UW gets "bike friendly" recognition

The University of Washington (my current employer) just received a recognition for its bike-friendly programs and facilities.

The Examiner states: "the University of Washington is a note-worthy partner with the city of Seattle in the effort to increase bicycling as transportation. In addition to promotion and classes, the U has a network of repair stations across campus and provides a variety of secure parking facilities."

The UW recently added a series of Dero Fixit bike repair stands (complete with tools) on campus.

totally rode in the rain today

Saw a raccoon that was the epitome of the term "face plant". Poor guy.

I rode 25 wet and cold miles one-way to work. Felt good at the end though. (Duh!)

Bike commuting lessons learned:
1) the wool hiking socks were good choice this morning - they got completely soaked but my feet stayed warm

2) good call on double bagging my clothes and cell and wallet in my backpack - the backpack is lousy in rain and terrible waterproofness

3) loving my DiNotte helmet-mounted light - bright and puts the light where I am needing it most

4) not paying attention to your speed, miles, data, etc. can make the riding more fun - in other words, you needn't track the data to know you're having a good time

RIDE IN THE RAIN!!!

For about the past ten years, the University of Washington, where I am currently working on an interim basis through February, has a November commute contest for bicyclists.

Ride in the Rain!

Participants track the number of one-way bike trips they make between school or work on campus and their home, making special note of when it is raining. Participants report their ride statistics on a weekly basis during the scheduled reporting periods, using a tracking form for a given week that is only available during the scheduled Reporting Window for that week.

The contest advises cyclists to be smart and ride smart and safe: "Experienced riders know that weather conditions throughout the year can pose unique challenges. The Ride in the Rain challenge connects bicycle riders with the resources, information and training they need to ride safely all year round."

I'm still around

Great things have happened for me career-wise, despite a layoff in March of 2011. I am earning much less than I was in a prior position but the good news is I have a killer-long bike commute (24-25 miles one-way) and I am working within a very bike-positive community and workplace.

I'll reveal more eventually, but just wanted to let folks know I am doing OK and intend to blog more.

The past year has been a very up and down year for me on a personal note and career-wise. Cycling has consistently, along with other aspects I may choose to reveal at some point, the better part of my transitional period.

I am down to four bicycles now - two nice road bikes (carbon Roubaix and an aluminum Cannondale) and two steel less-nice bikes (27" wheeled road bike and a department store MT bike). If I had space to do so, I'd set up another home workshop and maybe build a few more project bikes, but I've been busy in the job search lately, so maybe that is a winter project for me.

More soon... which might be late 2011, but who knows?

~ NJ

more pics - and a note about my job, bike commuting, e-bikes, and assorted fluff...

[Thank goodness for autosave - I thought I'd just lost this posting a few minutes ago!]

I have a few more bike-related pics to share with you from my new-to-me phone.

I took these first two during my trip to Seattle one day (DRIVING!) for a Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting.

I saw this e-bike parked out front. I suspected a member of the committee might have ridden it over to the meeting, perhaps.



I have wondered whether e-bikes (I am not familiar with the model in the photo) actually benefits the commuter as much as a lighter bike (but built strong for hauling commuters' needs) with good gearing would *or* on the other hand, would a commuter be better-equipped with a bike designed with low-maintenance simplicity for multi-modal flexibility, like bike-to-bus, bike-to-train, ferry-to-bike, etc.

Regarding that last notion, this interesting bicycle was toted into the building by Every Day of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. It is a Strida folding bicycle.



I think it is a Strida LT model - single speed, belt-drive, with disc brakes. Cool color too. I think the MSRP is $600, which might seem a little steep, but if it stimulates fewer car trips and more exercise - plus, stows away easily in an apartment or office, then it might be very well worth the price for some. There is a nice review on tree hugger's website. A video of it folding is below.



I don't have an answer other than to say I think both can co-exist, and they have, and every other option in-between. Despite what YLBS (your local bike shop) might tell you, there are a lot of people on the wrong bikes, wearing the wrong clothes, equipped with the wrong lights and bags, etc. but it is right for them. I have enjoyed David Madajian's take on setting-up a commuter bike.

Interesting to note... the Strida is an UK-invented bike. This week, I'd sent a US-designed innovation, a 1980s Stump Jumper, to the UK! Here's the last pic I took on my last ride on this 1980s "Stumpy".

commuting in the fall

Jeez... I think I was spoiled from the summer's mild (well, summer sucked for us in the Seattle area generally) weather.

Riding to work this morning (and even last night on the way home) was cold! And DARK! Forget my little Spoks, it's time to bust out the helmet with the DiNotte lights on it!

Other things I'd like to note: I hate equally getting cable rub and worm guts on my frame.

WSDOT seeks volunteers for the annual bike count

WSDOT is seeking volunteers across the state to help count the number of people who walk or bike to their destinations. Information gathered will be used to track progress toward the state’s goal of increasing bicycling and walking in Washington and reducing the number of vehicle miles driven.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Cascade Bicycle Club are enlisting volunteers and organizations like FeetFirst and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington to count the numbers of people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other facilities on Oct. 5, 6 and 7.

More details are here.

bike parking

Do you find it hard to find bike parking where you live?

If it is available, is it optimal?

How much of a part does bike parking availability and style of bike parking play in your decision to bike for a trip? Is parking or lack thereof a big barrier to making bike trips or are there other larger factors? If so, what are they?

Leave your comments on this subject if you wish.

I'd also be interested to know if anyone rides their bike to transit (train or bus) and then uses on-board or at-station bike rack facilities.

bike to work pics

Our bike station from 2009...






It was set-up along Burnett Linear Park in Downtown Renton, in the South Renton Neighborhood. Weather was good, we had the support of a local bike shop and coffee shop, the local neighborhood dropped by, and we had a pretty good turn out.


For 2010, here's our pics (I'm in yellow)...
















We had fewer people (a few dozen) this year - it was overcast and rainy for part of the morning, we didn't advertise as much this time, had coffee, but didn't get the set-up with the bike shop dialed in like we could have. We've decided to get better organized for 2011 and do it up even more. Last year too, I had a lot of freebies to distribute - this year, I did a raffle for one gift basket of about $150 worth of commuter gear.

pushing through to the end

It's been a weird month, mainly since I've just been busy and having a schedule that's pretty full-up so I really have to plan ahead with where I am going, whether I'm riding, driving, walking, etc. A challenge to be sure, but not too daunting.

I'll post some bike station pics when I can from our BTW station.