team of filmmakers from Gripped Films was on that tour, catching not only the action that we spectators saw, but also getting a behind-the-scenes look at Team HTC-Columbia. The result? “Chasing Legends“, an intense and personal glimpse inside the one of the most successful cycling teams on the world circuit. Included in the film is commentary from current and past cycling heroes such as Eddy Merckx, Jens Voigt, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and many others.

“Chasing Legends” highlights the greatest heroes in professional cycling with a dramatic show of teamwork and panache from Team HTC-Columbia through the 2009 Tour de France. The film takes viewers on an epic ride into the race action. Using a multitude of high tech, high def cameras mounted on bikes, motorcycles, helicopters and team cars, “Chasing Legends” also includes historical race footage, artistic travelogue of the European countryside and villages with narration from “the voices” of world cycling, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen.

Come see it for yourself this Friday at REI Seattle. Get your tickets in advance or pay at the door in cash or with a credit card. Current Cascade members who show their cards will get a discount.

Cascade Bicycle Club Film Series: Chasing Legends
Friday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Seattle REI Store 222 Yale Ave N
Tickets are available in advance at Brown Paper Tickets
Members tickets: $8
Nonmember tickets: $9.99