In the wake of the tragic accident that killed cyclist Lance David (which was an ironic counterpoint to the League of American Bicyclists ranking of Washington as the most bicycle friendly state), I was fortunate to be able to attend this year’s Bike to Work Breakfast on Thursday morning, courtesy of cycling attorney John Duggan. I tend to hang with a narrow (lycra-wearing) subset of the Seattle cycling community, and it was great to be part of an event that benefits all the local tribes of cycling.
Also at Duggan’s table were former WSBA president David Visintainer and UCI International Commissaire Phil Miller.
This year’s event was unique in that the staff of the Cascade Bicycle Club officially said goodbye to outgoing Executive Director Chuck Ayers who has been at the helm for 16 years.
Chuck’s farewell led off with an emotional recognition of the tragedy that had occurred the day before.
Next up was Mayor Mike McGinn who introduced Governor Inslee with a plea for transportation infrastructure monies. In all honestly I don’t follow transportation issues very closely, but by that point enough caffeine had titrated into my nervous system that even I could discern that he was lobbying the honorable governor in front of a friendly crowd.
Governor Jay Inslee wrapped up the morning with an overview of a five-point transportation revenue plan and had the best applause line of the event: “We need more carbon in our frames and less carbon in our atmosphere.” He also responded to a challenge issued by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel that Chicago was going after Seattle’s tech economy by building bike infrastructure with “as long as he is Governor, the worst place to ride a bike in Washington state will be better than the best place in Chicago.” Ah yes, politicians.
