Riding on Rainier: A dream realized

I got to fulfill part of one of my dreams this weekend at the Rainier Valley Summer Streets event in Columbia City.

No, it wasn't seeing the Bike Works parade float that was an old truck bed with bicycles rigged on it to make it human-powered. It was quite impressive. Even more impressive is that Bike Works staff and volunteers pedaled it up Columbia Way after the parade to get it home.

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No, it wasn't me using my sorcery-like powers to hold back a tidal wave of children on bicycles during the bike parade. They just want to let loose, and there was no stopping them.

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And no, it wasn't chalk painting bike infrastructure on Rainier. However, keep your eyes peeled for some bike infrastructure popping up guerrilla style in 2012. You didn't hear it from me....

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The dream was seeing people young and old casually walking and bicycling up and down a peaceful, people-filled Rainier Ave. They had not a care in the world except maybe "How do I get to the ice cream shop the fastest?" It was overwhelming how many thank-yous we (Cascade, Bike Works, Beacon BIKES and SDOT) recieved. While some of the thank-yous were from the things I mentioned above, most were just for inviting the community to come out and play on its street. Thanks to everyone who joined us this year.  We hope to see you next year.

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