Ship Canal Trail Grand Opening!

If you are a frequent rider of Magnolia, you will be thrilled ot know that you can now ride from Fremont to Magnolia on a trail. The Ship Canal Trail parallels Nickerson Street and passes under the Ballard Bridge, avoiding a lot of traffic and poor bicycle lanes.
The celebration will take place On Saturday, November 19th, 11AM at Emerson and 16th Ave NW (near Fishermen’s Terminal).

Come out and celebrate the city’s newest bike trail.
More info: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/shipcanaltrail2.htm

Rolling Stairs with a Bike

Seattle DOT has been hard at work to make your bicycling experience better around the city. Read the article about “runnels” that allow you to roll your bike upa nd down stairs.

http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2011/06/01/roll-your-bike-up-the-staircase/

Wednesday Night Ride Report

The monsters got Bob!

On Wednesday nights one never knows just what to expect. Here at the locks Bob is caught by a metal sea monster. Note that he still won’t let go of his bike.

John Lindseth

New Bike Bill Proposed

The following came from the Bicycle Alliance of Washington as a press release for the new bill proposed to define “sharing the road”.  For more information on how this affects you, both as a cyclist and as a driver, read the post on Publicola.

Mutual Responsibility Bill Defines What it Means to Share the Road

A new bill proposed by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington better defines how motorists and bicyclists can safely share the road.

HB 1018, the Mutual Responsibility bill, acknowledges that motorists and bicyclists have responsibilities to safely share the road with each other.  The bill, sponsored by Representative Jamie Pederson of Seattle and an avid bike commuter, is based on similar legislation passed in Colorado and Vermont.

Among the bill’s key points:

• Defines a safe passing distance of bicycles by motorists based on their travel speed.
• Specifies that drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with bicyclists
• Clarifies that motorists may cross the center line when overtaking a cyclist or pedestrian
• Specifies that cyclists ride to the right in through lanes, use bike lanes or shoulders unless the bicyclist deems it is unsafe or impractical to do so
• Clarifies unsafe conditions that may require cyclists to ride in other lane positions
• States that bicyclists yield to pedestrians when riding on sidewalks, crosswalks or trails.

This legislation began as a safe passing bill two years ago but did not pass.  The Bicycle Alliance and its legislative committee listened to concerns expressed by legislators and law enforcement, then gathered additional input from bike clubs and other stakeholders to make this a more comprehensive bill for sharing the road safely.

“The law enforcement community recommended that safe passing distance vary depending upon the speed of the motorist and cyclists wanted us to point out unsafe conditions that force them to take the center of a travel lane, and move out of bike lanes and shoulders,” explained Policy Director Dave Janis.  “By clarifying existing laws and adding a few new sections, we believe that our roads will be safer for all,” he added.

The Mutual Responsibility bill, with info boxes explaining proposed changes, can be found on the Bicycle Alliance website: http://www.bicyclealliance.org/programs/legislation.html.

Piecycle

image created by Eric Shalit of boxturtledesigns.com

Piecycle… is that the new name for a COGS tour of Seattle’s pie shops? No, even better, Piecycle is a guy who bakes and delivers pies on his bicycle. Please people, hold yourselves back! I found him first.

However, there are some limitations to consider. He only delivers as far north as the U District (though if you make it worth his while, he may stretch it). But if you’ve got to have some tasty pie (Lemon Meringue Pie and Vegan Choco-Peanut Butter) on a Friday or Saturday night, he’s the man to call (or text, in his case).

Doesn’t it sound scandalous? A late-night tryst with the pie guy?

More info on Piecycle and how to order here.

Rumor has it that he pedals around with an apron on, with his pie on a front-mounted pie rack (just like in Eric’s photo).

Pothole Season 2011

beware this crater on southbound Dexter Ave

Happy New Year 2011!

To help usher in a new year, the local roads have opened up and want to trip you up, flatten your day and ruin your ride.

Bring on the Pothole Rangers! The city has vowed to get on top of its pothole backlog this year and has more crews out filling in holes and gaps. If you are plagued by a pothole on your route, be sure to follow the link below to get your report in.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/flatpages/local/potholesmap.html

Brighten Your Ride – Holiday Lights

Candy Cane Lane

Although we have just passed the Winter Solstice, marking the longest night of the year, there is still plenty of light abounding at night, thanks to Xmas lights in yards, on trees and roofs. Here’s a short list to find some good lights.

 

Northeast Seattle

Greenwood: N 81st St, between Fremont and Dayton Aves, one house with a front lawn loaded with characters

Greenlake: 6557 Fourth Ave. N.E. (near Woodlawn Ave and Ravenna Blvd)

Candy Cane Lane: Northeast Park Road, off Ravenna Boulevard

North of Ravenna Third Place: 7702 19th Ave. N.E

Northwest Seattle

Olympic Manor: 21st Ave NW and 85th Street is the entrance to a whole neighborhood of decorations

9234 13th Ave. N.W –  features Santa on the roof

West Seattle

2128 47th Ave. SW – the Peanuts gang wish you a Merry Xmas

3729 40th Ave. SW – 20-foot tree and lots of lights

4152 46th Ave. SW – pink cotton candy trees, celebrating 100 years of decorations

5605 Beach Drive SW – a train, manger, all the good stuff

There are many, many more but these have been listed in the Seattle Times, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2013684868_nwwlightslist16.html

Fourth Ave NE

and could make a good ride route. This Wednesday, December 22, the Gasworks Ride will be doing a Xmas Lights Ride. Join them – be at Gasworks Park at 6:15PM.

A Round Seattle… Pie is Coming

A couple of exciting new pie options are coming to Seattle soon, offering more options for pies, both sweet and savory. A COGS favorite, High Five Pie, served at Fuel Coffees and featured on the Tour de Fuel Ride, is opening its very own pie shop on Capitol Hill. The shop will be on the corner of Madison and 12th Ave, in the Trace Lofts Building. They plan to officially open on Friday, December 31, but will have a sneak preview on the evening before, from 6-8PM.

Fremont gets in on the pie action, too, with Pie (really, that’s the name) at 3515 Fremont Ave. Rumor has it, they’ll be open late and have a happy hour with hand-held pies going for $3.14, both the sweet and savory varieties.

With all these options, you don’t have to go very far for some tasty bites while on a ride.

Got some money? Here’s what to do with it

The end of the year is a popular time for donating to a favorite cause; here’s a list of bicycle-related organizations to drop your cash:

Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW): advocates for bicyclists and a bike-friendly Washington by lobbying in Olympia, coordinating with transit systems, schools and businesses.

BikeWorks: helps to empower under-served kids by earning a bike through maintenance classes.

Adventure Cycling Association: the place for dreaming or planning a tour, the Adventure Cycling folks have mapped out routes all over the US. They also host events and tours of their own, put out an inspiring magazine and have a website full of resources.

League of American Bicyclists (LAB): working toward a bicycle-friendly America

International Bicycle Fund: an advocacy organization, providing information and resources promoting sustainable transport and international understanding to make this planet a healthier and happier place to live.

Bikes Not Bombs: provides community-based education and assists development projects in the US and around the world.

Another (kind of) Party, December 16

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington’s monthly work party is coming up on Thursday, December 16, from 4-6 PM. Work parties are crucial to the work that BAW does, freeing up the time that the staff can spend on advocacy issues.

What is a Work Party at BAW like? There is a mixture of socializing, team work and nibbling on treats. It’s a pretty painless two hours or less. In fact, last month’s work party crew was so efficient, we got all the folding and stuffing done in under one hour.

Want to join the party?
Email Donna Govro, donnag@bicyclealliance.org so she knows how many goodies to purchase.