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.

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)

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 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!

Wenatchee, WA January 25, 2011:  The Regional Bike Advisory Board (RBAB) is seeking nominations for volunteer board members to help develop a Bicycle Master Plan for the Greater Wenatchee, East Wenatchee and Rock Island communities. 

According to Patrick Walker, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner for the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council, “Some of our members have served two or more years now, and we are looking for some new folks to jump in and help.  We are looking for people who want to help in making their community more bicycle friendly.” 

Currently there are Nine bike board members, with three positions up for re-appointment, and one additional open position.  "We would like to have a board of about 10 people made up of city or county residents from the Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Sunnyslope or Rock Island areas," Walker said.

All current members ride bicycles on a regular basis for work, pleasure or utility.  Volunteer board members meet monthly for up to two hours and are asked to commit to a two year term on the board.

“We are striving to create a diverse group of community members who can help evaluate the needs and challenges of bicyclists, promote bicycling and work with local jurisdictions to make improvements in and around our communities,” Walker said. 

 “The goal of developing this plan is to create a blueprint for a more bicycle friendly community.”

Walker says the plan will have many elements focused on; engineering, education, enforcement, evaluation and encouragement.  All of these elements together will create a bicycle friendly community for people of all ages and abilities.

Board members can be nominated by others or be self nominated.  Interested persons should contact Patrick Walker, Bike/Pedestrian Planner c/o WVTC 300 South Columbia Third Floor, Wenatchee, WA 98801. (509) 663-9059  or via email patrick@wvtc.org 

The Regional Bike Advisory Board was established in January of 2010 to advise the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council on the development and implementation of a Bicycle Master Plan.

The Bicycle Advisory Board will be looking at this concept and how it might be implemented into the Bicycle Master Plan for the Greater Wenatchee Region.

Have a look and let us know what you think!

Thanks to everyone who helped and to all that rode their bikes.  We counted more than 300 bikes on the evening of the 20th and the morning of the 21st.  These numbers will be used as a reference for future counts and gives us an idea of what kind of volumes are out there right now.

The biggest success we felt was in the heightened awareness of bicyclists on the road and the positive message to share the road that was spread throughout the local media outlets.

There will NOT be a check-in and refreshment station at 9th Street NE in East Wenatchee because the Pedestrian Bridge is closed for painting.  Please be sure to stop by the check-in and refreshment station at 5th Street and the Loop Trail in Wenatchee and sign-in!  If you cannot make it to the 5th Street check-in don't let this discourage you from riding, as volunteers will be distributed at many count locations in the City.