Legislative Update: Where are we now?

Here’s a quick rundown on the bills that Washington Bikes is working on:

Our Traffic School bill passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee yesterday!  It now moves to the Rules Committee.

The 20 mph bill had a hearing yesterday.  Policy Director Dave Janis testified before the Senate Transportation Committee in favor of it. Washington State DOT raised concerns over an attached amendment that would allow cities and towns of fewer than 3000 to decrease the maximum speed limit on state highways within their jurisdiction.  Watch the hearing on TVW:

The House and the Senate have passed slightly different versions of the Vulnerable User bill.  Today the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to consider the house version of the bill.

The Complete Streets bill received a hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee last week.  Bike Alliance board member Bob Duffy testified in favor.

Also of note: SSB 5191, which would have repealed the requirement to include bicycle and pedestrian safety in driver’s education (among other things) died on the Senate floor.

We used Bike Expo has an opportunity to make the cycling public aware of our legislative priorities and we collected nearly 400 signatures in support of the Traffic School and 20 mph bills.  Thanks to all who dropped by our booth and signed the petitions.

Be sure to check our Legislative Page for additional information on our priorities.