Founded 1888

Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club N e w s l e t t e r June 2001

Spring and Summer Trips

From TWBC Members

SB 5790 Signed Into Law

Governor Gary Locke signed the bill into law on May 14th in a ceremony that included Bicycle Alliance representatives and Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, who sponsored the measure.

The legislation, known as Senate Bill 5790, was conceived by the Bicycle Alliance Legislative Committee, which also helped draft the bill. The Legislative Committee's members, including a coalition of bicycle advocates from across the state, lobbied lawmakers by e-mail, telephone and personal visits as the measure wended its way through the legislature. Other supporters of the measure included the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and the Washington Road Riders Association (motorcylists).

The bill will help plug a hole in current state law, which provides no criminal penalties for many instances of aggressive or dangerous driving even if severe injuries result. SB 5790 will change Washington's Vehicular Assault statute in three ways:

• It will lower the bar to criminal prosecution, allowing charges to be brought against motorists who drive with disregard for the safety of others even if that driving isn't technically "reckless." Current law covers only the most egregious driving behavior.

• It will allow the prosecution of motorists whose driving causes injuries that are severe but not potentially deadly. Current law allows criminal charges only when a motorist causes injuries that involve a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement or long-term impairment.

• It will modify the current statute's strict "causation" requirement. SB 5790 follows two other Bicycle-Alliance backed laws enacted by legislators in recent years: Cooper Jones Bicycle and Pedestrian Act passed in 1998 which mandated driver license re-testing in collisions causing fatalities, and created a bicycle/pedestrian safety coordinator at the Traffic Safety Commission.

In 1999 the Cooper Jones Act was amended to include mandatory re-testing of drivers causing serious bodily injury collisions.

"The common theme of these laws is safety," said Barbara Culp, Bicycle Alliance Executive Director. "Increasing traffic volumes and more aggressive driving habits create greater dangers not only for bicyclists but for pedestrians and motorists as well. The law must respond to these changing realities."

Culp said SB 5790 also represents the first step in the Bicycle Alliance's effort to provide police and prosecutors with better legal tools to deter aggressive driving by providing appropriate penalties. She said the Bicycle Alliance would propose follow-up legislation next year that would impose criminal penalties for the most egregious aggressive or dangerous driving that, while not technically "reckless," endangers others. Under current law, the only penalty for such driving is a traffic ticket and maximum $250 fine.

"Current law sends the wrong message to aggressive motorists," Culp said. Only strong sanctions and strict enforcement will begin to change driving habits.

Culp thanked Sen. Kline for listening to the Bicycle Alliance's concerns and for sponsoring the legislation. "Without his leadership, this wouldn't have happened," she said.

Barbara Culp, Executive Director, Bicycle Alliance of Washington, 206.224.9252. www.bicyclealliance.org
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington -- advocating for sustainable transportation options and affordable recreation for everyone in Washington.

Bike-Tech

Is there a part on your bike that you've never touched? I don't necessarily mean in the physical sense. When you tune your bike, or have it done, do you give any thought to the pulleys on your rear derailleur? Those 2 little plastic (or aluminum) cogs that work so hard for you. You know which ones I mean right?

Besides de-gunking the teeth every now and then they also need looking after. Most are constructed of plastic, excuse me, "composite" material and they roll on polished steel or brass bushings. They are not lubricated from the factory because the tolerance of the bushing is so exact to the sleeve it fits into.

One can buy after market pulleys made of aluminum that spin on a tiny sealed ball bearing. Those too, need attention from time to time. Shimano uses a polished ceramic bushing and sleeve on there high end derailleur. Ceramic is very tough and has a high tolerance to heat without deforming. Ceramic faced seals are used quite extensively for military grade equipment and are very durable.

You might be thinking that if these things are so tough, why bother? Well, because they operate in a harsh environment. They're ain't a moving part on this universe that likes dirt and your pulleys are as close to it as they can get. They're very easy to remove and dismantle.

If you have steel, brass or ceramic, the procedure is the same. Usually an 8mm wrench or allen wrench will do it. If you have a Shimano derailleur, don't mix up the top and bottom pulley.

The top one pivots slightly from side to side and the bushing is just a tiny bit longer then the bottom one. You're shifting will not be as crisp if you mix the 2 up when you re-install them. Use a very fine grade of steel wool and polish the bushing. Clean the pulley with a solvent. I remove the little rubber "O" ring that acts a seal (Shimano), I believe the pulleys spin better without it.

Use a thin film lubricant on the bushing and the insert, once it's all clean and polished. Then, put 'em back on the derailleur. They should spin freely. New pulleys don't spin as readily as old ones because the tolerances are still in tact. All the more reason to be more vigilant with older ones. If you start having shifting problems some day on the road, don't overlook your pulleys as a possible factor. The ceramic ones are not cheap to replace and pulleys last a long time with just a little bit of thought.

Eddy
(eddyj@galaxy-7.net)

From The President’s Handlebars

On April 22 Jan Brame and about 85 of her closest friends put on a bicycle ride for 1300 cyclists. The participants had great food at the rest stops, sag support for mechanical problems and lovely views of rural Pierce County. Jan and her many friends rode the ride for free, took home a commemorative T-shirt and went to a pizza party. TWBC earned about $15,000 that will benefit programs like Helmets on Wheels, Bicycle Alliance of Washington, Foothills Rails to Trails, Bicycles from Heaven and other advocacy efforts for bicycling in Pierce County and Washington State.

Without doubt, a positive endeavor for all involved. Unfortunately, I missed the Daffodil Classic this year because of a niece's marriage in Virginia and a son and daughter-in-law in New Hampshire in need of a visit from Mom.

If you missed out on Daffodil as I did, it's not too late for you to ride the ride and volunteer your time. On June 3 the Peninsula Metric Century will take riders over some of the most scenic, shoreline-hugging routes around Gig Harbor, and the Kitsap Peninsula. Both riders and volunteers will have a great time. If you can't make the PMC, you are still in luck, because the Club also sponsors the Headwaters Century in September. On September 9 riders will peddle through rural King County on what I think is one of the best and most beautiful routes in Western Washington. An added bonus is the light traffic along the way.

So, if you want to meet and get to know some truly great, caring people, come out to one of these rides as a participant and as a volunteer. A call to the volunteer coordinator, Carol Davis at 253-857-5396, will connect you with a job that is fun and will still allow you to ride. It will be a positive experience for you personally and your work will benefit the bicycling community in Western Washington.

I hope to see you on the road and at the pizza party following the event.

Government Report

Our committee last met at the Planet Burrito on Sixth Avenue on Tuesday, May 3. It was great to have a new club member, retired Doctor Ray McGroarty, attend. Ray was concerned about the recent article in the News Tribune entitled "Tacoma cyclists spin their wheels over lack of paths". Ray believed the provision of cycling facilities and safe walking facilities is crucial to a more livable City. He felt like people should be responsible for their own health and need to ride and walk to take care of themselves.

The street system should accomodate the non-motorized needs of the community and a person shouldn't have to drive to recreate, get to the stores or to work. Your President, Anne Heller, and I will attend the City's Walkable Community Workshop on May 14 to represent your interests. You may recall that Sound Transit is having the first annual bicycle community forum on Monday, June 4 at the REI store in Seattle. The details of your invitation are in May's newsletter.

Some concern was expressed regarding ASARCO's redevelopment project in Ruston and Tacoma. The project now includes up to 450 upscale housing units along with a business park. I talked with Bob Vogel, clubmember, Ruston planning comission member, and Pierce County transportation planner. He indicated the redevelopment project still included the non-motorized amenities. Specifically, the path from Ruston Way would be extended to link up with Point Defiance Park. In the past, we have advocated for a looped bus route around Tacoma when the Ruston tunnel is removed. This route would allow very easy access to stores, medical facilities, entertainment centers, downtown, and recreation.

After reading Skip Card's News Tribune article entitled "Soft pedaling in Pierce County", we decided to suggest that routes be shown on the new Pierce County bike map if possible. Bob Vogel is considering our suggestion. The Daffodil route, part of the PMC, and Tour de Pierce are being considered along with Skip's route around the area. We also suggested that Skip's route might be a good test case for route signs since his route goes thru several jurisdictions (Tacoma, Pierce County, Lakewood, Steilacoom and University Place).

There are several road improvement projects you should be aware of. The River road to Puyallup will be improved this summer from 58th Ave. East to Puyallup. The shoulders will be widened and 58th Ave. East will be closed for access to River road. I have been assured that we will still be able to negotiate the quiet roads from Tacoma to Puyallup, but the shoulder will be closed during construction. The Chamber's Creek road will be off limits to Cyclists in the canyon due to reconstruction of the earthquake damaged roadway. Steve Sugg said University Place will attempt to provide a wider shoulder on the uphill segment coming out of the Canyon.

The Green River Gorge bridge will be closed most of the summer for repainting and repairs. Cyclists may not be able to get thru the construction area at the gorge. The McMillin Railroad bridge at the northern terminus of the Foothill's Trail is slated for paving this summer so that cyclist's can avoid the dangerous concrete bridge over the Puyallup River. The Cushman Powerline Trail in Gig Harbor should be under construction this summer.

CarLess Commute is back again. This program started several year's ago as Bike to Work week and the Pierce County Bike map was developed on a fast track basis to provide safer alternatives for bike commuters. CarLess Commute will run from June 11 to 24. The two week program promotes walking, bicycling, riding the bus, and sharing the ride with someone else. The hotline is (253) 798-3330. You are welcome to list the Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club as your team. Hopefully, a recording form will be in this newsletter or on our website.

We will try to meet again on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:00pm. I think we will meet at the Planet Burrito. If we are not there, look down the street at Shakabrah's restaurant. We welcome anyone who is concerned about non-motorized transportation.

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I Pedaled Strongly out of Town

I pedaled strongly out of town,
Heading south from Orting-ville,
Determined to go uphill and down,
To hunt the Classic Daffodill.
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
I struggled 'gainst the headwind breeze.

Dandelions and mustard seed;
Puce skunk cabbage by the shore.
For fifty miles I held my speed,
Though rain, and grit, and more.
'Til spirits sagged and shoulders ached,
Oft I thought I had been faked.

Then 'round a bend and over there,
(My soaked feet were numb with chills)
I spied a farm house old and spare,
Surrounded with sweet daffodils!
And there! That field with foals and fillies,
My goal, some Classic Daffodillies!

Thanks to the Tacoma Wheeman!