Cycling in the 'Couv: Events & news across the river
Posted by: JessicaJun 13 2006, 5:59 pm
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has been Oregon's voice for cycling for 15 years. So why am I telling you about Vancouver bike events?
Over the last few years, we've seen a big increase in the number of friends and supporters we have across the river in Vancouver, WA. It makes sense, after all — the greater Portland metro area includes Vancouver and Clark County, no matter what the lines on the map say. Many of our members live in Vancouver and commute to Portland or beyond, and vice versa.
The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Bicycle Club have been using the BTA's award-winning Bike Safety Education curriculum to run the in-school program in Vancouver for several years now. The BTA's Bike Commute Challenge also has great participation from area employees.
In other words, people in Vancouver want to bike more!
I wanted to share with you a special message I just sent to nearly a hundred Vancouver-area BTA members about current bike events and news across the Columbia.
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1. Vancouver wins bicycling award; join celebration ride on 6/19
Vancouver has recently been selected to receive a Bronze-level Bicycling Friendly Communities Award from the League of American Bicyclists (more info on the award here: http://www.bikeleague.org/news/052606com.php).
League Director Andy Clarke will be in town to present the award on 6/19. You're invited to take a bicycle ride with Andy to show him why Vancouver is such a great bicycling community!
The ride will be next Monday, June 19th, from 5:30 to 6:40 pm. The ride will start out in front of the Clark County Public Service Center, located at 1300 Franklin Street and will take Andy on a tour of some our bicycle facilities and projects. The ride will end at City Hall in time for the City Council presentation that will occur after 7PM.
We will be taking Andy out for dinner prior to the ride from 4-5 so if you are interested in going along please let Jennifer know. It would also be nice to get a head count of who is going on the bike ride so if you could please RSVP by Monday afternoon.
Contact: Jennifer.campos@ci.vancouver.wa.us or at 360-696-8290, ext. 8409.
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2. Pedalpalooza crosses the Columbia
Pedalpalooza, the annual two-week celebration of bike fun and more rides than you can shake a stick at, has lots of Vancouver events this year. Here are the upcoming events in your area:
* 16 June - Bike Fashion Show (how to dress for bike success without looking like a lycra geek)
* 16 June - Bike Movie
* 18 June - Kids and Kargo (Freight Bike Rodeo) - how to bike with stuff and kids, see the bakfiets.com
* 19 June - Bike Tour of Vancouver with Andy Clarke of LAB
* 19 June - Bike Friendly Community Award for Vancouver
* 20 June - Breakfast Off the I5 Bridge - Coffee and donuts for bike commuters
* 20 June - 3001 Space Age Bike Parking and Check out the Electronic Bike Lockers - bikelink.org (new date)
* 20 June - CCC Vancouver Volunteer night
* 21 June - Mocktails Off the I5 Bridge - refreshments for bike commuters
For more information and times/locations: http://shift2bikes.org/pedalpalooza/pp2006.php
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3. Looking for a bike locker in downtown Vancouver?
Exciting news: the City of Vancouver is installing 10 high-security bike lockers at the Clark County campus and the Vancouvercenter.
These lockers are open to the public. There will be a minimal cost associated with them (starting with 5 cents per hour with the first 2
hours free or 35 cents a day).
You can get a guided preview on Tuesday 20 June, at noon.
The City of Vancouver will be providing 10 city bike commuters a free trial card for part time bike commuters during our demonstration period.
To participate in the free pilot program, or with any other questions, call Todd Boulanger, 360.696.8290 x8657
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4. Next RU Bridge Curious ride, 7/8
Todd Boulanger will be leading another of his popular RU Bridge Curious on July 8th. This guided bike tour will show you how to cross the Interstate Bridge and how to use the MAX with your bike to get to Portland and beyond.
For more info, contact Todd at 360.696.8290 x8657
