PORT TOWNSEND — Bicycling is more than a fair-weather activity, said organizers of a campaign to promote biking and walking for all, with an emphasis on students.
“Step On It!” will kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St., with a program of music, speeches and snacks that also will serve as a celebration of the first anniversary of The ReCyclery, a Port Townsend nonprofit devoted to encouraging bicycle use.
The day before — today — is National Bike to School Day, in which students are encouraged to bike to school instead of taking the bus or a car.
Last year, large numbers of Port Townsend High School students celebrated the national day, turning the school courtyard into a bike corral, while Swan School won one of three bicycle racks offered in a nationwide drawing.
ReCyclery Board President Kees Kolff, former mayor of Port Townsend, is looking beyond today’s activities: He hopes to convince youngsters to use their bikes as their main mode of transportation.
“Currently, only 3 percent of students in Port Townsend bike to school, and over 40 percent arrive in private vehicles,” Kolff said.
“Obesity has become a serious problem because of the electronic devices that kids always use and because we live in a car culture.
“If we can get kids to ride, they will develop a lifelong skill that will keep them active and healthy,” Kolff said.
The “Step On It!” campaign aims to raise both awareness and money to support a school program that guides young people through the process of learning how to ride and taking advantage of what Kolff calls “the most efficient form of human transportation, by far.”
Partners for the “Step On It!” campaign include the Peninsula Daily News, YMCA, city of Port Townsend, Port Townsend Police Department, Chimacum and Port Townsend school districts, Rotary Club of Port Townsend, Jefferson Healthcare hospital, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Port Townsend-Jefferson County Leader, as well as Printery Communications and The Broken Spoke, which are offering services and merchandise.
Thursday’s gathering will be both a membership meeting and an anniversary party for The ReCyclery, marking its first year as a nonprofit community bike shop.
The celebration at the Cotton Building will feature speeches by Barb Chamberlain and Seth Schromen-Wawrin, who represent the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, as well as from area biking advocates.
Music by PT Songlines will be part of the festivities.
Food will be donated by Mt. Townsend Creamery, Pane d’Amore and Elevated Ice Cream, and there will be vegetables from area farms and the Food Co-op, as well as chocolate cake prepared by chef Arran Stark and the Jefferson Healthcare hospital staff.
Wrapping it all up will be an 8:30 p.m. bike ride from the Cotton Building to The ReCyclery at 1925 Blaine St.
In April, the Jefferson County commissioners approved the administration of a $21,000 grant to improve bicycle infrastructure around the Chimacum School campus.
The “Step On It!” campaign hopes to subsidize a similar program in Port Townsend.
Kolff said he is seeking grants and approaching service groups with a goal of raising about $20,000.
There is no formal mechanism for receiving private donations, although any donations to The ReCyclery will be channeled toward the program, Kolff said.
Kolff said the bike efforts will be centered on middle school and elementary school students.
By the time students get to high school, it can be too late, he said.
“If you don’t catch kids early, they will never learn the habit,” Kolff said.
“It gives kids a tremendous amount of freedom, especially in Port Townsend, where it’s so safe.
“Kids don’t have to wait for the bus if they want to go somewhere or get their mom to drive them to their friend’s house that’s just a few miles away.”
The ReCyclery’s hours are from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with Saturdays being community shop days.
For more information, phone 360-643-1755 or visit www.ptrecyclery.com.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
