After 30-plus years operating as Edmonds Bicycle Advocacy Group, the bicyclists behind the group have renamed it North Sound Bicycle Advocates.

"For a long time the Edmonds Bicycle Advocacy Group, or EBAG, has collaborated with neighboring cities in South Snohomish and North King Counties to advocate for safe bicycle routes for all and bicycle education for school children. " said co-chair Margaret Elwood. " To broaden and include in our membership those people in this region who wish to participate actively in our advocacy efforts, we are changing our name to North Sound Bicycle Advocates."

The new name better reflects the advocacy group's continued efforts to take a broader geographic approach to its work beyond the confines of the City of Edmonds. Indeed, the Edmonds School District, in which the group has worked closely in collaboration with Cascade on a bicycle education program, extends from the shores of Puget Sound east to include Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Lynnwood and parts of unincorporated Snohomish County.

The group has also been working closely with the City of Shoreline elected officials and staff on a proposal to bridge State Route 104 on the Interurban Trail. Currently, the trail diverts bike riders via streets to cross the state highway before resuming on its car-free route north towards Everett.

To mark the official launch of North Sound Bicycle Advocates, the group is holding an open house and talk by Seattle Bike Blog author and creator Tom Fucoloro on May 29 at Edmonds Public Library at 6pm.

"It would be great if Cascade members who live in North King and South Snohomish counties want to get involved on the Interurban bridge campaign, education programs and our work on promoting bicycling and bike infrastructure in this part of Puget Sound," said co-chair Forrest Baum. "We would welcome more folks to get engaged in day-to-day bike advocacy."