It is expected to be cold and rainy, maybe windy, and maybe some snow too. And while we all love soaking up sun on the morning of Bike to Work Day, eating bacon and sipping coffee watching all those bicyclists roll by and enjoy the camaraderie and fun of biking to work, we realize that many who were planning on biking are hedging and waffling or have already called it. For those on the fence, BCA says give it a go. First, as long as you have the right clothing you will be fine. You might be a bit chilled when you start but you will warm up, and there is lots of coffee along the way to keep you warm and moving.  Second, if you can brave the cold rain and snow, then biking on sunny glorious days will be a breeze. So set your sights high. And roll out on that bike tomorrow. You may just find that biking in the rain is fun!

And below is the list of all the Bike Stations and Sponsors. (and here is a map of all the stations)

Thanks to all of our Bike Station hosts for sticking it out tomorrow.

Location: Glenn Highway Multi-use bike path at Muldoon intersection.
Schedule: We planned 6:30 to 8:30 am.
Description: coffee, water, and snacks.

Location: Corner of Elmore and Ambassador Drive

Schedule: 6:30-8:30am
Contact Name: Sandy Cunningham, Kim Marcucci
Description: Blueberry Station (blueberry inspired breakfast for bicyclists!)

Location:  Westchester Lagoon by the Cozy Cafe

Schedule: 6:45am – 8:45am

Description: coffee, water and various treats

Location: 2515 “A” Street (Corner of A and 26^th)
Schedule: 7:00 – 9:00
Description: Treat Station will be operating 7:00 – 9:00 and include cinnamon bars, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Location: Tudor and C St – northeast corner near the big red fish

Schedule: 6:30 to 8:30 AM
Description: Stop by for Coffee, Rolls and Water – and other treats to keep you fueled on your way to work.  The station is sponsored by the CRW Engineering Group CReW.  Kaladi Brothers provides the most excellent coffee.

Bayshore Clubhouse

Location:   Dimond Blvd & Victor Rd, SE Entrance to Campbell Creek Trail
Schedule:  6:30 AM to 8:30 AM
Description: Dino’s donuts, energy bars, juice to go.

Location: Elmore and Abbott

Schedule: 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Description: If you happen to be in the area, stop by the Trek Store of Anchorage aid station at the corner of Elmore and Abbott. Treats courtesy of House of Bread with Kaladi Bros. coffee on hand. Our location will be open from 6:30am to 8:30am.

Location: A Street in front of Barnes and Noble

Schedule: 6:30-9:00am

Description: Trail Angels” Smoothie Stop is not on your map this year. PDC Inc. Engineers, Bettisworth North Architects, and Acai Alaska are again sponsoring this station in front of Barnes & Noble. Free smoothies from Acai, Great Harvest cookies, other healthy snacks, and prize drawings. We’re here to absolve people’s guilt when they hit the Bacon Station!

Location: NW corner of Spenard and Intl Airport Rd
Schedule: 7-9am
Description: refreshments, safety info, and transportation swag.

Location: Corner of 7th anf St.

Schedule: 6:45-9:00am

Description: Free coffee for Bike to Work Day participants.

and there will of course be the BCA Bacon Station with Spenard Roadhouse, Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Snow City Cafe Green Star AK, Great Harvest Bread Co. and Midnight Sun Brewing Co. all sponsoring the station.

Location:  Chester Creek trail just east of the Seward Highway

And a big thanks to the Municipality for putting Bike to Work Day together!

It is time to gear up for the 2013 Summer Bike, Walk  & Bus Commuter Challenge

The competition begins May 27th and runs through August 16th, so get your co-workers ready to start biking or walking or going by bus!

Join the Alaska chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage in a friendly competition to encourage bicycle/pedestrian/public transit commuting and see which businesses can get the greatest percentage of employees commuting to work by bike, foot or bus.

Register between May 10th and May 28th

We will post the link to the website where you can register your team and your teammates can track their progress over the summer.

The competition begins on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013.  But you can join in at any time throughout the summer. The Summer Bike Challenge competition ends on August 16^th.

Go to:

http://commuterchallenge.bicycleanchorage.org

to register. Register yourself and your team and then share the commuter challenge link with teammates. they should be then be able to individually register and join your team.

What are the rules?

1. The businesses in each class with the highest PERCENTAGE of total employee trips to/from work made by bike, foot and bus win. 

The goal of the challenge is to get more people to go by bike, foot or transit. So we focus on the percentage of employees in your business that are going to work each day by bike, foot or transit. It is pretty simple to track. We will take the total number of employees in your business and multiply that by the number of days in the challenge (five work days per week) to determine the total # of commute trips made by your employees during the challenge (if you can count up the total vacation days we will be able to reduce the total trips days to get an accurate number of bike/ped/bus trips). You and your co-workers track the number of trips to and from work by bike, foot or bus and we will calculate your business’ overall % of commutes to and from work by bike, foot or bus. The businesses in each class with the highest percentage of commutes by bike, foot and bus win.

2. You compete among businesses of similar size.

We have divided the teams into five classes this year (see below for how to register). The business classification is based on the total number of employees, not the number of employees in your office that may bike, walk or take the bus. This encourages team captains to get as many people in their business to bike, walk or take the bus (even if it is just one trip a week) as every trip helps increase the percentage of trips by bike, foot or bus.

The Business classes (based on total # of employees) are:

• X-Small: 1-4 employees
• Small: 5-15 employees
• Medium: 16 – 50 employees
• Large: 51-200 employees
• X-Large: More than 200 employees

3. Track your trips

This year we will be using an interactive online tracking program created by Becky Boone at Resource Data Inc. Big thanks to Becky and Resource Data Inc. for creating this software and hosting!. More details will be up on how to register by May 10th.  This software will provide up-to-date results on how each team is doing in the challenge.

We have changed the rules to include those walking and taking the bus, or combining the bus with a bike commute. The tracking software will ask you your mode of choice. If you combine biking with the bus, you will have to just enter biking as your mode and include only the distance you travel by bike.

4.  This competition is for businesses located in the Anchorage bowl.

We know folks across the state want to participate but this is a challenge for Anchorage.

5. Awards, the Awards Party, and Sponsors

There will be an awards party and celebration (location and date TBD but it will be the week of August 19th). Last year we had great door prizes thanks to our amazing sponsors including:

AIA Alaska, Speedway Cycles, Alaska Railroad, REI, Steamdot, Paramount cycles, Spenard Roadhouse, Fire Island Bakery, Midnight Sun Brewery, City Diner, Great Harvest, Deb Winkelman, Alaska Club, Alaska Wildland Adventures, Beartooth, and Side Street Espresso.

And of course there will be some fantastic trophies for the winners that you can display in your office for the entire year.

Award recognition will be given in the following categories:

• Business winners for each category
• Most individual miles by bike and by foot (first, second and third place)
• Most trips made (first, second and third place)

We welcome sponsors and prize donors.  Let us know if you’d like to be a sponsor and contribute to this celebration of people power.  Contact catherine@callbluesky.com to find out how you can contribute.

Watch for competition updates on BCA’s Facebook page and our website.

The BCA-AIA Summer Bike Commute Challenge is all wrapped up. It again proved to be a fun and engaging competition with over 40 teams participating and over 47,000 miles commuted by bike. The average percent of trips made by bike in Anchorage is reported to be 1.5%.  The competition is broken down into classes based on employer size and business compete to have the highest percentage of trips by bike.

Our 2012 Bike Commute Challenge winners are:

• X-Large (over 200 employees): Conoco-Philips with 1.2% bike commute trips.
• Large (between 51-200 employees): Alaska Center for the Environment & Trailside Discovery Camp with 10% bike commute trips.
• Medium (between 16-and 50 employees): ECI/Hyer Architecture and Interiors – Hyer’s Flyers with 17% bike commute trips (and winner second year in a row).
• Small (between 1 and 15 employees): Kittelson & Associates with 39% bike commute trips (and winner second year in a row).

For the most miles biked, the top three individuals are:

• Cindi Pannone (USKH ) with 1539 miles.
• Kelsey Clinton (Alaska Center for the Environment/Trailside Discovery Camp) with 862 miles.
• Art Copoulos (ConocoPhillips) with 852 miles.

For the most trips made out of a possible 136 trips, the top three individuals are:

• Marcus Geist (USKH) with 112 trips.
• Jim Gove (ANTHC, CHS, Hepatits & Liver Disease Clinic) with 108 trips.
• Raylene Erickson (Anchorage School District Education Center) with 104 trips.

Our awards ceremony would not be possible without our sponsors. A big thanks to:

• Alaska Wildland Adventures
• The Alaska Railroad
• The Alaska Club
• The Bear Tooth and Moose’s Tooth
• City Diner
• Deb Winkelman Bike Jewelry
• Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
• Great Harvest Bakery
• Midnight Sun Brewery
• Paramount Cycles
• Resource Data, Inc.
• REI
• Sidestreet Espresso
• Speedway Cycles
• Spenard Roadhouse
• Steamdot Coffee

Here are the full results

Continue reading »

The committee is meeting next Tuesday at 6pm May 15th, at the Sugarspoon (2601 Spenard Road, across the street from Bosco’s and Organic Oasis). Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to attend. Our primary purpose is to actively monitor all road and trail projects in the Anchorage area and provide input to planners. The idea is to get ahead of the curve instead of missing key public comment periods.

Winning Bicycle-Pedestrian Campaign Training

Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage and Alaska Trails are collaborating with several organizations to bring the Alliance for Bicycling & Walking and the League of American Bicyclists to Anchorage.

On May 7th, the Alliance and the League will be hosting an evening workshop for organizations working on transporation/sustainability issues. This is an incredible opportunity for advocacy and business organizations in Anchorage to learn more about how we can build successful campaigns and collaborate to achieve our missions and make our cities and Alaska more bicycle-friendly. We hope you can attend this important workshop, where we can all collaborate and discuss how to make Anchorage and Alaska more sustainable and livable. It would be great if you could join us.

Please register as soon as possible so that we can prepare enough training materials.

The Advocacy Advance partnership between the Alliance for Biking & Walking and the League of American Bicyclists invites Alaska bicycle and pedestrian advocates to attend an evening advocacy campaign training on May 7.

Hosted by Alaska Trails and the Bicycle Commuters of Alaska, this workshop – modeled after the Alliance’s signature Winning Campaigns Trainings – uses proven curriculum, targeted specifically to the unique needs and experience of bicycle and pedestrian advocates.

Participants will receive a crash-course in key organizing tactics for identifying, strategizing and implementing campaigns that transform the transportation landscape in Alaskan communities. Content will address the mechanics of public funding campaigns in preparation for the Action 2020 Workshop held on May 8.

Continue reading »

What:  2012 Winter Bike Fest kick-off with a Bike First Friday Poker Ride

Price: $5 donation to BCA

When: Friday, March 3, meet at 5:45 pm

Where: Group start at Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, (Midtown, Midtown, Midtown), Blastoff at 6 pm

Visit: 4-5 different Anchorage midtown or downtown art galleries

Group Finish at: Cafe Amsterdam, 8:45 pm

February Leader- Dawn Groth

Why: Kick-off Winter Bike Fest, meet others, see art, and learn safe, convenient bicycle routes and Play Poker! (Yes, this is the February event that mother-nature cancelled.)

Show up wearing bright, reflective, hi-vis clothing with lots of blinking or bright lights to alert the public of our presence. The more bright, reflective, and blinking we are— the more we stand out and the safer our adventure is.

Start your Poker hand at Midtown Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, receive list of 4-5 places to visit, collect  a card at each location and your last card upon finish at Cafe Amsterdam. Prizes for best and worst hands. Poker Ride Rules

While visiting art galleries, we ride around the streets, trails, and alleys of Anchorage introducing you to safe and convenient cut-throughs and shortcuts that will streamline your urban bicycle commute.

We are BCA’s Bicycle Ambassadors. We follow the rules of the road, model safe riding habits—all while having fun. Come join the adventure!

Questions: Dawn Groth, cell 720-3580

Special Thank you’s to BCA volunteers; upcoming March Leader- Todd Logan, Artist—Gina Edwards, and Graphics Guy—Joe Edwards!

Start and Finish at The Peanut Farm
30k/50k
Registration: 8:00am
Start time: 9:00am
$20 to support the BCA

Ride the Winter City Urban Randonnée February 12, 2012 —  a rolling fund-raiser for the BCA in association with the Alaska Randonneurs, and an opportunity for all cyclists to support BCA while experiencing the adventurous style of randonneuring cycling.

Last year 85 riders traversed Anchorage on the inaugural Winter City 50K. This year choose between two new courses – a 30Km or 50Km winter-day’s ride through the heart of Anchorage on track and trail. Progress from checkpoint to checkpoint, navigating between food and stops along the way. See how easy it is to winter bicycle commute in Anchorage. It’s a event, but not a race– so don’t dally!

Thank you to Winter City Rando sponsors
Diane’s Restaurant , Clean Air Challenge

What: Bike First Friday

When: Friday, December 2nd, meet at 5:45 pm

Where: Group start at Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, (Midtown, Midtown, Midtown), Blastoff at 6 pm

Visit: 4-5 different Anchorage midtown or downtown art galleries

Group Finish at: Cafe Amsterdam, 8:30 pm

December Leader- Alaska Randonneurs— Kevin Turinksy

Why: TGIF— it’s a fun way to meet others, see art, and learn safe, convenient bicycle routes

Show up wearing bright, reflective, hi-vis clothing with lots of blinking or bright lights to alert the public of our presence. The more bright, reflective, and blinking we are— the more we stand out and the safer our adventure is.

While visiting art galleries, we ride around the streets, trails, and alleys of Anchorage introducing you to safe and convenient cut-throughs and shortcuts that can streamline your bicycle commute.

We are BCA’s Bicycle Ambassadors. We follow the rules of the road and model safe bicycling habits—all while having fun. Come join the adventure!

Questions: Dawn Groth, cell 720-3580

Special Thank you’s to BCA volunteers; December Leader—Kevin Turinksy from Alaska Randonneurs, Artist—Gina Edwards, and Graphics Guy—Joe Edwards!

Join us at the Spenard Farmer’s Market at 10:30 on Saturday September 10 to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2011 Summer Bike Challenge competitors.  We’ll start with a mass ride from the market down to the Coastal trail. The ride will end back at the market at 12:45 followed by an award ceremony announcing winning teams and individuals. 

This year the competition included 577 active riders who logged 18,959 commuter trips and over 107,000 miles.  There will be door prizes from our generous sponsors, live music and excellent food from the market, and some sun with any luck.