May 2014
Toward zero deaths
Heard at the front desk
By Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director
By Dave Eggleston, Front Desk Operative
When I first heard about the goal to get to zero traffic fatalities, I thought it was an unrealistic goal. But over the years, my perspective has shifted. It began the last time I was in Seattle, in 2006, to start a crosscountry bicycle trip from Seattle to Washington, D.C. Three days into that ride, on a clear, beautiful day on a wide, flat road, one of the riders was struck from behind and killed. The driver was looking at her baby and didn’t see the cyclist, she said. I rode to Spokane that day, subdued and slow. I rode all the way to D.C., past the fearsome logging trucks in Montana, and past the crash that took out two additional riders (both alive, thankfully) in Indiana. After that trip, at my work at the League of American Bicyclists, I started to see that we can make a difference with a goal of zero traffic deaths. I launched a program, titled Every Bicyclist Counts, and personally tried to track the death of every cyclist in the country. It was heartbreaking work. And tonight, I type this from my dad’s hospital room in Houston, Texas. Just seven months ago, he was attacked on his bike, and the kids who took his beloved Gunnar also broke three of his ribs and his collarbone. Now he’s in the hospital again. This week, he was back on his bike, starting to train for STP, when he was struck by a car. He
It happens to all of us. You can’t recall your password when it’s time to register for a class, check out membership status or do an add-on item for STP. If this happens to you, follow these steps: 1. Click “Sign In” at the top of the screen 2. Click “Request New Password” 3. An email will be sent to you with a link to use to reset your password
John Preston recovering in the hospital
sustained six broken ribs, a cracked vertebra and a broken thumb. But he’s alive, and for that I am endlessly grateful. Enough is enough. I know this isn’t just about my dad or my stories—all cyclists, all pedestrians, even most drivers have stories about calls that are way too close, crashes that missed by a hair, or worse, loved ones who did not survive. I’m committed to zero traffic deaths. I’m committed to safer streets for cars, bikes, buses and pedestrians. I’m committed to slower speeds and an end to distracted driving. Cascade is working on our strategic plan and we are talking about road safety and what we can do about it. I want to hear from you. Send your ideas to elizabeth.kiker@ cascadebicycleclub.org.
If you don’t see that email within five minutes, check the junk or spam folders of your email account. The emails sometimes get filtered by the providers into these other folders. If you still can’t find the email from Cascade or if the link in the email doesn’t function for some reason, do not create a new account if you can’t login! Instead, call us at (206) 522-3222 or email info@ cascadebicycleclub.org and we’ll help you. Any future questions for our front desk? Call us at (206) 522-3222 or email info@cascadebicycleclub.org.
Bike to School Challenge ramps up! By Shannon Koller, Director of Education
A record 53 schools are registered to participate in the Bike to School Challenge so far this year! A newcomer to the Bike to School arena is Pacific Crest School in the Ballard/Fremont area. A number of dedicated parents at the school have organized an astounding seven events to educate and encourage kids throughout Bike Month, including “Wide World of Bikes” and “Cycles in Nature”. They will also join other Ballard Bikes schools riding in the Syttende Mai parade on May 17. Setting the bar high for middle schools, the programs run by Eckstein and Denny International parents, are also in motion. Twentyseven students turned out for a bike event at Eckstein even before the start of Bike Month! Jose Banda, Seattle Public School Superintendent, will be riding alongside the kids and families of Alki Elementary in West Seattle on Bike to School Day on May 7.
Why would your school want to be involved in Bike to School Month? Not only for the glory of receiving the “Golden Pedal Award”, awarded to the school that accumulates the most minutes of biking, but also for the fabulous prizes. This year the high school student who rides the most minutes in May will be awarded two bibs in the sold-out Seattle to Portland ride. Three new bikes are also up for grabs for elementary, K-8 and middle school students. An overnight bike trip is being offered to the top middle school team as part of the new middle school team challenge. Check out our website for details and to register. It’s not too late to celebrate bike month or Bike to School Day at your school. Contact Shannon Koller at shannonk@ cascadebicycleclub.org to get signed up! cascade.org/bts
Photo by Bryan Urakawa
This is what happens when you take your 3-year-old to see [artistic cyclists] Corinna Hein, Stefan Musu and Lukas Matla at the Seattle Bike Expo. Thanks for submitting this photo, Bryan! If you have a photo you’d like to share, please send it to amrook@cascadebicycleclub.org. 2
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