Volunteers are needed to count bicyclists and pedestrians at certain intersections in town and cities across the state of Washington next week.

The state Department of Transportation is taking the tally to set benchmarks to track progress toward the state's goal of encouraging people to get out of their cars.

The DOT and the Cascade Bicycle Club are looking for volunteers to count people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks and other facilities on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 and 2 (that's Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday).

Volunteers can go to the DOT website at www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Bike_Counts.htm or contact the Cascade Bicycle Club at organizer@cascadebicycleclub.org or calling 206-957-0689. ...   more »

The Kona Bicycle Co. recently rolled its one-millionth bicycle off the assembly line after about 20 years in Ferndale, Washington.

Now the company wants to create a Willie Wonka-style lottery to celebrate the manufacture of the special bike, a Cinder Cone, pictured here.

The Cinder Cone was the first bicycle that Kona made, back in 1988. The durable hardtail has evolved, but the name lives on. Kona has made about 77,155 Cinder Cones, making it the company's most popular bike ...   more »

The League of American Bicyclists has ranked all 50 states on 70 different factors and determined that the state of Washington is the most bicycle friendly.

Others in the top 5 are Wisconsin, Arizona, Oregon and Minnesota, in that order.

The least friendly -- West Virginia.

In releasing the bicycle friendly state list, the League president Andy Clarke cited:

"...Washington’s model bike laws, signed and mapped statewide bike route network, dedicated funding from the state for bicycle related programs and projects, and an active statewide bicycle advisory committee ...   more »

The Burke-Gilman bike trail's 1 1/2-mile missing link in Ballard could open in two years.

Funding for the trail project is included in the proposed 2009-2010 budget for the city of Seattle.

If you're wondering why it has taken so long to complete this section from 11th Avenue Northwest to the Ballard locks, consider the $14.1 million overall pricetag. The city is including $8.6 million in its upcoming budget for the work, and the remainder is to come from King County. ...   more »

Seattle is now officially a gold level Bicycle Friendly Community.

The League of American Bicyclists made the award to Mayor Greg Nickels at the opening of the international Pro Walk / Pro Bike Conference in Seattle.

The designation comes about a year after the city council unanimously approved a resolution in favor of the hard-fought 10-year, $240 million bicycle master plan.

Although it was issued to Nickels, all the bicyclists in Seattle are responsible for the award. It notes that more than 4% of Seattle's commutes are by bicycle, which is 10 times the national average.

If I have a chance to ride my bicycle over there tomorrow, I probably wouldn't notice any change in bicycling, in spite of the new designation. It really is a recognition to the work done by people in and out of city government to make bicycling work in the city ...   more »