Friday, May 18, was the first Burien Bike Day, and it was a rolling success! Presented by WABI Burien, (our local Walk/Bike Organization), Burien Bike Day overlapped National Bike Day and Bike to Work Day, encouraging people to choose a bike for commuting, running errands, having fun with friends and family and getting some old-fashioned exercise.
Burien Bike Day 2012 - Photo by Brooks Stanfield
WABI, along with Bicycles West, Freggies, Burien Press and Grand Central Bakery, hosted a morning Bike Commuter Support Station at Burien Town Square for Burienites pedaling their way either to work or the Transit Center. From 6:00am to 9:00am, the station offered fresh organic snacks, cool giveaways, coupons, and a gathering place for folks giving bicycle-commuting a try. The Station also had the mechanical pros from Bicycles West, as well as experienced bike commuters on hand to discuss routes and safety, and to answer cycling questions.
Burien Bike Day 2012 - Photo by Brooks Stanfield
Burien Bike Day 2012 - Photo by Brooks Stanfield
WABI also sponsored its first Bike SaFaRi (Safe Family Ride) of 2012. SaFaRi riders left from Town Square, headed west to Eagle Landing Park and Lake Burien, then back to the center of town. The route was about about 3.5 miles on mostly flat, safe residential streets with a few hills. Bike SaFaRis are about building confidence, street smarts, and bicycling skills and about offering a fun, family riding experience.
Burien Bike Day 2012 - Photo by Brooks Stanfield
On hand throughout the day were WABI President Brooks Stanfield, Treasurer Jimmy Schulz, Secretary Janet Shull, and volunteer Sue Blazak; WABI Vice President Maureen Hoffmann was supporting the effort remotely.
Burien Bike Day 2012 - Photo by Brooks Stanfield
There is a nice piece up on the B-Town Blog this morning including great photos by Michael Brunk covering the events of the day.
Also, Highline Times photographer/reporter Greg McCorkle, has posted an article.
Brooks wrote this after the successful day:
“We set a goal of getting 100 bikes on the streets of Burien, and I stopped counting at 104 bike riders just before 5pm yesterday. This includes an amazing 50 bike commuters at the Commute Support Station yesterday morning. Not bad for a first go!
- Bicycles West who continues to go above and beyond to build a relationship with the Burien community. It’s great to have real bike shop in town now guys!
- Freggies who provided the great organic fruit for riders (way better than Cliff bars!)
- Burien Press who at the last minute chipped in a huge pot of coffee that provided essential fuel. Congrats on your 3rd birthday. See you at the party tonight!
- Grand Central Bakery offered a free baguette to any customer who came in their store on Burien Bike Day.
- Cascade Bicycle Club worked with WABI Burien on planning efforts.
- And of course a special thanks to Casey Stanley at Burien Parks & Rec and Gina Bourdage at Discover Burien for the behind the scenes support and logistics.
