Washington Bikes is excited to begin collaborating with newly elected and re-elected public leaders to build connected and safe bike/walk routes that get people where they need to go, and advance policies that make our streets safer for all.
Last week, Washington voters turned out in force, breaking records for the most turnout ever in the state. Almost all of Washington Bikes’ endorsed candidates won their race, securing seats in elected office to work towards our shared goals of safer biking, walking, and rolling. Voters demonstrated overwhelming support for local transportation investment ballot measures and elected officials who support healthier and safer communities through better bicycling.
Your continued support and engagement with Washington Bikes and voting on Election Day made these election wins possible. We plan to work with these new and re-elected leaders starting from their first day in office, and holding them accountable to commitments to safe biking and walking infrastructure, active transportation funding, and support for bike tourism in order to secure our endorsement. Thank you for making your voice, in support of safe biking and walking, heard at the ballot box!
Election night impacts:
- In Seattle and Bellingham, voters overwhelmingly chose to approve ballot measures that raise money for increased transit service and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements.
- At the executive level in Washington, we look forward to continuing to partner with Governor Jay Inslee on transportation priorities and with Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz on outdoor recreation and trail-related priorities.
- 85 percent of the bipartisan slate of state legislative elected officials who have championed WA Bikes’ priorities in recent years will return to Olympia this coming session.
- Washington Bikes endorsed Senator-elect T’wina Nobles will soon represent the 28th legislative district (Lakewood, University Place, JBLM). This election is notable as the 28th senate seat has been held by a Republican since the 1960s. Additionally, Senator-elect Nobles will be the only Black member of the Washington State Senate, and the first Black member of the Senate elected since 2010.
Thank you to all of the elected officials and candidates who chose to run for office in a truly unique, maybe once in a lifetime, type of campaign cycle. The real work starts now. Washington Bikes is excited to begin collaborating with newly elected and re-elected public leaders to build connected and safe bike/walk routes that get people where they need to go and advance policies that make our streets safer for all. Among our priorities for the coming year:
- Protect and secure transportation funding for biking, walking, rolling, and trails
- Pursue measures to make e-bikes more affordable/accessible
- Work with a coalition to end discrimination in transportation policing
To pass these priorities and ensure our success in the coming legislative session, we rely on the generous support of Washington Bike donors, who help us hold officials accountable and continue to serve as the statewide voice for better bicycling. Please make a gift today to see this work continue. Donate here.
