Bike Everywhere Day Coming Up

This Friday, May 17 is Bike Everywhere Day - this annual celebration encourages bike riding of all types, whether it be for fun, exercise, commuting, or sport. Islanders are invited to take part in or support cycling in our community as a fun and sustainable activity. For this year's event, team members from the King County North Mercer Island/Enatai sewer upgrade project will be tabling at North Mercer Way and SE 36th Street by the I-90 trail to share the latest information on this work, including impacts to bike routes and what's ahead. Riders can stop by from 9:00am - 11:30am and get project fliers, information on active detours, plus giveaways and snacks. You can learn more about this project on the County's website.

Washington’s Statewide E-bike Rebate Program Is Still on the Way

In 2023, Washington State took a big step toward joining the growing ranks of other states and cities around the country that are providing cash rebates for residents to purchase electric bikes. With a $5 million allocation in the state transportation budget, the legislature signaled its intent to start to incentivize the purchase of e-bikes. Already, e-bike sales nationwide have outpaced the sales of electric cars, despite much larger subsidies for the latter.

E-bike rebates are taking off across the US as localities seek to find a way to quickly encourage more walking and biking trips, and e-bikes grow in popularity as many households increasingly turn to them as a way to replace at least one car in an urban environment.  Thanks to the Urbanist.

Mercer Island City Council to Discuss TIP on June 4

The 2035-2030 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) if on the Mercer Island City Council's agenda for June 4.  Comments from the public can be registered on Let's Talk Mercer Island.   While the draft plan has not yet been released, a key issue will be to insure that work continues to create a safe bicycle route through the Island Crest Way Corridor.  Doing so will connect students with our schools and all residents with the city center and new light rail station.  Your support is needed to move this project forward. 

Ramrod Is Back, But in September

According to the Seattle Bike Blog "After a couple months of butting heads with officials at Mount Rainier National Park and negotiating with the help of Rep. Kim Schrier, the Redmond Cycling Club announced this week that the ride is on for September 4, the Wednesday after Labor Day. This sets the ride date after the end of the park’s new timed entry program and peak visitor season, though it does introduce some new variables like late season weather and less daylight."