The

Advocate
The Bicycle Alliance Advocates for Bicyclists and a Bicycle-Friendly Washington
December 2006

14th Annual Auction THE BEST EVER!

“Hugely successful!” streets which don’t simply encourage more cars and congestion,
but instead encourage people to walk or ride a bicycle, safely and
“This space is wonderful; I love having lots of room at the silent
comfortably. Luckily for
auction tables.” “The live auction was terrific!”
all of us, the Bicycle Al-
These were just some of the enthusiastic guest comments over- liance is working hard
heard as the 14th Annual Bicycle Alliance wound down last month. to make sure that Wash-
Auctioneer Dennis Caldirola exclaimed, “In the four years I’ve ington is covered with
been the Bicycle Alliance auctioneer, I’ve seen a wonderful change Complete Streets.” And
in quality of merchandise, more spirited bidding, and tremendous luckily for us, auction
growth.” attendees responded

Every aspect of the auction was more successful than ever be-
fore: 429 bidders, first-rate wines from Wineglass Cellars and other
well to Daniel’s
notable Washington vineyards, good beer from New Belgium
request for funding
Brewery, and plentiful fine food from Twelve Baskets Catering.
and raised $15,000.
Another great success this year was led by summer intern Nancy MacKerrow
Daniel Heller, who called for funding for a Complete Streets policy of Spokane and Cas-
statewide. In Daniel’s words, “This summer as an intern for the cade Bicycle Club
Bicycle Alliance, I saw the future. It was a complete street and contributed substan-
it was beautiful. It serves all people, regardless of their form of tially to the request.
transportation. Imagine your tax money being spent on creating
Thanks to everyone who attended, donated auction items, and
bought items, and to all who contribute year-round to helping make
Washington bike-friendly. And a super-duper HUGE thanks to the
Eight Years and dozens of volunteers who make the auction run so smoothly.

Moving On
Photographs by Susan Hiles

Barbara Culp
At the November 17th board meeting, I announced
my decision to resign on or before April 2007. 
I started in November 1998 as the third Executive
Director of the organization, and look forward to
helping the board find my successor.  I plan to
travel and bicycle in France in the late spring, come N
TO
home to garden, travel some more, and then look WASHING
for part-time work to pay our mortgage.  It’s been a B
great 8 years, and I’ll write more about my decision K
and plans over the next few months.

The board has formed a recruitment committee

that has placed the job description and application
timeline at bicyclealliance.org. Over 1,700 plates sold!

S hare the R oad license plates available at any vehicle licensing office or get a mail - in application at B icycle A lliance . org
 The Advocate (  ) December  2006

NEWS from around the state

Bicycle Alliance Mini-Grant in Moses Lake
Helps Solve Safe Routes to School Problem
by Dennis Parr

In January 2005, the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) A ribbon cutting celebration was held at Longview Elementary
of Longview Elementary School in Moses Lake, Washington on November 17, 2006. A large crowd of supporters – including
applied for and received a mini-grant for safe and active routes to Longview’s students, parents and PTSO members, school admin-
school from the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. istration, city and county officials, the Washington DOT, and the

This mini-grant provided seed money for Moses Lake’s

Longview Elementary School to begin to address some
very serious and unsafe conditions, especially along Maple
Drive, one of the main routes children use to bicycle and
walk to school. Specifically, the mini-grant provided funds
for a professional engineering transportation study to plan
and design a program for safer routes.

Based on the findings and recommendation of this

transportation study, the Longview Elementary PTSO
then worked collaboratively with the Moses Lake School
Administration, Moses Lake Trails Planning Team, Grant
County Public Works, and the City of Moses Lake Commu-
nity Development and Municipal Services Department to
identify a seven-point remediation program of engineering
improvements, educational programs and crossing guard
and enforcement programs. Bike Alliance – attended this event to celebrate successful comple-
tion of the project. This project provides testimony of what can be
The remediation program’s implementation was funded by a
achieved when concerned citizens, organizations and city, county
$132,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Transpor-
and state agencies come together in a spirit of cooperation to solve
tation (DOT) Safe Routes to School Program, a $25,000 grant from
a problem. Many thanks go to the Bicycle Alliance of Washington
the Grant County Paths and Trails Fund and a $6,000 dollar grant
for all their support.
from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.

Fish Lake Trail Action Group

The Fish Lake Trail Action Group is up and running
in Spokane. This new group of trail supporters is
working with the City of Spokane to secure funds
to complete the Fish Lake Trail between Spokane
and Cheney. Mayor Dennis Hession has requested
$2 million from the Governor’s budget toward the
trail and the Fish Lake Trail Action Group has sent a
letter of support to the Governor. The group’s next
meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2007 at 6:30pm,
location to be determined. For more informa-
tion about the group, contact Louise McGrody at
206.224.9252 or louisemc@bicyclealliance.org, or
Dan Schaffer at traildan@comcast.net.
Share the Road Plates Generating Revenue
We have received nearly $16,000 in Share the Road license plate revenue as of
mid-November! As license plate sales and renewals continue, so will the revenue.
By the time you read this article we expect over 1,700 plates will have sold.
We continue to distribute posters and cards to bike shops and car dealerships,
so if you want to help do that, please contact Dave Janis at 206.224.9252,
or DaveJ@bicyclealliance.org.
Applications for the plates can be downloaded from our website at
bicyclealliance.org/shareplate/share-road_app.pdf
To those who bought a plate,
thanks for your support in spreading the message!
BOARD BALLOT
Please vote for one or all of the following candidates.
Mail your ballot to PO Box 2904, Seattle, WA98111 or email your vote to Bikeinfo@bicyclealliance.org
❑ ­Sarah Armstrong
Sarah is retired from the Port of Tacoma where she was a Project Manager for three
years, responsible for the design, contracting and construction of engineering and
environmental projects. Prior to the Port of Tacoma, she held numerous positions at
the Port of Seattle for 27 years, including construction inspection, Resident Engineer,
contracts, Marine Maintenance Facilities Manager and Tribal Liaison Officer
Sarah enjoys multi-sports, including road bicycling, mountain biking, hiking,
backpacking, mountaineering and rock climbing. She returned to bicycling in 2000
after many years. She started by commuting to work, became a member of the West
Sound Cycling Club (WSCC) and has been an active road biker and ride leader, including
week-long bike trips and assisting with fundraising rides such as the Tour de Kitsap
and RAPSody. She participated in the 2005 Bicycle Alliance Lobby Day. In addition,
she has recently been assisting the WSCC’s President, Phil Talarico, with bike safety
presentations at a local school and at a Boy Scouts Bike Rodeo.
Sarah views joining the Bicycle Alliance Board as a unique opportunity to become
actively engaged in promoting bicycle activity and education. She enjoys bicycling and
effecting change to allow the activity to be safer and more family friendly. She believes
that more bicyclists will promote more bicycling. “More bicycling will contribute to
a cleaner and a more healthy environment and society. Barriers include not only safe
routes, but rideable routes for kids, commuters, and families. Maintained pavement,
swept pavement, roadway clearances wide enough to accommodate bicyclists, plus
driver’s education regarding bicycles on the highway are part of the rideable route
makeup.” Sarah would like to make a difference in increasing the use of the bicycle
as a sport of fun and as an important mode of transportation.
❑ ­Molly Johnson: Incumbent
Molly has been biking in the Pacific Northwest since the summer of 2001. She joined
the Seattle Bicycle Club where she was involved with the club as a rider, ride leader and
ride director in late 2002. She was the President of Seattle Bicycle club (SBC) for 2003.
In 2004 she was the SBC’s Past President as well as a committee member for RAPSody.
Molly enjoys being involved with area bicycling clubs, leading rides, planning events and
being involved with activities that will help the greater good of the bicycling community.
She usually enjoys more of the country type rides since these are usually safer, quieter
and very scenic. She likes to get in touch with nature and loves different recreational
outlets such as hiking, kayaking, walking, cross-country skiing, camping and any activity
associated with the outdoors. She loves the Pacific Northwest for all it has to offer.
Molly would like to see more bicycling opportunities offered to our residents in
the Pacific Northwest. Safer routes, better commuter and recreational routes (i.e.
accessibility, better links to other modes of transportation such as buses) and more
events are desirable to support the bicycling community without being penalized as
a minority group (i.e. fees to our local/state government to use roads that are already
paid by our tax dollars). Molly looks forward to continue serving on The Bicycle Alliance
of Washington’s board and being an active member in the bicycling community. She is
currently involved in the racing community. She is interested in continuing to help with
events and auctions where she feels she will really succeed with her organizational,
social and sales skills.
❑ ­Kristin Kinnamon: Incumbent
Kristin currently serves as co-chair of the Legislative Committee of the Bicycle Alliance
Board. She is in marketing and promotions for Community Transit, Snohomish County’s
public transportation provider. Previously she was a public information coordinator
(media relations person) for Community Transit. Prior to her six years at CT, she spent
10 years as an editor and reporter for weekly newspapers in Snohomish County.
Kristin has been involved in Bicycle Advocacy and has coordinated Snohomish County’s
participation in Bike to Work Day since 2001. She just finished three terms as
president of the Snohomish County BIKES Club. She helped create Snohomish
County’s first bike map in 2004. She is involved in the Snohomish-Arlington Trail
Coalition, which works to support expansion of the Centennial Trail. She is a member
of the Ride Around Puget Sound organizing team.   can be that voice.
Kristin is also an active volunteer with Sharing Wheels, an Everett-based non-profit that
“connects unused bikes to people who need wheels.” Sharing Wheels is similar to Bike
Works in Seattle and has bike programs for low income children, teens, and adults.
She has commuted to work by bus and bike (and now vanpool, too) at least three
days a week year-round for several years and also vacations by bike, touring portions
of France, Canada and the western U.S. self-supported.
❑ ­Bobby Mullins: Incumbent
Bobby was born and grew up in Dallas, Texas. He first began bicycling on a “bike shop
quality bike” his senior year in high school, and completed his first century (The Hotter
‘n Hell Hundred) in 1987. After completing college with a degree in Criminal Justice, he
spent a summer in Glacier National Park, where he met his wife, and two summers in
Denali Park, Alaska. In 1992 Bobby moved to Austin and began working at REI.  After
a brief stay in North Carolina, Bobby and his family moved to Seattle in 1996.
Bobby is currently the Operations Manager at the Seattle REI store. He and his wife
Kimball have a 6 year old son and 3 year old daughter, who both enjoy bicycling. One of
his goals is to bicycle across the country with his family in 2012. He has been a member
of BAW for several years, and also served a two-year term on the City of Seattle’s Bicycle
Advisory Board.  He is a dedicated everyday bike commuter and touring cyclist. 
❑ ­Thom Skaanland: Incumbent
Thom has had a passion for cycling for over 40 years, including bicycle commuting for
the last 35 years. He commutes by bicycle when he is not traveling as an environmental
compliance auditor, and he encourages others to commute by bicycle for their health
and to protect our environment.
Thom and his wife enjoy recreational cycling on either a tandem or singles; they both
cycle for various non-profit fundraisers, including a fundraiser ride from Seattle to
Washington D.C. in 2005. The cross-country trip reinforced for Thom how blessed all
cyclists are who ride in Washington State. The work of the Bicycle Alliance has been
essential to preserving existing cycle routes, developing new bike infrastructure and
making bicycling safer for all types of bicycle riders.
As a rural King County resident, Thom brings a combined perspective to bicycling: as a
bicycle commuter to Federal Way and as a recreational rider. He would appreciate the
opportunity to continue serving on the Board alongside the Bike Alliance’s staff and
members as we continue to strengthen cycling state-wide.
❑ ­Mark Thomas: Incumbent
Mark Thomas serves as the Treasurer of the Bicycle Alliance and sits on its Executive
Board. Mark is an avid long-distance road cyclist and a bicycle commuter. He is currently
the president of the Seattle International Randonneurs and of Randonneurs USA,
organizations devoted to long-distance riding. Mark is the co-owner, with his wife Chris,
of Sammamish Valley Cycle in Redmond. Mark and Chris have two teenage children and
live in Redmond. When not in wool and lycra cycling gear, Mark also works as the CFO
of SinglePoint, a wireless data company in Bellevue.
❑ ­Jane Whicher
Jane Whicher is an attorney with 30 years of practice.  She worked for the ACLU of
Illinois for 20 years, specializing in First Amendment litigation.  She retired from the
ACLU and moved to Port Townsend in early 2004.  She is a member of the Washington
bar, but her practice now is largely pro bono:  She volunteers her time to represent
community groups and small non-profits.  She is the president of the Port Townsend
Bicycle Association (actually, she prefers to be called the Supreme Allied Commandress),
a member of the city’s Nonmotorized Transportation Advisory Board, and the chair of the
Jefferson County Chapter of the ACLU.  Jane has substantial familiarity with nonprofits
and advocacy groups, having served on many boards over the years, and having and
worked as a volunteer as well. 
 Jane is primarily a road cyclist.  She commuted by bike while living in Chicago.  In
2004 she rode across country from Anacortes to Bar Harbor.  She rides between 5,000
and 6,000 miles a year. 
 Over the last year or so, Jane has worked with Barb Culp on trying to straighten out
the WSDOT policy for bicycle events. She has been impressed not just with Barb’s
commitment but also by the fact that she and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington
command the respect of both other advocates and government officials.  Cyclists
frequently need to speak with one voice in order to succeed in advocacy, and BAW
  
Jane would like to see BAW’s membership numbers increase (“I know the membership
numbers have grown substantially in the last few years, but it seems to me that 2500
is a low figure for a state as like ours with so many avid cyclists”).  In addition, she
would like to see BAW’s advocacy efforts strengthened even more, and to see the
organization’s visibility enhanced so that when people think of cycling, they think
of the Bicycle Alliance.
 The Advocate (  ) December  2006

Support A Bicycle-Friendly Washington

Join the Bicycle Alliance of Washington Today!

YES, I would like to become a member of

the Bicycle Alliance of Washington
 $25 Individual
 $50 Sponsor Name
 $100 Patron Individuals signing up at these levels will
 $250 Sustaining receive Bike Alliance gloves. Address
 $500 Life Circle size: L XL City, State, Zip
 $15 Student/Senior or Living Lightly
Please charge my:
 $100 Organization  American Express  Visa  Mastercard
 $250 Sustaining Clubs, shops, or businesses signing up at this Card #
level will be listed in the Bike Alliance newsletter.
Expires Signature
 I am already a member – this is a renewal.
 I am interested in monthly giving. Phone E-mail
 I would like to volunteer.  My check is enclosed
 I would like to receive email alerts.  My gift will be matched by my employer:
 I would like more information. Please include employer form.
Make/Send checks payable to: The Bicycle Alliance of Washington
The Bicycle Alliance occasionally exchanges its mailing list with organizations involved in PO Box 2904,
similar issues. If you DO NOT want to have your name exchanged, please check here.  Seattle, WA 98111

Thank you! The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

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