ADVISORY/Bikestation Coalition, WestStart Announce Bikestation Seattle Launch.

City Desks/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...Friday (May 16)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:   Official launch of a revolutionary new facility and connected
        service for transportation -- Bikestation Seattle -- offering
        24/7 secure bike storage and automated bike rental, daily bike
        repair service, electric scooters, access to car sharing and
        direct links to public transportation.  This "clean mobility
        center" gives commuters and travelers options, reduces parking
        demand and enhances quality of life in community.

WHERE:  Mottman Building (across from King St. Station)
        311 3rd Avenue South, Seattle, Pioneer Square
        Event coincides with WRQ Bike-to-Work Month kick-off
         celebration

WHEN:   Friday, May 16, 2003
        8 - 9 a.m. -- WRQ Bike-to-Work Month kick off celebration;
        8:30 a.m.  -- Grand Opening of Bikestation Seattle

        Visuals: Speakers arrive by bike and use system. Bikes,
        electric scooters and new state-of-the-art electronic access
        system at the glass-enclosed Bikestation Seattle facility.
        Reporters can access bikes with the new system; demo video
        b-roll available. Press availability throughout the day.

WHO:    Technology, transportation and civic leaders will help kick
        off this first of its kind service and launch the newest
        trend in urban mobility.

        Ron Sims, county executive, King County; Doug MacDonald,
        secretary of transportation WSDOT (invited); Richard Conlin,
        Seattle city council member; Heidi Wills, city council member;
        Doug Walker, WRQ chairman & CEO; John Boesel, president,
        WestStart (advanced transportation technology organization);
        representative of Senator Patty Murray; Radio Host Val
        Stouffer will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

WHY:    The metropolitan Seattle area is leading the nation with this
        next-generation "mobility center" providing flexible
        connections and access to multiple modes of transportation --
        bikes, electric scooters, hybrid (electric) cars and public
        transportation. This connected mobility service is the leading
        edge of a national trend toward greater choice and options in
        transportation that can lead to less congested roads and
        cities, reduced air pollution and improved quality of urban
        life. Seattle is well suited to be a leader in this endeavor,
        being a national trendsetter in everything from electronics to
        coffee. Interestingly, there are some parallels when it comes
        to choice: just as consumers now have remarkable options in
        their morning brew -- double decaf non-fat latte -- commuters
        are starting to develop choice in their transportation --
        bike, scooter, bus, car, with storage and service.

Bikestation Seattle is a cooperative project whose partners are
leaders in their respective fields: King County Metro Transit, one of
the nation's most innovative public transportation agencies;
WestStart, the nation's largest advanced transportation consortium;
Bikestation, a national leader in connected bike services; City of
Seattle; Sound Transit, Flexcar, the nation's largest car-sharing
provider; and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway
Administration and Federal Transit Administration.

                          www.bikestation.org