There has been a lot of talk about bicycles lately …

Posted by Alyssa

Ever since the announcement that “Bike Czar” (or we could just call him a bicycle advocate?) David Hiller was taking on the task of transportation at Seattle’s City Hall, it’s felt like bicycles have been in the news, for the good and the not so good.

The announcement did arrive shortly before Seattle’s Bike to work day, a day slightly more frightening for those driving than for those out in mass on their bicycles. It’s also National Bicycle month. But there have been a few more stories that have peaked the interest of alternative commuters and questioning motorists like.

KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson definitely doesn’t shy away from either topic, bicyclists or Seattle’s City Government. Most recently he investigated a South Lake Union crosswalk after an accident was caught on camera.

But with all of the huff and puff about transportation on two wheels, it felt like a surprise to see a positive story. According to the League of American Bicyclists, a group dedicated to finding out all they can about bicycling across the United States, and then trying to improve it, has said that Washington state is the BEST in the nation for those who choose a gas-less commute.

So instead of spending so much time criticizing bicycles in Seattle, and in Washington state, should we applaud the people behind the state’s transportation plan, for making the roads safe enough for those that want to bike to work? It was the work of legislation, policies and programs that helped earned Washington the blue ribbon.

Finally, another positive as National Bike Month winds to a close, the city of Seattle doesn’t want you to forget police that patrol their beats on bikes. Does this help demonstrate the “power of pedaling” in the community? True these cops aren’t pulling over assailants in their vehicles, but they’re able to work in spaces cop cars just can’t get to – on busy downtown streets and among pedestrians.