Bicycle Planning Open House Scheduled

Press Release

Bicycle Advisory Board seeks public input

Open houses coming up for Wenatchee and East Wenatchee Residents

February 15, 2012---The Regional Bicycle Advisory Board will be holding two open house work sessions at the end of February to get specific information regarding the community’s needs and desires for bicycle transportation in the greater Wenatchee, East Wenatchee area.  The meetings will be held from 4-7pm on the 23^rd and 28^th of February.

•  Thursday February 23, 2012 

4-7pm

Wenatchee Community Center

504 South Chelan Ave

Wenatchee 

•  Tuesday February 28, 2012 

4-7pm

Eastmont Jr. High School

460 9^th St. NE

East Wenatchee

The group is striving to have a strong showing of people who are interested in using their bike as a transportation alternative, regardless of their current ability level or tendency to ride. “To be honest I would much rather hear what a mom or dad wants in order to ride with their kids to school, or to soccer practice more often,  than what would be a really good 30 mile training ride.  We are really looking at how we can improve those trips of about two miles or less for most general transportation purposes,” according to Patrick Walker, Non-motorized Planner for the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council (WVTC).

“What we are looking for is a broad perspective of how easy or difficult it currently is to use a bicycle as transportation within and between the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee” said Walker.

Each open house will have an interactive format that will request all attendees to identify what kind of rider they may be; strong, confident, concerned or non-rider,  and answer a series of questions relating to their comfort and ability to travel around the community by bicycle.  Spanish speaking residents are encouraged to attend as there will be translators available at the open houses.

Ace Bollinger, Bike Board Member, is excited to hear the feedback, “I have in my mind what would improve things, but I know I’m a different kind of rider than a lot of people, it will be really useful to get a broad perspective on this,” he said.

The format will have a series of display boards where participants can comment or vote on one aspect or another of local bicycle transportation.  There will be some maps as well asking for input.  Participants will also be able to provide some preliminary feedback regarding pedestrian issues for a future planning effort by the WVTC.

The Bicycle Advisory Board is a citizen advisory committee for the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council, and has been meeting for over a year now to work out the details of the Bicycle Master Plan.  This plan, once adopted, will provide a vision and guidance for the local WVTC member jurisdictions to make this area safer and more attractive for local bicycle travel within and between our communities.

“We live in a great place with good weather for bicycling, most of the time...” said Charlie Hickenbottom, who has been a steady member of the Bicycle Advisory Board for more than 5 years.  “I ride my bicycle whenever I can and would really like to see more improvements made around town to make bicycling safer and more convenient for everyone.”

The Master Planning effort has also been working specifically with the Downtown Wenatchee businesses, Linda Haglund, Executive Director of the Wenatchee Downtown Association says, “You know what—it’s happening, people want to ride their bikes downtown.  And we want to encourage that, so we are working on a pilot program to improve bicycle parking downtown this spring.”

The Master Plan is being developed for the Metropolitan Planning Area which includes all of; Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Sunnyslope, and Rock Island.  For those that are unable to make it to either one of the open house events an online survey (English and Spanish) will be posted on the Bicycle Advisory Board page of the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council website: www.wvtc.org/bicycle-advisory-board/  .

Walker also encouraged folks to ride their bikes to the events, with lights and helmets of course, if the weather is good.  Route finding assistance can also be found on the WVTC Bicycle Advisory Board Page.

The Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council (WVTC) serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and develops transportation improvement plans designed to meet the region’s projected economic and population growth looking 20 years into the future.  The Regional Bicycle Advisory Board is a volunteer citizen advisory committee to the WVTC that informs bicycle and pedestrian transportation issues in the Wenatchee Valley Urban Area.

Bicycle Safety Improvement Open House

CITY OF WENATCHEE TO HOST OPEN HOUSE FOR

FIFTH STREET SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

The city of Wenatchee will be holding an open house for the Fifth Street Safety

Improvement Project at the Campus Theater in Wells Hall at Wenatchee Valley

College on Wednesday, August 24th from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Fifth Street is one of Wenatchee’s most significant East-West arterial streets

linking the downtown/waterfront to the college and the residential western

foothills.

The intent of this project is to modify the existing roadway to allow for turn lanes,

bicycle lanes, and some median enhancements in the vicinity of the Wenatchee

Valley College. Other improvements include pavement surface improvements,

pedestrian safety including ADA improvements, roadway lighting improvements,

and transit improvements.

The project is included in the city’s 6-year Transportation Improvement Program

and was identified as a transportation safety need due to increasing traffic and

conflicting uses.

The city was successful in securing 85% of the funding needed for the

improvements through the Washington State Transportation Improvement

Board’s Urban Arterial Program.

City staff will be present to explain project concepts, schedules, and record

comments and suggestions from the public prior to identifying a preferred

alternative for final design.

If you are unable to attend, we welcome your comments on the city’s website,

facebook page, or by telephone.

CITY OF WENATCHEE TO HOST OPEN HOUSE FORFIFTH STREET SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTThe city of Wenatchee will be holding an open house for the Fifth Street SafetyImprovement Project at the Campus Theater in Wells Hall at Wenatchee ValleyCollege on Wednesday, August 24th from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm.Fifth Street is one of Wenatchee’s most significant East-West arterial streetslinking the downtown/waterfront to the college and the residential westernfoothills.The intent of this project is to modify the existing roadway to allow for turn lanes,bicycle lanes, and some median enhancements in the vicinity of the WenatcheeValley College. Other improvements include pavement surface improvements,pedestrian safety including ADA improvements, roadway lighting improvements,and transit improvements.The project is included in the city’s 6-year Transportation Improvement Programand was identified as a transportation safety need due to increasing traffic andconflicting uses.The city was successful in securing 85% of the funding needed for theimprovements through the Washington State Transportation ImprovementBoard’s Urban Arterial Program.City staff will be present to explain project concepts, schedules, and recordcomments and suggestions from the public prior to identifying a preferredalternative for final design.If you are unable to attend, we welcome your comments on the city’s website,facebook page, or by telephone.

Bike Advisory Board awards Super Commuters

Our first ever "Super Commuter Awards" were presented in the last two weeks as a final step in closing out Bike to Work Month.  

Patrick Walker presented each of the following awards to the recipients:

Overall Participation Award (Wentatchee Valley Medical Center-31 riders/785 miles)

WVMC Super Commuter (Fred Schuenemann 5 days/118 miles)

Central Wa. Hospital Super Commuter (Cora Sturzl 5 days/100.5 miles)

Congratulations to all and we look forward to next year!

 Wenatchee Valley Medical Center

Don Lester is also a member of our Bike Advisory Board.  Thanks Don!

Central Washington Hospital

From Left: John Hamilton (C.O.O.), Patrick Walker (WVTC), Cora Sturzl (Super Commuter), Dann Jergenson (Cora's Supervisor)

RBAB to Reward Bicycle Commuters!

Press Release

May is Bike to Work Month

Event is geared to encourage you try a bicycle for your commute

May 11, 2011:  National Bike to Work Month is underway!    “Bike to Work Month” is a national event which attempts to raise bicycle awareness and encourage more people to ride their bicycle for their commute…at least once.

During the month citizens are encouraged to ride to work as many times as possible.  Friday the 20^th marks the official “Bike to Work Day.”  According to Patrick Walker, Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Planner, for the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council,   “If there is one day that you choose to commute by bicycle, this month make it Friday May 20^th!” 

Here are a few reasons to give it a try:

• Bicycling is great form of moderate exercise; you can use your commute to improve your health.
• Bicycling is the most efficient form of transportation, which is good for the environment and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
• Bicycling saves you money which gives you more disposable income, which you can put into savings or spend supporting local businesses.
• Bicycling is just plain fun and makes you smile, which is good for stress reduction.

From 7 am to 9 am on Friday the 20^th local businesses and members of the Regional Bike Advisory Board will help celebrate bicycle commuting in the Valley at two separate “Bike Commuter Appreciation Station” locations.  Along with some refreshments commuters can spend a little time checking out the proposed bike network for the Bicycle Master Plan, get a free bike safety check or quick bike fit, and be entered into a raffle to win some great Bicycle Commuter gear from Arlberg Sports.  “It’s meant to be a quick drop in kind of thing,” Walker explained.

Walker says this event helps promote his work to develop a more bicycle friendly Wenatchee Valley.  According to the League of American Bicyclists (LAB); Washington State has been ranked number one in the nation for bicycle friendliness since 2009.  “None of our local cities or towns has yet to receive a designation from the LAB, which is what we are working towards.” Walker said.

 “When you commute by bike it’s important to be visible and safe,” Walker said.  “On my bicycle I have a small headlight and flashing taillight, which I use day or night.  If it’s a short trip, a helmet is all you need.”

Potential bike commuters should know how to dress for their commute and safely ride their bike on the road; your local bike shop can help with this and get your bike ready to go as well.  Walker pointed out that there are many additional resources for folks who would like to commute by bicycle.  Google Maps provides a bicycle route tab in their directions, WSDOT has a “bicycle commuting tips and resources page” and anyone can contact Walker to inquire as to a recommended route for their local commute. 

 “Everyone should try it once, if they can.”  Walker said.  “It’s good for our health, good for the environment, helps reduce traffic congestion, helps reduce stress, saves money and it’s really fun.  And most of all the weather in the Wenatchee Valley is ideal for commuting by bicycle three seasons of the year!”

Bicycle Commuter Appreciation Station Details:

Date/Time:                         Friday May 20^th 7am-9am

East Wenatchee:              Bottom of 9^th Street @ JB Steamers

(Across Sunset Hwy from the Pipeline bridge)

Commuters can stop for a free Bike Safety Check provided by Bruce’s Mobile Bike Werks and receive a $.75 discount on any coffee from JB Steamers.

Wenatchee:                       Hedeen Plaza--Corner of 1^st Street and Wenatchee Ave.

Commuters will be treated with snacks from Pretiola Bakery, Coffee from Caffé Mela, and a free quick Bike Fit Check from Arlberg Sports.

Everyone who stops by one of the stations by bicycle will be entered into a raffle for some great prizes donated by Arlberg Sports.  Stop by both and be entered twice!

The Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council (WVTC) serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and develops transportation improvement plans designed to meet the region’s projected economic and population growth looking 20 years into the future.  The Regional Bicycle Advisory Board is a volunteer citizen advisory committee to the WVTC that informs bicycle and pedestrian transportation issues in the Wenatchee Valley Urban Area.

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May is Bike To Work Month!

Spring has sprung and gas prices are rising...seems like a perfect time to try and make your commute on a bicycle.  

May has been designated nationally as Bike To Work Month with events in cities great and small all over the country.  National Sponsorship of this event belongs to the Leauge of American Bicyclists (LAB)who for many years have worked at a national level to bring bicycling advocacy and planning to the community level. Washington State has been deemed "the most bicycle friendly state in the United States" for the last two years running, by the LAB.

Part of the Bike Board's effort is to achieve a Bicycle Friendly Community status from the LAB, you can help by getting out there and riding your bike this month.

We have some nice things planned for this month so keep a look out and be sure to ride your bike!

Bike to Work Week: May 16-20

Bike to Work Day: May 20th

If you have questions about riding your commute please contact us and we will help get you prepared for a great new way to get to work!