​Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes Announce Merger Discussions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​​Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes Announce Merger Discussions

SEATTLE, Wash. August 24, 2015—The boards of directors of the Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes are discussing a non-binding Letter of Intent to merge the two organizations at the end of 2015. This powerful move would amplify the work of both organizations and power bicycling to another level in Washington State, already the #1 state in the U.S. for bicycling. 

Cascade Bicycle Club’s board voted unanimously in favor of signing the joint Letter of Intent last week. The Washington Bikes' board is currently discussing the letter and plans to vote next week.

"Washington Bikes is a dedicated and effective organization, in Olympia and across the state, and partners with many local advocacy groups and bike clubs across the state," said Catherine Hennings, board chair of the Cascade Bicycle Club. "This proposed merger would truly yield more than the sum of its parts." 

Bringing the two organizations together would result in a unified bicycle education curriculum for students across the state and in the Puget Sound Region. The advocacy work of both organizations would be strengthened if unified. 

“This could prove to be a big win for people who welcome improved bicycling connections,” said Brian Foley, board chair of Washington Bikes. 

Small committees from each board are meeting to talk about processes, review ideas for program integration, and plan for the future, with the hope that the process will move toward a formal proposal for consideration by each organization’s board later this fall.

Both boards are particularly interested in hearing from people who ride bikes and from members of Cascade or Washington Bikes. 

"We are considering this merge to continue the great work we've each been doing with even better results and successes," said Barb Chamberlain, executive director of Washington Bikes.

The merger would result in saved overhead costs and more money directly funding current work and new programs, like Cascade's Major Taylor program and Washington Bikes' state bike tourism initiative. Washington Bikes' grassroots successes across the state would also be a great partner for Cascade's statewide tours, events and rides. 

"We would be an even stronger force for improving lives through bicycling and growing bicycling statewide together than we are individually," said Cascade Executive Director Elizabeth Kiker.

Please send your thoughts, feedback and ideas for the two groups to consider to washingtonbikes@cascadebicycleclub.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

About Cascade Bicycle Club

Cascade Bicycle Club, the nation’s largest locally based bicycle organization, is 15,000 members and 36 staff strong and serves bike riders of all ages and abilities throughout the Puget Sound region. Learn more at cascade.org. 

About Washington Bikes

Washington Bikes advocates for bicyclists and a more bike-friendly Washington. We work for better laws and more funding to grow bicycling statewide. Learn more at wabikes.org

Media contact

Briana Orr
Communications Manager
(206) 949-4309
brianao@cascade.org