Tag Archives: Walk Bike Ride

One great way to celebrate Independence Day

Looking for motivation to decrease your auto dependence this summer? Take the city’s Walk Bike Ride Challenge.

We’re asking you to walk, bike and ride more to work, shop and play and cut two car trips a week from July 4 to July 31.

This is a fun and simple way to try out more of your transportation options. We’re having a drawing, with prizes including a $1,500 electric bike (provided by REI and e-Moto), a $250 gift certificate to REI, an overnight stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle, a dinner for two at the Georgian in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, and a free Zipcar membership plus $100 of free usage.

You can go to http://walkbikeride.seattle.gov/challenge and register any time to start cutting trips as early as July 4, Independence Day. Report your two saved car trips each week, or you can report all your weeks at the end of July. For each week you participate, you’ll be entered into the drawing.

If the prizes aren’t enough incentive, do it for the possibility of improved air quality in our fair city. Late summer around these parts is downright LA-like.

Ironically, the Bus Fam will be celebrating this weekend with a (Zip)car ride–for our annual pilgrimage to my mountain. Now about those REI gift certificates…

Upcoming events for transit types

Health and transportation equity forum

What: A panel discussion that will address “the impact transportation choices have on communities from a health and equity perspective.” Panelists include: experts on public health and urban design, community activists, and yours truly (an expert on figuring out how the heck to get around this town).
When: May 26th, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way (You can take the 27!*)
How much: Free

This forum is part of the mayor’s Walk Bike Ride initiative (speaking of), so I’m excited to participate.

Seattle Green Festival

What: A “green living” extravaganza. That’s about the best I’m going to do for a description. Check the website for details.
When: Saturday, June 5, 10 AM – 7 PM; Sunday, June 6th, 11 AM – 6 PM
How much: $15 ($10 for transit and bike riders)

We’re going for the third year in a row (on the 5th; Race for the Cure is the 6th), but (keeping it real) mostly for the excellent food options.

Metro Employee Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA) Seattle Trolley Tour

What: A “four-hour tour of city’s unique trolley bus system [on a restored, old-school trolley]… from Seattle’s hectic downtown to several fine old neighborhoods throughout the city.” The tour includes a stop for lunch.
When: Sunday, June 13, 11 AM
Where: Tour departs from 2nd Ave S. & S. Main
How much: $5 (Free for kids 5 and under)

I’ve only been on one MEHVA tour, but I keep meaning to change that. Yeah, kids are free, but even my bus-lovin’ little ones aren’t going to make it through a four-hour ride. Give us a year or two.

*If you don’t mind (serious) hills, it’s not too far of a walk or bike ride from downtown.

One more reason to be proud of my city

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted, and that’s too bad, ’cause there’s a lot of stuff I’ve been meaning to tell you about. For one thing, I’ve been hitting my stride busing with two babies (more on that later) and having many fun adventures with my little BCiTs. I’ve been expanding my Orca repertoire (more on that later as well) and meeting all kinds of interesting fellow riders. I’ve also been collecting cool and funny bus and train photos that folks–OK, mostly Bus Nerd–have sent me over the past few weeks.

But all that will have to wait until after I tell you about (Does linking to a press release count as “telling”?)* the initiative Mayor McGinn announced today: Walk Bike Ride. Here’s what the Seattle.gov has to say about it:

We are at a turning point in transportation. We cannot sustain the financial, environmental and health costs of a transportation system that is overly reliant on automobiles. We need a new balanced approach that creates a transition. We are prepared to commit to that path by prioritizing walking, biking and transit in how we use our streets, how we spend our dollars, and how we collaborate with county, state and federal governments. [Can I get an amen?]

Walk Bike Ride will:

• Create an equitable transportation system for all by providing more affordable travel choices
• Focus on the places where people want to be and add qualities that make them want to stay
• Prioritize right-of-way space to emphasize walking, biking and riding

Read the rest

We so need to do this. Thank you, Mayor McGinn, for showing leadership on an issue that is so important to the future of our city–and our planet. Here’s hoping it results in real changes in the way folks get around this town.

*There’s analysis and discussion of the details (what few are known at this point) over at STB.