A new cycling promotional program has a slightly different take: Encourage more people to use the city’s best cycling infrastructure through encouragement, get-togethers, bike pools and more. I Bike SEA is a chance for people interested in cycling to work (or cycling more often) to get in the habit with the help of a supportive community.
The program, a partnership between the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and the city, will kick-off from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening in Nord Alley in Pioneer Square (map). There will be “refreshments, inspiration and free basic bike maintenance. Bike pools back to N. Seattle will leave at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 PM.”
More details from I Bike SEA:
What is I Bike SEA?
The goal of I Bike SEA is to make cycling a normal form of transportation by providing affirmative and fun urban cycling experiences for new bike commuters.
Who can participate?
We’re recruiting participants living in north Seattle who bring a range of familiarity with urban bike commuting—from seasoned urban riders to people who haven’t been on their bikes in years. We want to create a supportive community of people who help each other find ways to reduce car trips by taking their bikes instead.
I Bike SEA is focused on north Seattle residents who work near or around downtown. Concentrating this effort geographically provides a ‘safety in numbers’ benefit 1 by facilitating group commuting—or what we like to call “bike-pools.”
We also chose this geography to maximize some of the best bike facilities Seattle has to offer at this time: Dexter Avenue’s buffered bike lanes, the Burke Gilman trail, the Ship Canal trail, and other well-established bike lanes that connect urban villages in north Seattle to downtown.
Why will this two week experience be great?
We want to show you how fun, social, and supportive getting on a bike can be. Your two weeks with us will include a free get-together at Pioneer Square’s First Thursday, to morning meet-up “bike pools” where you’ll learn about basic bike repair and safety, to an after-hours social to share your experiences. Bike commuting and riding can be fun and we invite you to join us.
What’s so great about riding a bike?
We think biking is fun—and we also know that biking provides other important environmental and public health benefits. Consider this: A 2012 study of 11 Midwestern cities found that if citizens ran half their errands by bike rather than by car for 4 months out of the year, mortality rates would decline by approximately 1,295 deaths per year because of improved air quality and increased exercise. The study pegged the combined financial benefits of improved air quality and physical fitness in excess of $8 billion/year.
How can I help?
Please recruit your friends to participate! Indicate on the sign up form if you would like to help recruit participants and we’ll get back to you with some tools to help.
Comments
2 responses to “I Bike SEA program will encourage more cycling along our best infrastructure”
Two questions – Why is there no east lake option? Dexter adds a heck of a lot more time for me going to NE Seattle. Why are there not a 5:30 or 6 pm options? Would love to participate, hopefully if there is success there will be more options.
Best;
Andres
It’s essentially a pilot, so they are just focusing on one route (Fremont Bridge to downtown). Others will follow if this goes well. I like that it is trying not to bite off too much.