The Northwest Rider

Introduction

Welcome to The Northwest Rider’s monthly Commuter Blog, an online journal designed for year-round motorcycle commuters past, present and future.  Over the months to come, an overview of weather, traffic and other factors and observations pertinent to northwest motorcycle commuting will be published here.  The ‘Commuter BLog’ can be accessed from the menu bar at the top of any page on this site by moving your curser over ‘CBlog’ and selecting from the months presented there. Our hope is that this feature will prove useful and entertaining for experienced riders as well as for those considering the motorcycle as a new mode of year-round transportation to and from work every day.

View Larger Map

The commute upon which the BLog is based is a 30 mile round trip from Sammamish, Washington to the northeast corner of Bellevue’s business district.  On a busy day, the commuter can get from door to door in less than 30 minutes, though the trip offers several side-road detours which parallel the freeway and allow as direct a route but at a slower, more relaxed (and scenic) pace.

Gallery

Commuter BLog for April 2009

Calendar

The economic benefit of commuting to work by motorcycle in the Northwest is directly proportional to the frequency with which you ride.  Your motorcycle, combined with public transit and your bicycle, can be a very effective means by which to achieve higher fuel economy while saving money. 

	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
AM
PM

The graphic calendar above represents a month in the life of a typical northwest motorcycle commuter.  Weather conditions during the morning and evening commutes are shown, accompanied by the mode of transportation used on each day during the month of April, providing a comprehensive graphic summary of the month’s commute.

Profile

Weather is a primary factor in the life of a typical northwest commuter.  April brings longer days and rising temperatures to the Northwest with significantly less precipitation than during the winter months.  But as the seasons change from Winter to Spring, riders are forced to compromise predictability for generally improved riding conditions.  The challenge you face, as a commuter, is that you will be riding twice each day, with a span of 8 to 10 hours between trips, during which conditions can change dramatically.  As a result, the northwest rider must be prepared, by leveraging flexibility of schedule (being willing to wait out the occasional rush-hour squall,) by bringing along a wide range of insulated and waterproof riding gear and by keeping backup transportation (car, bicycle or public transit) at the ready, in the event that motorcycling isn’t an option.

Motorcycle accidents are frequent during the month of April with a dramatic increase in the number of fatalities.  Many factors contribute to this statistic.  Primary among them are new and seasonal riders, inspired by warmer, dryer days, heading out into traffic for the first time in months (or for the first time ever.)

Photos

These photos were taken along Sahalee Way NE in Sammamish, Washington from the same location but on two seperate days in April to illustrate the dramatic range of conditions experienced by commuters in the Northwest.