Bicycle Center Receives Coat Of Bright Green Paint



The Bicycle Center (4529 Sand Point Way NE), got a make-over on Saturday.

A volunteer group from University Presbyterian Church, chose the project, through their church program, "Love Your Neighborhood," and painted the somewhat delapidated building a bright light green, turqoise color. 

The program encourages church goers to "creat neighborhood through a substantial service project that meets a real need in the community."

The store, owned by John Marxer, survived an arson fire in October of 2005 which caused about $75,000 in damage. The upstairs housed an unoccupied, at the time,  two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment where two cats perished.

Since that time, parts of the building remained black from smoke damage and the broken apartment windows were never fixed causing it to be an "eyesore" as many neighbors have referred to it.

One of the volunteers told us that John Marxer, the owner, is friends with the Minister of their church and he bought a bike from John, and that was the connection for the church group to choose his store as their neighborhood fix-it project. We were also told that John's wife has cancer.

The group painted the building in about 5 hours and covered the broken windows with plastic, spray painted bright green as well.

John started the bike shop in 1969 and has been in that location for more than thirty five years.

Before picture of Bike shop
(courtesy of Tiffany S)

City's Taking Input On Bike Master Plan

 
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is taking input through a survey on the Bicycle Master Plan Update.

Here are some of the questions from the survey for Phase 2 of the Master Plan Process, which ends tonight:

·Draft citywide bicycle network map -are there streets missing a bike facility? Are there streets where a bike facility should be removed or relocated?

·Draft bicycle facility designation criteria-does it make sense?

·Proposed policy framework-do you have comments on the goals, or other recommended changes?

·Potential programs-which programs do you think will help us achieve the plan goals?
 

For more information and to to see the interactive online map go here.

Give Your Input On Bicycle Master Plan

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is seeking feedback on the Bicycle Master Plan Update:

Input on the following areas is being solicited:

• Citywide bicycle network map -are there streets missing a bike facility? Are there streets where a bike facility should be removed or relocated?
• Bicycle facility designation criteria-does it make sense?
• Proposed policy framework-do you have comments on the goals, or other recommended changes?
• Potential programs-which programs do you think will help us achieve the plan goals?

More information including materials, November public meeting presentation and an interactive online map are available here. 

 

Feedback is being accepted until Monday. Comments can be emailed to bmpupdate@seattle.gov.

 

(image courtesy of SDOT site)

2012 Seattle Bicycle Maps Now Available

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)'s new bike maps is now , including a pocket size version, are now available which include most recent bike projects, a variety of information on safe biking, rules of the road and descriptions with graphics of bike signs and permanent markings used in Seattle.

The map presents information about cycling in Seattle in a clear, easy-to-use, and friendly format. The 2012 edition includes a fresh cover, an updated maps and graphics and descriptions about facilities including green bike lanes, bike boxes, and bike dots.

To plan a trip ahead of time, an online bike map is available and routes can be selected by frequency of riding.

Go here to request a free copy or call the Bike Alliance of Washington at (206) 224-9252.
 
SDOT is also conducting a survey for riders to show where they make or would like to makei bike trips using the interactive mapping tool as it updates its 2012 master plan which recommends a 450-mile network of bike facilities that, when fully implemented by 2017, puts more than 95 percent of Seattle’s residents within one-quarter mile of a bike facility. 

Bicycle T-Shirt Design Contest Underway

A reader passed along this information received from Jay with the Bicycle Alliance of Washington:

Calling all Artists and Bicyclists!

Now more than ever we need to promote the message of “Share the Road” to increase safety for all roadway users.

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is excited to announce its Share the Road t-shirt design contest.

Deadline is midnight October 14, 2011 and there is no entry fee. Prize is a $100 gift certificate to REI. See attached flyer for details.

Email your design to info@bicyclealliance.org; subject line “Share the Road Design Contest” or deliver to 309A Third Avenue South - Seattle WA 98104

Some guidelines:
 Art must be original and not published elsewhere.
 Submitted art will not be returned.
 A panel of judges will select the winner.
 Bicycle Alliance may modify the artwork to meet print requirements.
 T-shirts will be produced on marina blue Patagonia Capilene ® T-shirts.
 Winner’s name may appear in newspapers, on Bicycle Alliance website and other
communications.

Design Specifications
 High resolution 300dpi or higher – eps, jpeg, tiff, pdf, psd, ai (illustrator) formats are all
acceptable.
 Design must use the words “Share the Road.”
 Bicycle Alliance of Washington logo must appear on shirt (color or black and white). Image
can be copied from the homepage of our website http://www.bicyclealliance.org/
 Images must fit in the range of 15” wide by 18” height front and back. Shirts will be printed
with standard front and back locations in the middle of the shirt.

Go here for complete information.

Important Information On Bike Safety From Seattle Police

Here is some important bike information from Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precicnt Crime Prevention Coordinator:

Bicycle Thefts:

• There have been 97 bikes stolen from the North Precinct neighborhoods in the last 6 months.
• SPD Burglary detectives see stolen bikes being sold within hours of the theft on e-bay, Craigslist, in pawn shops and even on the street (one thief was selling stolen bikes on the Burke Gilman Trail).
• The reported dollar loss for these thefts is approximately $80,000.
• To prevent losing your bike and increase the likelihood of getting it back should it be stolen - SPD Detectives recommend writing down the serial number (bike’s head tube, seat post tube, under the crank, or on the frame’s rear wheel mount) of your bike and keeping the number in a safe place.
• Take a picture of your bicycle.
• If your bike is stolen, call SPD to report the crime, giving the serial number and any other identifying marks for your bicycle.
• Try to obtain a police incident number that you can use for your insurance claim.

 

 

Safety Of Your Bike:

 

• Always lock your bike, the whole bike (through the frame and both wheels) and use more than one kind of lock if possible. Our detectives report bolt cutters are used to cut through the locking devices.
• Register the lock and get the serial number if the lock’s manufacturer offers a warranty or insurance on the lock.
• Lock your bike to something permanent.
• Lock it in a visible spot and someplace nearby.
• Lock your bike even if you are parking it on a porch; in the basement, the garage or storage unit.
• Storing your bike inside is preferred.