Bicycling Resources

First time biker? Never fear – these local resources are here to help you get pedaling.

• Bicycle safety tips  Read about rules of the road and how to protect yourself while riding
  

• Learn about bike lockers and loading/unloading your bike on all Metro buses

• King County bike maps and resources.

• Bike Commuter 10 Essentials from Cascade Bike Club

• Find a Bike Buddy to help you get started with a bike commute.  Bike buddies will help you identify a route, learn how to fix a flat and may even ride with you to work a few times until you get your wheels under you.

Community resources:

• REI  offers classes for bike care and maintenance. Some are free and some have a fee. For a class near you, go to www.rei.com  and search for a store by zip code.

• Cascade Bike Club  offers several resources for commuters and recreational bikers including:

  + Classes covering topics like how to ride safely in traffic, how to fix a flat, how to load your bike on a bus and how to transport work clothes and arrive ready for your first meeting.   Search available classes here.
  
  + Routes - check out online message boards to post information and questions about a wide variety of topics, including selecting the best route from home to work and back.
  
  + Events - join Cascade for events for commuters and recreational riders including the Group Health Commute Challenge, Seattle to Portland, and the Summer Bike League.
  
                                          + Rides  - Local ride leaders organize rides for all biking abilities from the starter to the centennial rider.  Rides are free and open to everyone, not just bike club members.  It's a great way to get comfortable on a route and meet other riders.  View the ride schedule here.
  
  To find out more, go to www.cbcef.org/bike-commuting.html. Or go to www.cascade.org  and browse their social rides, classes and events.
  
• Bikestation Seattle  — at 311 3rd Avenue South. Bikestation Seattle,  sponsored in part by King County Metro, offers services that include bike sharing, rentals, sales and repairs. Secure indoor bicycle parking is available to members 24/7 as well as free attended bicycle parking during operating hours.
  
  
• The Bicycle Alliance of Washington offers resources, rides and advocacy for better biking in Washington.
  
  
• City of Seattle bike resources and links
  
  
• Google Maps has added a new bike route feature - click the "More" tab at the top of the map and select Bicycling for the bike route overlay.  Read about the development of the tool here.
  

Bike Health Heroes:

Eileen Kadesh, Transit Planner for King County, shares how she and her husband use their bikes to run local errands.  Think a trip to Costco can't be done on a bike?  Read this!

Do you have other tips for riders? Would you like to share your bike commuting story or photo? E-mail us: Health.Matters@kingcounty.gov.