July 20th was the last day of the third special session of 2017. This was the longest legislative session in Washington state history — 193 days total. Washington Bikes secured policy and funding wins that will make biking and walking safer and more accessible, statewide.

All the way through the third special session, Washington Bikes continued to monitor and work to represent bicycling in Olympia. In January, we came into the 2017 legislative session with a hefty agenda and 193 days later are proud to claim some pretty big wins for bicycling. This year we secured significant new funding for the Eastside Rail Corridor, and protected historic investments in Safe Routes to School and bicycle/pedestrian grant funding. This means Washingtonians will have more safe, connected spaces to bike and walk whether they choose to do so for health, recreation, or transportation. Working with legislative champions, Washington Bikes successfully advocated for the creation of the Cooper Jones Bicyclist Safety Advisory Council and to strengthen Washington’s distracted driving laws. Read on here and here to learn how the new legislation will improve street safety for people who bike and all road users in Washington state!

Washington Bikes’ budget priorities achieve funding wins for people who bike!

Funding Levels Maintained for Safe Routes to School and Bicycle/Pedestrian Grant program: This essential funding for bicycle/pedestrian education, engineering, and infrastructure was passed in the transportation budget. Historic funding levels passed in the 2015 State Transportation Package were retained, meaning investments in safer streets, better bike connections, active communities, accessible routes to school and healthier children will continue.

$2.5M towards retrofitting the Eastside Rail Corridor’s Wilburton Trestle: The future Eastside Rail Corridor trail is a 28-mile bike and pedestrian path connecting five East King County major cities. The Wilburton Trestle is an historic railroad trestle that’s being converted to a trail as part of the project. It’s an iconic stop and essential connection on the trail between Renton and Bellevue. Funding construction of the trestle enables Kirkland to Renton connectivity on the multi-use corridor by 2020. Washington Bikes, along with public agency and  business partners, and the non-profit Eastside Greenway Alliance partnership, worked to secure this funding as part of a larger public/private funding package. This $2.5M secured through the 2017-19 transportation budget brings the funding total to $7.5M, and brings the transformative project closer to realization.

$100,000 to implement the Cooper Jones Bicyclist Safety Advisory Council, via operating budget. The bicyclist safety advisory council will get underway in September; Washington Bikes looks forward to participating on the Council, and helping to identify and recommend strategies to make our state’s transportation system safer for people who bike. Additionally, Washington Bikes worked with Washington Trails Association to secure operating budget funding for an economic impact study aimed at quantifying the economic and health benefits of hiking, biking, and walking. Though the study was not funded this year, we were able to lay groundwork and are poised to seek the study funding in a future legislative session.

Passage of the new operating budget was touch and go for much of the legislative session. In the end, the state legislature narrowly avoided government shutdown passing the $43.7 billion operating budget and accompanying bills necessary to implement the budget ahead of the June 30th deadline. The budget addresses the state’s court mandated education obligation by raising property tax levies, capping school levies (a levy swap), and raising additional new revenue.

Unfinished business: the 2017-19 capital budget is the remaining budget to be passed. Despite the Senate and House having agreed upon a compromise budget, the legislature adjourned without passing the $4 billion capital budget. The final votes were held up due to conflict over another legislative matter. So session concluded without a capital budget, which is unprecedented; this will have major implications for infrastructure and building projects across the state. Specific to Washington Bikes’ work, the capital budget serves an important role in building out Washington state’s bicycle trail network.

This year, Washington Bikes advocated to secure funds for maintenance, protection, and development of trails statewide in the capital budget. The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) contains the majority of these trail projects through the recreational trails program. Additional money for the retrofit of the Wilburton Trestle was funded in the most recent Senate capital budget. In June, the House passed an earlier version of the capital budget, it too funded the Wilburton Trestle at $500,000. It is unclear when the new two-year capital budget will be passed, but until then, many projects will experience delays, be forced to find alternative funding, or worst case, fail to come to fruition.

Washington Bikes worked with legislators to highlight that biking is about healthier kids, increased public safety, stronger local economies and more transportation options. While we conclude the 2017 legislative session with significant wins for bicycling, there is still much work to be done.

Check back soon for an update on plans for the new Cooper Jones bicyclist safety advisory council. Stay in touch by signing up for Washington Bikes’ alerts!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Former Microsoft General Manager Richard Smith Named New Executive Director of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes

New executive director to take helm of the largest statewide bicycle nonprofit Sept. 5

SEATTLE, Wash., July 21, 2017 — After an extensive nationwide search, Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes announced Richard Smith as the new executive director of the organizations. Richard will begin his role on September 5.

“The board is excited to welcome Richard Smith as Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes’ next executive director,” said Charles Ruthford, Cascade board president. “Richard has the passion and proven experience in change management and leading organizations through transformation — perfect as we continue to evolve and grow as a statewide organization.”

Richard joins Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes with strong history at Microsoft as a highly effective, results-oriented executive with proven expertise in leadership, management and operations. He brings vast experience leading and inspiring organizations, driving the vision, strategy, planning, governance and internal and external engagement. Richard is an excellent communicator with diverse and extensive professional experience focused on building high impact, multi-functional teams through coaching and mentoring. Richard also brings experience building sustainable fundraising models with strong budgeting and financial management.

“I am honored and privileged to lead the staff of the Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes to achieve our mission of improving lives through bicycling,” said Richard Smith. “Bicycling is a crucial part of our Pacific Northwest outdoors identity, and enabling more people to enjoy this wonderful activity is a great reason to go to work every day.”

Richard brings experience in the nonprofit sector. He is currently a board member with the Seattle Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has raised over $250,000 for the local Beat the Bridge to Beat Type 1 Diabetes event. Richard was also the executive sponsor of his division’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts at Microsoft and is looking forward to applying the learning and investments Microsoft provided him in this area for building equity, diversity and inclusion at Cascade and the broader bicycling community.

“Cascade has grown to be a tremendously successful organization for its members and community,” said Richard. “I am looking forward to continuing that success and working with the staff, board, our passionate volunteers, and the broader community to make bicycling accessible and safe for everyone.”

Originally from England, Richard has lived in Seattle for the past 25 years. Richard came to Seattle from New Zealand, where he had lived for 18 months, and landed at SeaTac with his wife-to-be, Jeanne, along with a backpack and a bicycle in a box. Richard always had a bike ready to go, but more recently, with the help of the Cascade Training Series, became confident enough to take on the one-day Seattle to Portland (STP) challenge, Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party (RSVP), Chilly Hilly and other local rides such as 7 Hills of Kirkland and RAMROD. “Bicycling has become my passion and importantly a great tonic for mind and body,” said Richard.

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About Cascade Bicycle Club

Cascade Bicycle Club, the nation’s largest statewide bicycle organization, is powered by over 17,000 members and 36 staff and serves bike riders of all ages and abilities throughout the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. With a mission to improve lives through bicycling, we deliver community and school-based education programs, grassroots organizing workshops, free group rides, world-class events and more. Learn more at cascade.org.

About Washington Bikes

Washington Bikes grows bicycling all across the state of Washington every day. We advocate for bicyclists’ rights, endorse political candidates and hold officials accountable at every level of government, working with them to shape the policies that will make bicycling a safe, accessible form of transportation, travel and recreation. Through our efforts we increase funding for bicycle facilities; provide tools for local advocates to improve their communities; and promote the health, safety and economic benefits of bicycling. Our work and that of our many partner organizations means more biking all across Washington, the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America (eight years in a row)! To learn more, visit WAbikes.org.

Media contact: Brent Tongco, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing, brentt@wabikes.org, 206.939.4307 (office), 303.828.7794 (cell)

Here at Washington Bikes, we’ve been learning from candidates — what motivated them to run, how they plan to impact their communities, and most importantly, how they will improve bicycling in their cities and neighborhoods.

Yesterday marked the start of the 18-day voting period for the Primary election; you’ve maybe even received your ballot in the mail. If it doesn’t show up in a couple of days, follow the prompts here to request a new one. If you are riding Kaiser Permanente STP presented by Alaska Airlines this weekend, don’t worry! Your ballot just needs to be post marked or in a ballot drop box by August 1st. Enjoy the ride, and when you return to Washington, please vote.

Washington Bikes enjoyed hearing from candidates about why they are signing up for public service. Additionally, we have focused on understanding how candidates will champion the issues most important to people who bike. We need elected officials who will connect the dots between public health and safe access to walking and biking. Leaders who will step up and put dollars behind building connected urban bike networks that get people where they need to go and help reduce congestion. Leaders who will fund tourism-stimulating trails projects to bolster local rural economies. We need council members, mayors, and legislators who will advance policies that keep people safe — regardless of how they choose to get around.

Read up on Washington Bikes’ second round of endorsements!

Washington Bikes’ endorsements and support are given to candidates in contested races who commit to or have a record of making communities better for people on bikes. This second round represents a solid list of candidates who have shown their commitment to growing local economies, improving health outcomes, or creating safer streets and roadways.

Elect Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle City Council, Pos. 8:

As a public health practitioner and champion, Teresa Mosqueda is committed to creating a city that incentivizes healthy behaviors like bicycling and walking. She knows that by connecting communities with safe roadways, sidewalks, safe routes to school, greenways — and a basic bike network — we will see improvements in our health and greater social cohesion. Teresa also makes connections across sectors, seeing how issues of affordability and housing intersect with transportation. On Seattle City Council she will be a champion for broadening the issue of bicycling into conversations about equity, affordability, and as a tool for public health. Finally, she is committed to supporting key Seattle priorities, including completing the Missing Link of the Burke-Gilman Trail and implementing the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan so people of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds can enjoy the benefits of bicycling in our communities.

Washington Bikes was also impressed with council candidate Sara Nelson. Sara’s small business Fremont Brewing is the gold standard for bike-friendly business: She removed parking for cars to create additional retail space for people as well as additional bike parking. In addition, she is committed to building out Seattle’s bike network, including the Missing Link, as a strategy to reduce carbon emissions and make our city a leader on the environment.

Elect Victoria Woodards for Tacoma Mayor:

Victoria Woodards is a proven leader at championing policies that make Tacoma a strong, healthy community. As a Tacoma City Councilmember, she is a voice for communities who’ve often been left out of the conversation. She sees active transportation issues and access to transportation alternatives as an essential part of a vibrant community working for all of its citizens. Whether hopping on a bike to understand what risks are felt by people who ride, exploring cities’ adoption of bike share and family bike rental programs, or her commitment to creating safe and connected neighborhoods for all ages and abilities with an emphasis on education around sharing the street, Victoria Woodards is a thoughtful and dedicated champion for the city of Tacoma and active transportation and recreation!

Re-Elect Nigel Herbig, Kenmore City Council, Pos. 4:

Nigel Herbig is a proven active transportation leader on Kenmore’s City Council. During his tenure on the council, he has helped make protecting vulnerable road users a top priority for the city. Last year, Nigel was instrumental in helping pass the levy which secured three new miles of sidewalks and bike lanes in Kenmore. As a vocal supporter for safer speed limits, comfortable and connected bikeways and trails, and safe routes to school for children, Nigel knows the importance of accessibility to Kenmore’s streets for ALL users. He is dedicated to continuing efforts around trail-oriented development as Kenmore has worked to highlight the small businesses and charm of Kenmore for all people walking and biking the Burke-Gilman Trail.

Re-Elect Amy Walen for Kirkland City Council, Pos. 5:

Amy Walen is committed to smart growth and land use planning in Kirkland with a focus on multimodal transportation options. As Mayor of Kirkland, she’s been an advocate for investments in the Cross Kirkland Corridor, connections to transit, and the greater Lake Sammamish trail system. She envisions a multimodal transportation network throughout the Kirkland region with spectacular appeal for all types of users, regardless of age or skill level.

Elect Rituja Indapure for Sammamish City Council, Pos. 5:

Rituja Indapure recognizes the importance of ensuring there are active transportation options available in the City of Sammamish. She notes this is significant for combatting congestion. Rituja is committed to investing in safe and connected bikeways and trail systems for people who walk and bike and in attracting new riders to bicycling. Rituja enjoyed watching her son prepare for taking on the STP, quite an accomplishment at 13 years old!

Elect Breean Beggs for Spokane City Council, District 2, Pos. 2:

Breean Beggs is a voice for improving Spokane’s transportation infrastructure, and for him, that means complete streets designed for all people and modes of transportation. He is committed to helping create more safe spaces for people walking and biking, which as he sees it will increase the number of people choosing active transportation and recreation. As an attorney, Breean has worked to protect people who bike, and as a councilmember he has worked to dedicate funding to traffic calming improvements and expansion of Safe Routes To School (SRTS) programs. Vote Breean Beggs for Spokane City Council, District 2, Position 2!

Washington Bikes is excited for all that lies ahead on the 2017 campaign trail. You can help elect champions who share our vision for active, connected and safe communities. Ballots have dropped, vote by August 1st!

Vote with your wallet. Join us at Optimism Brewing in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood tonight, Thursday, June 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a fundraiser for the Washington Bike PAC.

Now more than ever before, the priorities of our local and state leaders matter.

In Seattle, Olympia, Bellevue, Tacoma and other key races in the state, the Washington Bike PAC will this year take safe streets advocacy to a whole new level.

In 2017 the Washington Bike PAC (Political Action Committee) will work to elect candidates who will champion, through elected office, a vision of communities connected by bikes.

We need elected officials who will connect the dots between public health and safe access to walking and biking. Leaders will step up and put dollars behind building connected urban bike networks that get people where they need to go, and help reduce congestion. Leaders who will fund tourism-stimulating trails projects to bolster local rural economies. We need council members, mayors, and legislators who will advance policies that keep people safe – regardless of how they choose to get around.

Let me Count the Ways…

Our communities can no longer rely on Uncle Sam, and the carrot and stick of federal dollars and policy. Our immediate federal future holds an infrastructure package proposal focussing on highways, complete elimination of the federal TIGER transportation funding, a steady rollback of environmental regulations, and de-prioritization of EPA climate change and clean energy initiatives, including vehicle emissions.

In order to sidestep goings-on in “the other Washington”, local and state races will matter more. Our communities are ripe to advance to the next level.

There’s Another Way

The Washington Bike PAC is working in lockstep with the Washington Bikes to identify, endorse and financially support local and state candidates who are ready to build on hard work and momentum that advocates and our champions have started, and make it safe to walk and bike.

Join Us

The Seattle launch of the Washington Bike PAC is momentous. Come raise a glass – alongside others who share in this vision – to a community where biking is safe, easy and intuitive.

Can’t make it tonight to the Fundraiser? Donate to the Washington Bike PAC online, and let’s together make sure we elect future leaders who’ll work with the community and lead the charge.