Archive for the ‘Southeast Seattle Bikes’ Category

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Momentum gaining to make Southeast Seattle more bikeable

Monday, August 27th, 2012 by

Or at least the stage is being set.

Earlier this month, Cascade’s Bicycle Ambassadors headed down to Columbia City to lead a kid’s bicycle parade in the Rainier Valley Heritage Parade. People decorated and displayed their bicycles and family bicycle fun was had.

A big question that I came away with is why can’t I feel this comfortable bicycling in Rainier Valley all the time? There are a few movements afoot and the opportunity to get involved is right now.

From Bike Works:

HELP DESIGN A GREENWAY FOR RAINIER VALLEY- Easy, Safe, Enjoyable walking and biking for everyone!!

Have you ever thought, “I’d love to walk to the store, but that street crossing is too dangerous”?  Or, “I wish I felt comfortable biking my kids to school, but there’s no good route”?  Would you like to make the Rainier Valley a fun and inviting place to walk and bike around, while also providing easy and clear routes for drivers?  Then come on down to Bike Works and start the Labor Day weekend right with a Neighborhood Greenways gathering!  Draw your favorite biking and walking routes on the Rainier Valley map.  Pinpoint the things you love and hate about walking and biking in your neighborhood, or places you think are dangerous.

Enjoy the satisfaction of being involved in building a network of safe streets through the Rainier Valley, making it easy and low-stress to get around by foot, car, bus, and bike, for kids, adults, and people of all skill levels.  Once we have data from a bunch of folks Rainier Valley Greenways will apply for funding through the city (via the Bike Master Plan and others) to address the issues and make it real!  Cookies, snacks, drinks, maps, and thought-provoking discussion provided.  Join in!

Friday, Aug. 31 6 to 7:30 p.m. At Bike Works- 3709 S. Ferdinand, Seattle WA  98118

Wednesday, Sept. 5 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Library Meeting Room, 9125 Rainier Ave S

See you there!

Posted in Greenways, Southeast Seattle Bikes | No Comments »

Explore new public art bike route in Kent with free Earthworks Bicycle Tour

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 by

Have you ever been to the Herbert Bayer Earthwork, the Robert Morris Earthwork, the Green River Natural Resource Area, or Lorna Jordan’s Waterworks Garden? These four iconic landscapes in Kent, Seatac and Renton are internationally recognized, but not well known locally, despite existing in our regional back yard.

The Kent Arts Commission wants to see that change.

They are inviting everyone to experience these extraordinary land art reclamation projects, by bike! The Kent Arts Commission has developed what will be a permanent, signed bike route connecting the four earthworks, and has partnered with Cascade to celebrate the opening of the new route with a free inaugural ride on Saturday, June 2. (more…)

Posted in Events, Kids on bikes, Southeast Seattle Bikes | 7 Comments »

What’s a whistle stop?

Thursday, November 10th, 2011 by

Back in the day, a whistle stop or a whistle stop tour was where a politician would ride the train around stumping for his political campaign.

Last Saturday I headed down to the Othello light rail station’s very own whistle stop, except it was a little different. All the who’s who of community development of the southend was at the grand-opening of the Whistle-Stop Co-op. Deputy Mayor Daryl Smith, Bike Works, Councilmember Sally Clark, Rainier Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susan Davis to name a few. All there to celebrate a bike and coffee shop that evolved from the grassroots level. There wasn’t much political soapboxing that I could see. More of a celebration of what grassroots dreams can accomplish.

Dick and Mona, the primary owners of the shop, started the shop with the hopes that it will become a neighborhood gathering space for idea sharing and for wrenching on bikes. This is sure to be helped by the fact that the shop is located right next the Link Light Rail station and the Othello Market.

Mona Lee (co-founder of Whistle Stop) and Darryl Smith (Deputy Mayor)

Sounds to me that this whistle stop will be less like a politicians pulpit and more like a place for all of us to share our passionate ideas.

Not only that, right near the Whistle Stop Co-op at Othello and MLK, Sound Transit has also installed some new bike lockers.

Posted in Around town, Bike shops, Southeast Seattle Bikes, Transit | No Comments »

Attention south-Seattleites! Your multi-modal commute just got easier

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 by

Photo credit: Rainier Valley Post

You may know this feeling. You leave a restaurant (or a bar, or a coffee shop, or your office). You scan the surrounding intersections. You locate the closest bike rack. And your bike’s not on it.

Panic sets in for a few seconds. It’s been stolen! Your U-lock failed you, or a clever thief unbolted the rack. Either way, the bike is gone.

And then you realize that you parked it down the block.

Anyone?

Even if you don’t relate, leaving your bike parked on a rack probably causes you some anxiety. And leaving it parked all day in the rain at the light rail station while you’re toiling away at work? I might be speaking only for myself here, but it’d be more than I could handle. Plus, no one likes a wet saddle.

Luckily, Sound Transit has you covered. They’ve opened new secure lockers for up to 46 bikes at the new bike plaza at Columbia City Station. Lockers are available at the Othello and Rainier Beach stations, too.

The plaza was built in partnership with the federal government, which, according to Sound Transit, paid more than 85 percent of the cost. Since Link opened in 2009, they’ve added space for 125 additional bicycles at Link stations, and they’re looking to add even more in transit facilities throughout the region.

Want to sign up? Here’s the fine print: The bike lockers are rented on an annual basis for $50 plus a refundable one-time $50 key deposit. For more information on bike locker availability and to sign up visit www.soundtransit.org/bicycles or call 1-888-889-6368.

To sweeten the deal, they’re even offering a special Bicycle Commuter Welcome Kit to new locker renters in the Rainer Valley that includes an ORCA card loaded with $10 to help get you started. But hurry — it’s a limited-time offer.

The new lockers in Columbia City lockers complement recent City of Seattle projects which striped new bike lanes on South Columbian Way from Beacon Hill to the station.

Which means that all you reluctant bike-rail commuters are out of excuses. We’ll see you at the station!

Posted in Commuting, Southeast Seattle Bikes, Transit | No Comments »

Othello Street corridor to see improvements, and a new community bike shop opens

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 by

Hey southeast Seattle residents! Did you like the road re-channelization SDOT did to Columbian Way? I thought it was pretty great.

Before

After

Photos courtesy of SDOT

And I am not just talking about the bike lanes. Check out the sidewalk, trees and center turn lane. It’s a Complete Street!

But head a little further south to Othello/Myrtle St., and we’ll find a street that could be safer for everybody who uses it. On Thursday night from 6 – 7:30 p.m.  at the New Holly Gathering Hall you have an opportunity as a user, resident, pedestrian, and/or bicyclist to provide input on the changes that will be coming to this corridor.

Per the Rainier Valley Post.

Neighbors in this south Rainier Valley community have been advocating for improvements along the Othello Street corridor for two years.

Now, thanks to a grant from the Neighborhood Street Fund, they’re hoping the east-west arterial that connects the Seward Park and Brighton neighborhoods with Othello Park, Othello Station, New Holly and Beacon Hill will be a safer place for everyone, including vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The project is expected to begin with the design phase this winter and start construction sometime next spring or summer.

Learn more about the project at an open house at New Holly Gathering Hall (3815 S Othello St) on Thur., Nov. 3, from 6 to 7:30 pm.

For more information, contact Neighborhood Street Fund Program Manager Thérèse Casper at therese.casper@seattle.gov or 206-684-8764.

Improvements are coming to S. Myrtle and S. Othello St. between Beacon Ave. S. and Seward Park Ave. S. Project goals include improving safety by reducing speeding and collisions.

While you’re thinking about the great improvements to the area, make sure to welcome Seattle’s newest community bike shop, the Whistle Stop Co-op, where it’s all about bikes, bagels and beverages. Their grand opening is Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. See you there!

Posted in Bike shops, Complete streets, Road & Trail News, Southeast Seattle Bikes | No Comments »

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