“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” —H.G. Wells
Board Items
2022 Budget approved.
General Meeting: 21 December 2021 @ 6:30 pm. Zoom link:
https://pugetsound-edu.zoom.us/j/86131066335
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 861 3106 6335
New Members
| John Stewart |
| Ernst Coumou |
| John Pfaffe |
| Gerald Carpenter |
| Douglas Dorr |
| Mike Flodin |
| Tom Petroski |
| Jim Steel |
| Teresa Gomez |
| Chad Smith |
| McNeil/Bristow |
| Larry Oden |
Biking along with Bob
Pandemic Anxiety Trips Reports Continued
On May 3, four of met up for an early season attempt at riding the Mountain Loop highway and area trails. Janet rode from Bellingham to Sedro Wooley and joined Kent, Thomas, Sue and myself to ride to Rasar State Park along the Cascade Trail. My friend Wayne tagged along for a few miles. From Rasar, we took back roads to try and stay at Squire Creek County Park for our next day attempt to ride the gravel pass over to Verlot USFS campground.
Unfortunately, it began to rain so we decided to stay in the motel in Darrington. Next morning, it was still wet and we could see snow on the nearby trees. It would be too wet and cold on Barlow Pass, so we decided to bail and ride the unpaved White Horse Rail Trail to Arlington where we stayed in another motel due to the wet conditions and no nearby camping.
Next day, Janet led us on the Centennial. Trail and onto Bayview State Park where we had dry conditions. We found a great Mexican gas station lunch counter along the way. We rode together for a few miles to the Chuckanut highway and an excellent bakery. Then, Janet headed back to Bellingham and we pedaled back to our cars in Sedro Wooley.
We made choices that resulted in a great trip in spite of the wet conditions. Next year, we hope to go in July for better weather as Barlow Pass still beckons us.
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Trail Development News
We participate in Leafline, a coalition of governments and nonprofits in the Puget Sound region. You can sign up as an individual if you like.
Last month, Leafline shared some important news about our trails up North. The City of Everett has obtained right of way to connect the Interurban North Trail to the Centennial Trail in Snohomish at its southern terminus. Snohomish County has funding to design the connection from the Centennial Trail in Arlington to the White Horse Trail that leads to the Town of Darrington.
Survey
It is from the Public Works Department and it leans toward unincorporated Pierce County, but you don’t have to live in Pierce County to respond, just reasonably near. Basically, they want to know if you get around outside your car, truck, motorcycle, atv and any other motorized means of transportation:
https://www.piercecountywa.gov/7415/Active-Transportation-Survey
Edgewoods Interurban Trail:
Link to our communication In support of the Interurban Trail Phase III:
Edgewood’s Interurban Trail (twbc.org)
Forevergreen Trails – Larry Leveen
Our last article mentioned that some of the shortcomings of the federal infrastructure legislation are addressed by the House reconciliation bill, also known as the Build Back Better Act (BBB). The BBB includes two new grant programs that are especially important for trail development:
- Community Climate Incentive Grants: ~$4 billion in grants for state and local projects that reduce carbon emissions, including zero-emission transportation options and those that reduce dependence on single-occupant vehicle trips.
- Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants: ~$4 billion in grants with eligibility for regional active-transportation networks and spines connecting between communities, and explicitly creates a mechanism for active-transportation connectivity grants.
The House passed its bill, so please contact your SENATORS right NOW and tell them to:
- Pass the Build Back Better Act in the Senate
- Include the Community Climate Incentive Grants & the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants programs @ $4 billion EACH
- Ensure that trails are an eligible use of those grant funds in the Senate version (they are in the House version)
Please take a few minutes to contact our senators right now AND spread the word to others to do so as well. We have a very narrow window of time to make an impact on this legislation yet together we could leave a legacy for generations in the trails we help fund!
– Senator Maria Cantwell: 1-888-648-7328
– Senator Patty Murray: 1-866-481-9186
Book Recommendation
In the City of Bikes — Pete Jordan
During the winter if you aren’t riding bicycles perhaps reading about them will do.
Very well documented but readable history of Amsterdam’s cycling from the 1890’s to today. Available from you know where. Here is the ISBN- 978-0061995200.
Happy Holidays!
Walt
Happy Cycling! – Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club