Archive for February, 2011

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Big push needed for Vulnerable User Bill

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 by Chris Rule

First, there is great news for the Vulnerable User Bill in Olympia. The bill has bipartisan support. Victims and their family members made clear in two moving hearings how and why they want to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions. Now the full House or Senate must vote on the bill before a looming deadline at the end of the month. You can send a message to your legislators and help make it happen.

Click the image for full video of the most recent Vulnerable User Bill hearing (beginning at 48 minutes).

Right now, the Vulnerable User Bill is right where it “died” last year. In February 2010, a very similar bill awaited a vote in the full Senate but legislators did not feel enough positive pressure to vote on the bill. Like so many potential laws, the SB 5838, last year’s Vulnerable User Bill, sat on a list of bills for consideration but missed a deadline for passage in the “house of origin.”

In 2011, we have bills ready in both the House and Senate and at least double the chance of making the Vulnerable User Bill into a law — but the clock can still run out without your help!

Please click here to send a message to your state  representatives and senator. Encourage them to support the Vulnerable User Bill when they meet in caucus and bring it for a floor vote. Let’s get this done!

To learn more, here are some resources:

Posted in Advocacy, Olympia, Vulnerable User Bill | 2 Comments »

The return of the scraper bikes

Monday, February 14th, 2011 by Emma Epstein

On Mondays after school, we are busy teaching new kids how to maintain their bikes and (perhaps more importantly) how to trick them out and make them look much cooler. We are recycling older BMX bikes and fixing them up with the kids. Each session, we take on a new fix-it task and, if there is time remaining, get to work on decorating. Gold stars fill up the chart as kids complete each new maintenance task. Many of them had never even taken a wheel off of a bike, let alone re-packed a hub.

The kids bring lots of energy and new perspective to us and to each other. The first day we partnered up and had to find out three things in common with each other. The kids didn’t know that they could have so much in common, even if they struggled at the beginning, by the end they were cheering about the fact that one pair both liked animals, and another pair’s favorite food was pizza. They didn’t know that you could have things in common with other people you weren’t already friends with.

Our first hands-on-project was learning how to fix-a-flat. As you likely know, this is one of the most common problems for any cyclist. The kids took to the challenge with full enthusiasm. Finding their own holes and even trying to find the holes in other tires across the table. The problem was that they were finding the holes with the tire still on the wheel. We had some instructing to do. After carefully explaining how to remove the tire from the rim, we got down to patching and then reassembling everything. Each and every one of the kids was successful and able to go home to their families proudly saying “I fixed a flat!”

Posted in Kids on bikes | 1 Comment »

Help spin us over the top

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 by Emma Epstein

The Major Taylor spin-a-thon has been growing in popularity and is so close to being sold out that we have started a wait list. With only one week to go, we have reached 85% of our goal. Let’s see how much we can beat it by. It is not too late to sponsor a teen rider and worthwhile seeing if you can get one of the last saddles.

For more information, email Darcy.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Board announces candidates for March 22 election

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 by M.J. Kelly

The Cascade Bicycle Club’s Nominating Committee and Board of Directors are pleased to present the candidates for the March 22 Board of Directors’ election.  Seventeen candidates will be on the ballot for nine open positions with terms commencing upon election and ending on December 31, 2013.

We sincerely thank candidates for stepping up to serve the Club at this important time.  We were truly overwhelmed by the number of talented and committed community members offering to serve in this capacity.  We hope to engage the talents and energy of the candidates in the work of Club through board service, committee participation and volunteer efforts to further the mission of making a better community through bicycling.

What’s next? Candidate statements will be published in the March Courier and posted on online. Members will also have a chance to meet and greet candidates at the Seattle Bicycle Expo, Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, Seattle on March 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the candidate forum on March 22, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Magnuson Park Community Center.

The candidates:

Jeff Almgren

Kevin Carrabine

Candy Castellanos

George Durham

Jon Gould

Larry Jacobson

Emily Moran

Bill Ptacek

Chanel Reynolds

Charles Ruthford

Jerry Scott

Ron Sher

Michael Snyder

Don Volta

Tom von Schrader

Daniel Weise

Tarrell Wright

Ballots will be included in the March issue of the Cascade Courier and posted online in PDF format. Ballots can be:

  1. Mailed to the Club office but must be postmarked no later than Tues., March 22.
  2. Hand-delivered to the Club office but must be delivered by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22.
  3. Cast in person at the Candidates’ Forum on Tuesday, March 22 but must be cast shortly after the Forum’s closing.

The election will be certified on or before March 31.

Posted in Club news | 1 Comment »

RSVP2 lottery is open!

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 by M.J. Kelly

The lottery for RSVP2 opened this morning and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

Not sure how the lottery system will work? This post will give you all the details.

Posted in Events, RSVP | 2 Comments »

Where all of the cyclists are happy…

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 by Stacey Panek

Cascade Single Cyclists Happy Hour
Thursday, Feb. 10, 5 to 8 p.m.
BalMar, 5449 Ballard Ave NW

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Can you believe it? The days are getting longer, flowers are starting to poke up out of the ground and we’ve even seen the sun recently. Spring is on the way, which means it’s time to emerge from hibernation and meet up with friends both old and new.

Just in time, the first Cascade Single Cyclists Happy Hour of 2011 is at last upon us. Join Cascade this Thursday, Feb. 10 at the BalMar, located in the heart of Ballard. We’ll have food, drinks, cycling DVDs on the big screen TV and a drawing for fun prizes like Chilly Hilly passes, a restaurant gift certificate and more.

Here’s the latest news on the happy hour menu (5 to 7 p.m.)—pulled pork sliders, herb feta fries, tapenade crostini and puff pastry mini tarts filled with raspberry compote and chantilly cream (how Valentine’s Day!)

And the drinks! The crew at the BalMar have created some special cocktails just for us, including the Prologue, the Domestique and the Tandem. Or if you’d rather, you can indulge in New Belgium Brewing’s amazing 1554 Enlightened Black Ale for a mere $3 a pint.

You’ll find the action in the BalMar’s private upstairs room. Come for a fun evening visiting with other active Cascade members and friends “off the bike.”

Posted in Around town, Events | 2 Comments »

Miss Panniers: What NOT to wear for a night on the town

Monday, February 7th, 2011 by Miss Panniers

While illuminating, not the best choice for a singles mixer.

Miss Panniers would like to respond to a question posted on the Cascade Blog regarding appropriate attire for the single cyclists mixer on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the BalMar: ” What does one wear to such an event? Do I wear my best grease-streaked roadie kit, or my Ibex woolies? Which is going to impress the lady of my dreams? Where do I lock up my bike once there? What? No bikes inside? What do you mean that I can’t wear my cycling shoes on the dance floor? ”

Gentle meeter-n-greeter,

Miss Panniers does not generally tend toward absolutes, but here she must insist. Under no circumstances should you wear a roadie kit of any kind to this event. In fact, roadie kits should never be seen if any of the following applies:

  • The primary purpose of the event is not riding a bicycle.
  • Table covers are made out of cloth.
  • The music is performed by live humans such as a DJ or band. Karaoke is borderline (on many levels.)
  • You are celebrating a major life events (weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, etc).

This is not to say that you should not bicycle to such events. Miss Panniers absolutely encourages her readers to bicycle to all such events. In fact, rolling up to the singles event on your classic bike dressed to impress may conjure up promising images of fun-filled bicycle-based dates to come. The BalMar has ample bike parking just outside the door; bring your lock and your conveyance will be fine.

One’s attire should reflect your personality and  make an appropriate first impression. The  Bal-Mar is a classy place in a hip neighborhood. If you have a roadie personality, simply dress it up a little. Wool garmets are a good choice; warm outdoors and socially acceptable indoors. If you still want to be recognizable as a bicyclist, consider subtle accessories such a inner tube belt, tweed cycling cap, wool arm warmers or re-cycled jewelry.

This is more like it, although Miss Panniers must insist on a helmet, even for date nights. Even for Ms. Hepburn.

Footwear continually poses a challenge to bicycle fashion and etiquette. While Miss Panniers has danced the night away in her SPDs, she longs for the day when there is much greater variety in fashionable, functional bike gear. In the meantime, you may want to swap out your roadie pedals so you can swap in your date—night shoes.

For additional wardrobe guidance, Miss Panniers will be attending the Traffic Stoppers bike fashion show at the Seattle Bicycle Expo. In the meantime, she hopes to see more of her readers elevating their bicycle style — at the bar, at the market, at the theater, on the commute. You never know where you might catch the eye of that special single cyclist. And if you truly are a greasy lycra-clad roadie at heart, rest assured that you too will meet your match out there.

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Posted in Around town, Dear Miss Panniers | No Comments »

What does “man zou” mean?

Friday, February 4th, 2011 by Stacey Panek

Man Zou.

It’s a common Mandarin Chinese phrase that translates to “walk slow.” Used as a farewell, it’s a way of reminding one another to be careful and mindful on the journey, and take the time to see things along the way. Walk slowly and you won’t fall.

Man Zou describes a way of life that our digital, Wi-Fi, socially networked, on demand, 24/7, 21st century culture has largely forgotten.

And there’s perhaps no better emblem of the fast-growing, ever-changing nature of the modern world than its most populous country, China.

A week after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jason Reid and his team of three Seattle filmmaking cyclists arrived in China for a 1,000-mile bicycle trip from the capital city to Shanghai. Without a support vehicle but with the help of 23-year-old Chinese guide Doven Lu, the crew filmed their experience traveling over landscapes at turns urban and rural, mountainous and flat.

By slowing down and embracing the man zou philosophy in the unique way that bicycling allows, Jason and company were able to capture a view of China rarely glimpsed by Western audiences.

On Friday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m., Cascade will screen the resulting 86-minute film: Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai at the Seattle flagship REI.

Here’s Jason’s reflection on his experience filming Man Zou:

“Our goals for the film were very simple…To go to China for the first time and bicycle from Beijing to Shanghai 1,000 miles, without the assistance of support vehicles. We went in with open minds and constantly running cameras, in an attempt to capture a more intimate look at China, the people, and the rapidly changing environment in which they live. I have always felt that bicycle touring is the best way to see a country because of the level of access that you get by traveling 3 feet off the ground, at 10-15 mph. We were also lucky enough to have a Chinese guide, Doven Lu, along with us on the journey. In traveling with him and seeing the country at that level, I think that we were able to see China through a lens that not many people have looked through.

We always intended for Man Zou to be much more than an adventure film about our travels in China. Instead, we wanted our experience to serve as a vehicle to delve into some of the larger issues that were facing the country following the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In retrospect, I believe we accomplished these goals for the project. In riding through the varied urban and rural areas between Beijing and Shanghai, it opened a window into some of the many contradictions that exist in China today: old vs. new, rich vs. poor, development vs. environment and taking time to see things along the way vs. moving rapidly in the modern world.

The director Jason Reid in China

Looking back on what we did, there is little that I would change, other than having more time in China to let all of the things we learned sink in. Although we got to experience so much while we were there, it was still not nearly enough time and we could have easily stayed twice as long. But this is the plight I think we all face in 21st century…not having enough time to take the time to absorb things, to learn about different cultures and people, and to “Walk Slow.” It wasn’t by accident that we titled the film Man Zou. Just like most Americans, I have difficulty walking slow and in making this film, I forced myself to take 6 weeks out of my busy life to experience China and everything it has to offer in the hopes of understanding it just a little more. Although it was a challenge to me to break away and change my mindset, it was ultimately one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I hope our film can serve to inspire others to do the same.”

So, take the night off. Slow down. Join Cascade on Feb. 18 for this uncommon look at modern China. Man zou.

Posted in Films | 1 Comment »

We need your construction know-how!

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 by Mary Collins

Bike shelter design, S2 architecture + design

We share the beautiful Magnuson Park with many great organizations, but perhaps our favorite neighbor is Solid Ground’s Sandpoint Family Housing, a transitional housing facility located in converted Naval buildings just down the road from our office. Solid Ground provides homes for formerly homeless people and works with residents to build better futures for themselves and their families.

Cascade runs a Scraper Bike program that gives kids living in the housing facility the opportunity to learn bike maintenance skills on donated BMX bikes, while customizing and decorating the same bike. It’s fun to see the kids riding their finished bikes with personalized paint jobs around the park. Sadly, the current bike parking situation is poor, and many bikes are stolen or rust over the winter.

The AmeriCorps volunteers at Cascade are spearheading a project to construct an awesome new covered bike shelter and community space. Jonathan Sirois, an architect from S2 architecture + design, put together a plan, and we need your help to make it a reality. The design currently features a green roof, rain barrels for the nearby garden and benches for resting. This is just the first stage of the project, and we’re open to any ideas.

We will need all kinds of volunteers as the project progresses, but right now we need the expertise of any engineers or folks with construction experience who love bikes. If this is you or anyone you know, please email me to get involved.

We would also appreciate donations of materials, money, time and ideas. The project relies on donations and volunteers so everything helps!

More photos of the current site and the bike shelter design after the jump…

(more…)

Posted in Education, Kids on bikes, Volunteer | 6 Comments »

A double dose of Complete Streets medicine in Olympia

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 by Max Hepp-Buchanan

There are now two Complete Streets bills proposed in Olympia this legislative session, with many thanks to Cascade-endorsed freshman House Representative, Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34, West Seattle, Burien, Vashon Island). On Friday, Feb. 28, Fitzgibbon introduced House Bill 1700, arguably the most comprehensive state-wide Complete Streets policy the Washington state legislature has seen thus far.

Though the term “Complete Streets” is never used in the language of the bill, HB 1700 acknowledges that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) should provide not just for the needs of drivers, but also public transportation vehicles and patrons, bicyclists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities when planning and implementing state transportation projects and programs. Because of the numerous documented benefits of using “active” modes of transportation (biking and walking) the proposed bill does three main things:

First, HB 1700 amends the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to allow cities, towns, and counties to use the most current version of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines when designing bicycle and pedestrian ways. This is an important step forward for Washington state communities because AASHTO’s design guidelines are currently being updated and are generally more flexible and comprehensive than those in WSDOT’s Highway Design Manual.

Likewise, local jurisdictions are also allowed to meet the standards of an “equivalent design guide”, which may pave the way for local adoption of an even more progressive manual, like that produced by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). In short, communities will have a larger toolbox of bicycle and pedestrian design treatments at their fingertips, resulting in more innovative ways to get pedestrians and cyclists along and across local roadways.

Second, HB 1700 requires that WSDOT consult with local jurisdictions in the scoping, design, and planning phases of all state transportation projects. This includes clarifying community goals and priorities before the project even begins the design phases.

Lastly, when constructing, retrofitting, or maintaining streets, bridges, or other parts of the state transportation network, WSDOT must “consider the needs of all users” by applying design solutions consistent with the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ (ITE’s) guide on urban walkable communities. This is the essence of Complete Streets: that in all transportation projects and on all roads[1], the DOT must plan for and accommodate the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists of all ages and abilities, including children, youth, families, older adults, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and movers of commercial goods.

HB1700 already has 13 co-sponsors, including Cascade favorites Marko Liias (D-21, Edmonds, Mukilteo) and Andy Billig (D-3, Spokane). Even further increasing the bill’s chances in the legislature, the ranking Republican member of the Transportation Committee, Rep. Mike Armstrong (R-12, Wenatchee) is also a co-sponsor.

HB 1700 is not to be confused with House Bill 1071, which is also co-sponsored by Fitzgibbon and is supported by organizations such as Transportation Choices Coalition and Cascade, among many others. HB 1071 creates a Complete Streets grant program (pending future funding) that provides cities with incentives to adopt Complete Streets ordinances. The proposed bill also directs WSDOT to work with local communities to create safe roadway environments for bicyclists, pedestrians, and people of all ages and abilities on state highways that reside within incorporated cities. On Friday, Jan. 28, HB 1071 passed out of the House Transportation Committee.

With two Cascade-supported Complete Streets bills now in the works this legislative session, our commitment to Complete Streets in 2011 goes beyond the work we have recently done in our region. No town is too small and no jurisdiction is too large for what is the simple accommodation of all people who want to use the roadway, regardless of how they get around.

[1] With limited exceptions.

Posted in Advocacy, Complete streets, Olympia | 1 Comment »

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