Posts Tagged ‘west seattle’

Group forms to give West Seattleites a strong voice in the Seattle Bike Master Plan Update

Monday, October 22nd, 2012 by

Alki's Lady Liberty.

A new bicycle group is forming in West Seattle. The group, named West Seattle Bike Connections (WSBC), was founded by Don Brubeck with Theresa Beaulieu, recent graduates of Cascade’s Advocacy Leadership Institute, who wants to make sure West Seattleites have a say in the Seattle Bike Master Plan Update.

“West Seattle needs alternatives to the clogged bridge, the closing Viaduct, and the tolled tunnel with no exits downtown,” Brubeck stated, expressing a need for more safe bicycle routes that cater to people of all abilities.

With a mission statement to “provide advocacy and assistance for those traveling by bicycle to, from, and around West Seattle”, WSBC hopes to engage its community members who are interested in bicycling to advocate for improvements in bicycling infrastructure, and provide a cohesive input to decisions that could affect bicycling in the West Seattle area.

Biking over the West Seattle Bridge.

The group will hold its first outreach event on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6:45 to 9:45 a.m. at the lower bridge where the Alki, Duwamish and West Seattle Bridge trails converge, to meet, greet and hand out treats including homemade cookies.

“We want to help connect West Seattleites to school, work, transit, shopping areas, friends, family and recreation by bicycle,” said Brubeck. “And give West Seattle a strong voice in the 2012-13 Seattle Bike Master Plan update.”

WSBC’s core organizing group of a dozen people come from all over West Seattle. With an almost even male-female split, they represent a variety of ages and types of bike users: Randonneurs and racers, retirees using bikes for errands, all-weather bike commuters, and others who want the most beautiful waterfront path ride, even if it takes longer. Aili LePard is one of those active members, who engages SDOT and WSDOT regularly and posts frequently on the Cascade message boards and SeattleLikesBikes blog. In addition, WSBC has already allied with West Seattle Spokespeople, and is also talking with Sustainable West Seattle about becoming a “supported organization” under their well-established community non-profit umbrella.

For more information, find WSBC on Facebook, and stay up-to-date with the group’s happening on the West Seattle Blog forums.

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Posted in Advocacy, Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update | 2 Comments »

#Viadoom WOW!

Friday, October 28th, 2011 by

Wow is really the only word I have to describe Cascade’s Viadoom Energizer Stations this week. It was far from doom and gloom, and for that, you all deserve a high five.

Cascade Bicycle Club, WSDOT and Alki Bike and Board came out to support people new to bicycle commuting on both Monday and Wednesday morning. I have to admit I was a little nervous when I woke up to pouring rain on Monday morning, imagining that nobody was going to ride.

Thankfully, I was wrong. 381 bike commuters wrong! The city counted 308 bicyclists in 2008 at this particular location. Here we are three years later on a cold, dark October morning with 381 people bicycling. Wow!

Particularly inspiring was that so many of the people I spoke with were new bicycle commuters. One fellow had been training all summer to bike commute during the Viaduct closure, but realized he liked it so much that he was going to continue. Another made a donation to support the work Cascade does. Another woman gave me a hug. Another and another. Wow!

Let’s keep the fun going. To support people continuing to riding after the Viaduct opens, Cascade and Alki Bike and Board will be out again on Monday morning from 6:30 – 9 a.m. with donuts to cheer everybody along. It is Halloween so costumes are encouraged! I will be the one in the cape.

One of the many things I love about my job is that I am also continually learning and here are the top things I learned during the closure:

1. Bicycle trailers are amazing. I was able to get our complete energizer set-up from Southeast Seattle to West Seattle. Multiple times! And it didn’t suck.

2. Don’t wait until it is pitch black to turn your lights on. I noticed that even when the sun was up I could see bicyclists better when their lights were on.

3. “We don’t want no stinkin’s apples” People want sugar and caffeine in the morning. There will be donuts on Monday. Promise.

4. We need better bicycle infrastructure. I rode on the new SODO trail, with had front row seats to the viaduct being torn down. Because I wasn’t near traffic I could relax without the unnerving feeling of freight vehicles breathing down my neck. That said, a truck driver came out of his way to express to me that he doesn’t want to hit bicyclists that we need better ways to share the roads so the most vulnerable of us can be safe. It was an encouraging conversation, and I look forward to more like this. We need more facilities for people to feel safe bicycling on our city streets.

5. Bicycling is more fun when you know are part of something. Hey you out there who bicycled for the first time or for the thousandth time! We are part of a greater community having a positive impact on our community.  Clearly bicycle riders had a big impact on the success of this morning’s commute was said in reference to the car traffic not being that bad on Monday. More bikes on the road means less cars which means less congestion which allows all of us, bikes, car commuters and freight to move faster.

How was your commute during Viadoom?

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Posted in Around town, Commuting | 3 Comments »

#Viadoom nonsense and some real concerns

Friday, October 21st, 2011 by

I spoke too soon about “Carmageddon 2.0“. Apparently we are going with #Viadoom.

On to more serious matters.

Some of you may have seen this video posted on the Seattle Bike Blog involving dangerous truck-versus-bike intersection in Seattle.

Cascade took these concerns very seriously and took them back to WSDOT to find out what was being done to avoid a crash. Here is WSDOT’s reponse:

Are you planning to ride your bike from West Seattle during the nine-day viaduct closure? Thanks for choosing to use alternate transportation! Here’s what WSDOT and SDOT are doing to support you:

  • Hosting a morning commute meet-and-greet under the West Seattle Bridge with Cascade Bicycle Club. 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday, Oct. 26.
  • Paving over the existing multi-use path on the west side of the street south at South Massachusetts Street.
  • Draining the big “flood” puddles along the multi-use path near the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Adding 90 feet of barrier on the multi-use path near South Massachusetts Street.

Also, we’re aware that some northbound East Marginal Way South freight haulers are illegally using the southbound lane to access the Port of Seattle when a train blocks the intersection at South Atlantic Street. I wanted to let you know that WSDOT, SDOT and the Port of Seattle are working together to address the issue while improving safety for all travelers. Here’s what we’re doing:

  • Adding two temporary left-turn lanes on northbound East Marginal Way South between South Atlantic Street and South Massachusetts Street. Trucks will be able to use the two added left-turn lanes to access the port instead of illegally using the southbound lane to jump the line or to turn left into the port.
  • Increasing traffic enforcement by adding two additional officers on East Marginal Way South. Additional traffic enforcement would likely deter northbound traffic from speeding or illegally using the southbound lane.
  • Working with freight haulers to remind them to watch for cyclists and to use extreme caution when sharing the road with cyclists.
  • Asking cyclists to do their part by wearing bright clothing, using lights at night and riding in the multi-use path or striped bike lanes whenever possible.

Thank you, again, for riding your bike during the nine-day closure. Please remember to ride smart and stay visible out there. I’ll look forward to meeting you on the Alki path under the West Seattle Bridge at our WSDOT/Cascade Bicycle Club meet and greet.”

What WSDOT, SDOT and the Port are all doing sounds good and all, but I want to know how you, fellow bike commuter, are feeling out there on the road during #Viadoom. Let us know in the comments.

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Posted in Commuting, Road & Trail News | 3 Comments »

Carmageddon is upon us!

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 by

The upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct closure is the second coming of “carmageddon.” No really, it is. Before you start stocking your basement with canned goods and toilet paper, I would like to remind everyone that the last time carmageddon was upon us, all was not lost. Far from it.

Last summer Los Angeles closed I-405, a major automobile thoroughfare, to expand the highway, and the media freaked out. Stay home! The streets will be a parking lot! Panic was upon L.A. Jet Blue offered $4 flights across the city over the carmageddon weekend. In response, a group of cyclists decided to race the flight to show how ridiculous the whole situation was. Long story short, the bicyclists won.

Now I know the Viaduct issue is a little different. The Viaduct will be closed for nine days, not just a mere weekend. However, one message came out loud and clear during the L.A. carmageddon: you can get places by bicycle. And this wasn’t in bike-town Portland. Or Minneapolis (where they brag that Portland is just a street). This was in Los Angeles, the car-capitol of the country.

L.A.’s take-away is true here, too. We can get places by bicycle. And we invite you to give it a try. Why? Besides the fact that it’s our mission to encourage biking, the word on the street is that the fastest way to get downtown from West Seattle during the Viaduct closure is by bicycle. We want to support everyone who is willing to try bike commuting instead of driving. So in partnership with WSDOT, we’re here to help you bike to work next week.

Viaduct Closure Energizer Stations

Monday, Oct. 24

6:45 – 9 a.m.
Trail on the Westside of the Lower West Seattle Bridge
Stop by for some morning cheer! If your bike hasn’t gotten regular use, you’ll definitely need some air in those babies. We also have a limited supply of bike lights for new riders who really need them. Once your tires are inflated and you’re feeling ready to roll, join the bike train, heading into the city. Additionally, WSDOT will have a representative available to answer questions about the closure and the multi-use trail.

7:30 a.m.
Bike Train to downtown
Cascade’s very own Ed Ewing and Robin Randels will lead a ride downtown for everyone who either wants a little guidance or just wants to ride with others.

Wednesday, Oct. 26 (pretty much the same thing as Monday)

6:45 – 9 a.m.
Trail on the Westside of the Lower West Seattle Bridge
 Now that you’ve rolled a couple of days, you might notice your chain is squeaky and dry. We’ll help fix that and send you smoothly on your way, squeak-free.

7:30 a.m.
Bike Train to downtown
 Tried it on Monday and want to do it again? We’ll be there. Same details as Monday.

Monday, Oct. 31

6:45 – 9 a.m.
Trail on the Westside of the Lower West Seattle Bridge
 Even though the viaduct will reopen by Halloween, this is chance to challenge yourself and keep riding. Wear a costume, trick-or-treat with us and join in the holiday fun!

Need a little more help? Here are our tips for riding on the road, what all the paint means, and the essential gear for riding in Seattle.

So, what do you think? Will you dust off your bike, skip the drive and ride with us next week?

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Posted in Road & Trail News | 11 Comments »