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What the heck is BikeSummer?...and other Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat the heck is BikeSummer? Bikesummer celebrates all things bicycling; it's a summer long feast of bike activism, bike rides and bike culture in general. It's brought to a different geographic area every year, having started in ‘99 with San Francisco, and usually offers a month's worth of advocacy and activities. This tradition has been carried forward, year by year, in a different city (Vancouver, BC, Chicago, IL, Portland, OR, and New York, NY) and now comes to Seattle and beyond for a full 100 days. Every host takes full license to put its own stamp on BikeSummer with everything from workshops and lectures to films, rides, art exhibits and more. For 2004, Bikesummer invites everyone to come to Washington, enjoy our urban and rural environments, take the message of “bicycling as transportation and recreation” to the streets, and show how our communities are better for it.
Why is BikeSummer ‘04 one hundred days rather than just one month long, as past host cities have kept it? Past organizers have suggested that by the time the word really gets out about Bikesummer, it's almost time for it to end. Why not capitalize on the energy that leads up to and through the first month with two more months of celebrating? Enjoy the kickoff of Discovery Days on June 11 and then see what other kinds of rides, speakers, street theatre, art, classes, workshops, music and films are available until September 21 in Washington.
Why is BikeSummer ‘04 being celebrated across the entire state of Washington, rather than across a single city, as past hosts have done? People from across the country and beyond come every year to view Washington state's amazing scenery by bicycle. Why not showcase the whole place, rather than just one city?
How is this “statewide” thing going to happen? In all kinds of ways! We hope to see places like REI, with stores around the state, offer a series of simultaneous Bikesummer clinics at each of its different locations. We'd like to see a relay ride, with a bike pump or some such item passed along from one area to another, from one end of the state to another. We'd like different cities to host rides honoring a special advocate, like Susie Stephens, and make their ride suitable to their terrain and their local preferences. And that's just for starters! Your ideas are welcome.
What kinds of “events” are you looking for people to add? You name it. Polo games, moonlight rides, rides to the farmers market or to the ballgame. Speed dating for cyclists. Yoga for cyclists. Stretching for cyclists. Bicycle films. Bicycle art shows. Treasure hunts done by bike. Rides to visit historical markers, factories or art galleries. Rides on tandems, on electric bikes, on unicycles and on recumbents. Off road rides, on road rides, ferry rides and water taxi rides. Bike/bus combo rides and bus rack demonstrations. Clinics for kids, for seniors and for mountain bikers. Rides with celebrities, with politicians or with bicycle cops. Music on bikes, music for bikes, music by bicyclists. Again, you name it and we'd probably like to see it happen. But of course the standard or “regular” tour format is welcome as well.
How can people add an event? You can add an event by going to www.bikesummer.org at any time during the 100-day celebration and enter your event on-line. Events will be listed in 3 consecutive print calendars. To be included in the June print edition, your event must be submitted online by May 1st. To be included in the July edition, your event must be submitted by June 15th. To be included in the August edition, your event must be submitted by July 15th.
How will people hear about Bikesummer? In addition to our website, we will publish tens of thousands of copies of the event calendar. Bikesummer ‘04 will be promoted at the International Bicycle Expo in March, in the Bicycle Paper throughout the coming months, in the Northwest Tour Guide and STP Pre-Ride guide, and also through both the Bicycle Alliance email list as well as that of several clubs throughout the state, including Cascade Bicycle Club, Tacoma Wheelmen, Seattle Bicycle Club, Capital Bicycle Club, West Sound Cycling and BIKES of Everett. We will have letters and notices sent out to visitors' bureaus, tourism offices, business development centers, bicycle shops, libraries, community centers, health promotion coalitions, YMCA, schools, universities, community colleges, and other venues you might want to suggest. Send your suggestions our way or, better yet, tell them yourself!
What are the key messages of BikeSummer? Celebrate the bicycle as efficient, fun, and healthy
BikeSummer 2004 Seattle and Washington
Bikesummer.org
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