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Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda will bike to school with Bryant Elementary students in celebration of National Bike to School Day

Friday, May 3rd, 2013 by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda will bike to school with Bryant Elementary students in celebration of National Bike to School Day

An estimated 3,500 kids across Seattle region will bike to school on Wednesday, May 8

 What: Bryant Elementary school students, family members and public officials to bicycle en masse to school and hold a press conference about biking to school

Who: Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda, Seattle School Board President Kay Smith-Blum, Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, Cascade Bicycle Club Education Director Julie Salathé, Bryant bike to school organizers and families

When: Riders gather at Top Pot beginning at 8 a.m. Ride departs at 8:40.

Ride start point: Ride starts from Top Pot Doughnuts at 6845 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA.

Ride ending point and location of press conference: Bryant Elementary School, 3311 NE 60th St, Seattle, WA

 

A stream of Bryant students and parents riding on Bike to School Day 2012. Photo (c) carfreedays on Flickr. Click photo to view more photos from last year.

SEATTLE, MAY 3, 1013 – Following the “May is Bike to School Month” recognition at the Seattle Public School Board meeting on May 1, we are happy to announce that Superintendent José Banda will join students and families of Bryant Elementary School, School Board President Kay Smith-Blum, Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, Cascade Bicycle Club Education Director Julie Salathé and community members on a group bicycle ride to celebrate National Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

The group will gather at Top Pot Doughnuts beginning at 8 a.m. and depart for the 1-mile ride to school at 8:40.

Bryant Principal Kim Fox will welcome students and families in a Bike to School Day rally and press conference to be held on the school’s playground.

“Biking to school addresses two issues that the school district faces: students’ well-being as it relates to academic achievement and transportation costs,” said Superintendent Banda. “Studies show that students who get regular exercise are more attentive in class and reach higher achievement levels. More students biking to school means lower transportation costs, which translates into more funds for our classrooms. Ultimately, supporting bicycling will help us find happier, healthier, more focused students at their desks.”

The Seattle School District has partnered with Cascade Bicycle Club to offer its Basics of Bicycling curriculum in elementary schools for the past 15 years. The program teaches bike safety to 7,300 SPS students annually.

Last year at the Bike to Work Day rally at Seattle City Hall, school board president Kay Smith-Blum made a commitment to support biking to school.

“I’m pleased to report that we’re making progress,” said Kay Smith-Blum, school board president. “The district has partnered with Cascade Bicycle Club in grant-funded programs to encourage biking to school at four elementary schools this spring. And maybe most importantly, grassroots programs are sprouting across the District. Over 25 schools have active Safe Routes to School programs with parents and other partners promoting biking and walking to school.”

“That’s a start,” Smith-Blum said. “There’s much more we look forward to accomplishing in the near future through our pending Green Building Initiative, by taking walking and biking access into account when designing school grounds.”

“The Bryant Elementary School staff has been supportive of our bike to school efforts, but it also takes committed, active parents leading the charge,” said Clint Loper, parent of students at Bryant and Eckstein Middle School and a co-founder of Walk.Bike.Schools, which was formed last year to foster collaboration among walk and bike to school organizers throughout Seattle.

Full racks at Bryant Elementary on Bike to School Day 2012. Photo (c) carfreedays on Flickr. Click photo to view more photos from last year.

“The grassroots growth in bike to school programs over these past several years has been phenomenal,” Loper said. “It is beneficial for our kids in so many ways, and they are voting with their bikes and sneakers that kid-powered commuting is their favorite way to get to school. I encourage parents at schools throughout the city to work together so we can make every corner of Seattle safe and inviting for kids to bike to school.”

“Bike to School Day is a shared vision for our community – a vision where people of every age and ability feel safe and comfortable to bicycle in their neighborhoods,” said Julie Salathé, Cascade Bicycle Club Education Director.

“Next Wednesday’s event is an important signal from the district that they are committed to that vision, too,” Salathé continued. “We can already see great progress being made at individual schools and by groups like Walk.Bike.Schools. Now we are looking to our leaders to adopt policies and fund infrastructure that will make it safer and easier for kids to walk and bike to school.”

“I love seeing our bike racks full of kids’ bikes,” said Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. “It means Seattle families are making the leap and working together to make biking to school not just a hope, but a reality for more kids. However, neighborhoods are still lacking in routes that are safe enough for everyone. We need to change that. I’m committed to establishing safer school zones and neighborhood streets that work for all our residents and give them safe choices in the way they travel to schools and other local destinations.”

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Media contact:

M.J. Kelly, Cascade Bicycle Club
(206) 853-2188 m.j.kelly@cascadebicycleclub.org

Teresa Wippel, Seattle Public Schools
(206) 252-0203

About Cascade Bicycle Club

Founded in 1970, Cascade Bicycle Club is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, serving 15,000+ members and more than half a million cyclists in the Puget Sound community. Cascade is operated by a 13-member volunteer Board of Directors, 34 professional staff and thousands of volunteers. More information about Cascade Bicycle Club’s advocacy, commute, education and riding programs is available online at http://www.cascade.org/ or by calling (206) 522-3222.
Find us online: Twitter|| Facebook || Pinterest || YouTube

 

Posted in Bike Month, Education, Kids on bikes | 8 Comments »

Now is the best time to begin a good habit

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 by

Commuter: Khatsini Simani, new commuter
Commute Challenge Team: Bike Ambassadors

One of our newest Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors, Khatsini Simani, is still fairly new to bike commuting herself but armed with maps and safety brochures, she and her fellow Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors are out in the community to share their own experiences and bike commuting tips with you.

A firm believer that now is the best time to begin a good habit, Khatsini began commuting by bike out of the desire to create more time to be active, an urge to travel with less dependency on the bus and, most recently, for the opportunity to be an ambassador for all forms of bicycling.

But like so many others, her hurdle to bike commuting was the fear of cycling alongside cars and potentially getting hit.

“The Urban Cycling Techniques class gave me a chance to push my boundaries in a safe yet challenging environment. During the training I learned that I enjoyed riding on the road as much as anywhere else (before I would ride mostly on trails and sidewalks),” said Khatsini. “Now that I have the basic road safety skills down, I can challenge myself to ride on busier streets on my own. I feel less limited when I plan trips and have found that sharing my story can help others gain confidence as well.”

Khatsini increasingly commutes by bike now.

“My main goal is to gradually make commuting by bike a more consistent part of my lifestyle,” she said.  “I think that bike month will definitely help me hold myself to that goal- as will contributing to the commuting miles of my [Commute Challenge] team and finding more people to ride with,” she said.

Khatsini said she’s discovered that bike commuting reduces stress and challenges her to be more aware of her surroundings.”

“I like taking photographs and will often take my camera with me when I ride,” she said.  “Recently I’ve seen a lot of younger women out on their bike- it’s awesome! The more bikers I see out and about, the more confident I feel and I hope the same applies to others.”

When she’s not biking to local events with her fellow ambassadors, Khatsini takes the bus from Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood to Kirkland where she attends school.

“My next commuting challenge is to bike for at least 50 percent of my commute to and from school consistently- that would be about 20 miles,” she said. “Now that I’ve put it out there, it will happen!”

 

We’re glad to have you as a Bike Ambassador and good luck with your challenge! Ride on!

Posted in Bike ambassadors, Bike Month, Commute Challenge, Commuting, Education | 3 Comments »

Where to find Bicycle Ambassadors this week

Friday, April 26th, 2013 by

Look for the Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors at Dust Off Days this Saturday, April 27. You’ll also find the Ambassadors at the Ballard Farmers Market and the University Village Kids Day on Sunday, April 28. Also, look for them on the I-90 trail this coming Monday from 4-7 p.m.

Armed with maps and safety brochures, Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors are experienced bicyclists out in the community to talk to you about safe riding, commuting options, bike infrastructure and the services that Cascade offers. They might even pump up your tires or lube your chain for you!

Additionally, Ambassadors will be tabling at a number of business fairs organized by ZymoGenetics, Urban Renaissance Group, Washington Holdings, CBRE, and Victim Support Team.

Posted in Bike ambassadors, Education | No Comments »

Scraper Bike Success!

Thursday, April 25th, 2013 by

It seems like just yesterday that the six Scraper bike students were learning how to change a flat tire. Now, those students are proficient at basic bike maintenance skills and are riding out around the park on their newly customized, colorful bikes!

The Scraper bike is a trend that originated in the San Francisco Bay area, and is distinguished by a creatively spray painted BMX bike frame and wheels decorated with colorful duct tape or aluminum foil on the spokes. Cascade’s Scraper bike program engages kids ages 9 through 12 who live in the low-income and transitional housing in the neighborhood by our offices. The goal of this earn-a-bike program is to develop a creative and kinetic learning environment that implements bicycle maintenance skills supported by a do-it-yourself paint and tape decorating. At the end of the program,  ”Scraperz Kids” earn their own BMX Scraper bike, a lock and helmet.

On the final day of their eight-week scraper bike club, they used the chain breaker tool to replace their old chains, removed the painters tape after the spray paint was dry and put on the last finishing touches.

No earn-a-bike program is complete without a lock it or lose it demo. Each scraper graduate practiced and executed the proper way to securely lock up their bikes.

Equipped with a new helmet, combo lock and a handy patch kit, each student is now prepared to start riding their bikes in the bright spring weather.

Posted in Education | 6 Comments »

Happy Spring Biking!

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 by

Guest post by Morgan Scherer at Familybike Seattle

The weather is (mostly) gorgeous, and I’ve even gotten to bike once or twice without bringing the raincoat along, which is always daring in Seattle. I’ve downgraded to my thinner gloves, and am enjoying pedaling all around town leading family biking classes and programs. Earlier this month, I got to teach a Learn to Ride class with Cascade Bicycle Club, and eight children came to the outdoor class, even in the pouring rain! Watching their wet faces light up with joy as they became more confident coasting and pedaling was so moving…that’s how I feel when I bike, too.

Rain couldn't keep these kids away

Please check out the calendar below for some fabulous upcoming events –some of them quite soon!

In addition to all these great events, Familybike Seattle is in the midst of incorporating as a 501(c)3 non-profit. It is an exciting and formative time; we are writing bylaws and a mission statement, forming a Board of Directors, working on a website, and creating a logo. It’s a great time to get involved behind the scenes, building and supporting the organization. Please let me know if you’re interested in being on the Board or involved in logo creation, or have a talent to offer to further the mission of decreasing barriers to bicycling for families!

Upcoming Events:

Get Started Family Biking Seminar
Saturday, April 27. 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
A private residence in Rainier Beach
By donation ($5-25), includes child care

Would you like to bike more with your kids but aren’t sure how to get started? Or do you need inspiration to get out more often? Would you like the support of other local families as you take steps on your family biking journey? Come to one of our monthly Family Biking Seminars to learn about and discuss safety, goals, route planning, rain, equipment options, riding strategies, bike maintenance and more! For the last half hour we’ll go outside and try out different kinds of family bikes. And at the end of the seminar you will have your own group of co-participants to continue connecting with as you to make your next steps. This seminar is fun, inspiring and informative!

Family Bike Ride
Sunday, April 28. 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Magnuson Park
Free

The final installment of this month’s Cascade/Familybike partnership. Catch the same series in June or September!

Family Bike Expo and Roll Call
Saturday, May 4. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
South Lake Union Park
Free

Save the date for this cargo bike social and learning extravaganza! Keep an eye out for more details.

Mother’s Day Kidical Mass Ride
Sunday, May 12. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free

Save the date for this pedal-powered celebration of mothers, and our collective power to create positive social and environmental change! More details TBA but it’s gonna be great.

I look forward to seeing you at some of these fantastic events. Don’t hesitate to be in touch!

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Posted in Education, Family biking | 2 Comments »

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