New Executive Director: Gordon Black

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is pleased to announce the selection of Gordon Black as our new Executive Director.

Gordon has a long association with the Bicycle Alliance. He has been a strong advocate for improving bike access on the Washington State Ferries and was a co-founder of Squeaky Wheels, the successful bike advocacy group on Bainbridge Island. Gordon has taught history at Bainbridge Island High School for the past two years. Previous to that, he worked extensively as a journalist and some of you may recall his tenure as a news reporter on KUOW radio.

Gordon is very excited about being selected as the new ED and considers it his dream job. Outgoing ED Barbara Culp will work closely with him to ensure that there is a smooth transition for the organization.

Please join the Bike Alliance Board and Staff in welcoming Gordon to our fold!

Upcoming Events & Meetings

Click on an item for more details, or visit our NEWS Page.
Statewide Ride Calendar lists rides and events that support the Bicycle Alliance.
Statewide Advocacy Calendar lists Bicycle Advocacy Groups that meet regularly.

WSDOT Kicks Off Updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

WSDOT announces the kick off its State Bicycle Facilities and Pedestrian Walkways Plan update. The plan, which is an element of Washington's Multi-modal Transportation Plan, was last updated in 1995. WSDOT has conducted a survey of public opinion about needs related to sidewalks, crosswalks, trails, and bike lanes, which will serve as the basis for the plan. As part of this effort, WSDOT will also propose a strategy for addressing these needs and improving coordination between local governments, regional agencies, and the state. For updated information related to the draft plan, please call 360-705-7258 or visit the web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Bike/Bike_Plan.htm.

Join WSDOT at one of four scheduled public meetings to discuss the plan, and provide comments and feedback (see dates below). Comments can also be submitted either through the web site or by calling the toll free number: 1-866-375-6729. Comments will be taken throughout the update process. All comments will be considered in the final plan, scheduled for completion in spring 2008.

June 25, 2007
6:30-8:30 PM
Public Service Center
Elections Office
1305 Franklin @ Mill Plain
Vancouver, WA

June 26th, 2007
6:30-8:30 PM
University of Washington
Gould Hall - First Floor Foyer
Seattle, WA

June 27th, 2007
6:30-8:30 PM
Spokane City Council Chambers
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA

June 28th, 2007
6:30-8:30
Thurston Regional Planning Council
2424 Heritage Court SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA

BAW Commuting Program Director Tours Washington

Message from Kent Peterson, Commuting Program Director:

The Bicycle Alliance has its headquarters in the Seattle Bike Station, so naturally we do a lot of work in the Puget Sound area. But the Bicycle Alliance is a statewide organization and one of our goals is to serve communities across the state. One day in April, as I was bike commuting in to the office, I was thinking about how I could get more familiar with the bicycling resources, concerns and conditions in other parts of the state. I was also thinking that it would be nice to take a bike tour this summer. By the time I reached the office, I had a plan which I pitched to Barb and she approved.

From July 14th through July 28th, I'll be cycling around Washington. Since I have two ears and only one mouth, I'm planning on doing at least twice as much listening as talking. I will be giving some seminars on commuting and safe riding techniques but much of the trip will be a look and learn trip for me. I'll be connecting up with Bicycle Alliance members in various locations, so I may have some civilized places to stay, but I'm also planning on doing some bicycle camping as well. I'll be blogging from the road and compiling lists of cycling related contacts, shops, and resources for the various places I'll be visiting.

Here's the basic schedule. Washington is a big state, but I've got a good background in long distance riding. I couldn't fit everything in to one loop, but I tried to come close. It looks like I'll have to do another trip at some point to cover the center of the state. On this trip I'll also go into Portland, Oregon for a bit to see how they are doing things down there.

• Sat. 7/14/2007 -- Port Townsend/Port Angeles
• Sun. 7/15/2007 -- Bellingham
• Mon. 7/16/2007 -- Hwy 20
• Tue. 7/17/2007 -- Winthrop
• Wed. 7/18/2007 -- Spokane
• Thu. 7/19/2007 -- Spokane / Cheney
• Fri. 7/20/2007 -- Walla Walla
• Sat. 7/21/2007 -- Richland/Pasco/Kennewick
• Sun. 7/22/2007 -- Yakima
• Mon. 7/23/2007 -- Mt. St. Helens
• Tue. 7/24/2007 -- Vancouver/Portland
• Wed. 7/25/2007 -- Vancouver/Portland
• Thu. 7/26/2007 -- Olympia
• Fri. 7/27/2007 -- Tacoma
• Sat. 7/28/2007 -- Seattle/Issaquah

So keep an eye out for me on the roads of Washington this July. I'd love to meet as many Bicycle Alliance members as possible and maybe ride some miles with you. Most importantly, let me know what the Bicycle Alliance can do to improve bicycling in your community.

Kent Peterson

RAPSody Registration Open

Enjoy the scenic back roads of five Washington counties while supporting statewide bicycle advocacy and education on the Ride Around Puget Sound.

With 165 miles of rolling hills, doing RAPSody in one day is hard, two days is challenging fun. RAPSody is sponsored by five Puget Sound area bike clubs in support of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington's statewide advocacy and education.

The 4th Annual Ride Around Puget Sound is organized and supplied by B.I.K.E.S. of Snohomish County, The Capital Bicycle Club, Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club, Seattle Bicycle Club, and West Sound Cycling Club in support of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington's statewide advocacy and education.

T-Shirts, Mugs & Bike bags!

You can be stylish and support the Bicycle Alliance with our new T-shirts, mugs, bike bags, etc., featuring the Bicyle Alliance or the Share the Road license plate designs. Available for purchase online at Cafe Press.

2007 Rides Calendar

Daffodils and crocuses are blooming! You can start to think about riding without tights, soon.

Check our Statewide Ride Calendar for a list of bicycle rides and events throughout Washington State that support the Bicycle Alliance.

Eight Years and Moving On

At the November 17th board meeting, I announced my decision to resign on or before April 2007. I started in November 1998 as the third Executive Director of the organization, and look forward to helping the board find my successor. I plan to travel and bicycle in France in the late spring, come home to garden, travel some more, and then look for part-time work to pay our mortgage. It's been a great 8 years, and I'll write more about my decision and plans over the next few months.

    -- Barbara Culp

Get your BYKE BYTES here!

Check out the latest Bicycle Alliance E-Newsletter [Posted March 7th]