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Golden Spoke Awards

Recognizing Advocacy Achievements

by Larry Leveen

Congressional Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) once said that cyclists and pedestrians are an "indicator species" of a community's livability. Like real species, cyclists and pedestrians are attracted or repelled by the characteristics of their environment - the community. Under the influence of single land-use and auto-centered transportation planning, we have drastically impacted the bike and pedestrian "habitat." In a sense, cyclists and pedestrians are an endangered species, since people often chose to drive rather than bike or walk (regardless of the fact that many commute and errand trips are less than five miles in length).

Just as there are people that seek to protect and improve the habitat for plants and animals, there are individuals that seek to improve conditions in our community for cyclists and pedestrians. These bike and pedestrian advocates take many forms: a citizen at a public hearing, a public official in office, a staff person that goes the extra mile or a business that seeks not just to occupy a space in the community, but to give back to it as well. Some advocates are very visible, others are not. Regardless, they all have significant effect in our communities, enhancing the bike and pedestrian environment. These individuals deserve recognition for their hard work. The Capital Bicycling Club recently did just that, awarding several individuals, agencies and groups "Golden Spoke Awards" for their outstanding work in improving the state of cycling in the club's "jurisdiction." The categories and recipients are as follows:

Multimodal Category: Intercity Transit (IT). IT has made transit (arguably an "indictor species" itself) around our communities very bike-friendly, featuring bike racks on all buses and even some vanpools. Additionally, there are bike racks and bike lockers at both transit stations. Two IT employees, Tom Sjervold and Dane Clay, are deserving of special mentions for their consistent involvement in bike promotion, such as organizing the "Wrenchers' Ball" bike tune-up for the annual Bicycle Commuter Contest.

Municipal Category: The City of Olympia Public Works Department deserves recognition for its timely response to the "Spot Improvement Postcards" that they receive from cyclists and pedestrians. Public Works employee Sally Blonien personally contacts individuals who send in cards to let them know their concerns have been noted and what response the city is taking. If that pothole you complained about hasn't been filled yet, be patient, many of the repairs require fair weather conditions, which have only recently returned to our communities.

Regional Category: Bernie Main, City of Lacey employee, for her outstanding work on the Regional Bicycle Advisory Committee. Ms. Main invested a lot of extra time and energy in the creation of bike route classification standards for the local jurisdictions in Thurston County. This will help to ensure that cross-jurisdictional bike routes are consistent.

Non-profit Category:

1. The Energy Outreach Center received an award for its long-term commitment to cycling as a practical mode of transportation in Thurston County. Under the guidance of Dave Catterson, Transportation Programs Coordinator, the center has facilitated the Regional Bicycle Advisory Committee, co-sponsored Bike Advisory Committee training seminars, co-managed creation of a municipal bike route map and a bicycle commute guide and this past May, held its Tenth Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest.
2. Brenda Belski, Mike Cobb & Ian Hanna of Olympia Community Bikes also receive an award, for promotion of bicycle transportation in downtown Olympia. The organization has responsibly carried out a large and gutsy "social experiment" by providing free-to-use bikes in downtown Olympia. Word has it that Olympia Community Bikes can always use more volunteers to keep those pink bikes a-rolling. If interested, please give them a call at 709-8769. #}

   Business Category: Jo Mama's Pizza is one of the most bike friendly businesses in the entire region. Not only does Joe Mama's have a bike rack, but they will supply customers a lock for customers who don't have one. Joe Mama's also promotes alternative travel modes through their innovative "Mama Miles" policy which gives a discount to those walking, busing or biking to get to the restaurant. Congratulations to Jo Mama's and thanks for being such a great example of what businesses can do to promote sensible transportation and livable communities.

   Ralph's Thriftway and Bayview Thriftway also deserve special mention for their prominent bike racks, which have been installed close to the buildings' entrances.

   Media Category: a tie!

   1. Fritz Stout & Maggie Miller-Stout have been long-time hosts of Cycle Babble, on Tuesdays at 5:30pm on 89.3 FM KAOS. On their show, Fritz and Maggie focus on all things relating to bicycles, from repair and ride information to advocacy.
   2. Char Simon, writer for The Olympian, has promoted the sport of cycling and made readers aware of local bike events and has covered bike transportation issues, such as the ability to take bikes on Amtrak. Special mention also goes to Brian Clark of The Olympian for his coverage of Bike Fest, bicycle commuting and recreational riding. #}

      State Agency Category: Dick Nuse and John Moffat of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission receive an award for their helpful Non-motorized Safety Mini-grant Program. WTSC has been present at regional and statewide bicycle transportation conferences, have been very accessible to bike advocates and willing to discuss issues and share safety information. Their agency has funded several local projects such as the Spot Improvement Postcard Program, Bike Safety Education, Helmet Giveaways, a rewrite of the Washington State Bicycle Laws pamphlet and the Bicycle Commute Guide.

      Special Mention Category:

      Three individuals received Golden Spoke Awards for their work in bike advocacy:

      1. Jim Lazar has been a constant presence in the local bike advocacy scene for several years and currently Chairs the Olympia Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
      2. Toril Frost has given a lot of her seemingly limitless energy to the Bicycle Commute Contest for a few years and also sits on the board of Olympia Community Bikes.
      3. Erica Guttman, who recently returned to Olympia, has been deeply involved in bike advocacy, safety education and promotion. #}

         Larry Leveen is the Government Affairs Coordinator of the Capital Bicycling Club and a bicycle mechanic.

         
         

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