Event Description

Catholic Charities Housing Services and I would like to personally invite you to our 4th annual

Ride D’ Vine – Building Hope in the Valley fundraising event.   This unique biking event will bring participants to wine country with beautiful views along the way.

The ride from Yakima to Zillah will start participants at Sarg Hubbard Park and travel along the Yakima Greenway, through hop fields and up Konnowac Pass, meandering along the ridge top, and then winding through the orchards and vineyards of Rattlesnake Hills.  Participants are invited to stop at local wineries on the outskirts of Zillah where they can enjoy wine tasting and sightseeing.  Riders can choose from 25, 50, and 70 mile routes. The 25 mile ride will end at the beautiful Bonair Winery.  An additional highlight of the scenic route will be an opportunity to see Buena Nueva, one of the first affordable housing developments owned and managed by CCHS.

All proceeds of Ride D’Vine benefit Catholic Charities Housing Services’ programs that empower those in need to enhance the quality of their own lives by providing affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. Our goal is to alleviate poverty through affordable housing, education and services one family at a time.  

Event details and schedule

WELCOME!

            Thank you for participating in Catholic Charities Housing Services’ (CCHS) 4th annual fundraiser, Ride D’Vine-Building Hope in the Valley. The purpose of this letter is to share a few items with you in preparation for the ride and logistics of the day of the event.  Your time and support are greatly appreciated and truly impact CCHS and the services our agency provides. We are confident you will enjoy the sights, sounds and fruits of the valley!

Attached you will find an overview of the routes, including final destinations. There are three routes to choose from: 25 mile, 50 mile and 70 mile rides. All routes are the same for the first 25 miles.  The 50 mile riders will return to their finish line (at Sarg Hubbard Park) along the same route that guides the riders to Bonair Winery.  The 70 mile route has a 20 mile extension from Bonair through orchard country, which loops riders back to Bonair Winery, and where riders will join the return route back to Sarg Hubbard Park.

Preparations for the event

            We encourage you to take your bicycle to get a tune up. For those of you in Yakima, Revolution Cycle or Valley Cycle come highly recommended and have been great supporters of this event. Most of the roads are paved (the last ½ mile of the Bonair Route is not); however, there is a possibility of getting a flat tire from thorns or goat heads. It is also strongly encouraged that you place green slime in your tires prior to the event, to prevent flats from taking you out of the ride. This ride follows the ‘Rules of the Road’ and every rider is required to wear a helmet throughout the whole ride.

You will pick up your bib number and route map at the registration table at Sarg Hubbard Park on the morning of the event between 7:00 am and 7:45 am. The ride itself will start promptly at 8:00 am. Your wine pass and event t-shirt will be available for you at Bonair Winery. Please dress appropriately for bicycle riding and hot weather. Sunscreen, additional water and energy snacks are encouraged.

The Particulars for Day of Event

There will be directional arrows marked on the road every mile of the ride, in addition to every major directional change.  Signs warning vehicle traffic about cyclists ahead & crossing the road will also be in place.  Please be aware of fast moving vehicles.  Most of the route is along country roads with little, to no shoulder.

Riders should also be cognizant that leash laws are not required for dogs on private property.  You will likely encounter some off-leash dogs along the ride.  It is encouraged but not required, that cyclists carry pepper spray.

Volunteers in brightly colored “event staff” t-shirts will be stationed along the ride.  These volunteers are available to answer questions or give directions on the day of the event.

There will be a couple rest areas (Konnowac Pass & another just outside of Granger, at 301 Eaker) with water, light snacks and porta-potties available.  Riders are asked to check-in with event staff at each rest stop.  Event staff uses this information to track riders as they ride along the various routes. 

There are opportunities to stop at renowned local wineries to taste and purchase some of their wines. Please bring cash or credit cards to make these transactions. We will be offering return transportation through A&A Motor Coach to transport you, your wine and your bicycle back to Sarg Hubbard Park. Transportation services back to Sarg Hubbard Park will run at 11:30 AM, 12:45 PM and 2:00 PM. 

Wine Passes and Event T-Shirts will be made available to riders at the end of their respective routes.  Event staff will be available at the finish of the 25 mile route (Bonair) until 1:00pm.  Event staff will be available at the finish of the 50 & 70 mile routes (Sarg Hubbard Park) from 1:30 PM through 4:30 PM.  If riders are not able to pick-up their Event T-shirts and wine passes on the day of the event, these items will be available for pick-up at the CCHS office, located at 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite G, Yakima, WA 98908.

There will be live music and food available for purchase at Bonair Winery for your enjoyment, with ample space for resting and picnicking. 

If you have any further questions please contact Bryan Ketcham Chairperson at 509-853-2800 or ridedvine@ccyakima.org.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday August 13, 2016.

Washington State Rules of the Road

All laws mentioned below were current as of August 2012 and may be subject to change.

Safe Passing Laws

Washington requires that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian or bicycle that is on the roadway, on the right-hand shoulder, or on a bicycle lane within the roadway shall pass to the left at a safe distance to clearly avoid coming into contact with the pedestrian or bicyclist, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken pedestrian or bicyclist.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §46.61.110

Helmet Law

Washington has no helmet law. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation.

Source: N/A

Share the Road license plates

Washington offers Share the Road license plates. Funds generated by Share the Road license plates promote bicycle safety and awareness education in communities throughout Washington. For more information on such plates please visit:http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/spshareroad.html.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §§46.68.420; 46.18.200; 46.04.535

Vulnerable Road User Laws

Washington defines a "vulnerable user of a public way" as:

• A pedestrian;
• A person riding an animal; or
• A person operating any of the following on a public way:
• A farm tractor or implement of husbandry, without an enclosed shell;
• A bicycle;
• An electric-assisted bicycle;
• An electric personal assistive mobility device;
• A moped;
• A motor-driven cycle;
• A motorized foot scooter; or
• A motorcycle.

Washington protects vulnerable users of a public way by providing for the offense of negligent driving in the second degree with a vulnerable user victim. This offense is committed if, under circumstances not constituting negligent driving in the first degree:

• A driver operates a vehicle in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property; and
• The driver proximately causes the death, great bodily harm, or substantial bodily harm of a vulnerable user of a public way.

A person found to have committed negligent driving in the second degree with a vulnerable user victim shall be required to:

• Pay a monetary penalty of five thousand dollars, which may not be reduced to an amount less than one thousand dollars; and
• Have his or her driving privileges suspended for ninety days.

Alternatively, a person found to have committed negligent driving in the second degree with a vulnerable user victim may elect to have a hearing where a reduced monetary penalty and traffic school may be imposed.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §46.61.526

Distracted Driving Laws

Washington currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions:

• A person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction;
• A person operating a moving motor vehicle who, by means of an electronic wireless communications device, sends, reads, or writes a text message, is guilty of a traffic infraction; and
• The holder of an intermediate license may not operate a moving motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device unless the holder is using the device to report illegal activity, summon medical or other emergency help, or prevent injury to a person or property.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §§46.61.667; 46.61.668; 46.20.075

Where to Ride

Washington requires that every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway, at a speed less than the speed of traffic, must ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe except as may be appropriate while:

• Preparing to make or while making turning movements, or
• Overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

In addition, a person operating a bicycle upon a roadway which carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §46.61.770

Sidewalk Riding

Washington provides that every person riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk or crosswalk must be granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to a pedestrian.

However, the rider of a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or crosswalk. A person who violates this rule may be subject to a fine of up to $500. Fifty percent of the amount of such fine is to be deposited into a school zone safety account.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §§46.61.755; 46.61.261

Mandatory Use of Separated Facilities

Washington does not require that bicyclists use any lane or path other than a normal vehicular traffic lane.

Source: N/A

Bicycling Under the Influence

Washington's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances may be literally interpreted so that it applies to bicyclists. However, in City of Montesano v. Daniel Wells, 902 P.2d 1266 (1995), Washington's Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that the DUI law did not apply to bicyclists. Since this holding the Washington State legislature has not attempted to change the DUI law so that it more readily applies to bicyclists. In fact a new law was passed in 2000 which specifically addresses law enforcement interactions with bicyclists who are under the influence.

Washington now specifically provides that a law enforcement officer may offer to transport a bicycle rider who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or any drug and who is walking or moving along or within the right-of-way of a public roadway. In that case the law enforcement officer shall:

• Transport the intoxicated bicycle rider to a safe place; or
• Release the intoxicated bicycle rider to a competent person; and
• The law enforcement officer shall not provide the assistance offered if the bicycle rider refuses to accept it.

In addition, the law enforcement officer may impound the bicycle operated by an intoxicated bicycle rider if the officer determines that impoundment is necessary to reduce a threat to public safety, and there are no reasonable alternatives to impoundment. The bicycle may be reclaimed by the bicycle rider when the bicycle rider no longer appears to be intoxicated, or by an individual who can establish ownership of the bicycle. The bicycle must be returned without payment of a fee.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §§46.04.670; 46.61.502; 46.61.790

"Idaho Stop" and Vehicle Detection Errors

Washington does not provide any modifications to the requirement to come to a complete stop when directed to stop by traffic control devices and does not authorize bicyclists to disobey traffic lights that fail to detect bicyclists.

However, Washington does require that all existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals that do not currently routinely and reliably detect bicycles must be adjusted to do so to the extent that the existing equipment is capable consistent with safe traffic control. Priority is given to existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals for which complaints relating to bicycle detection have been received or otherwise identified as having a detection problem.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §47.36.025

Authorization for Local Regulation of bicycles

Washington provides that every city and town may by ordinance:

• Regulate and license the riding of bicycles and other similar vehicles upon or along the streets, alleys, highways, or other public grounds within its limits;
• Construct and maintain bicycle paths or roadways within or outside of and beyond its limits leading to or from the city or town;
• Establish and collect reasonable license fees from all persons riding a bicycle or other similar vehicle within its respective corporate limits; and
• Enforce ordinances by reasonable fines and penalties.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §§35.75.010; 35.75.030; 35.75.040

Dooring law

Washington requires that no person open the door of a motor vehicle on the side adjacent to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. In addition, no person shall leave a door open on the side of a vehicle adjacent to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Source: Wash. Rev. Code §46.61.620

Treatment as a Vehicle

In Washington bicycles are vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles and a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of a driver of a vehicle under Chapter 46.61 of the Revised Code of Washington, except for special regulations specific to bicycles and those provisions that by their nature can have no application.

 Source: Wash. Rev. Code §§46.04.670; 46.61.755

Source of Laws

The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Washington are generally found in Title 46 of the Revised Code of Washington (Wash. Rev. Code), available here:  http://search.leg.wa.gov/.

Other Resources

The following resources may be useful:

• Washington Department of Transportation Bicycle law resources: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Laws.htm
• Bicycle Alliance of Washington Bicycle law resources: http://bicyclealliance.org/index.php/growing-bicycling/washington-bike-laws/
• Washington Bike Law Highlights of the law:http://www.washingtonbikelaw.com/amicus_personae/printer_layout/printer_bike_law_washington_state_different.html