Showing posts with label bicycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bicycle. Show all posts

Cycling into adventure - three friends set off for Mexico

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Three friends are anxious to begin their adventure

Story and photos by David Walton

On Tuesday, November 8, 2021, three cyclists left Lake Forest Park with a destination of Tijuana, Mexico.

Rebecca Walton

Rebecca Walton (Shorecrest High School, class of 2015), Landon Shaeffer and Hannah Buckley began the day in the sunshine. 

Their nearly 1500 mile route is estimated to take about six weeks. They will bike camp along the way. 

Landon Shaeffer is traveling with his guitar

Music will be part of the adventure as Landon is carrying the guitar. Their route will take them along the west side of the Olympic Mountains, generally following Highway 101 (until it becomes Highway 1) along the coast.

Hannah Buckley
Why this time of year (if you are a resident and wondering about rain)? 

Simply, this is when their work schedules allow it. Landon and Rebecca finished contract teaching at Kroka Expeditions (a non-profit wilderness expedition school based on a year-round, organic farm in Marlow, New Hampshire). 

Hannah finished contract work at Seed Song Farm and Center ( a non-profit organization that provides educational and cultural experiences of sustainable agriculture and agroecology in Kingston, NY.)

Let the adventure begin!

Their approach: Why let the rain dampen your enthusiasm for exploring? They just geared up for it and let the adventure begin!



Read more...

UW Surplus - bike auction - view bikes in person or online then bid online

Friday, September 17, 2021


The University of Washington Surplus Property program is pleased to offer over 50 bicycles for auction--starting bids are just $5.00! All the bikes will be available for preview and inspection on September 24, 2021 from 8:30am - 3:30pm. 

Swing by our warehouse on September 24, 2021 to take a look at what is on offer! You may view the bikes online.

Signs will direct you to the North end of our building to the preview. Face-coverings are required of all visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

The auctions will take place online on GovDeals.com. Auctions close September 26th between 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Ready to bid? Take part in the fun and register on GovDeals. Can't make the preview? No problem! View all the bikes online.

Parking:
There is no available parking at our building. Click here to see parking options nearby, or explore transit options.



Read more...

Chilly Hilly bicycle ride began with a ferry ride

Monday, August 2, 2021

Bicycles on ferry. Photo courtesy WSDOT


The Cascade Bicycle Club ran its annual Chilly Hilly bicycle ride on Sunday. Over a thousand bicyclists take this ride which follows Bainbridge Island's hills.

The route profile shows the hilly route

For most, it starts with a ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge. WSDOT warned drivers to consider alternate travel times or routes because the 7:55, 8:55 and 9:35am sailings out of Seattle, then all Bainbridge departures from 11:35am to 3pm would be filled with bicycles.



Read more...

Bike Safety Rodeo for Kids this Saturday in Lake Forest Park

Tuesday, July 13, 2021


This Saturday, July 17, 2021 from 10am to 2pm, the Lake Forest Park police department will be running a Bike Safety Rodeo at the Lake Forest Park Elementary School 18500 37th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

This event is a fun, interactive, non-competitive skills course designed for kids to improve their bike handling and traffic safety skills.

Kids will learn about stop signs, crosswalks, approaching corners as well as being considerate around other bikers and pedestrians.

The event is free and they will be giving away 25 helmets on a first come first serve basis.



Read more...

LFP Police to hold free Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo on July 17

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Officer Hansen shows the bike helmets which will be free to the first 25 kids
Photo courtesy LFP Police
Come to the Lake Forest Park Police Department’s free Bike Safety Rodeo on Saturday July 17, 2021 from 10am to approximately 2pm at Lake Forest Park Elementary School 18500 37th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park WA 98155

As we move into summer and reopening after a long fight battling COVID-19, we are seeing more families and children out on the street. 

The Police Department is excited to be putting on a Bike Safety Rodeo. 

What is a Bike Safety Rodeo? 

This event will focus on children being safe while getting outside for biking. There will be an obstacle course where children can learn about stop signs, crosswalks, approaching corners, as well as being considerate around other bikers and groups of people.

We have received donations from several bicycle stores around the community and will be giving away approximately 25 helmets to those who arrive first as well as those who need one. 

There will be free beverages for children and adults.  




Read more...

May was Bike Everywhere Month in Lake Forest Park

Friday, June 11, 2021

Photos courtesy City of Lake Forest Park


The month of May was Bike Everywhere Month and the "LFP – The Wheel Thing" team had six members
riding this year. 

Since 2009, the City of Lake Forest Park has participated in Bike Month. It's one of the events included in the City's wellness program, which in turn helps reduce our health insurance costs. The team members were able to log a total of 276.5 miles for the month. One staff member even rode during her vacation!

On the morning of Friday, May 21, City staff members were out on the Burke-Gilman Trail for Bike Everywhere Day, handing out collapsible water bowls for dogs and dog poop bag holders, insulated lunch bags, reusable shopping bags, face masks, environmental flyers, and magnets. 

It was a little lighter traffic than normal, but there were still several people who stopped by the booth. 

King County recently installed a bike repair station on the trail across from City Hall.

 

Read more...

Board of Health to weigh how helmet laws may discriminate against homeless individuals

Sunday, February 21, 2021

County council and Board of Health
to reconsider helmet law unintended
consequences. Stock photo

After a Crosscut story in December reported that data in Seattle showed nearly half of all helmet citations going to people experiencing homelessness, King County Board of Health member Jeanne Kohl-Welles pushed successfully on Thursday to include the issue in the 2021 board work plan.

“I’m pleased that today the King County Board of Health added the subject of disparate impacts of bicycle helmet laws in King County to our work plan for this year. Unfortunately, the intent of a policy does not necessarily always align with the outcome,” said Kohl-Welles.

“What’s important to do here is really dig deep into the enforcement patterns of the helmet law and gain a better understanding on how this impacts King County residents. 
"While I have supported the helmet law, I believe that if this policy is causing disproportionate harm on already marginalized communities, including individuals experiencing homelessness, we absolutely need to explore how to facilitate safe biking practices without criminalization.”

Data in Austin and Dallas, Texas found that enforcement of mandatory helmet laws tended to discriminate against people of color and as a result those cities either repealed or changed those laws. In Tampa, Florida, nearly 80% of bicycling-related citations during a three-year period went to African-Americans, even though they made up only 25% of the population.

“An evaluation of the helmet law in our county will be an important body of work this year for the Board of Health,” said Joe McDermott, a King County Councilmember who serves as Chair of the Board of Health. 
“Bicycling must be a safe and healthy transportation opportunity in every community, and we must ensure we aren’t contributing to inequitable and systemic problems for marginalized individuals dealing with law enforcement and the legal system. 
"I’m looking forward to a robust public conversation on this issue, informed by data, research and the experience of the residents of King County.”

Lime and Jump bikes are now ubiquitous in downtown Seattle and beyond, and while city and county ordinances require riders to wear helmets, the companies don’t provide them, leaving riders on the hook for carrying their own helmets.

Kohl-Welles’ amendment calls for the issue of disparate impacts to be further explored by the Board of Health to determine if changing or repealing King County’s helmet laws would improve equity.



Read more...

Unique recumbent tricycle stolen in Kenmore

Thursday, November 26, 2020


A unique recumbent tricycle was stolen earlier this week in Kenmore. It is an EZ-3, and is blue with a black seat. If you see it in the area, call KCSO non-emergency line 206-296-3311.



Read more...

E-Bikes: Fun, practical, and ready to help save the planet

Friday, November 20, 2020


By Larry Gales

What Are E-bikes (Electric Bikes)?

They are true bicycles, and are usually of the same size and appearance, are used in the same manner, obey the same laws (except they are not allowed on sidewalks), have the same TOP speed (but their average speed is higher), fit in conventional bike racks, and allow a range of exercise from almost none to as much as desired. 

You can either buy an e-bike as a complete unit, or you can buy a kit which you can add to your existing bike: either option can result in an excellent e-bike.

What Do E-bikes Have to Do with Climate Change?

Transportation is the largest contributor to climate change in the U.S. and automobiles are responsible for about 60% of that. Yet 70% of all car trips are within 10 miles and usually only carry one person: this is well within the comfort range of e-bikes. 

And e-bikes are not only free of any emissions, but use 25-40 times less energy and about 70 times less materials than cars and thus have a drastically lower environmental impact. In addition, e-bikes are much smaller than cars, reduce traffic congestion, parking space, noise, road wear, and are much less expensive.

What Are the Advantages of E-Bikes?

They are much more fun than conventional bikes as they eliminate almost all the unpleasant aspects of conventional bikes, such as hills, headwinds, sweat, fatigue, and weather, and can be used by people with many physical limitations. 

For example, you can never be comfortable riding a conventional bike in cold rainy weather because if you dress to be warm and dry you will soon be drenched with sweat from within, whereas on an e-bike you never have to sweat unless you want to. 

Also, they either greatly reduce or eliminate the need to shift gears, especially if you select the largest legal motor of 750 watts (1 HP). The only disadvantages are that they are somewhat heavier (typically 15-20 lbs. more) and are usually $500 to $1000 more expensive.

What Sort of E-Bike Should I Get?

E-bikes are usually powered by a hub motor (a motor inside the rear wheel) or a “mid-drive” motor that drives the sprocket and chain in the same way that your feet do. 

Hub motors greatly reduce the wear and tear on the sprocket and chain, and so reduce maintenance, but mid-drive motors can make full use of the gearing of the bicycle and so allow you to climb the steepest hills, but put a lot of wear and tear on the sprocket/chain, so that the more expensive ones use a carbon fiber belt instead of a chain.

The motors are controlled by “pedalic” (that is, they multiply the power you exert on the pedals), or throttle: most bikes provide both options.



Read more...

Bicycle drive exceeds expectations

Thursday, October 22, 2020

100 bikes were donated to the RBCA Bike Drive
Photo courtesy RBCA

By Kris Fordice

Thank you to the Shoreline/ Richmond Beach community for your amazing response to the community bike drive held on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from noon to 4pm.

It was a huge success and totally exceeded our expectations!

Rain did not deter donations or volunteers
Photo by Keith McGlashan

We collected around 100 bikes of all types and many accessories, wheels and bike parts and transported them to Bike Works.

Bike Works owners with new donations
Photo courtesy RBCA
Bike Works' mission is to promote the bicycle as a vehicle for change to empower youth and build resilient communities. Every year, they collect thousands of bicycle donations and prevent them from entering the Puget Sound's waste streams.

The bikes collected through the bike drive in partnership with the Richmond Beach Community Association will be:
  • used as tools for teaching bicycle maintenance through their free and sliding-scale education programs for both youth and adults, 
  • given away as a means of healthy and reliable transportation and recreation for community members who cannot afford a bike of their own through their Bikes-for-All bike giveaway program, 
  • sold at an affordable price as a means of earned income for Bike Works' programs in their social enterprise Bike Shop, 
  • or recycled.




Read more...

Community Bike Drive Sunday, October 18th noon to 4

Friday, October 16, 2020

There's no Seahawks game this Sunday so it's a perfect time to clean your garage.

Do you have any unwanted bikes, bike parts, or accessories? 

Donate them to Bike Works, a nonprofit based in Southeast Seattle that promotes the bicycle as a vehicle for change to empower youth and build resilient communities.

Volunteers from the Richmond Beach Community Association will be set up at the Spin Alley Bowling/ Vault 177 parking lot, 1430 NW Richmond Beach Rd, Shoreline, on Sunday, October 18 from noon to 4pm. 

Volunteers will collect the bikes and take them to Bike Works. Bike Works also accepts bike donations at their warehouse in Columbia City every Monday, and at certain transfer stations in King County. For more information , visit: https://bikeworks.org/donate/used-bicycle/ or contact Kris Fordice at klfordice@gmail.com



Read more...

Beware: It's now legal for bicyclists to roll through stop signs

Friday, October 2, 2020

Photo courtesy City of LFP
A new state law effective October 1, 2020 makes it legal for bicyclists to roll through intersections, treating stop signs as yield signs.

Bicyclists can now treat a stop sign as a yield sign and roll through the intersection during light traffic, under a new Washington state law that took effect Thursday.




Read more...

Volunteer for the annual Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Count

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Photo by Mary Jo Heller


Every year hundreds of volunteers across the state get up and out for the Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Count. 

At the last count 425 caring neighbors volunteered across 431 sites in 46 cities throughout Washington state! 

This is your chance to be a part of a statewide data-collection effort that will inform decisions about funding for sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes in communities all across Washington state, including yours.

The annual count will take place Tuesday October 20, Wednesday October 21, and Thursday October 22, 2020.

Volunteers choose either a morning (7 to 9am) or evening (4 to 6pm) shift and choose from the designated locations to document the pedestrians and bicyclists who pass by. After signing up, every volunteer receives detailed instructions.

Sign up to volunteer today! https://bikepedcount.wsdot.wa.gov/

The data is made publicly available, and it is used frequently by governments, transportation planners, and nonprofits to design projects, track changes, and to measure the demand and benefits of investing in active transportation.

Invite friends, family and people in your networks, to help cover the whole state!

If you have questions, email mrahim@cascade.org




Read more...

Mark Your Calendars - Community Bike Drive on Sunday, October 18th

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Are you getting ready for Fall and Winter? Do you have any unwanted bikes, bike parts, or accessories? 

Donate them to Bike Works, a nonprofit based in Southeast Seattle that promotes the bicycle as a vehicle for change to empower youth and build resilient communities. 

Volunteers of the RBCA will be set up at the Spin Alley Bowling/ Vault 177 parking lot, 1430 NW Richmond Beach Rd, Shoreline, WA 98177 on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from noon to 4pm

We will collect the bikes and take them to Bike Works. Bike Works also accepts bike donations at their warehouse in Columbia City every Monday, and at certain transfer stations in King County. For more information , visit Bike Works or contact Kris Fordice at klfordice@gmail.com



Read more...

An old school biker

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Pat Berzai poses with his high wheeler bike

Story and photos by Wayne Pridemore


Wednesday as I came to the front of our house an unexpected sight passed up the street. A man riding a Victorian era high wheel bicycle. Kids were chasing him on their scooters and yelling with loud delight. 

The first step to mounting the bike - one foot on the pedal
 
On his third pass by I asked if I could take photos and he dismounted with casual skill. 

The man turned out to be Pat Berzai, a neighbor from the next block. His bicycle was a brand new 52 inch high-wheeler Penny-Farthing which he had just purchased. 

Next get the second foot on the other pedal

His modern version bicycle is made with lightweight modern materials and has hand brakes. The old original bicycles didn't have brakes.

Get on to the seat and you are ready to roll

The Penny-Farthing, also known as a high wheel, high-wheeler, and "ordinary," was the first machine to be called a bicycle. It was popular in the 1870s and 1880s, with the large front wheel providing high speeds.



This was because the wheel traveled a large distance for every rotation of the rider's legs. The name came from the British penny and farthing coins, the former being much larger than the latter. In the late 1890s the name "ordinary" began to be used to distinguish them from the emerging safety bicycles.



Read more...

2020 Washington Bike, Walk, and Roll Summit Oct 5 - 9

Sunday, August 9, 2020



Cascade Bicycle Club
2020 Washington Bike, Walk, and Roll Summit 
Monday, October 5 - Friday, October 9, 2020

Join us virtually!


SCHOLARSHIPS

As part of our commitment to include a robust representation of diverse voices and to make this event available to more people, we are providing a limited number of scholarships to offset registration costs. If you are a speaker or attendees, please consider applying for a scholarship. Similar to registration, you must create or use an existing a cascade.org account (it’s easy and it’s free!).
SPONSORSHIPS

For more information on partnerships and sponsorships, contact:
 Click to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.


CALL FOR SPEAKERS

Our call for submissions is now closed. If you have questions please contact Tamar Shuhendler, our Community Organizer.

ACCESS TO THE EVENT

We will be hosting our panels, keynote addresses, and networking opportunities virtually, and links to these sessions will be shared following registration.

WHO DOES YOUR REGISTRATION FEE SUPPORT?

Your registration to the Washington Bike, Walk, Roll Summit makes Washington a better place for people riding bikes:
  • You are championing better and safer bicycle infrastructure.
  • You are providing bicycle education programs for children, families, school groups and everyone else who wants to ride a bike.
  • You are empowering youth from diverse communities through the Major Taylor Project.
  • You are making it possible for Cascade to offer over 2,500 free group ridesevery year.
  • Ultimately, you are getting more people on bikes.


Read more...

Shoreline city staff helped celebrate Bike Everywhere Day

Monday, June 29, 2020

City of Shoreline Senior Transportation Planner Nora Daly-Peng
took the early morning shift to provide encouragement for passing bicyclists.


By Cameron Reed



On Friday, June 19, 2020 the City of Shoreline upheld its long-standing tradition of hosting a “Bike Everywhere Day” celebration station along the Interurban Trail across from Trader Joe’s while modeling how to conduct a public event with COVID-19 safety protocols.

Typically, “Bike Everywhere Day” is celebrated in May, but was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

City staff offered supportive signs, upbeat tunes, verbal encouragement, and waves to passing cyclists and pedestrians.

Several cyclists stopped to say “thank you,” offer suggestions for biking-related traffic improvements, and take a selfie with “Squatch.” One person stopped by to say that being able to bike regularly to work was “the best thing in the world.”

Throughout the pandemic, biking has been a crucial way for members of our community to stay active, reduce stress, and get around town. It was a beautiful day on Friday and 57 cyclists passed by the booth from 6:30 to 10:00am, including several electric bicycles, a recumbent, and a tandem bicycle.

The City formally recognized May 2020 as “Bike Month” with Mayor Hall’s proclamation at the April 27th Council Meeting.

In addition to providing physical and mental health benefits, biking is a low-cost transportation option with significant environmental benefits. Shoreline has earned the League of American Bicyclists’ bronze-level certification as a Bicycle Friendly Community and works to improve bike safety, comfort, and convenience.

Information about the City of Shoreline’s Bicycle Plan HERE

For tips to get started bicycling and route maps, visit Cascade Bicycle Club’s resources page



Read more...

The Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride is virtual this year

Sunday, June 21, 2020

To the 8,000 bicyclists who are disappointed that the 200 miles Seattle To Portland (STP) ride was cancelled in 2020, there is hope!

The Cascade Bicycle Club has announced the Seattle to Portland Virtual Challenge.

Registration (free) will officially open on July 1. The 200+ mile Seattle to Portland is accessible to all who want to ride it, virtually. The challenge begins July 18 and gives riders a variety of mileage options to complete the virtual event in one, two, or as many as twenty days! Riders will enjoy a virtual tour of STP along the way.

Take the journey from Seattle to Portland from your own home. We will take you on a virtual journey along the way and cannot wait to open up this iconic event to folks around the world to participate!

This year STP will meet you where you are both in location and ability. Finish the 200+ mile journey by committing to as little as 10 miles a day or as much as 200 in one day!

Registration links, COVID-19 rules, and challenge rules will be posted on the club's web page.



Read more...

Cascade Bicycle Club cancels summer events, including the STP run

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Doris McConnell in the 2014 STP
Cascade Bicycle Club is officially canceling most of their 2020 Cascade event riding season, including the iconic Seattle To Portland (STP) event which draws hundreds of participants every year. 

"We could not be more disappointed in this decision, but we know that it is the right one for our community, our partners, and our staff."

The only events currently moving forward as planned are the June 19 Bike Everywhere Day, the annual Summit September 20-21, and the Chelan Tour Lite in October.

Refund options and instructions on how to request refunds for your specific event are linked HERE


Read more...

Work begins on Northgate Pedestrian Bridge - planning begins for 148th Pedestrian Bridge

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Construction to begin on Northgate
Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge

Seattle Department of Transportation has begun work on the Northgate Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge that will connect communities on each side of I-5 and provide easy access for transit and the future light rail station. 

Beginning as soon as April 13 and throughout the month of May, there will be work in the median near the northbound I-5 express lane off-ramp at 1st Ave NE and NE 103rd St.

Work will take place between 11pm to 5am and is within the regularly scheduled express lane closure hours.

During this time, they will be installing temporary concrete barriers, clearing and grubbing vegetation, working on drainage, and installing a block wall system.

From March 30 until April 3, the shoulder of northbound I-5 will be closed from 7am to 3:30pm while work on below-ground support for bridge columns takes place.

To learn more about the project and the active work, visit the SDOT webpage.

Design concept for 148th pedestrian bridge

Shoreline is currently planning a Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge over I-5 at NE 148th. 

Detailed information is available online and the City is actively seeking feedback from citizens.


Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP