Cascade Bicycle Club
 | |
| Formation | 1970 |
|---|---|
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | 501(c)(4) |
| Purpose | Bicycling recreation, education and advocacy |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°40′56″N 122°15′48″W / 47.682162°N 122.263285°W |
Region served | Puget Sound region |
Membership | 16,000 |
Executive Director | Elizabeth Kiker |
| Website |
www |
The Cascade Bicycle Club is a nonprofit 501(c)(4)[1] community organization based in Seattle, Washington in the United States. It is the largest bicycling club in the United States with more than 15,000 members. It is run by a volunteer board of directors, 36 professional staff and more than 1,000 volunteers.[2] The organization focuses on recreation, education, and political action.
History
Cascade Bicycle Club was formed by Mike and Rick Quam in 1970. The membership fee was $2; meetings were at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. The first newsletter, The Freewheeler, was produced that year. In 1972, Cascade began lobbying for Burke-Gilman Trail. In 1975, Cascade hosted the third annual Chilly Hilly ride on Bainbridge Island. In 1979, the club established the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic. The next year, when the Eruption of Mount St. Helens canceled STP, it created a ride to Vancouver, B.C. - later renamed from STV to Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party. The 185-mile ride is limited to 900 riders.
In 1981, the club produced its first logo. The Bicycle Bill was passed by state legislature in 1983 to establish the bicycle's role as vehicle and cyclists' rights to the road. The first Seattle Bicycle Expo took place in 1987. While previously an all volunteer club, a person was hired to direct the education committee. By 1990, the club moved into its first office, on Ravenna Boulevard, and took on a paid director.
In 1991, the Seattle to Portland ride had a record 10,000 participants. The club started producing the Flying Wheels Summer Century in 1993 and took over the Kitsap Color Classic in October 1994. By February 1995, the Bike Expo had its highest attendance at 12,871. In January 1999, Cascade moved to Warren G. Magnuson Park. That year, the Ride Around Washington began its inaugural tour. By 2000, the club turned toward becoming a professional organization, representing bicyclists to elected officials, community leaders, and business owners. Cascade partnerships extend across greater Seattle.
Major events
Cascade hosts several major riding events every year including Chilly Hilly, Seattle Bike-n-Brews, Flying Wheels Summer Century, the Red-Bell 100, Seattle to Portland (STP), Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party (RSVP), Ride Around Washington (RAW), High Pass Challenge (HPC), and Kitsap Color Classic (KCC).
Cascade also organizes off-bike events including the Seattle Bike Expo and the annual Bike Swap.
Rides and tours
Cascade volunteer ride leaders lead more than 1,200 free club rides a year. The club also leads Regional Club Tours and Cascade Affiliated International Tours. Cascade rides are open to anyone wearing a helmet.
Political lobbying and activism
In addition to producing material for the public on cycling the Cascade Bicycle Club lobbies local government on behalf of cyclists. Advocacy staff produced a paper titled "Left by the Side of the Road" asserting the shortfall of safe, effective bicycle routes in the region.
From 2009-2011 the club successfully lobbied for a law to increase penalties for negligent drivers who injured or killed vulnerable users of the road, including bicyclists and pedestrians. The club found that under state law, drivers were fined as low as $42. A version of the Vulnerable User Bill passed in 2011 with wide bipartisan support. The bill increased mandatory fines, but allowed the fines to be reduced by a judge, who could proscribe driver safety education and community service.
The Cascade Bicycle lobbies have petitioned for extending and building trails along the Burke-Gilman Trail through the industrial waterfront of Ballard. After local businesses obstructed progress of the project, the club joined the City of Seattle in a lawsuit to move trail construction forward.[3][4]
Education Foundation
The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation (CBCEF), established as a 501c(3) charitable organization in 2001, provides education programs and consulting services in the interest of creating a better community through bicycling.
The Education Foundation educates elected officials and agencies about building bicycle-friendly communities, teaches safe cycling to kids and adults, promotes bicycle commuting through individual and corporate programs, reviews transportation plans to ensure that our cycling voice is heard and works with schools on fitness programs and Safe Routes to Schools. Programs and materials are free or low-cost. The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation organizes adult classes, youth camps, rodeos, festivals and bicycle activities in Seattle.
The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation is registered with Washington's Secretary of State.
References
- ↑ "Washington State Charitable Solicitations Program Charity Profile Report".
- ↑ http://cascade.org/About/membership.cfm - retrieved 17 Jan, 2008
- ↑ Emily Heffter. "Politics, friction reshape influential Cascade Bicycle Club". Seattle Times.
- ↑ Bob Young. "A turf war over the Burke-Gilman Trail's missing link becomes a standoff". Seattle Times.