The

Advocate
The Bicycle Alliance Advocates for Bicyclists and a Bicycle-Friendly Washington
JUNE 2009

Pilot Program Teaches Legislative Wrap-Up

Road Safety to Kids Every year, literally hundreds of bills are submitted to the Washington
state Legislature for review and approval. Many are great ideas for great
In 2008, the Bicycle Alliance succeeded in causes, some deserve to die, and a few make it out for the Governor’s
getting the state legislature to set aside funds signature to become law. The Bicycle Alliance is proud to report that two
to develop, implement, and evaluate the Road bills that we helped create on behalf of cyclists fall in the last category.
Safety Education Pilot Program in three school
districts: Moses Lake, Bainbridge Island, and Our traffic signal bill took many twists and turns during the legisla-
Oak Harbor. The goal is to demonstrate that tive session. The final outcome: SB5482 (Section 10) requires that all new
by teaching students road safety and mobility traffic signals and substantially upgraded ones must be capable of being
skills, they will gain the necessary confidence triggered by bicycles and motorcycles. Jurisdictions must also set up a
and skills to be safer. procedure for recording signal complaints and prioritize those most in
need of detection improvements if funding becomes available. Many
The pilot projects are being managed by the
BAW, via an Office of the Superintendent thanks to Brian Faller of the Capital Bicycle Club for spearheading
of Public Instruction grant. There is a this effort.
comprehensive series of lessons to teach
elementary and middle school students the
essentials of safe transportation by foot, bike,
and transit. The emphasis has been on bike
skills, incorporating on bike instruction on
the basic rules of the road. The curriculum is
modeled on one used successfully by Spokane
Public Schools, and based largely on that of the
League of American Bicyclists (LAB).

Eileen Hyatt, a LAB certified instructor, retired

teacher, and Bicycle Alliance board member,
taught the curriculum to teachers in the school
districts. They have already begun incorporating
the curriculum in PE classes and have received
rave reviews from the students. Due to its
popularity, some teachers will have to wait until
fall before bikes are available for classes. The
program includes an evaluation component
for students, teachers, and parents—enabling
feedback on the usability and effectiveness of
the curriculum.
The pilot projects will be completed in 2009
and a report presented to the legislature that
describes the outcomes of the pilots and why
expanding the curriculum would be a wise use
of funding and resources. Acting Executive
Director Dave Janis said, “This is a great way to
train the next generation of bicyclists, many of
whom we hope will become advocates!”
BAW's Dave Janis (left) and other bike/ped advocates look on as
Governor Chris Gregoire signs the Safe Routes to School bill.
Our Safe Routes to School bill made significant headway and
moved policy into law: SubHB1793 strengthens the state’s Safe Routes
to School Program by placing it directly into statute and providing
greater legitimacy and visibility to the program. This underscores both
the importance of non-motorized transportation and the value of daily
physical activity for our young people. This legislation sets the stage
for seeking long term funding for implementation in future years.
The volunteers on our legislative committee are backed up by profes-
sional staff. The Bicycle Alliance has a long-time professional lobbyist in
Olympia, Michael Temple. This year Michael was joined for the first time
by a staff
Continued on page 2
 The Advocate ( 2 ) June  2009

NEWS from around the state

King County
The opening of a 1.5 mile connector now makes it possible
for a cyclist to pedal from Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood
around the north end of Lake Washington to the community
of Issaquah entirely on trails. King County’s Marymoor Park Volunteer Spotlight
Connector links the unpaved East Lake Sammamish Trail
to the Sammamish River Trail and Burke Gilman Trail for a Claudia Mason dropped by the Bike Alliance office in
42-mile non-motorized corridor. October 2005 to volunteer her time and she has been a
regular ever since. She frequently puts in time at mail-
ing work parties, helps keep our stock of bike maps from
Cowlitz County around the state current, and helps mail out requests for
A group of cycling enthusiasts and Cowlitz on the Move bike maps. In addition, Claudia and her husband Rob
organized the first ever Bike to Work Week in Cowlitz have volunteered at our annual auction four times.
County. Both the Cowlitz County Commissioners and the
Longview City Council passed proclamations supporting When she’s not helping out at the BAW, Claudia works in
Bike to Work Week, and two of the commissioners and the business office at Elliott Bay Book Company. She com-
the Longview City Manager participated in events during mutes to work by bike and she enjoys cycle touring. She has
the week. Nearly 100 cyclists joined the inaugural event. traveled through much of Washington State on her bicycle
Reporter Erik Olson of the Longview Daily News biked to and especially enjoyed touring through the mountains.
work the entire week and chronicled his experience (search
archives at tdn.com).
Claudia wishes more people would give bicycling a chance,
so they could discover how much fun it is and how freeing
Spokane it can be. “I’ve never owned a car,” she adds, “and think I
never will own one.”
Spokane City Council heard many favorable comments at
its May 18 public hearing on the Draft Master Bike Plan.
The Council is expected to vote on the plan at the June 8
meeting.

This year’s Bike to Work Spokane event featured a

Commute Challenge with 62 teams. Event coordinator
Barb Chamberlain reported that nearly 1,500 individuals
registered for the weeklong event and pedaled over 65,000
miles.

Do you have bike-related news to share with other cycling

advocates around Washington State? Submit your story to
Louise McGrody at louisemc@bicyclealliance.org.

Continued from page 1 : Legislative Wrap-Up

member from the Cascade Bicycle Club who also worked
on behalf of cycling. We supported Cascade’s “vehicular as-
sault” bill, designed to make it a more serious offense when
drivers injure cyclists. Unfortunately, the bill died—remind-
ing us all that patience and educated legislators are keys to
success in Olympia.
A longer version of this article can be found under the Legislation section
of our website, bicyclealliance.org.
 June  2009
2008 Annual Report
Message from the President
This annual report reflects some of the work of the Bicycle
Alliance of Washington in 2008. It’s not always as easy to
tell what an organization really does from words on paper,
however. So let me tell you a story.
Several years ago, the Bicycle Alliance worked with the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
and the state Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
(a committee now being revitalized) to develop design
standards for shoulder rumble strips, those indentations
they put on the side of the road to reduce drive-off crashes
by cars. The agreed upon standards ensure that bicyclist
safety is not sacrificed: shoulders must remain a safe width
inside the strips, and occasional breaks in the bumps allow
safer bike crossing.
We know those standards exist, but that is not always the
case with WSDOT engineers. Last year, members of the Port
Townsend Bicycle Association noticed that new rumble
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to advocate
for cyclists and for a bicycle-friendly Washington. We educate, train and strategize with citizens,
bike clubs, public officials, community groups and organizations on ways to achieve
sustainable, bike friendly communities.
–Kristin Kinnamon, BAW President
Legislative Efforts
The Bicycle Alliance scored numerous victories during
the 2008 legislative session. “Share the Road” instruction—
on safe driving around bicycles and pedestrians—was
successfully incorporated into public school driver educa-
tion classes (we got it included in private programs in 2007).
Other legislative achievements included a bill that funds
bicycle and mobility education in three pilot school districts
(see "Pilot Program Teaches Road Safety to Kids", page 1),
and neutralizing another bill that would have made it
difficult and time-consuming to do rail to trail conversions.
Our legislative work is accomplished with the help of a
professional lobbyist, whose work is directed by an active
committee of 17 bike club and Bike Alliance members from
around the state, under the direction of the Bike Alliance
board.
Equally important is member involvement. Each year we
host a Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia and invite
people to come learn about our bills and lobby their legisla-
tors. To make our voice even larger, we coordinate our
( 3 ) The Bicycle Alliance of Washington
strips on Hwy. 101 on the Olympic Peninsula made riding
much more dangerous. They contacted us and documented
the problems with photos. Together, we worked with the
WSDOT to fix the improper installation.
With your help, we will remain vigilant on rumble strip
installations and other highway safety issues around the
state. That’s our job. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington
is a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to advocate for
cyclists and for a bicycle-friendly Washington. We educate,
train and strategize with citizens, bike clubs, public officials,
community groups and organizations on ways to achieve
sustainable, bike friendly communities.
In 2008, we continued our work to establish the statewide
infrastructure to make that happen. I am proud to be part
of that work.
–Kristin Kinnamon
advocacy day with partner groups including: Transportation
Choices Coalition, Feet First, Futurewise, All Aboard
Washington, Sierra Club, and others. About 100 people
attended Transportation Advocacy Day in 2008, and many
members made their voices heard by writing or calling
legislators in response to our regular “action alerts” sent
out during the session.
Policy Making
Bicycle Alliance staff and board members spent considerable
time in the past two years reviewing and commenting on
the Washington State Department of Transportation Bicycle
and Pedestrian Plan. The state’s goal is to decrease collisions
by 5 percent per year for the next 20 years, while doubling
the amount of biking and walking. We want to make sure
the plan—and its implementation—achieve these goals.
We have good relationships with the state bicycle program
coordinator and manager, and we work to support them
in the challenge of helping WSDOT expand its definition
of “transportation” and its awareness of and funding for
bicycle safety and facilities.
 The Advocate
The BAW also represents bicyclists on the statewide
Transportation Improvement Board, Washington Coalition to
Promote Physical Activity, National Alliance for Biking and
Walking (formerly Thunderhead Alliance), the Governor’s
Climate Change Transportation Implementation Working
Group, Puget Sound Regional Council’s Transportation
Policy Board, Inland Northwest Trails Coalition, and the
Sound Transit Bicycle Advisory Group (which came up
with a bike policy that can be modeled by transit
agencies around the state).
Bicycle Transportation
The Bicycle Alliance conducted 25 commute workshops in
2008: 20 in King County, four in Spokane County and one in
Cowlitz County. Staff also fielded numerous email inquiries,
phone calls and walk-in requests for bike route planning
assistance.
BAW staff helped the Spokane Bike Advisory Board
organize a week long event called Bike to Work Spokane.
Activities included a public awareness campaign, share the
road tips, an interactive website, and a celebration rally.
Over 800 participants registered.
Staff, board members, and volunteers also tabled at over a
dozen Transportation Fairs and community events distribut-
ing bike maps, providing bike commuting tips, and helping
people with route options. We covered 10 events in King
County, two in Spokane County and one in Kitsap, reaching
over 600 people.
The Bicycle Alliance distributed, free of charge, bike route
maps from all over Washington State. We have a contract
with the City of Seattle to distribute their maps, and volun-
teers helped us send out nearly 22,000 in 2008.
BAW provides a direct service to bike commuters, residents
and travelers in Seattle and Bellevue—secure indoor bike
parking. We manage the Bikestation Seattle, next door
to our Pioneer Square office, and Bellevue’s Commuter
Connection, located at the Bellevue Transit Center. Both
facilities offer 24/7 access to registered bike commuters, and
Bike Alliance members get a Bikestation member discount
and can always park their bikes for free with us in Seattle
during our regular business hours.
Outreach
The Bicycle Alliance staff and board members regularly
travel around the state to talk with members of local bike
clubs, bike boards, community groups and our own
( 4 ) June  2009
members to discuss local cycling issues and concerns,
projects and strategies for successful bike advocacy.
BAW visited Olympia, Everett, Vancouver, Mt Vernon,
Redmond, Whidbey Island, Bremerton, Bellingham,
Pullman, Tri Cities, Longview, Tacoma, Bainbridge
Island, Seattle, Silverdale, and Spokane in 2008. We
met with more than 200 cycling advocates.
Safe Routes to School
2008 was a great year for our Safe Routes to School pro-
gram and the final year of a statewide grant funding the
state’s Center for Safe Routes to School. Along with Feet
First, our Safe Routes partner, we organized a Safe Routes
Summit in Spokane attended by 50 people. The Bicycle
Alliance partnered with Washington State Department
of Transportation to provide 16 trainings attended by
Safe Routes Education
over 300 educators. Trainings were held in Mt. Vernon,
Wenatchee, Gig Harbor, Spokane, Battleground, Renton,
Lake Stevens, Yakima, Des Moines, Valley, Chimicum,
Long Beach, Everett, Vancouver, Walla Walla, and Toledo.
Using a grant from REI, the Bicycle Alliance organized
school assemblies in three King County elementary schools
to teach students about global warming and biking’s con-
nection to a healthy planet. Over 600 students participated
in the assemblies, and more than 200 students followed up
by biking to school and other destinations.
Share the Road
Since the legislature approved the special license plate in
2005, over 3,400 cyclists across the state have purchased a
Share the Road plate for their vehicle. The plates are a
 June  2009 ( 5 ) The Bicycle Alliance of Washington

valuable source of funding for our bicycle safety and
education programs. In 2008, revenues were used to:
• Produce a Share the Road DVD that was distributed
to driver education programs statewide.
• Print bicycle safety information for school students.
• Make a Share the Road presentation at the annual Wash-
ington Traffic Safety Education Association, where many
attendees were driver education instructors.
• Distribute a Share the Road: Tips for Motorists flyer to
bike shops, driver education programs, driver licensing
offices, and libraries.
Capital Bicycling Club, Northwest Tandem Rally, Port
Townsend Bicycle Association, Skagit Bicycle Club, Spokane
Bicycle Club, Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club, Tri City
Bicycle Club, Vancouver Bicycle Club, West Sound Cycling
Club and Phil’s South Sound Cyclery.
Special thanks to the five bike clubs that organize the annual
Ride Around Puget Sound, proceeds of which benefit the
Bicycle Alliance: B.I.K.E.S. of Snohomish County, Capital
Bicycle Club, Cyclists of Greater Seattle, Tacoma Wheelmen
Bicycle Club and West Sound Cycling Club. BAW members
get a discount on ride registration.
Visit rapsodybikeride.com

Pro Walk/Pro Bike

The national Pro Walk/Pro Bike
conference was held in Seattle in
2008. The Bicycle Alliance served
on the host committee, and staff
presented four workshops. The
conference drew more than 800
attendees, including 125 from
Washington State.

Members
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington
represents bicyclists in every corner
of Washington State and we rely
upon the generous support of our
membership. We had 3,000 indi-
vidual and household members in
36 of our 39 counties in 2008.

Volunteers
Over 250 individuals gave their
time to the Bicycle Alliance in 2008.
These individuals donated over
6,400 hours doing things ranging from helping with office
tasks and month end mailings, to tabling at community
events and organizing our annual auction, to testifying at
public meetings, attending Transportation Advocacy Day
and serving on the board.
Bike Club Partners
Thanks to the following bike clubs and bike groups who
supported our advocacy efforts with financial contributions
from event rides and related grants in 2008: B.I.K.E.S. of
Snohomish County, Boeing Employees Bicycle Club,
Bike Routes Assist
2008 Major Donors ($250 and above)
Thank you to: Avista, Kenneth Beahm, B.I.K.E.S. of
Snohomish County, Fraser Black, Capital Bicycling
Club, Community College of Spokane, Deupree Family
Foundation, Downtown Spokane Partnership, Elliott Family
Foundation, Kathryn Gardow, Douglas Hansen, Eileen
Hyatt, Jundt Foundation, Simon Kahan, Amy Klein, Gary
Klein, Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation, Lee & Hayes,
Mahlum Architects, Metals Fabrication Company, Bobby
Mullins, Cynthia Mundhenk, Bob Myrick, New Priorities
Foundation, Phil’s South Side Cyclery, Phoebe Haas Trust,
Port Townsend Bicycle Association, REI Foundation,
 The Advocate ( 6 ) June  2009

Sportworks, SVR Design, Norma Stevely, Tacoma Staff

Wheelmen Bicycle Club, Team Northwest Tandemonium,
Tri City Bicycle Club, Unico Properties, Vancouver Bicycle
Club, Vulcan, Walker Family Foundation, Micah Wilson,
and Anonymous.
The Bicycle Alliance is a member of EarthShare of
Washington and participates in workplace giving cam-
paigns. We also had 255 businesses and individuals who
donated over 400 items to our annual auction.
Financials
In c o me
Contributions 169,613
Dave Janis, Acting Executive Director
Every Day, Commute Specialist
Louise McGrody, Outreach & Communications Specialist
JoAnn Yoshimoto, Development Director
Board
Kristin Kinnamon, President, Marysville
King Cushman, First Vice President, Seattle
Thom Skaanland, Second Vice President, Enumclaw
Eileen Hyatt, Secretary, Spokane
Mark Thomas, Treasurer, Redmond

Memberships 79,758 Ralph Wessels, Past President, Gig Harbor

Mary Anderson, Bellingham
Contracts & Programs 127,882
Rick Browning, Seattle
Grants 210,486
Bob Duffy, Lacey
Events 137,254 Sarah Gelineau, Tonasket
Other 9,215 Julie Gregg, Seattle
Total Income $734,208 Ted Inkley, Seattle
Karyn Kuever, Seattle
E x pense
Amy Lutz, Spokane
Operations Support 64,700 Dave Manelski, Seattle
Membership & Program 549,437 Joan McBride, Kirkland
Events 60,906 David McLean, Seattle

Total Expenses $675,043 Liz McNett Crowl, Mt Vernon

Bobby Mullins, Seattle
Net Increase (Decrease) $59,165 Jill Priest, Olympia
Erin Weber, Prosser
John Whitlow, Bainbridge Island

Income

Contributions
Expenses
Memberships
Operations Support
Contracts & Programs
Membership & Programs
Grants
Events
Events

Other
 June  2009
Q & A w it h D e n n i s M ad s e n
Sit back and imagine a multi-sport adventure based in Puget
Sound, and you will have an idea of the fun and challenge of
catching up with Dennis Madsen, who is enjoying to the fullest
his new life in retirement after serving as CEO of REI. Dennis is a
life member of the Bicycle Alliance and a current Advisory Board
member. He served on the BAW Board of Directors for more than
10 years, including one term as President. On the day that we met,
Dennis had already attended a business meeting, spent time on a
sailboat and a bicycle, and made plans for kayaking—all before
the clock struck noon!
Q: It seems that you’re even busier in retirement than most people
who work full time.
A: Definitely! But I’m having too much fun to slow down. In
addition to dividing my time among family, boating, and travel,
I’m a Trustee for Western Washington University and a Board
member for Islandwood. And I guess you sought me out because
I’m on the Advisory Board for the Bicycle Alliance.
Q: That’s right, I wanted to ask your perspective on BAW and the
opportunities that you see for us in the near term.
A: The Bicycle Alliance is an important and unique organization
working at the state level to advocate for infrastructure, laws,
and regulations to make cycling safer, more fun, and more
mainstream. The cycling movement is at a great point right
now! We used to feel like salmon swimming upstream, but
today there is every reason to promote cycling. So many people
now embrace the health benefits of an active lifestyle, including
cycling. Environmental concerns underscore the advantages of
cycling as a mode of transportation. Cycling can contribute to a
stronger sense of community. And in a weak economy, cycling is
an affordable form of transportation and recreation. Today the
cycling movement is enjoying a tail wind! We should take full
advantage and not be shy about telling the story.
( 7 ) The Bicycle Alliance of Washington
Q: Often when we do tell our story, many people seem to think
that BAW and the Cascade Bicycle Club are one and the same. And
if they’re already Cascade members, they don’t want to consider
joining the Bicycle Alliance.
A: Oh, no, we should be a partner with every bicycle club in
Washington, including Cascade. Cyclists need the support that
a local bicycle club such as Cascade provides, and they need the
statewide advocacy efforts of the Bicycle Alliance. You know, this is
not a new issue, I’ve heard it before. I firmly believe that the best
way—perhaps the only way—for us all to succeed is by working
together. I attended a management seminar that illustrated this
very point, and I’ve seen it work in the real world as well. It’s
perhaps contrary to the prevailing American entrepreneurial
philosophy that stresses competition over cooperation. But I truly
believe that only by working together will we all succeed, will we
all “win.” And by “we” I mean all cyclists.
Q: If you could make one wish come true, what would that be?
A: I would make cycling mainstream! That means many things,
especially safety and accessibility. But it also places a responsibility
on the shoulders of cyclists, particularly cycle commuters. For
cycling to become mainstream, it doesn’t mean that our society
should embrace spandex and grease as appropriate business
attire. It means that cyclists should find a way to transition from
Superman to Clark Kent on a regular basis. Ideally the workplace
should be more welcoming by providing facilities to shower and
change, but at the end of the day, the responsibility rests with the
cyclist. There are more than a few business executives in Seattle
who accomplish this daily, and they can be our role models.
At this point Dennis glanced at his watch and gasped, “There’s a
negative tide in an hour. I’ve got to get out there with my kayak!”
With a few quick strides he was gone, but not before leaving
behind some inspiring, encouraging, and aspirational ideas.

Share the Road license plates available at any vehicle licensing office or get a mail-in application at BicycleAlliance.org
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The Advocate ( 8 ) June  2009

R A P S o d y : Rid e
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
Around Puget Open House
Sound Thursday, June 18, 2009, 4:30–6:00 p.m.
August 22-23, 2009
309 A Third Ave S in Pioneer Square
Enjoy the scenic back roads of five Washington
counties while supporting statewide bicycle advocacy
Light refreshments will be served.
and education on the 6th annual Ride Around
Puget Sound. RAPSody is organized by B.I.K.E.S. of
Snohomish County, Capital Bicycle Club, Cyclists of
Greater Seattle, Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club, and
West Sound Cycling Club. All proceeds from this ride
are donated to the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. 17 th Annual Bicycle Alliance Auction
October 24, 2009
More info and registration can be found at
Sa v e t h e dat e f o r o u r
rapsodybikeride.com . Early bird discount ends
a n n u a l a u c ti o n f u n d r ai s e r !
July 22.
C h e c k y o u r mai l b o x a n d
b i c y c l e a l l ia n c e . o r g f o r
For a listing of other rides that help support the f u r t h e r d e tai l s . D o n at e a n
Bicycle Alliance, look under the Rides & Events section a u c ti o n it e m o n l i n e !
on our website, bicyclealliance.org.

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