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Way to Go Newsletter
Your monthly newsletter to help you walk, bike and ride |
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In this issue:
Options: sidewalks, bike lanes through University District Tools: walking maps, track your calories burned Inspiration: new Walk Bike Ride Challenge program, city leaders go five days carless
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 More Options to Get Around
| Walk and bike from Beacon Hill to Little Saigon
 SDOT recently repaired the Jose Rizal (12th Ave S) Bridge, which connects north Beacon Hill and Little Saigon. The sidewalk was resurfaced and curb ramps and sharrows were installed. The bridge is a vital walking route and connects bicyclists to the I-90 bike trail via a bridge spanning Rainier Ave S with great views of the mountain. New sidewalk leads to Lake City farmers' market This project, on NE 127th St between 27th and 28th Ave NE, was proposed by the community and funded by the Neighborhood Projects Fund. Click here for photos and more information. | New bike lanes connect Roosevelt neighborhood to University Bridge
 SDOT converted an underused vehicle lane to a bike lane on Roosevelt Way NE southbound from NE 75th St to the University Bridge and is installing a companion bike lane on northbound 11th Ave NE / 12th Ave NE. Traffic lights are being re-timed to make traffic flow more efficiently, and crosswalks are coming soon.
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Tools to Help You Walk, Bike and Ride |
Walking and biking (also known as "active transportation") are practical, fun and inexpensive ways to improve your health. Here are some tools and facts to get you moving.
Neighborhood maps often highlight walking and biking routes. Many offer transit information too.  SDOT's Pedestrian Master Plan recommends maps in Seattle, and Feet First and Seattle and King County Public Health offer maps throughout the region.
Track your miles and calories burned while walking and biking
· Hi tech: iPhones and other devices offer low or no cost apps to track walking and biking speed and distance. Some even measure calories burned. · No tech: No need to buy anything, just remember: · 20 blocks in Seattle = one mile. · It takes about one minute to walk one block. · One mile of walking burns about 75 - 175 calories, depending on your weight and speed.
"You look great -- are you working out?" "Yes, I use transit." Transit trips start and end with walking or biking, so transit users automatically get exercise. About half of Americans do not meet the Surgeon General's recommendation of 30 minutes of exercise per day, but many transit users meet that goal as part of their daily routine.
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Inspiration to Walk, Bike and Ride |
July Walk Bike Ride Challenge inspires ongoing program  The July Walk Bike Ride Challenge was a great success, with nearly 1,000 registrants. Thanks to all who participated. Inspired by the response, SDOT launched the Walk Bike Ride Challenge as an ongoing program encouraging people to cut a couple of car trips each week for two months. The program provides tips, encouragement, support and a prize drawing, including a $100 REI gift certificate, $100 of Zipcar usage and more. For more information and to sign up click here. Community leaders go carless for five days
To help encourage people to take the July Walk Bike Ride Challenge, business and government leaders went five days in July without driving. Read their blog posts about their experiences on the Walk Bike Ride Initiative homepage.  Apply to be part of Zipcar's Low-Car Diet
Zipcar seeks participants for its Low-Car Diet, a program where Seattleites turn over their keys for a few weeks and Zipcar gives them a package of goodies and a taste of low-car living. The program runs September 24 to October 12. Apply here by August 27. If you're ready to get rid of a car for good, check out SDOT's One less Car Challenge, an ongoing incentive program open to all Seattleites who qualify. | |
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Theme of the Month: Health and Transportation | Walking, biking and other forms of active transportation provide many health benefits.  Seattle and King County Public Health offers resources to help you get moving.
Where you live affects how much you walk and bike according to recent studies. See how walkable a place is by visiting walkscore.com. If you have many walk or bike options where you live, use them. If you have fewer choices, you might need to be more proactive to fit exercise into your life.
Childhood obesity is a major problem in America, but we can do something about it:
· Michelle Obama encourages families to be more active through the Let's Move campaign.
Ped Bee at Walk Your Kids to School Day  | · Create a Safe Routes to School program at your school, such as a Walk to School Day event this October. For information, consultations and networking with other active schools, contact Jen Cole at Feet First or visit the Feet First website. Other resources can be found at SDOT's safe routes to school webpage.
Many employers offer wellness programs encouraging commuting by bike or foot, as well as mid-day walking programs. Ask your employer what they offer or help start a program at your workplace.
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We Would Like to Hear from You |
We appreciate your feedback on the newsletter. Please let us know if there's a topic you would like us to cover or if you have a story to share. Email us at waytogo@seattle.gov. Regards, Dave Allen Way to Go, Seattle! Team www.seattle.gov/waytogo
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