The February meeting will be held on the normal 2nd Thursday of the month.

The Public is Always Welcome.

http://wstc.wa.gov/StudiesSurveys/StatewideTransportationSurvey/documents/2011_1129_WSTCSurveyKeyFindings.pdf

2012 NCW Regional Transportation

 Improvement Program

Where:          WVTC Office

                       1350 McKittrick Street, Suite B, Wenatchee, WA 

 When:            3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Friday, September 16, 2011

 What:            The public is invited to review the draft Regional Transportation Improvement Program document, and learn about upcoming transportation and transit projects. WVTC staff will be on hand to answer questions and record comments.

In early 2011 the City of Wenatchee began consolidating some of the staff and offices in their public services center and was expecting to have the 1400 sf. Parks and Recreation Office available for lease. 

The council looked at this opportunity which provided a more accessible and visible location for the WVTC staff, as well as a larger more functional office space and began the process of making the change.  A five year lease with an option for an additional five years was settled on and approved by the board in early spring.

As of June 1, 2011 the offices have been relocated to the space formerly occupied by the City Parks and Recreation staff.  All phones and email are functioning with no change in contact info except for the mailing address. 

WVTC Council Meetings will now be held at the Confluence Technology Center (specific room location will be available in the lobby).  NRTPO meetings will continue to be held at Chelan City Hall.  

Our new physical and mailing address is 1350 McKittrick Street, Suite B.  The public is encouraged and welcome to stop by and see what we are working on.  The office hours are from 8-5pm, Monday-Friday.

Stop by and take a look.

Press Release (for immediate release)

Bike to Work Challenge is well received

Medical professionals try an alternative method for a weekWVMC Employee, Don Lester (right), rides to work with his son on Bike to Work Day

May 24, 2011:  Our challenge was met: The Wenatchee Valley Medical Center (WVMC) and the Central Washington Hospital (CWH) have recently finished a friendly competition determining whose staff was most willing to ride their bike to work for a week.  The competition was held during Bike to Work Week and finished on Friday May, 20^th; National Bike to Work Day.

The competition was proposed by the Regional Bike Advisory Board as a way to encourage more people to try bicycle commuting during Bike to Work Week.   Don Lester, Regional Bike Advisory Board member and Senior Engineer for WVMC took the idea and worked with WVMC Staff to implement the plan. 

Participants in the competition were asked to log their commute miles via a portal created on the intra-net networks of both organizations.  There was no minimum distance or number of days and the only requirement is that the mileage be commuting miles ridden only, no recreational riding.  The competition was close at times and the final numbers are impressive.

Here are the numbers for the combined effort:

• 58                           Total Participants
• 1,447                     Total Miles ridden
• 70,000                   Calories burned
• 1400 lbs.               Carbon saved
• $293                       Saved at gas pumps

The Regional Bike Advisory Board and Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council are proud to present the following awards for the top commuters during this challenge:

• Overall Mileage and Staff Participation—Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, 31 Riders, 785 miles
• CWH Super Commuter—Cora Sturzl, 5 commute days, 100.5 miles
• WVMC Super Commuter—Fred Schuenemann, 5 commute days, 118 miles.

Awards will be presented to each of the winners early next month.  The Regional Bike Advisory Board hopes that this challenge can be expanded next year to include businesses and individuals throughout the community encouraging others to give bicycle commuting a try and also further their effort to create a Bicycle Friendly Wenatchee Valley.

Overall Results are as follows:

Wenatchee Valley Medical Center

31—Riders

785—Total Miles

38K—Calories Burned

798 lbs.—Carbon Saved

$159—saved on auto fuel

Top Riders:

Fred Schuenemann—118 miles

Wally Gibbons—80 miles

Don Lester—60 miles

Dave Miller—56 miles

Central Washington Hospital

27—Riders

662—Total Miles

32K—Calories Burned

673 lbs.—Carbon Saved

$134—saved on auto fuel

Top Riders:

Cora Sturzl—100.5 miles

Daniel Yant—77.5 miles

Scott Connelly—60.7 miles

Mike Sorenson—60 miles

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

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 Café 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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Information from the survey will be used to identify and prioritize projects for developing a complete, connected and comfortable bicycle network which will give residents of all ages the choice of safely riding a bicycle for recreation or transportation within our community.

Please take a few minutes and Click here to take survey

City of Cashmere                            Tigner Road Pavement Project                         $174,730

City of Chelan                                 Boyd Road Pavement Project                             $71,613

Chelan County                                Manson Downtown Pavement Project              $166,250

Chelan County                                Stemilt Loop Pavement Project                         $250,000

Douglas County                              Fancher Field Road Pavement  Project              $352,993

City of East Wenatchee                  9th Street Pavement Project                              $500,000

City of Leavenworth                       Ski Hill Drive Pavement Project                           $146,400

City of Leavenworth                       Commercial Street Pavement Project                    $64,000

Link Transit                                     Bus Fleet Maintenance                                        $345,145

City of Wenatchee                          North Wenatchee Ave: Miller-5th St. Pavement   $688,700

TOTAL                                                                                                                    $2,759,831