Despite the fact that I, an absentminded wackadoodle, have left my bike on Metro buses no fewer than three times now, the nice folks at Bikestation Seattle (run by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington) were, once again, utterly pleasant and prompt in letting me know that they have my bike in storage at their facility in Pioneer Square. I've said it before, but these folks provide an awesome service—not just storing the bikes people abandon on buses (an estimated 200 at any given time), but providing secure bike parking, promoting biker-friendly legislation, and lobbying the city and state for funding for bike infrastructure.

In fact, it's also thanks to the Bicycle Alliance that I just learned Metro is amending its ridiculous policy prohibiting cyclists from loading or unloading their bikes on buses in the downtown Ride Free Area (AKA the "chase the bus" rule). From now on, bikes will only be barred from loading between 6 and 9 am and from 3 to 7 pm on weekdays.

If you want more info on the Bicycle Alliance and its programs, you can visit their web site or email them here.