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F5 Bike to Work Day is next Friday, May 17

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 by

If you only commute by bike on one day per year, make it next Friday, May 17, F5 Bike to Work Day. Thousands of people will be riding in the largest rolling street party of the year, so bring a friend and join in!

Here are some things to look forward to on F5 Bike to Work Day:

Morning Commute Stations. Pick up swag and treats at one of dozens of morning commute stations throughout the Puget Sound region, or set up your own station at your workplace or in your neighborhood using our DIY commute station toolkit. Bike mechanics will be on hand at official commute stations (the ones in blue and yellow) to offer basic assistance to riders.  Find a commute station in your neighborhood here.

Free Starbucks coffee all day long! For some extra oomph on your commute, show your helmet or other bike gear at these participating Starbucks ® locations and pick up a free tall (12 fl. oz.) beverage as a reward for your extra leg work. Offer is limited to one beverage per customer on May 17, 2013 only. Thank you to Starbucks for supporting bicycling and sponsoring Bike Month!

Seattle Mayor’s Ride and Rally and Everett Celebration Ride. Ride with Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn from KEXP studios on Dexter Ave to City Hall for an inspiring bike rally, or participate in the Everett Celebration Ride and receive a gift just for riding. 

The official F5 Bike to Work Day After Party. Keep the Bike to Work Day fun going with the official Cascade Bicycle Club after party at Velo Bike Shop’s new digs downtown, also home to ViaBike, downtown Seattle’s new bicycle commuter club. Roll over for bites and beverages from Tom Douglas Restaurants, tunes from KEXP DJ Greg Vandy and tours of ViaBike and Via6 apartments. Bring your friends and colleagues to celebrate a day of two-wheeled happiness!

 

Posted in Bike Month, Bike to Work Day | 9 Comments »

Commute Challenge Corner: Three ways to wear your Commute Challenge souvenir

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 by

Every year Cascade gives away a fee souvenir item to all participants in the Commute Challenge–usually something that adds a little safety and bling. This year we are giving away a laminated placard that can be used as a bike license plate, bag tag or spoke card.

Write your name or team name (or nickname, if you’re a solo rider) on the placard in permanent marker and show your Commute Challenge spirit! Use rubber bands, zipties, or twist ties to affix the card to your bike, your bag, or your wheel.

When you see other Commute Challenge riders around town, give them a wave and a smile! By displaying your souvenir you may be eligible for prizes at Energizer stations and Commute-Challenge only drawings.

1)   Attach it to your handlebars or seat as a bike license plate

2)   Tag your bag

3)   Insert it in your spokes

How do you show your Commute Challenge spirit? Send us a photo at photos@cascadebicycleclub.org and your image could appear as the Commute Challenge ‘Inspiration of the Day’!

Posted in Bike Month, Commute Challenge | 5 Comments »

Commute Challenge corner: Start or join a league

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 by

According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, 2013 is the year of the snake. According to ancient Commute Challenge astrology, 2013 is the year of the league.

Leagues are one of the most awesome and underrated features of the Commute Challenge. We’ll debunk leagues with a little Q and A below.

What the heck is a league, and why would I want to join one?

Leagues provide a simple, easy way for teams to group themselves by industry, geography, or some other category, and see each others stats in one place. Connect with other people in your industry or neighborhood and challenge yourself to outride other league members in your own customized sub-Challenge.

The sky is the limit for your league. Start an intra-league contest, use the message board to organize a happy hour, talk some trash, or discuss commuting tips.

Okay, so how do I join a league? 

Team captains can create leagues and join their team to one or more leagues. Visit the leagues page to see if any leagues are relevant to you, and join one! All federal employees are encouraged to join the Federal Bike-to-Work Challenge league and ride alongside teams from teams from all over the country, including the White House! All downtown Seattle teams are invited to join the Downtown Seattle league and ride for a chance to win a free pizza party, courtesy of Commute Seattle.

Do leagues have special prizes or events?

Members of a league can create league-specific incentives, contests, or events for members. Plan a happy hour for members of your neighborhood league, offer a pizza party for the team with the most trips, or organize a bike buddy system. The sky is the limit!

Can I communicate with other league members?

Yes! Any league members can post in league message boards at the bottom each league page.

Other cool features of the Commute Challenge you never knew existed

  • Message boards: make an announcement, schedule a happy hour, or start a conversation on the message boards at the bottom of each team or league page.
  • Social media features on the trip log page: Now you can LIKE bicycling even more by posting on Facebook and Twitter!
  • Challenge another rider or another team
  • Add Bike Month events from the trip log calendar to your personal calendar simply and easily. Heck, why now view and add the whole Bike Month calendar to your personal calendar?

Posted in Bike Month, Commute Challenge | 2 Comments »

DIY events: turn your workplace or neighborhood into a bicycling hotspot

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 by

Cascade Bicycle Club is rolling out an all-star line-up of events and activities for Bike Month. Now it’s your turn! We invite communities, companies, and individuals to produce your own Bike Month events.

All smiles at a 2012 Capitol Hill DIY station

Show your support for bicycling this May and turn your neighborhood or workplace into the most bike-friendly space in town. It’s  fun, easy and could turn your friend or coworker from a one-time rider into a year-round commuter. Cascade has some handy toolkits for organizing DIY events to help get you started.

 

Host a DIY commute station on F5 Bike to Work Day (or any day!)

Be a part of the largest rolling street party of the year! Tens of thousands of people will hit the road on F5 Bike to Work Day –Friday, May 17– as part of a nationally recognized celebration of bicycling, and you can be part of it simply and easily! Set up a morning commute station in your neighborhood or at your workplace and offer treats, giveaways and encouragement to passing bicyclists. Use our simple toolkit to get started and let Cascade know about your station so we can publicize it on our online commute station map. Email Mary at btw@cascadebicycleclub.org to register your station. Commute stations can be a simple or robust as you make it–the sky is the limit! Remember, you can organize a commute station anytime during the year and make every day bike to work day!

 

Host another DIY event

The possibilities for fun, easy DIY bike-related events are endless. Here are a few suggestions to get your coworkers, friends and neighbors excited about getting around town on two wheels.

Organize a ride

  • Ride with your CEO
  • Ride with your elected official
  • Neighborhood bike-ability audit
  • Themed costume ride
  • Kid-ical Mass neighborhood ride

Plan an events

  • Rally
  • Please feed the bicyclists (free breakfast or lunch at work)
  • Bicycle fashion show
  • Kids bicycle rodeo
  • Bicycle Happy Hour
  • Flash mobs and cash mobs
  •  Bike scavenger hunt
  • Full moon midnight alley cat ride
  • Bicycle film night

Random Acts of Bikey-ness

  • Group photos
  • Hand out flowers to passing cyclists
  • Post thank you notes on parked bicycles

 

 

Organizing a DIY event is your big opportunity to make Bike Month your own and give bicycling a boost in your community. Remember, more people riding helps build a stronger case for bicycling improvements and safer streets for everyone. Not to mention that your community will be a more pleasant place to be.

Posted in Bike Month | 2 Comments »

Bike Month events preview: celebrate with us!

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 by

Bike Month and the Commute Challenge start May 1! Whether you’re a novice rider or a veteran commuter, Cascade and community partners are rolling out a full lineup of fun, free events designed to celebrate your–and thousands of your fellow commuters’–choice to get around town by bike. Check out the complete schedule on the Bike Month website, sign up for the Commute Challenge presented by Adobe , ride on F5 Bike to Work Day, and make tracks!

 

Wednesday, May 1
2013 Commute Challenge presented by Adobe starts

It’s not too late to sign up for this free online trip-tracking contest and challenge yourself and others to ride as much as possible during May. Form a team of coworkers or friends, log your miles and earn great prizes (and bragging rights) just for riding your bike. Reach out to a newbie and invite them to your participate!

 

Thursday, May 2

Bike to Work Breakfast
7 – 9 a.m.
Sheraton Seattle Grand Ballroom

Elected officials, business leaders, and community members like you gather for an inspiring breakfast featuring keynote speaker Governor Jay Inslee. All proceeds benefit the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation.

 

Wednesday, May 8

National Bike to School Day

Ride with your child to school! Encourage your school to get involved today. www.cascade.org/bike-to-school.

Captain’s Bash
5 to 8 p.m.
Pike Brewery, 1415 1st Avenue, Seattle

Commute Challenge team captains are invited (+ one guest) to this legendary happy hour party at Seattle’s iconic Pike Brewery. The first two beers and hors d’oeuvres are on us. Awesome door prizes compliments of our generous Bike Month sponsors.

 

Friday, May 10

Bellevue Bike Appreciation Day

Ride on, eastside! Choose Your Way Bellevue prize patrol will be giving away great prizes all day to people on their bikes in Downtown Bellevue

Bikes and Bagels
7 to 9 a.m.
McGraw Square (5th Ave & Stewart St, Seattle)

Bike commuters are invited to stop by a celebration station hosted by Commute Seattle at McGraw Square (5th and Stewart streets) from 7am-9am to receive complementary coffee, bagels and fun prizes on your way to work.

 

Friday May 17

F5 Bike to Work Day Commute Stations
6 to 9 a.m.
All around the Puget Sound region

If you only commute by bike on one day per year, make it F5 Bike to Work Day. Stop by one of dozens of Commute Stations throughout the Puget Sound region to pick up free swag, treats and local bike maps. Have your bike checked for free by our fantastic bike shop partners, and enter the F5 Bike to work Day drawing for your chance to win great prizes. Find a station on your commute route on our online map.

 

F5 Bike to Work Day Mayor’s Ride
7 a.m.
KEXP Radio Station. 113 Dexter Ave N

Once again this year riders will meet at KEXP Radio Station to ride downtown together in an awe-inspiring mass of cyclists. While you’re at KEXP, you be able to enjoy music and complimentary coffee, Seattle Bagel Bakery mini-bagels, and bike checks from Performance Bicycle. After a live on-air interview from the Mayor, we will be joined by several prominent local government officials and depart by bike to City Hall at 7:45 a.m. for the big rally!

 

F5 Bike to Work Day Seattle Rally
8 to 8:30 a.m.
Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave, Seattle

Join Cascade Bicycle Club, your elected officials and other fun guest speakers for an inspiring program to recognize Puget Sound’s F5 Bike to Work Day.

 

Everett Celebration Ride
7:30 to 8 a.m.

Depart from Wall and Oakes Ave for a fun-filled ride to Everett Station. All participants receive a commemorative gift and are eligible to win prizes.

 

Thursday, May 23

UW Trail Party
4 to 7 p.m.
On the Burke-Gilman Trail at the UW campus

This annual event will be held in a bike commuter-friendly University of Washington park, adjacent to the Burke-Gilman Trail between Brooklyn Ave & University Way. We’ll feature music, free drawings every  hour for great prizes, bike tune ups, and other fun giveaways.

 

Friday, May 31

Commute Challenge presented by Adobe ends

Log your final trips by June 3!

 

Ballard Bike Street Party
3:30 to 7 p.m.
Bergen Place Park, Ballard

Don’t miss this massive bike block party in one of Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods to wrap up Bike Month. Bring your enthusiasm, grab a friend and take to the streets for an evening of bicycle-themed fun for everyone.

In partnership with KEXP we’ll have a live family-friendly music stage featuring local bands, and at 6:30pm you’ll have the opportunity to get up on stage and show off your riding outfit in our “Share Your Style” Fashion Show sponsored by Hub & Bespoke. Great prizes for all who participate!   We will also be announcing several special Bike Month awards, including Team Captain of the year and the Top School  from Bike To School Day

 

You’ll also be able to:

  • Sample food and beverages from Clif Bar, Nuun, and Theo Chocolate;
  • Get free bike assistance from mechanics from Second Ascent and Bike Sport;
  • Enjoy the official Bike Month Happy Hour party at The Balmar- great beer special 5-8pm:
  • Saddle up and take a spin on take a free ride on the original beer bike – Cycle Saloon
  • Up your bike style with products from Bern Helmets and Sweet Spot Skirts;
  • Participate in fun arts and crafts activities (great for younger riders!);
  • Learn about local bike infrastructure from SDOT and some of their community partners;
  • Stop by the Cascade booth to say hi and enter to win top prizes in our free onsite drawing.

We’ll have a massive bike corral to park your ride while you check out the party, and children, pets and families are welcome at this fun, all ages event.

 

Are you planning an event for Bike Month in your community or at your workplace? Let us know, and we may be able to publicize it on the Bike Month calendar. Email btw@cascadebicycleclub.org.

Posted in Bike Month, Commute Challenge, Commuting, Events | 5 Comments »

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