Submitted by Intercity Transit
Intercity Transit’s Bicycle Commuter Contest gears up once again. Now in its 27th year, the month-long event encourages Thurston County residents and commuters to use bicycles for transportation. Participants register in April, bicycle to work, school, and on errands in May, and return their completed mileage logs to Intercity Transit in early June for rewards and prizes. Recreational and training miles do not count, as the program rewards only trips that might otherwise be made by car.
Registration is $5 for adults. Ages 18 and under register free, and all students register free. Register and pay online at www.intercitytransit.com or www.bccblog.com. Participants can also register and get materials at area bike shops and the Olympia Transit Center in downtown Olympia.
“Commuting or running errands by bicycle is fun, healthy, and a great way to connect with your community,” says the event’s coordinator, Duncan Green. “And, the BCC provides a positive environment with information, support, and encouragement, that help people get going by bike.”
The annual Bicycle Commuter Contest is a popular community event with 1,500 or more people participating each spring. The event is designed to encourage, promote, and celebrate bicycling in Thurston County. It provides cycling tips, educational opportunities, a group bike ride and a free bicycle safety check. The contest awards prizes and gifts to riders of all abilities and ages, thanks to generous donations from more than 50 sponsors and supporters. Cyclists submit feedback on cycling conditions on roads, bike lanes and bike paths throughout Thurston County, which Intercity Transit compiles and submits to area jurisdictions for their use when making decisions about bicycling infrastructure development.
Intercity Transit, Thurston County’s public transportation agency, administers the Bicycle Commuter Contest. The agency recognizes the correlation between bicycling, walking, and bus riding and how these modes contribute to an active and healthy community.
“This year’s theme, Bicycling Builds Community, exemplifies what bicycling means to me and many others,” says Intercity Transit Authority Chair, Karen Messmer. “When you ride your bicycle, you are more likely to wave and say hello to your neighbors and to experience nature and your surroundings more intimately.”
Upcoming Bicycle Commuter Contest Events 
- Several cycling-related events are scheduled before and during the Bicycle Commuter Contest:
Earth Day Market Ride, April 19, 9–11 a.m. This neighborhood ride leads participants to the Olympia Farmers Market in downtown Olympia where Intercity Transit will host a table. - Wrencher’s Ball, April 25, 7 a.m.–3 p.m., Olympia Transit Center, downtown Olympia. Bike mechanic volunteers perform minor repairs and safety checks for anyone registered for the Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest.
- Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 16. Ride your bicycle to work this day and visit a bicycle station along the way for snacks and information.
- Awards Ceremony, Saturday, June 28, 9:30 a.m., Farmers Market. Intercity Transit will announce contest winners and award prizes.
Contact Duncan Green at 360-705-5874, via email dgreen@intercitytransit.com, or visit bccblog.com for information on any of these events. Bike and Bus Riding the bus is a great complement to bicycling. Every Intercity Transit bus, (except the Dash shuttle) is equipped with bike racks. Maps showing bike lanes, bus routes, and pedestrian pathways are available for travelers to explore their local travel options.
For information about the Bicycle Commuter Contest, visit bccblog.com, contact Duncan Green, 360-705-5874 or dgreen@intercitytransit.com, or Customer Service, 360-786-1881 or customerservice@intercitytransit.com.
