Adventure Cycling Blog

Well, HEY! Adventure Cycling has a BLOG!

Adventure Cycling, if you didn't know already-- is the non-profit organization that established the route and maps that my friend and I followed this summer on our bike tour across the country.  Click HERE to see a map of all the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) maps. The route we followed was the TransAmerica Trail, established in 1976, the bicentennial of the country.

Following Adventure Cycling maps easily eliminated half the logistics of planning our tour. That is, if you even able to CHOOSE which of the many routes to go on! For us, choosing the TransAm was easy. We knew that we wanted to cross the entire country and the TransAm is perhaps the most "classic" way to do so-- and, my riding partner's mom had done the route in 1976, the year the route was born. So for us, it was an easy choice.

Now that I have just started saving up for a second tour-- hmm.. I could do the Great Divide.. or the Sierra Cascades.. or maybe a loop in the SouthWest.. how do I choose?! I'll just have to do them all. 

Anyhow-- back to Adventure Cycling. Making maps and establishing routes isn't the only wonderful they do. The ACA also advocates for cyclists in the political arena. They are currently working with the government to establish a U.S. Bicycle Route System. The ACA is also a rich resource of touring information-- in their archived magazine articles, cyclists' yellow pages and now-- their BLOG! Check it out!

Remembering Ann

Ann Weatherill was a local middle school teacher and cyclist who was struck and killed by a motorist while riding with friends on Mother's Day 2004. In 2005, the Ann Law was passed in Washington State, making it illegal for motorists to pass while an oncoming cyclist is approaching. 

In remembrance of Ann, during the last part of June, a fundraiser ride is held: the Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic. The ride rolls through some of Walla Walla's most scenic wheat fields, offers three distances and a lunch buffet by Merchants complete with wine from L'Ecole No 41. 

Funds from Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic go towards the installation and maintenance of the yellow "Share the Road" signs throughout the county that were installed on popular bicycle routes to raise awareness in Ann's honor and other bicycle safety programs sponsored by Wheatland Wheelers.

To visit the website, GO HERE.

To register now, GO HERE.

Riding on the Sidewalk

Riding on the sidewalk is usually not only a faux pas, but in many or most situations can be extremely dangerous compared to riding on the road. That's why my heart sinks and my head feels conflicted whenever I see a kid (or adult!) riding AGAINST traffic on the sidewalk. I'm sure that mom or dad told them that riding on the sidewalk would be safest and riding against traffic so that you could "see" the cars would be best. What these parents don't know is that riding against traffic while on the sidewalk is just about the worst place you could be. Or just riding on the sidewalk, period.

Why?

Traffic, especially cross-traffic, doesn't see you. When a car pulls out from a business, the driver scans THE ROAD and NOT the sidewalk for vehicular traffic. Even if the driver checks for pedestrians, cyclists are speedier and could be out of sight one moment and on a car hood the next. Similarly, if a car wants to pull into a business, generally drivers are NOT checking the sidewalk for fast moving traffic.

HOWEVER--

What if the road you are on is just really, really terrible? What if you've chosen the best route possible and you just have to ride along this crummy street and riding in the road spells s-c-a-r-y  a-s  s-h-i-t. And to top it off, you're an experienced commuter that understands the risks of riding on the sidewalk and will take special precautions to prevent these particular dangers.

Then, YES-- in my PERSONAL opinion.. I think that it would be appropriate to ride on the sidewalk. I have done so in this very situation I've described. However, I don't come across this situation very often. I am usually very good at route selection and I am not shy about "taking my lane," as it is my legal right to do so. I'll write more about "taking the lane" in the future-- in short, it's when you ride in the MIDDLE of the traffic lane instead of the right third. This forces traffic to have to change lanes and go AROUND you instead of trying to squeeze you off the road.

Interestingly enough, one of our "bike paths" here in Walla Walla is along Dalles Military Road. It's basically an extra-wide sidewalk that bikes are supposedly expected to use. I didn't know that it was such a "shared use path" until it was pointed out to me by a City engineer during a Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee meeting. My response was, "you want me to ride on THAT? How am I supposed to make a left turn??" Not to mention-- it trains cyclists to think that it's okay to ride on the sidewalk all the time. And it tells cars that bikes don't belong on the road. In reality, Dalles Military Road actually has a HUGE shoulder and there is PLENTY of room for two lanes AND a bike lane.. and maybe even a parking lane too (if they hadn't put in the glorified sidewalk).

Now, if this "shared use path" actually looked and was marked as a shared use path-- like the Copenhagen-style cycle path that is now being installed in Portland..

Graphic designed by the folks over at BikeHacks, one of my favorite blogs!

Well, you see-- a cycle track is separate from pedestrians, protected from traffic by parked cars and marked heavily so that cars know to expect bicycles there. The Dalles Military sidewalk is none of these things.

The real solution to this whole problem, would be for our towns and cities to spend an appropriate amount of money on bicycle infrastructure (instead of straightening out curvy roads that are TOTALLY FINE.. *ahem). But until then-- we do our best with what we've got..

and complain about it 'til it changes. :)

You're TWICE as likely to die driving a car than riding a bicycle

Alan over at EcoVelo just posted these statistics from Failure Analysis Associates. I've been looking for something like this. When I am talking to someone who is considering bicycle commuting, one of the most familiar "but" excuses I hear is, "but it just seems so dangerous!" The best I ever could come up with was, 

well, it's all about the routes you choose and being a smart cyclist. And I feel like I'm safer on a bike anyway-- I ride like cars can't see me and am less prone to take the risks we take in cars.. and I'm sure there are some statistics somewhere that show that driving is probably more dangerous anyway.. and you get better long term health from riding a bike...

WELL. Here are those statistics I've been grabbing for! You're twice as likely to die while driving a car-- but you don't say, "oh, I don't want to drive to work.. it just seems so dangerous!"

Activity Fatalities Per Million Hours

• Skydiving 128.71
  
• General Aviation 15.58
  
• On-road Motorcycling 8.80
  
• Scuba Diving 1.98
  
• Living (all causes of death) 1.53
  
• Swimming 1.07
  
• Snowmobiling .88
  
• Automobile Driving .47
  
• Water Skiing .28
  
• Bicycling .26
  
• Flying (domestic airlines) .15
  
• Hunting .08
  

Bicycling also provides long term health benefits that driving doesn't. It's also a LOT better for the health of the environment. And it's just more fun.

RJ's Walla Walla Bicycle Map

The City of Walla Walla, with input from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, makes a fairly fantastic bicycle map both of in-town bike routes for commuters and also longer excursions for recreational cyclists. This map is available at our local bicycle shops, Allegro Cyclery and Bicycle Barn, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and other locations.

The map appropriately folds out to 18 by 24 inches and it is rumored that the next generation map will be even larger. The map highlights a lot of useful information for a cyclist, including bike lanes, routes, trails and more. If you are new to the area or just new to bicycling, this map is a very helpful resource.

However-- I found that as a local, I wanted:

• A smaller map, that's easier to pull out quickly and read.
• Less information that I don't really need.
• More information about the ride-ability of roads to quickly scan for an ideal route.

Also, when I give out a bike map, I usually suggest highlighting more roads that are especially good for cycling. So finally, I just decided to..

MAKE MY OWN WALLA WALLA BIKE MAP!

I highlighted roads according to my personal opinion (and no scientific study!) of each street's ride-ability. It is possible and to be expected that my idea of ride-able roads may vary from another person's idea of ride-able roads. However, this map is always a work in progress! If you think that I inappropriately marked a road or intersection, please leave a comment on this post and let me know!

These maps are intended to be printed out on a regular 8 1/2" by 11" paper. You will likely have to make an adjustment on your Printer Preferences to make sure it fits the paper.

Click to enlarge.

This map includes a larger area than the close-up below.

The streets are labeled:

• BLUE, for bike lane
• GREEN, for great for bikes, very light traffic, highly residential
• YELLOW, for good for bikes, light traffic, wide shoulders, sometimes residential
• ORANGE, for ok for bikes, steady traffic, few shoulders, speed limit over 30, sometimes more than one lane in direction of travel
• Orange DOTS, frequent congestion
• Red DOTS, exercise extra caution in this intersection

Click to enlarge.

This map is a close-up of the map above.

Frequent Congestion and Extra Caution Intersections are labeled as such because they may:

• Experience increased traffic when the school day starts or ends.
• Have poor visibility.
• Require a confident and experienced cyclist to maneuver through safely.

See a hazard to cyclists? CALL! RIGHT AWAY!

If ever you are out riding your bicycle and you come across a serious road hazard to cyclists, call your local Public Works or (they sometimes transfer you to) Street Division.

WW Public Works

(509) 527-4463

WW Street Division

(509) 527-4363

I just happened to be out riding around town one day

APRIL 9, 2009

when I came across several BIG piles of gravel that were spilling out of some big potholes. Wow. If you didn't see one of these coming-- and you hit it-- you would most likely CRASH. You could even crash into traffic, which could cost you your life if you had unfortunate timing. Or, in another scenario-- you might see the gravel at the last minute and swerve violently into traffic, possibly colliding with a motor vehicle.

Basically-- this area is very unsafe for cyclists!

So, like a good citizen, I called our local Public Works and reported the problem. I was told, "We'll send someone to take a look at it."

Well, on April 24, 2009 it was still there!

So I called again.

To view this video with CLOSED CAPTIONING, click HERE, then click on the triangle in bottom right corner, then click CC.

If you think that this problem should be fixed RIGHT AWAY, please CALL:

WW Public Works

(509) 527-4463

WW Street Division

(509) 527-4363

Thanks.

The Idaho Stop Law, Coming to Oregon

The "Idaho Stop Law," in a nutshell, allows bicyclists to legally treat stop signs as yield signs. This law is currently being proposed in Oregon.

Here's a pro-Idaho Stop Law video that explains the pro-law position very well. What do you think?


Bicycles, Rolling Stops, and the Idaho Stop from Spencer Boomhower on Vimeo.

As a disclaimer, I am posting this video only as a point of education and discussion-- not as a display of my personal opinion.

Calling All Local Mountain Bikers: LET'S ORGANIZE!

There's a rumor going 'round that there's a "group of mountain bikers" that would like to organize to maintain and create local trails and perhaps start some group rides and the like.

Well, let's move from the "would like to" phase and get on to the "let's meet and do this!" phase!

To start, all ya'll local mountain bikers can join the BikeWallaWalla "Mountain Bikers Group", a convenient place to share ideas and information.

Go there now!

BikeWallaWalla -- a new networking site for Walla Walla area cyclists!

Clark, a local Xtracycler (we like those), just created a networking site for Walla Walla area cyclists: BikeWallaWalla. Now, I know that my blog is just AMAZING, but I'll tell you why this new site is even cooler.

1. It's interactive! Sure, you can post comments on a blog-- but at BikeWallaWalla you can post comments, photos, video, start groups and more! Really, it's like Facebook-- except only with useful basic features and none of the crap.
2. It's local. Connect with people you can actually potluck with. 
3. It's a tool for action. I've been hearing rumors about some mountain bikers in town wanting to organize to build and maintain trails. How can we connect? BikeWallaWalla!
4. It's efficient. If we get a lot of local cyclists on BikeWallaWalla, it's a quick way to announce bicycle-related events to everyone who'd want to know.
5. It's a resource. Curious about those "Xtracycles"? Ask the 'Xtracycle Group'! Have another question? Post it in a forum! Need commuting tips? Check out the video section for help!
6. It's for ALL kinds of cyclists! Commuter, roadie, mountain and more!

So what are you waiting for? Join BikeWallaWalla!

Not from the Walla Walla area? Start a networking site for YOUR hometown!

Thanks, Clark!

This is Mat-- and his "rush hour."

Mat's Commute from Mat Barlow on Vimeo.

The folks at Bikes Belong are AWESOME. Check out their website for some helpful resources to spread the bike love!

Someday..

3 Feet - Take Action

A '3 Feet Passing Law' that exists in 13 states is now being proposed in Washington State. 

Inspired to spread knowledge of this new law, Joe Mizereck took it upon himself to create jerseys and t-shirts that say: "3 FEET PLEASE!" and [*in 13 states] "IT'S THE LAW."

That's action. I like it.

Short sleeve jerseys $60 - long sleeve $65 - shipping free!

T-shirts $15.

Also, how another cyclist took action:

Makes me want to get some of these:

Fortunately, I DO have one of these (a positive review to come):

The Trek to Re-Energize America

This summer, concerned citizens from all over the country will mount their bikes and pedal towards our nation's capitol. Along the way stories will be collected and shared about how climate change is currently, or will soon affect us. In D.C., these stories will converge in a collective voice to call for immediate action. The debate about whether global warming "is real" is over, or it needs to be; because if we want to sit around waiting for even more evidence, then it will be too late. The Trek to Re-Energize America demands that we take action NOW.

Learn more about the Trek and Climate Change:

Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip from Leo Murray on Vimeo.

About The Trek

We're running out of time. We need strong, immediate action on climate change from the new administration and the Trek to Re-Energize America is designed to build the momentum necessary to demand that change. The Trek To Re-Energize America was conceived of as a means to talk to people on their turf and in their communities about the challeneges climate change poses to their lives, whether from floods, mountain top removal or smog. By having conversations in communities across the nation, we will empower citizens to take action and push our leaders to make decisive steps to move our great country out of the old dirty energy economy and into a clean energy economy, spurring green job growth, changing our wasteful habits and reestablishing the United States as a leader and pioneer in the global economy.

The Trek to Re-Energize America is a bike trip to Washington D.C. Riders will depart for D.C. from all across the country, leaving from their home states and sweeping up media attention and grassroots support as they go. Upon arrival in D.C. the riders will rally and lobby for action on current legislation by asking their representatives to be leaders in the fight against climate change. A massive number of organized passionate people who have biked across the United States for something they believe strongly in will make for a statement that politicians and media will be unable to ignore.

The trip is slated for summer 2009. The convergence on D.C. will take place in late July or early August to coincide with the congressional calendar.

We can only do it with your help. We need riders from as many states as we can get and leaders willing to direct efforts across the U.S. Please contact us with any thoughts, comments or questions. We'd love to have you involved.

Trek to Re-Energize
http://www.trektoreenergize.org/

Three foot passing law: trying to pass in Washington

Today, in our local Unioin Bulletin:

New rules for bicycle safety are not needed
But it's important to make motorists aware that they have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe distance between them and bicyclists.

By the Union-Bulletin Editorial Board

Bicyclists and motorists are supposed to share the road.

But coexisting in that space is far from equal. Let's face it, bicycles are vulnerable compared to 4,000 pound cars and trucks. That's why it is important to have laws to protect bicyclists -- to level the playing field so to speak.

Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle -- an avid bicyclist -- is promoting legislation that would mandate motorists stay three feet away from bicyclists and pedestrians when passing.

In theory, it's a good idea. In fact, the Washington state driver's guide already recommends that three-foot buffer and the law mandates "a safe distance."

If the three-foot distance was a requirement it would take away some of the flexibility needed to be a safe driver. Sometimes that isn't possible such as when a car or even a bicyclist is on the other side. Also, it's not always fair to put the onus on the motorists. Sometimes bicyclists (or pedestrians) create unsafe situations.

The law, as it is now written, would appear to be sufficient. But more needs to be done to make sure motorists understand their responsibility and to crack down on those who don't.

Perhaps Pedersen's effort to amend the law will serve that purpose. The issue is now getting attention around the state and is being commented on by a variety of organizations from the Teamsters to the Washington State Patrol.
"It's our hope that if nothing else comes out of this bill," said State Patrol spokesman Jeff DeVere, "That people pay attention to giving bicyclists as much room as possible when passing."

So, too, do we.

Local bicycle commuter and advocate, Andy Pryor's response:

I ride a bicycle and am responding to the Union Bulletin’s opinion that new rules for bicycle safety are not needed.

The new law, HB 1491, put forward in the state legislature by Representative Pederson and sponsored by our local Representative Walsh, is a reasonable and thought out piece of legislation that is designed to provide more clarity to an existing law. All that is being asked is that at a minimum three feet of clearance should be given to bicycles and pedestrians. This legislation aligns the recommendation in the driver’s education manual with the laws that govern our public right of ways. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and the Washington State Patrol have been consulted in the drafting of this legislation and are in support. The intention of this legislation is to provide a clear definition of what is safe; three feet is the standard that has been set by 11 other states.

As I ride up Mill Creek Road I am hoping that this legislation will help motorists understand why when there is an oncoming car I have my left arm extended to stop them from passing. The lanes are too narrow, the speeds are too fast and since there is no shoulder I have no place to go.

Andy Pryor

When did bike trails get put in the same category as GOLF courses?

I hate golf. AND golf courses.

Pttbhh.

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), chair of the Senate Steering Committee, has proposed an amendment to the stimulus bill that would prohibit any funding of bicycle infrastructure from this bill. He was supported by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) who is known for his opposition to bicycle lanes and paths.

"When people see bike trails and hiking trails and golf courses, they know this is not designed to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It’s just basically special-interest pork barrel spending."

Blumenauer rebuts DeMint's statement with this:

"Republican amendments and assertions that the creation of hike and bike trails in the recovery plan will not create jobs or stimulate the economy shows us just short-sighted and out of touch they are. Investment in bike paths will not only improve our economy, and take our country in the right direction for our future; it is precisely the kind of investment the American people want. American families have indicated time and again in the passage of bond measures across the country that they favor spending on alternative transportation, such as bicycles and mass transit, over spending on more highway capacity. Americans want a real solution to the economic crisis, not just a band-aid fix. These investments will stimulate the economy in the present and point our nation toward the economic and environmental realities of the future."

Duties

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

--Barack Obama

Now, what will YOU do? Here are some philanthropic, bicycle-related ideas:

Find out how you can get involved in bicycle advocacy through the Cascade Bicycle Club (Seattle), the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Oregon), the Bicycle Alliance of Washington (WA State), or the League of American Bicyclists (USA).

Start attending your local Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meetings.

Start a cycling team that advertises charities instead of corporations.

Join a bike tour and raise money to fight disease.

Start a local bike ride to raise funds for cycling safety.

Put on a backyard bicycle maintenance and traffic riding skills workshop for your friends, neighbors and co-workers and encourage them to bike commute.

Get that bike out of the garage and find a community bicycle shop that recycles bicycles into the hands of those that need them.

Get out there!

Bicycle Stickers

Bike stickers designed by me!

Promote a positive bike message.

Stay tuned for information on how you can get your own!

Put 'em on your Xtracycle deck..

"BIKE WALLA"

Your top tube..

"Spread some bike love!"

Your fender..

"ride HAPPY"

Will also be available in another color.

And now for some controversy..

Living in the U.S, it is easy to assume that promoting helmet use while riding bicycles is a good thing..

..until you consider that promoting helmets has been shown to reduce the number of cyclists on the road..
..and less cyclists on the road has been shown to decrease cyclists' safety.

Sort of ironic, isn't it?

There's also research out there that helmets don't really help (except in high speed situations such as racing where they are quite helpful). I have to admit that I don't know anything about this research. I'll read it and get back to you.

I personally wear a helmet both while training (riding faster) and commuting (riding slower in traffic). I wear it for a variety of reasons, including a self-awareness that I am a "cycling role model" in Walla Walla and I coach a junior cycling team and.. well, I could even lose my job if I refused to wear a helmet. I also have other reasons why I wear my helmet that I won't list here- but I don't bother anyone about wearing theirs (except my juniors).

For now, though- let's bring up the subject with some satire from the folks over at Copenhagenize.



Read their full post HERE.

Did you know that their bicycle accident rates are a tiny fraction of ours and practically no one wears a helmet over there? (And we're obsessed with them!) Hmm. Seems to me that the solution isn't in the helmets so much (which enter a bicycle accident equation during the accident) as it is in smart street design (preventing the accidents from happening in the first place).

Instead of giving us foam hats as we navigate the battlefield- why not make the battlefield less dangerous to begin with?

Bikes and Buses are Beautiful: Parade SUCCESS!

The Walla Walla Fair Parade took over downtown streets this Saturday morning. As I rolled through the parade line-up looking for my contingent, I felt a small smirk lift up my cheeks. Truck, truck, SUV, truck, Semi-truck, truck, hummer, SUV limo, truck.. then BICYCLES, lots of beautiful BICYCLES.

I welcomed a cheer as I arrived, since I had this in tow:

A pirate ship!

It's not as big or grand or magnificient as I once hoped to create, but since the sprinklers attacked it twice and free time has been quite limited lately, I think it's got a nice homely appeal. :)

I even found a pirate!

What made me the happiest about our group was the fantastic variety we achieved. We were a great display of all the different ways to live, love and ride bicycles.

Barbara showed us that yes you CAN wear a skirt on a bike!

Jared piloted a PediPower pedicab.

Ben Chaddock, the new president of Whitman Cycling- Cheers, Whitman!

Reggie, from Bicycle Barn, rode a (remake) penny farthing. Now that is just plain COOL.

Jeanne brought beautiful flowers from Welcome Table Farm and designed beautiful posters for us to hang on our buses (I wish I had taken a picture of them!)

Hoorah! Alice (who grows tasty vegetables over on West End Farm) rode her Xtracycle!

Laurel (above) and Lish (below) were not lacking for enthusiasm. :)

Sean Duffy picked out one of his (many!) restored vintage bicycles to ride.

And there were many more.. (and it's taking me a long time to upload these, so that's all you're going to see!)

So cheers! and Thank You! to all the cyclists that came out to the parade to promote a beautiful way to get around and enjoy life.

a Bicycle Declaration

My friend Debi, who is an attorney, sent me this:

47.26.300 Bicycle routes ‑‑ Legislative declaration.

The state of Washington is confronted with emergency shortages of energy sources utilized for the transportation of its citizens and must seek alternative methods of providing public mobility.

Bicycles are suitable for many transportation purposes, and are pollution‑free in addition to using a minimal amount of resources and energy. However, the increased use of bicycles for both transportation and recreation has led to an increase in both fatal and nonfatal injuries to bicyclists.

The legislature therefore finds that the establishment, improvement, and upgrading of bicycle routes is necessary to promote public mobility, conserve energy, and provide for the safety of the bicycling and motoring public.

Guess when this was written?

1974 – during the first energy crisis during the Arab Oil Embargo. Not much progress since then.

-Debi Toews | Willis & Toews, PLLC