"Vancouver is becoming a bike town. The writing is on the wall." Eric Giacchino Founder of Bike Clark County Photo

Riding his bike through downtown Vancouver, Eric Giacchino likes what he sees.

As several other cyclists pedal by, Giacchino greets just about every one of them. He calls out a hello. He offers a wave. He receives friendly smiles in return.

The founder of local nonprofit Bike Clark County naturally wants people to feel comfortable cruising through the city’s heart on two wheels instead of four. It’s a sight that wasn’t as common even a few years ago.

But like any city moving toward a more bike-friendly future, Vancouver has plenty of room for improvement and plenty to learn, he said. That goes for some cyclists themselves, too.

On the same ride, Giacchino stopped for a red light at the intersection of Columbia and Sixth streets. While he waited, a young man on a bike sped by him from behind, blew through the light and — wearing no helmet — cut across to the left side of the street, continuing against traffic.

Giacchino shook his head.

“That,” he said, “is the kind of thing that we’re trying to get away from.”