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Psssst… behave yourself this weekend

Friday, June 1st, 2012 by

Obey those stop signs.

On this first weekend of June, loads of people will be out playing on the trails, on foot and on wheels. This is a friendly reminder that you should play it safe. A little bird told me there might financial implications for bad behavior on our regional trails throughout the weekend. To avoid a ticket here are my top tips for trail usage:

TOP TIPS FOR TRAIL USAGE

  1. Roll, ride and walk right.
  2. When passing, alert the other person with your voice or a bell, slow down and give plenty of space.
  3. Slow down when you are around a lot of other users. I don’t like being passed quickly by cars on the road. I am sure walkers don’t enjoy it when bicyclists pass super fast.
  4. Riding your bike with others is fun, but be polite and ride single file when appropriate.
  5. All users: unplug your ears. If you wear headphones, you will be surprised when that other bicyclist passes you.
  6. If you are walking your dog, keep it close to you on a leash and walk your furry friend on your right.
  7. Stop fully at stop signs.

Ultimately, we are all using these trails together. These rules and tips are meant to keep us all safe. Let’s slow down, smile, wave and make it more fun for everyone.

We know that you are a thoughtful, law-abiding trail user. So you might want to remind your friends who are a little more lax about the rules by sharing this post.

Posted in Burke-Gilman Trail, Road & Trail News | 8 Comments »

Energized about commuting by bike

Monday, May 14th, 2012 by

I don’t know about you, but I am buzzing off all the positive energy surround Bike Month. There is much to be excited about: free bus rides this week, rallies, rides and contests, and F5 Bike to Work Day on Friday.

To add to the festive mood Cascade is hosting a series of  Energizer Stations during the month of May to support all the new and returning bicycle commuters.

What is an Energizer Station?
An Energizer Station is a pop-up station with treats, bike pumps, maps and more to help everyone commute by bike. The stations are staffed by our expert Bicycle Ambassadors who can help with most any bicycle question you can think of.  The Ambassadors will be out there rain or shine to help get you started.

Where can you get energized?
Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors will go to a different location for each station so we can reach as many different bicycle commuters as possible. We have already been to South Lake Union and Beacon Hill which were wildly successful. One story that stuck in my head was told to me by a man who rides his bike to work everyday. His co-workers at his downtown office complain about  parking and he just smiles and tells them it is never a problem for him because he rides everyday.

  • May 16: Ballard
  • May 17: SeaTac
  • May 23: Bryant
  • May 24: Renton
  • May 30: Lake Sammamish
  • May 31: West Seattle

Want an Energizer Station in your neighborhood this summer? Contact me!

Tell us, dear readers, how do you get energized for your bicycle commute?

Posted in Around town, Bike Month, Events | 8 Comments »

May 12 Kids Bike Swap

Friday, May 11th, 2012 by

Bike Works’ 16th Annual Kids Bike Swap will be held on Saturday, May 12th, 2012, from 10 am – 4 pm at the Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118).

Just in time for the sunshine, the Kids Bike Swap is an opportunity for families to trade in a bike their child has outgrown for a larger bike The Kids Bike Swap helps to facilitate the flow of affordable bicycles within the community and keeps fully functional bikes out of our local landfills.

How the Kids Bike Swap Works
Bike Works staff and volunteers have been hard at work all year refurbishing used bikes to bring to the Kids Bike Swap. On the day of the event, families can bring bikes that their children have outgrown and the bike is assigned a trade-in value. The families can then look through all of the bikes we have fixed up and pick out a new bike. The trade-in value can then be used to deduct from the cost of their new bike. (If the chosen bike’s value exceeds that of the trade-in value, the customer is responsible for the difference.) Typically, when a bike is swapped the customer is able to take home their newly refurbished ride for $20 or less. Families looking to buy a bike, who do not have a bike to trade in, are welcome to shop for a low-cost bikeafter 12 pm.

NEW THIS YEAR: The Bike Works Community Festival
Join the hundreds of other families participating in the Kids Bike Swap! To make things even better, this year there’s no need to wait in line. Families can drop off their trade-in bike and enjoy all sorts of fun activities until their number is called. In addition to the Bike Swap and bike activities, all families are invited to join in the festival, with kid-friendly bands, gardening tips, food and much more! There will also be a Family Bike Expo, with examples of different bikes and trailers that allow families to be car free. Admission is free and everyone is welcome at the festival. You don’t have to bring a bike to join in all the activities.

Free Helmets
Seattle Children’s will provide helmet fittings and free bike helmets, as well as provide education on bicycle helmet safety.

Posted in Events, Kids on bikes | No Comments »

Thanks for sharing

Friday, May 4th, 2012 by

The Burke-Gilman Trail. I have heard it called the crown jewel of the Seattle trail system. It is long, fairly flat and surrounded by beautiful scenery. Like a famous art piece, everybody wants it.  It is the go-to trail for commuters, new riders, walkers, runners, skateboarders and more.  As we see more and more people using the trails in the Northwest, we all need to be better about sharing.

My top tips for sharing the trail:

  • Be courteous to all trail users.
  • Ride, roll and walk on the right side of the trail.
  • When passing, slow down, give space and alert the people you are passing with either your voice or a bell.
  • Riding and walking two abreast is okay, but single file is better at high-traffic times.
  • Keep pets on a short leash and walk them on the right side of the trail.
  • Use common sense. Don’t train for your next race when there are a lot of people on the trail.
  • Be aware of your surroundings — turn those headphones down.

Want to learn more about trail sharing? The  City of Renton is having its 2nd annual ‘Share the Trail’ event this Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at Ron Regis Park. The event is designed to provide information to trail users of all types on etiquette, rules and trail safety. Local and regional organizations, including the Cascade Bicycle Club, Feet First, RUFF, and City of Renton, will all be on-hand to promote safe trail usage and help you have fun.

We hope to see you there!

Posted in Around town, Bike ambassadors | 1 Comment »

Earth Day: A perfect reason to get back on your bicycle

Monday, April 16th, 2012 by

When it comes to trying something new, many of us need that extra little nudge to get going. New Year’s Day, for example, is a good marking point for change. I think Earth Day can be the same thing: a chance to take moment to reflect on how our lifestyles impact the planet.

If you have been thinking “I should really start bicycling,” Earth Day (Sunday, April 22) is the perfect day to start. There are many reasons to start bicycling: health, saving money and that is fun. But right now I am going to focus on the environmental reason for riding a bike. You save approximately 1 lb of CO2 per mile on your bike. Forty percent of trips in the United States are two miles or less, and, of those, 90 percent are made by car. Make your commitment on Earth Day to make three of those trips by bike. You will be helping our planet, and you might discover how fun it is and keep riding.

Need another little push?

Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors will be out at numerous community events leading up Earth Day and beyond. The Ambassadors are experts on how to get started if you have been off your bike for awhile. Say hi at one of the events below.

Need another push?

We have classes and rides that help you take that next step.

My commitment for Earth Day is to ride with my fiance to work at least three times per month, from now through September.

Posted in Around town, Commuting, Events | 2 Comments »

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