Earlier this month I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Ottawa, the tidy, exceedingly pleasant capitol city of Canada. I had been invited to give a talk at the annual membership meeting for Citizens for Safe Cycling—an advocacy organization that’s been working for the past 30 years to improve the city’s cycling environment. I also came with the fervent intention to ride, to share ideas, and to determine whether my experiences in the social media realm offered anything useful to their relentless quest to fashion the bicycle into a primary mode of transport.

Energy levels in the Ottawa cycling community were high. The mayor had just announced that 24 million would be spent over the next several years to improve cycling infrastructure, and riders of all stripes had been rejoicing in the segregated bike lane that has graced Laurier Street in downtown Ottawa since the summer. This marked contrast to much of the heated rhetoric surrounding transportation modes in our region. There was no palpable sense of animosity between cyclists and the community at-large and many of the elected officials in the metro area are expressly bike-friendly.

And yet challenges remain. Ottawa is a classic North American city, blessed (or cursed) with an abundance of open space, and subsequently built with the automobile in mind. Ottawa’s bicycle mode-split is holding steady at around 2%, and there is a wide gap between the number of male and female cyclists. Many continue to view cycling as “recreation” and the primary iterations of athletic attire showed it. Wherever I went the question on was: “How do we get a new generation of people interested in cycling—so that it’s seen as something cool and fresh, but also incredibly normal at the same time?”

With this in mind I chose to focus my presentation on “telling bicycle stories,” and discussed the various ways in which to use social media to effectively promote cycling to new audiences and generate excitement, build alliances, and sweeten the real-life ride.

I have found social media to be an invaluable tool to help tell the stories of people who choose the bicycle as a way to get around, and to portray cyclists in all their various incarnations—from glamorous to earnest to hale and hearty.  Facebook is a dream for sharing clever transportation memes, exchanging luscious photos, and offering moral support and tips to newbie cyclists. It makes it simple to organize events like “Tweet Rides,” “Bike Polo,” and “Heels on Wheels,” increasing the appeal and fun factor of cycling to disparate audiences. It’s extraordinarily easy to form online relationships through social media—all it takes is a few likes—thereby rendering it more likely that non-cycling groups will help spread your information.

Ultimately social media has the ability to so beautifully demonstrate what could be, thereby allowing organizations to break out of the eggshell of preaching to the converted, and opening up a world of imaginative possibilities.

However, I felt it important to point out that the alluring, but sometimes unrealistic, realm of social media is not one to be inhabited exclusively. There is no substitute for actual civic engagement and rolling up your sleeves to lobby for infrastructure improvements that would make it easier to ride your bike.

Ottawa is an example of an extraordinarily liveable place that is making deliberate strides to increase mobility for all its citizens. Adding social media efforts should not replace any of these ground up efforts, only augment them. With a little more sparkle,  creativity and online engagement, I predict they could easily catapult to the top of the list of the most bike-friendly cities on the continent; the dedication I saw from people in the cycling community was that apparent.

Thanks again, Safe Cycling Ottawa, for the amazing opportunity, and best of luck with your organizing efforts!

Pedestrian advocacy nonprofit Feet First is joining forces with the City of Bellevue to bring you two walking audits of downtown Bellevue on Thursday, December 1 & Saturday, December 3.

Each walk will take about 90 minutes and will begin with a short presentation by Feet First to describe the purpose of the walk and how to contribute ideas.  If it’s raining, bring a poncho or umbrella as the walks will go rain or shine!

Along the way, attendees will be encouraged to provide feedback and make suggestions to city transportation planners as they begin updates to the Downtown Bellevue Transportation Plan with the intention of improving the pedestrian experience.

The lunchtime walk on December 1st will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the Key Center Building lower lobby (601 108th Avenue NE), and last until approximately 1:15 p.m.

Saturday’s walk will commence at 9:00 a.m. at Top Pot Doughnuts (10600 NE 9th Place) and last until approximately 10:30 a.m.

The City can’t adequately plan without your input, so please join for what will be fun and enlightening afternoons! RSVP to Kevin McDonald, senior planner at the Bellevue Transportation Department at kmcdonald@bellevuewa.gov.

The Downtown Bellevue Transportation Plan Update is a focused, 18-month planning effort just getting underway, intended to update transportation plans and projects that will accommodate the growth that is expected in our city between now and 2030.  As part of their outreach efforts, the City of Bellevue recently hosted a series of bicycle rides, as well as an open house at City Hall. For further information visit www.bellevuewa.gov.

The Downtown Bellevue Transportation Plan Update is a focused, 18-month planning effort just getting underway, intended to update transportation plans and projects that will accommodate the growth that is expected in our city
between now and 2030.

There are two main objectives for this meeting: to provide information to a broad section of the community about the purpose of updating the Downtown Transportation Plan at this time; and to receive comments and suggestions regarding specific transportation issues that affect Downtown mobility and livability.

Following an overview presentation in the Council Chambers, those in attendance will be invited to the Concourse to join in small group conversations with City staff focused on specific mobility modes such as pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and roadways. In this format, the City hopes to hear from the community about the transportation system issues that concern them and their ideas for improvements. People are encouraged to visit more than one of the mobility display tables to help in the challenging task of planning for a multi-modal transportation system in a complex and dense urban environment.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Bellevue City Hall – Council Chambers and Concourse
450 – 110th Avenue NE

For further information, consult the web site: www.bellevuewa.gov/downtown-transportation-plan-update.htm

You may also contact the project manager, Kevin McDonald at 425-452-4558, or kmcdonald@bellevuewa.gov.

See you there!

May is National Bike Month. This fun-filled month inspires thousands of Puget Sound residents to embark on an exciting new adventure in transportation: bicycling. This tale of adventure stars everyday people just like you, with a supporting cast of events, encouragement, inspiration, and incentives.

This year involves an exciting plot development in Bellevue….big time bike love. In addition to all the Bike Month events produced by Cascade Bicycle Club, Choose Your Way Bellevue has set the stage for a thriving bike scene in Bellevue. Check it out!

Join thousands of your best bike friends on F5 Bike to Work Day, Friday May 20th. Stop by a commute station along your route to grab a free water bottle, fuel up with tasty treats, grab a local bike map, or pump up your tires. In downtown Bellevue, be sure to stop by the Bike Bar at Commuter Connection at the Bellevue Transit Center. The Factoria area will feature a great station at the I-90 Bike Trail intersection at SE 34th Street.

But why stop with a simple one-day cameo appearance? Why not join the cast for a month-long production that will transform you into an A-list celebrity bike commuter. The Group Health Commute Challenge builds a heartwarming story of team camaraderie with dramatic elements of fierce competition among teams and organization.

Cascade Bicycle Club not only produces Bike Month, but also supports bicycling every day of the year. We look forward to working with businesses, elected officials, and transportation agencies to create a better Bellevue through bicycling.

Catch a ride: There are over 20 Metro and Sound Transit bus routes coming into the Bellevue Transit Center daily.  Try parking your car at one of the nearby park-and-ride lots such as the South Bellevue, Eastgate, or South Kirkland Park and Ride and take a bus the rest of the way.  Visit tripplanner.kingcounty.gov for trip planning assistance.

Go with a friend: If you have two or more people in your car be sure to utilize the direct access ramp at NE 6th Street off of I-405, as well as the HOV lanes on I-405, I-90 and parts of SR-520.

Avoid popular roads: Driving to the Bellevue Collection?  Save time by skipping the NE 8th Street exit off of I-405 and try the NE 4th Street exit instead.  Or try NE 2nd and NE 10th to avoid backups.

Park “right” at the Bravern: If the Bravern is your destination, be aware that you can only make right turns into the parking garage entrances on 110th Avenue NE (valet only), NE 8th Street or 112th Avenue NE.  If you are traveling west on NE 8th Street, you can legally make a u-turn at the 110th Avenue NE intersection.  Coming from 4th Street, take a right onto NE 10th Street to make a right turn into the garage. 

Park near the park: Free on-street parking is available for up to 2 hours on Main Street in Old Bellevue.  You’ll be just steps from your favorite shops.

Be safe: With even more people out and about, please use caution when making turns and avoid pedestrians.

For information on holiday events in Downtown Bellevue, visit magicseason.com.

-Jordan

Also follow these easy travel tips to spend more time enjoying the holiday sights, sounds and celebrations in Downtown Bellevue.

TRY THE NE 4TH STREET EXIT: Driving to the Bellevue Collection? You may save time by skipping NE 8th Street. NE 2nd and NE 10th will help you bypass backups as well. And, if you’re coming from the east side of Bellevue, try the new NE 10th Street overpass bridge.

RIGHT TURN STRATEGY: If The Bravern is your destination, make a right turn into garage entrances on 110th Avenue NE, NE 8th Street or 112th Avenue NE. If you’re traveling west on NE 8th, you can legally make a U-turn at the 110th Avenue NE intersection to get going in the “right” direction.

2+ PEOPLE: Arriving with friends or family in your car? Take advantage of the direct access ramp at NE 6th Street, as well as HOV lanes on I-405, I-90 and parts of SR-520.

ON-STREET PARKING: Park steps from the doors of your favorite shops in Old Bellevue for up to two hours.

WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS: With so much going on downtown, even more people will be out and about on foot. Please use caution when making turns.

TRANSIT:Try the bus. Metro and Sound Transit provide many routes to the Downtown Bellevue Transit Center. Route and schedule information is available at metro.kingcounty.gov and soundtransit.org.

Have a holiday travel idea to share with other Choose Your Way Bellevue readers? Click on the “Add a Comment” link below this post to share your tip!

-Jordan

• Official Website of International Walk to School Month
• Walking School Bus
• School Programs with Feet First: A local organization with the mission of building walkable communities
• Washington State Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program

-Jordan

Cascade Bicycle Club professionals will teach the intricacies of bicycle mechanics and train participants to tackle all repairs efficiently on their own. Taught in a three-part series. Pick the course you need, or enroll in all three at a discount price. Necessary supplies and helpful handouts provided. Ages 15 and up only please. Enroll in all three courses for $120 and save! For more info and to RSVP visit www.MyParksAndRecreation.com or call 425-452-6885.

Fix a Flat
Monday, November 2, 6:30-9:00 p.m. $45
Learn basic maintenance techniques, including efficient flat tire repairs and everyday adjustments.

Chains and Derailleurs
Monday, November 16, 6:30-9:00 p.m. $45
Sync up those squeaky gears and bring your bike up to speed. This course will focus on the mechanics of shifting and turn you into a gear repair expert.

Brakes
Monday, November 23, 6:30-9:00 p.m. $45
Coaster? Disk? Pad? Don’t let technical braking mechanics keep you from obtaining premium braking power and safety. This course will focus on repairing braking systems so they are as strong and quite as when you bought the bike!

-Jordan

For most businesses, reducing expenses and providing additional employee benefits do not go hand in hand. However, many Downtown Bellevue companies are learning that offering employees various commute options can actually save them money. Employee parking is often a major cost of doing business; however with the addition of commute benefits, such as transit pass programs, companies can better manage and maintain their parking programs.

To learn more about how your company can save money with commute benefits attend the upcoming Commute Advantage Workshops that will be held on Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28. Both workshops will be at 2:00p.m. in the TransManage office at 500 108th Avenue NE, Suite 210. Please RSVP to caryn@bellevuedowntown.org or 425-453-0644.

-Caryn

A magician will also be on hand at the transit center to entertain the Wednesday morning commuters. The magician will then ride the 564/565 Sound Transit routes through South King County, giving free CFL bulbs to bus passengers and at the Renton, Kent, and Auburn stations.

If you can’t make it Wednesday morning, or don’t ride the bus, don’t worry!  PSE customers can exchange up to 10 incandescent bulbs for free CFL bulbs at the remaining weekend Rock the Bulb events:

• Oct. 10-11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Auburn Lowe’s (1232 A Street N.E.)
• Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Puyallup Lowe’s (301 27th Ave S.E.)
• Oct. 24-25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Lacey Lowe’s (5610 Corp Center Lane S.)
• Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Olympia Lowe’s (4230 Martin Way East)

-Jordan

Photo Credit: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com

The festive Blue Angels show is upon us. So to ensure to a worry-free Seafair weekend, make sure to plan ahead for the annual I-90 closures across Lake Washington. WSDOT will close all lanes of I-90 between I-5 and Island Crest Way for the following times between Thursday, July 30 and Sunday, August 2:

Date                                         I-90 Bridge Closures

Thursday, July 30                       9:45am-12pm &1:15 pm-2:30pm

Friday, July 31                           12:45pm-2:40pm

Saturday, August 1                    12:45pm-2:40pm           

Sunday, August 2                      12:45pm-2:40pm

The Island Crest Way and East Mercer Way exits will remain open however drivers, bus riders and bicyclists should be expectant of heavy congestion during and around the closure times.

If you still plan to cross Lake Washington via I-90, plan to get to the bridge an hour ahead of the closure time. As an alternative, The SR 520 bridge will be open to traffic during closures.

For additional information, please visit the WSDOT site: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2009/07/28_SeaFairBlueAngels.htm