Noting the billions that biking provides to the Washington state economy, the enormous health benefits, and how much fun bicycling is for all of us, Governor Inslee proclaims May as Bike Month. May is also a great month to ask your state legislators for more investments in biking and walking!
Being the avid bicycle rider he is, it’s no surprise that Governor Jay Inslee proclaims May as Bike Month. There are fantastic places to ride across the state, Washington is the #1 Bicycle Friendly State seven years running, and with the addition of US Bicycle Route 10, new trail connections, and more laws to address bicycle mobility, progress continues to make future Bike Months safer and better for biking.
Then candidate Jay Inslee speaks to Davey Oil at Bike Works about a common interest: bikes! Photo courtesy of Seattle Bike Blog
Still, much more work needs to be done. Washington state invests less than 0.6% of its transportation project dollars on biking and walking improvements even though bikers and walkers constitute over 16% of the serious injuries and deaths on Washington’s roads.
Every child in Washington state deserves the chance to safely walk and bike to their school – it’s something an overwhelming number of Washington voters agree with. Recent surveys tell us what we already know – investing in safe walking and biking remains a priority across the state.
With the Washington State Legislature now in overtime and poised to approve a multibillion dollar, multiyear spending package, Bike Month is a great time to work to build safer streets so that every child can bike and walk to school.
Unfortunately, there’s still a chance that little to no new money will go to walking and biking connections and programs to help children walk and bike to school with the safety they deserve.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Take a few seconds today to ask your legislators to support stronger investment levels for biking and walking.
After that, get out and enjoy Bike Month. You deserve it!
