Category Archives: neighborhoods

Summer

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Anne | 5 comments

Heading Home from the Farmers Market

Summer in Seattle is in full swing. We’re taking advantage of a streak of near perfect weather by drinking a few of Tim’s Mojitos , swimming and kayaking in the lake, enjoying backyard BBQs, visits with out-of-town friends, staying up late, reading lots of books and neglecting our blog.

Here are a few photos of our summer adventures so far. I hope you’re enjoying your summer too!

– Anne

Tim's famous Mojitos, always worth waiting for

3rd of July Kayaking on Lake Washington

Jim Needs an Xtracycle

4th of July Neighborhood Bike Parade

Bounty from the Backyard Raspberry Patch

17lbs of Backyard Raspberries

5 Comments

Posted in extravehicular activities, neighborhoods, summer

Tagged carfreedays, seattle, summer

Bike to School Month, the Momentum

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Anne | 1 comment

It’s so great to watch the number of cycling families grow during Bike to School Month.

I have noticed a pattern since we started organizing Bike to School Month last year. At the beginning of the month, the number of cycling parents and kids isn’t that impressive. This year a dozen or so families biked to school on a daily basis the first week. But as the month progresses, (and the weather improves) more and more families join the fun and start riding bikes to school.

Is it momentum? Is it peer pressure? Does it just look like fun?

Kids see their friends riding to school and it looks like so much fun, they want to do it too. Those kids convince their parents to give it a try. As more and more families join in, the bike racks fill up. And pretty soon bikes are spilling into the garden and being locked to any available stationary object. Sometimes they aren’t locked at all (who is going to steal a kid’s bike from a school playground anyway).

I’m not sure how the momentum builds. What I do know is: I’m still seeing new faces at the bike racks every day(and they’re all smiling faces).

Thanks to all of the parents who have given biking a try. You’re doing your kids a huge favor, and hopefully you’re having some fun too!

Does anyone have Bike to School stories to share?

– Anne

1 Comment

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, neighborhoods, School

Tagged Bike to School Month, kids, School, seattle

With Kids, Sometimes We Ride on the Sidewalk

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Anne | 15 comments

Bike to School Month is in full swing. The racks have been full this past week despite the rainy weather. This hardy group of riders doesn’t mind biking in the rain. Way to go.

The increased number of pedalers around the school means a few biker, non-biker conflicts. We’re learning from each other and need to keep an open dialog so we can live harmoniously on the shared streets and sidewalks.

One recent conflict surrounded whether or not bikes belong on the sidewalk. In King County, bikes are allowed on the sidewalk as long as they follow the rules of the road and the sidewalk. Continue reading →

15 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, kids, neighborhoods, School

Tagged bike-to-school, bikes, sidewalk

Getting Ready for Bike to School Month

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Anne | 4 comments

It’s hard to believe a whole year has passed since we planned our first ever Bike to School Month at our local elementary school . I feel so much older and wiser this year : ) Continue reading →

4 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, kids, neighborhoods, School

Tagged Bike to School Month, bike-to-school, kids, School, seattle

Park Your Car and Walk a Block to School

Posted on February 1, 2009 by Anne | 17 comments

Ever since my kids started school, I’ve become fixated on a strange American practice: the school drive-through drop off. Many parents it seems have made the choice to drive by the school, open the door and drop their kids off at the school entrance without leaving the comfort of their car. I know every one does not live walking distance from school and some parents must drive their kids to school. But is it necessary to do a drive-through drop off? Can’t they park their cars and walk their kids to the school yard?

Sure it may be easier, more convenient and less hassle to do a drive-through. But what about the impact to the whole community around the school? What about the unnecessary pollution and increased traffic they are creating and the sedentary habits they’re teaching kids? Continue reading →

17 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, kids, neighborhoods, School

Tagged Safe Routes to School, schools, seattle, Walk a Block

October is International Walk to School Month

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Anne | 5 comments

Lots of Bikes at School - Bike to School Day 2008

October is International Walk to School Month. Walk and Wheel Month is part of an international movement to encourage active transportation to school. Kids are encouraged to use any type of human–powered mode of transport (feet, scooters, bikes) to get to school.

My friend, Leslie and I are leading the effort at our local elementary school. We were so inspired by the success of Bike to School Month last spring, we thought we’d encourage more kids to join us this fall. Cascade Bicycle Club sponsors the program locally, giving prizes to kids who make at least seven car-less trips to school in October.

Is any one out there leading a walk, bike or scooter–to–school effort this October? It’s not too late to get something organized.

I’d love to hear what you’re doing to promote it.

– Anne

5 Comments

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, kids, neighborhoods, sustainability

Tagged alternative transportation, bike, bike-to-school, kids, scooter, walk

Riding with Kids: The Recipe for a Happy Summer

Posted on July 30, 2008 by Anne | 4 comments

We’re having a great, virtually car-free summer. After a horrendous spring, with snow and cold rain way too far into June, the weather in Seattle has improved to a near perfect 70° and sunny on a daily basis.

Tim’s working his ass off for the the man this summer, but other than morning swim lessons, the kids and I have no set daily plans. From lunchtime on, we’re free to pursue classic summer activities: park visiting, swimming, gardening, reading in the hammock, beach combing, library visits, insect studying, berry picking, lake wading, and just about anything else that involves transport by bike. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Posted in bikes, kids, neighborhoods

Tagged bikes, cycling, kids, mobility

Pedestrians 1, Cars 0

Posted on July 21, 2008 by Anne | 1 comment

Capitol Hill Welcomes you - Jason Anfinsen on Flickr

The Seattle PI reports that the Boren /Pine intersection is getting much needed pedestrian improvements. Seattle DOT is eliminating a car lane to improve pedestrian access. Early next year, a sidewalk will be added to the north side of the I-5 overpass on Pine street, the main route from Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood to downtown. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in neighborhoods, seattle

Tagged walking Capitol Hill sidewalks seattle

Check out the New Walk Score Site

Posted on July 18, 2008 by Anne | 1 comment

http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/Seattle

I first talked about Walk Score back in September. I’m a big fan of the site and think it’s a great tool for motivating people to get out of their cars and walk (or ride) more. When you see all of those businesses within walking distance of your home, how could you not walk to some of them?

The new version has already been covered by Eric de La Place at Siteline. and Aaron at Streetsblog. I don’t have anything new to add to their insightful posts. Just go check it out for yourself. I will say – it’s much improved over the last version.

Have a great weekend.

– Anne

1 Comment

Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, Human Powered Politics, neighborhoods, sustainability

Tagged neighborhoods, walk score, walking

Last Day of School

Posted on June 17, 2008 by Anne | 8 comments

We met a group of kids and parents for donuts this morning for our last ride to school event of 2008. We had a pretty good turn out considering yesterday’s sun was long gone and the Seattle mist had returned. There’s nothing like sending your kid off to school with a nutritious breakfast in their belly. Continue reading →