Cascade Bicycle Club

Cascade Bicycle Club is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, and as of June 2008, serves 10,000 members and the Puget Sound bicycling community. Cascade's vision is to Create a Better Community Through Bicycling. Cascade is operated by a volunteer Board of Directors, a team of professional staff, thousands of volunteers, and is the largest bicycling club in the United States. [http://cascade.org/About/membership.cfm - retrieved 17 Jan, 2008]

History

Cascade Bicycle Club was formed by Mike and Rick Quam in 1970. The membership fee was $2; meetings were held at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. The first newsletter, The Freewheeler was produced that same 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.

Two years later, the Club created RSVP - Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party! - since STP cancelled due to Mt. St. Helen's eruption. The 185 mile ride was limited to 900 riders.

By 1981, the Club produced its first logo. The Bicycle Bill was passed by state legislature in 1983 to establish bicycle's role as vehicle and cyclists' rights to the road. The first Seattle Bicycle Expo took place in 1989.

By 1990, the Club moved into its first office space on Ravenna Blvd. and expanded its paid staff. In 1991, the Seattle to Portland ride broke all records with 10,000 participants. The club started producing the Flying Wheels Summer Century in 1993 and the Kitsap Color Classic in October 1994. By February 1995, the Bike Expo records its highest-ever attendance at 12,871.

In January 1999, Cascade moved offices to its present location in Warren G. Magnuson Park. That same year, the Ride Around Washington kicked of 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 reach far and wide in the greater Seattle area, and the Club stands to be a powerful influence when it comes to cyclists' rights and bicycle education programs in the area.

Cascade Bicycle Club Today

Cascade volunteer ride leaders lead more than 1,000 free daily club rides - at least one ride virtually every day of the year. The club also leads multiple day club tours and Cascade Affiliated International Tours. Cascade rides are open to anyone wearing a helmet.

Cascade is active locally in advocacy and education to improve the facilities and safety of all cyclists. Advocacy staff recently produced "Left by the Side of the Road", The Puget Sound Regional Bicycle Network Study, showing the shortfall of safe, effective bicycle routes in the region. Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation staff regularly organize adult classes, youth camps, rodeos, festivals and bicycle activities in the Seattle community.

Cascade produces several major fundraising rides during the year. The most famous is the double-century Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (STP). Cascade Bicycle Club events include:

*Chilly Hilly (February) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/chilly/index.cfm webpage]
*Seattle Bicycle Expo (March) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/expo/index.cfm webpage]
*Bike to Work & School Month (May)
*Commute Challenge (May)
*Flying Wheels Summer Century (June) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/flying/index.cfm webpage]
*Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (July) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/index.cfm webpage]
*Cyclefest Outdoor Cinema (July) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/cyclefest/index.cfm webpage]
*RSVP - Ride from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. and Party! (August) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/rsvp/index.cfm webpage]
*RAW - Ride Around Washington (August) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/raw/index.cfm webpage]
*Cascade Spawning Cycle (September) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/spawn/index.cfm webpage]
*Kitsap Color Classic (October) [http://www.cascade.org/EandR/kitsap/index.cfm webpage]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.cascade.org Cascade Bicycle Club] official website
* [http://www.cascade.org/Advocacy/Resources.cfm "Left by the Side of the Road"] The Puget Sound Regional Bicycle Network Study: Assessment and Recommendations
* [http://www.cascade.org/Community/forum/index.cfm Cascade Bicycle Club Message Boards]