march 2009 advocate newsletter, bicycle alliance of washington

8/9/2019 MARCH 2009 Advocate Newsletter, Bicycle Alliance of Washington

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The Bicycle AlliAnce AdvocATesfor BicyclisTsAnd A Bicycle-friendly WAshingTon

The

AdvocateMARCH 2009

Trafc Actuated SignalsHB 1403 and SB 5387

BAW Legislative Committee and Capital BicyclingClub member Brian Faller drated legislation torequire new vehicle-activated trac signals thatcan detect bicycles and motorcycles, as well asneeded enhancements at existing signals whenupgrade construction occurs.

We added subject to unding and other revisions,including a system to ile complaints aboutspecic signals, in order to address scal impactconcerns raised by the Washington Department oTransportation and the Association o WashingtonCities. Other than scal concerns, no objectionshave been raised on this proposed legislation.The Washington Road Riders, a motorcycle group,and other organizations such as Cascade BicycleClub have given substantial support to move thislegislation orward.

Status: Received hearing and passed outof House Transportation Committee.Passed to Rules committee for secondreading.

Three Foot ClearanceHB 1491 and SB 5335

A bill drated by Brian Faller and BAW lobbyistMichael Temple requires a minimum o three (3)eet o clearance when a vehicle overtakes andpasses pedestrians or bicycles. The bill also allowsvehicles to cross the center line to pass a bicyclewhen its sae to do so.

As an important saety education tool, thislegislation is supported by the WashingtonDepartment o Transportation, the WashingtonState Patrol, and other law-enorcement groups.

Status: Received hearing in HouseTransportation Committee.

Sae Routes to SchoolHB 1793 and SB 5743

The BAW, Cascade Bicycle Club, and Feet First aremembers o the Childhood Obesity PreventionCoalition, which has been working to advance a

Sae Routes bill. This legislation would increadedicated State unding or Sae Routes to Schogrants and make other program changes.

Progress has been made in moving this importalegislation orward; however, due to concerassociated with unding and other aspects o thprogram, it will likely not be adopted this sessioWith all the good groundwork accomplished ar, and with advocacy eorts continuing in thmonths ahead, we hope this bill will pass ne

year. Substantial work selling the bill will still brequired or nal success.

Status: Received hearing in HouseTransportation Committee.

Construction Zone AccommodationHB 1535

Ralph Wessels, BAW Legislative Committee aTacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club member, dratelegislation to require compliance with exististandards so that people using wheelchairs, bikeor their eet are considered when construction maintenance closures and detours are necessaSome scal objections have been raised on thproposed legislation.

Status: Received hearing in House

Transportation Committee.

Vulnerable User LawSB 5838

The Cascade Bicycle Club has been working on important bill related to vehicular assault, SB 583to allow misdemeanor criminal charges in crashcausing serious injury or death when not caused use o alcohol or drugs. This bill would help claran existing gray area to allow police and distriattorneys to charge motorists with more tha

mere trac nes when they injure or kill cyclisWashington cyclists are urged to contact their StaSenators to support bringing this bill to vote.

Status: Received hearing in SenateTransportation Committee.

Representative Sharon Nelson, prime sponsor o HB 1490 Transit Oriented

Development bill, discusses its progress in the legislature with attendees o

Transportation Advocacy Day. Both the House and Senate versions o the

bill are moving orward.

LegisLative Update:Wr Buy nOlym!The Bicycle Alliance o Washington has a ull platein Olympia or the 2009 legislative session. OurLegislative & Statewide Issues Committee, ourlobbyist, and BAW members are working to advanceseveral bicycle-riendly bills.

However, the dire state scal situation this yearis eecting all legislation. Any hint o a nancialimpact raises concerns and can cause otherwiseworthwhile legislation to die an early death. BAW isworking to minimize the scal impact o our proposedlegislation, and has agreed to some revisions in orderto allow our legislative initiatives to move orwarddespite any scal concerns.

Ongoing vigilance o our legislation is needed. AsBAW Board President Kristin Kinnamon stated inthe recent Bike Bites E-Newsletter, We wantBAW members to continue to contact their StateRepresentatives and State Senators and ask themto support our bills.

Right is a summary o key legislation that we aresupporting. Be sure to check our website, www.bicyclealliance.org/programs/index.html#legislation, or additional details and updates. The website alsolists other proposed bicycle-related legislation thatthe BAW is tracking. The HB and SB numbersreer to the House Bill and Senate Bill numbers thatpertain to each proposed bill.


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The Advocate (2)

Bikestation Seattle oers an array o services or downtown cyclists, including

secure and accessible bike parking, on-site bike repair services, and route-fnding

inormation.

March 2009

s o Rc $672 Mllon n Frlsmulu trnoron Funn

O the $46 billion in transportation unding recently set aside by the ederal government,

Washington State is poised to receive $672 million. The money is part o the American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the stimulus package.

Our states portion o the unding will be divided up in several ways. Bicyclists, pedes-

trian, and transit acilities will receive a total o $180 million, o which 3% will go towards

the Transportation Enhancement program. The remaining $492 million goes towards the

Surace Transportation Program, or STP. As The Bicycle Alliances Acting Executive Direc-

tor Dave Janis says, We will work to see these unds restore our roads to conditionsand

with acilitiesthat encourage bicycling, rather than increase the danger, as many do now.

O the $492 million, just under 30% will be allocated to metropolitan decision makers,

such as metropolitan planning ofces. The Bicycle Alliance will continue to work with its

partners to ensure bicyclists get their air share.

Bicycle commuter tax Provision

get paid tO RideYOUR Bike tO

WORk!

When Congress passed the nancial bailout packain October 2008, the Senate added a number renewable energy initiatives to itincluding tBicycle Commuter Tax Provision, which went ineect January 1, 2009. The provision allows employto oer a transportation benet package o $20 pmonth to employees who bike to work.

The $240 annual beneft may only be used o

thepurchaseofabicycle,

bicycleimprovements,

bicyclerepair,or

bicyclestorage.

All oices rom single-person to multi-nationcorporations are eligible, but sel-employed workare not eligible. Find more details about tBicycle Commuter Tax Provision at our websiwww.bicyclealliance.org.

B allnc t Or Mnmno Bon sl

Bikestation Seattle management has been taken over by the Bicycle Alliance o

Washington. The Bikestation now oers a new card key access system and new service

plan options. BAW members receive a discount i they sign up or Bikestation services. TheBicycle Alliance is committed to excellent customer service at Bikestation and we see this

bike parking acility as one more way we promote biking as transportation throughout the

state. Check our website at www.bicyclealliance.org or more details.

2009 TransprtatinAdvcacy Day Sees ActiOver 100 advocates gathered in Olympia on Febru24 or Transportation Advocacy Day. Attende

received legislative updates rom Senator Ed Murand Representative Sharon Nelson, met with thlegislators and attended a House TransportatCommittee hearing on Sae Routes to School. See Legislative Update article on page 1 to learn abothe bills we are working on this year.

Many thanks to BAW Board member Bob Duy ahis wie Katherine or coordinating the logistics aood in Olympia or this event!

BAW Board member Liz McNett Crowl

o Mt. Vernon (ar let) testifed in

avor o the Sae Routes to School

legislation during a public hearing in

the House Transportation Committee.


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Mar 21 : McClinchy Mile RideArlington, WAScenic Snohomish County loops o easy20-, lat 34- or challenging 47-milerolling hill rides. Short & long loopsinclude Centennial Trails. Combineloops or metric century. Starts at Haller

Middle School. Registration 8-11am.

BIKES Club o Snohomish Countywww.bikesclub.org

Apr 19 : Daodil ClassicOrting, WAStarts in Puyallup Valley, winds throughOrting valley and surrounding hills.Choose rom 40-, 60- and 100-mileloops or 1- to 30-mile paved trailoptions. Includes map, sag, ully-stockedrest stops & strawberry shortcake atnish line.

Tacoma Wheelmens Bicycle Clubwww.twbc.org

Apr 26 : Rhody Bike TourPort Townsend, WA32-, 45- or 62-mile routes on eastJeerson Countys rural roads. Nice hillson the hal-metric course, challengingones on the ull century. New 16-mileamily course on Larry Scott Trail. Fullsupport. Benets various non-prots.

Port Townsend Bicycle Associationwww.ptbikes.org

Apr 26 : Lilac Century SurpriseSpokane, WAChoice o 15, 25, 50, 70 or 100 milesthrough Riverside State Park, scenic river& rural routes northwest o Spokane.Start 7:30am, 9am or 10am at SpokaneFalls Community College. Potato eed &live music at nish.

Spokanes Aurora NorthwestRotary Clubwww.northdivision.com

May 2 : RACC - Ride Around ClarkCounty Vancouver, WA

Four beautiul and challenging rideoptions (18-, 34-, 65- & 100-mile)through scenic Clark County.

Vancouver Bicycle Clubwww.vancouverbicycleclub.com

May 3 : May Day MetricFederal Way, WA3 challenging routes (50, 72 or 104miles) on back roads o S. Sound. Start6:30 -10am at Phils S. Side Cyclery.Portion o each entry ee and all residualdonated to BAW & Orting Food Bank.

Supported rest stops every 25 miles.

Phils South Side Cyclery / Tailwindwww.maydaymetric.net

May 9 : Skagit Spring ClassicBurlington, WA19th annual. 25-, 40-, 65- and 100-mile routes through scenic Skagit andWhatcom Counties. Also amily 10-miletrail route. Food stops, post-ride meal.Enjoy Skagit County and ChuckanutDrive.

Skagit Bicycle Club

www.skagitbicycleclub.org

May 9 : Group Health InlandEmpire CenturyRichland, WARide rivers and wheat elds o easternWA. Routes through parks & overbridges showcase Columbia and Yakimarivers. New route in Horse Heaven Hills.Ride easy 25- or harder 50-, 75- or 100-mile tour. Fully supported.

Tri-City Bicycle Club, Kiwanis oColumbia and Tri-Cities Industrywww.tricitybicycleclub.org/IEC.html

Jun 7 : Peninsula Metric CenturySouthworth & Gig Harbor, WAChallenging ride on scenic KitsapPeninsula. Waterront views, ruralcountryside, rolling hills. Choose rom29-, 44-, 62- or 100-mile routes, twostart locations Southworth & GigHarbor, sag, rest stops, dessert atnish line.


Jun 20 : Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic

Walla Walla, WACelebrate Anns lie in a metric centuryride along elds o wine and wheat.30-, 60- and 100-mile options, supported,lunch buet at nish eaturing LEcole41 wine & great ood. Funds go tocycling saety and Share the Roadsigns.

Wheatland Wheelers CCwww.annweatherillcyclingclassic.blogspot.com

Jun 20 : Wheels to MealsPuyallup, WA20-, 32-, 56- & 76-mile loops throughbeautiul Puyallup valley & surroundingarea. Min. $100 in pledges. Mechanic atstart, support, nish line estival, BBQ &live music. Start WSU-Puyallup campus.

Fundraiser or Food Connection.

The Food Connectionwww.wheelstomeals.org

Jul 26 : Tour de KitsapSilverdale, WAScenic 12-, 30-, 65- and 100-mile coursesin lovely Kitsap County, rest stops andull sag. New amily-riendly route. Runin conjunction with Silverdale AnnualWhaling Days Festival. Arrive a day early& join the community events.

West Sound Cycling Club

www.westsoundcycling.com

Aug 1-3 : Courage ClassicSnoqulamie, WA3-day, 172-mile, ully supported bicycletour. Ride Snoqualmie, Blewett &Stevens passes, average 60 miles/day,exceptional ood stops. Benets ChildAbuse Intervention Dept. at Mary BridgeChildrens Hospital.

Mary Bridge Childrens Hospitalwww.courageclassic.org

Aug 1 : 8 Lakes Leg Aches Bike Ride

Spokane, WA30-, 50- or 80-mile route. DavidsGourmet Pizza & prizes at the end o theride. Pledge riders raising $175 receive8 Lakes designer jersey. Ride aroundSpokane and Cheney. Start and nishat Group Health Corp. oce.

Lutheran Community Services NWwww.lcsnw.org/events.html

Aug 22 : Tour de LentilPullman, WAEnjoy the scenic Palouse Hills on this100 km ride. Course is challenging with

many hills. Starts at 9am. Part o theNational Lentil Festival. Come or theride, stay or the parade, ood and otherweekend activities.

Pullman Chamber o Commercewww.lentilest.com

Rides that supprt theBicycle allince of Wa

Aug 22-23 : RAPSody Ride Around Puget SoundTacoma, WAA challenging 1- or 2-day ride. 175 mo rolling hills. No erries, uses Narrobridge. Great ood, sag, cue shesocks, rest stops. $10 discount to BA

members.

BIKES, Tacoma Wheelmens BicycClub, West Sound Cycling Club,Capital Bicycle Club, Cyclists oGreater Seattlewww.rapsodybikeride.com

Sep 20 : Chuckanut Century Rideor HospiceBellingham, WARide one o the most scenic rides Washington. Distances range ro25, 50, 62, 100 or the double metcentury o 124 miles. Ride support aood stops.

Mt Baker Cycling Clubwww.mtbakerbikeclub.org

Sep 20 : Cycle the WAVEIssaquah, WASponsored, non-competitive, awomen's bicycle ride or women o ages and tness levels. Purpose o eveis to encourage women toward tnethrough cycling while raising unds Eastside Domestic Violence Prograand awareness o domestic violence

Rising Star Guild andLakemont Ladies Cycling Club.www.cyclethewave.com

Sep 27 : Headwaters CenturyEnumclaw, WAChoose rom 45-, 65- or 100-mile lostarting at Enumclaw High School. Rion a plateau in a rural area with littrac. All routes are generally fat wsome rolling hills. There is one 1.5-mlong hill near Black Diamond. The 1includes a Mud Mountain Dam climand descent. 2-3 rest stops per rout

mechanical and sag support. Dont mthe nish line dessert!


Oct 3 : Manastash Metric CenturyEllensburg, WAAnnual tour through the Kittitas Coun100 miles to Suncadia, 62 miles to CElum, 33 miles to Thorpe, and 11-mrides available. Weather is usually sunand pleasant. Registration 7:30-9amWing Centrals Roadhouse Grill.

RSVP o Kittitas County

www.rsvp-wa.org/ellensburg

Calendar inormation providedby Bicycle Paper


4/6

The Advocate (4)

Exciting News! In October 2008, the

American Association o State Highway

and Transportation Ofcials (AASHTO)

Board o Directors approved the concept

o a national corridor-level plan or bicycle

routes. The plan provides the basic rame-

work or establishing a U.S. Bicycle Route

System that connects urban, suburban and

rural bicycle routes across America and

beyond.

The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a

proposed national network o bicycle routes

that span multiple states and are o national

and regional signifcance. State Departments

o Transportation (DOTs) are the lead organiza-

tion or nominating, signing and maintaining

the routes which are designated with a number

and catalogued by AASHTO.

Adventure Cycling Association

(www.adventurecycling.org) has been

mapping bike routes across the U.S. and

Canada or over thirty years. To date,

the Adventure Cycling Route Network

incorporates over 38,000 miles o mapped

bike routes. Back in the 1970s when

Bikecentennial (we became known as

Adventure Cycling Association in 1994)and the 1976 ride across America was frst

gaining ground, the idea was that our route

network would be nationally recognized,

signed and potentially maintained by

transportation agencies.

That idea took

hold. In the 1980s

two U.S. Bicycle

Routes (USBR)

were designated by

AASHTO, the na-

tional nonproft thatsupports the work

o state departments

o transportation

including policy, design standards, and

roadway designations. The national routes,

USBR 1 (Atlantic Coast Route) and USBR 76

(TransAmerica route), were designated

and signed in Virginia, North Carolina,

Kentucky and Illinois.

Then nothing happened or a very, very

long time.

U.S. Bicycle Route System Revitalized.

An initiative to restart the concept o a

national bike route network began in 2003.

Adventure Cycling serves on the Task Force

or U.S. Bicycle Routes and has provided

sta support to AASHTO (http://cms.

transportation.org/?siteid=68) since 2005.

The AASHTO Task Force is made up o

several DOT sta rom across the country

representing key AASHTO committees,

along with the East Coast GreenwayAlliance and the Mississippi River Trail.

This group was charged with developing

a national corridor-level plan and

designation system.

The process involved several steps:

Inventoryingexistingandproposedstate

bicycle routes,

Determiningcriteriaforestablishing

national corridors,

Deningandmappingthecorridors,

Researchinganddetermininganationnumbered designation system, and

Reviewsbynumerousorganizations

and agencies.

The National Corridor Plan continues

to evolve as state DOTs and bicycle

and trail groups start planning how the

national system will work in their state.

Many state agencies are building cross-

state coalitions to plan and develop the

routes that incorporate a balance o scenic

and cultural destinations and cities with

important transportation hubs. Agencies

will coordinate with adjoining states to lin

up routes and apply or nation designatio

BAW Members can be involved. Help us

build enthusiasm and momentum or this

national network.

Downloadthedraftcorridorplan

and view the proposed corridors at

www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs

ReadtheFrequently Asked Questions

JoinourForumswww.adventurecyclinorg/forums/index.php(watch or the

USBRS category to go up in March)

Contactyourcityorstatebike/pedco-

ordinator and ask to help them plan th

routes

For more inormation, email Ginny

Sullivan, Adventure Cyclings routes coor

dinator at [email protected]

T h e U . S . B i c y c l e R o U T e S S y S T e m :

C o n n eC t in g Peo Pl e , C o m m un it ies a n d t he n a t io n

76

March 2009

Adventure Cycling contributions to

this project are made possible througgrants rom the Lazar Foundation,

Bikes Belong and generous support

rom our members.


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BOaRd BaLLOt d 3/27/09Please vte fr ne r all f the fllwing candidates.mail yur ballt t Po Bx 2904, Seattle, WA 98111 r eail yur vte t [email protected]

my adeo: BeighMary is the Sae Routes to School coordinator or the Whatcom Council o Governmentsand served as everybodyBIKE events coordinator, organizing almost 100 events in 2008.She would like to use her skills and experience to help the Bicycle Alliance lead theway to more balanced and air transportation investments and policies in the state. Asa parent o a young child she is passionate about helping parents commute by bicycle

with their children.

rihd Bowig: setteRichard was 15-year resident o Portland, Oregon and member and ormer chair oPortlands Bicycle Advisory Committee. He chaired the committee that ormulatedPortlands rst bike master plan and worked closely with legislators and other visionarybike advocates. As an architect, he has experience in designing good built environments orcycling and walking, working on numerous Portland area projects such as the WillametteRiver Bridges Accessibility Project.

Juie Gegg: sette (iubet)Julie serves on the Board o Directors at Greggs Cycles, a amily owned business since1932. She worked at Sportworks NW, the manuacturer that makes the bike rack ortransit buses. Julie has always been interested in cycling and has done everything romcommuting to work and touring in the Pyrenees, to racing or the US National Team as

a track racer. As a board member, shed like to strengthen the bond between bike shopsand bicycle advocacy.

Ky Kuee: setteKaren has been a member o BAW and Cascade Bicycle Club or at least 7 years. She has 12years o leadership positions on boards and committees, and skills in advocacy, undraisingand communication. Karens passion and commitment to bicycling is her motivation orserving on the BAW board. Karen wants to get involved in the legislative aspect o thebicycling community this year, and has relationships with many o our legislators.

ay lutz: spoke (iubet)Amy Lutz, MAT, is a physical education curriculum consultant. She works with districts aschools around the country to transorm their programs rom a sports-based model ttness and health concepts based model. Amy is also the Bicycle Curriculum Speciaor the Spokane Public Schools. She is certied rom the LAB to teach bicycle sacourses and has been involved in promoting Sae Routes to School in her commun

or many years.

Did mle: sette (iubet)David is a longtime volunteer or bicycling causes since the beginning o the BicyAlliance (remember the green turtle?). He shops, commutes, and vacations by bike ahas been a bike commuter since 3rd grade. David teaches bike repair at Seattles BWorks and provided many years o computer support to the BAW. He is dedicatedmaking the world a better place one pedal revolution at a time.

liz mnett cow: mt veo (iubet)Liz is a Healthy Communities Specialist with Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernwhere she works to increase access to healthy nutrition and physical activity or health.recently completed certication as a League o American Bicyclist (LAB) League-CertiInstructor. She acilitates the Skagit County Active Community Task Force, and has servon the Washington State Sae Routes to School Advisory Committee.

roxe suthed: voueRoxanne is very active with the Vancouver Bike Club where she serves asride leader. She is passionate about cycling, though it is a new activity or hRoxanne is well versed on legislative processes; her husband was a legislaor 14 years. She has partnered with her local sheris advisory committand is able to ind out whom to see to be persuasive in local governme

rph Wee: Gig Hbo (iubet)

Ralph is a proessional engineer and a project manager or the Port o Seattle. Hes active member o the Tacoma Wheelmens Bicycle Club and has been their presidand director o special events. He is on the organizing team o Ride Around Puget Sou(RAPSody), a ride that dedicates all o its proceeds to BAW. Ralph is currently on the stTransportation Improvement Board (TIB) as the non-motorized representative.

Thank you! The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law

Yes!i woul l o bcom mmbr oh Bcycl allnc o Whnon

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Phone

E-mail

Please charge my:

American Express Visa MasterCard

Card # Expires

Signature

My check is enclosed

My git will be matched by my employer:

Employer orm included.

$35 Individual

$60 Family

$100 Patron

$250 Sustaining $500 Lie

$15 Student/Senior or Living Lightly

Your preerred amount $

$150 Aliate (clubs, businesses, organizations)

I am already a member this is a renewal.

I am interested in monthly giving.

I would like to volunteer.

I would like to receive e-mail alerts.

I would like inormation on commuting by bicycle.

Send checks payable to:

Bicycle Alliance o Washingt

PO Box 2904

Seattle, WA 98111

Thank you! The BicycleAlliance o Washington isa 501(c)(3) organization.Your donation is 100% tadeductible.

The Bicycle Alliance occasionally

exchanges its mailing list with

organizations involved in similar

issues. If you DO NOT want to

have your name exchanged,

please check here.

Sharethe roadlicenSeplateSavailableatanyvehiclelicenSingofficeorgetamail-inapplicationat bicyclealliance.org


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(6)The Advocate March 2009

Non-Proft OrUS Postage

PAIDSeattle, WAPermit No. 482

ADDRESS SERVICE REqUESTED

March 10 12, 2009Nonl B summ

Bicycle advocates rom around the nation will converge in Washington, D.C. thisMarch 1012 or the National Bike Summit. This years theme is Go or Green: BuildingBicycling into the Transportation Bill. The Summit will present a powerul case or

expanding ederal support or bicycling as active transportation and recreation.Dave Janis, BAWs acting Executive Director, will be at the National Bike Summit torepresent you and he is scheduling appointments with all o our members in Congress.Other members o Washington States delegation o cycling advocates include SpokaneCity Councilmember Richard Rush and Barbara Culp, ormer ED o the Bicycle Alliance.Cascade Bicycle Club will also be represented.

We have a new President and a new Congress that we anticipate will be receptiveto the needs o bicyclists, said Janis. Wed like to see the new transportation billinclude a mandate or complete streets, increased unding or an active transportationnetwork and Sae Routes to School, and a requirement that trac saety dollars beused to address bicycle and pedestrian saety needs as well as those o the motoringpublic.

The National Bike Summit is organized by the League o American Bicyclists. Well report

on the Summits results in the April edition o our Bike Bites E-Newsletter.

SignUpforoUr E-nEwSlEttEr!The Bicycle Alliance publishes this print newsletter, th ad,quarterly. To receive news from us in a more timely fashion, sign

up for our monthly e-newsletter. Contact Louise McGrody [email protected] to subscribe.

Wll Wr Reibnf Bcycl allnc

The Bicycle Alliance o Washington is hosting Willie Weir's populatravel presentations at REI's Seattle fagship store this winter.

ONLY TWO SHOWS LEFT IN THE SIx parT SErIESThursday, March 12 Thursday, March 26Fear & Hospitality: I am God: Cycling IndiaCycling South Arica

all shows t 7m t the fgshi rEI stoe in Settle.

march 2009 advocate newsletter, bicycle alliance of washington

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