Two months ago, I decided to get back into bike riding. It was exercise I had enjoyed 25 years ago, to the point of even completing the Seattle-To-Portland ride — but eventually took a backseat to the busy schedule of a working mom with two small children.

Living where I do, next to Lake Ballinger, I am fortunate to have the Interurban Trail passing right outside my house. This is a relatively new development for our neighborhood, as the Edmonds section was completed in 2012. It means I can go from my driveway as the trail briefly passes through Edmonds, then Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood, riding almost completely on a safe trail separated from motor vehicle traffic. And for a change of pace, I will practice riding hills by heading up Mountlake Terrace’s new Lakeview Trail — a multi-use pathway that winds along the lake’s east side to Interstate 5 (and for commuters connects easily to the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center).

As I pedal along, I pass parents from nearby apartment buildings helping their kids get the hang of a new bike with training wheels; families out for a weekend walk, and co-workers from nearby businesses getting their lunch-time exercise.

I am grateful to the elected officials and staff in all three cities for making this happen. It’s also important to note that there are many more bike connections planned over time throughout the three-city region — including this Bike2Health project being funded by the Verdant Health Commission.

I have one more reason for sharing my bicycling story. I can get from my Edmonds home to the north end of Alderwood Mall in about 25 minutes, covering three cities along the way. The fact our cities are so connected — both literally and figuratively — is a major reason why I decided, after starting My Edmonds News in 2009, to acquire existing online news websites in Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.

Regardless of ZIP code, our kids play together on the same sports teams, and take the same dance classes or swim lessons. We shop and dine in each other’s cities, play in each other’s parks, and drive on each other’s streets. While each community has its own identity and sense of pride, we are also a very tight-knit regional presence. By establishing the My Neighborhood News Network that includes My Edmonds News, MLTnews and Lynnwood Today, I am proud to be part of that.

I am asking again ask for your support, through a one-time donation or regular subscription. Many of you signed up for annual subscriptions when I made my first request a little over a year ago. Would you consider another donation at this time? Whatever amount you can give, it helps offset our costs — for writers, photographers, advertising sales, technical support, web hosting and the like. You can donate easily online or you can mail a one-time or regular check, with all details at this link.

Know that I am committed — along with those who work with me — to telling the stories of our communities, wherever the trail leads.

Until next time…

Teresa Wippel, Publisher