The 105-day legislative session adjourned on time Sunday April 28th, here’s what Washington Bikes accomplished

The 2019 legislative session was a fast-paced and intense 105 days, but we successfully  achieved Washington Bikes’ entire 2019 legislative agenda – ensuring investments in trails, sidewalks and bikeways, and establishing policies that improve safety for people who bike.

Before diving into the specifics of successes this session, it’s worth noting that this year was only the second time since 1980 that the legislature adjourned it’s “long session” (where the biennial budget is passed) on time.

With Democrats in control of the State House, Senate, and the Governor’s office, they worked to pass some unprecedented policy changes. But differences between the chambers on budget proposals – both what is funded, what revenue was viable to fund those proposals, and the position on some of the bills necessary to implement the budget – meant it wasn’t clear until the final minutes that they would actually adjourn on time.

Washington Bikes 2019 legislative agenda – here’s what happened!

Vulnerable user/Safe passing legislation

Washington Bikes led efforts to pass legislation to strengthen the rights of people bicycling, walking and other types of vulnerable roadway users. At its core, the Vulnerable user/Safe passing legislation does two things:

• Increases the penalty for specific infractions involving people biking, walking, rolling, etc. (The increased fine will go towards education of law enforcement, the courts and the public regarding safe interactions with people who are vulnerable on the roadway. For more detail on what’s included in the new law, see here.)
• Establishes a strengthened safe passing law (give a lane or provide at least three feet)

The vulnerable road user and safe passing bill passed the legislature with bipartisan support! The bill is awaiting signature by the Governor. Huge thanks to prime sponsors of the legislation Sen. Emily Randall (26th LD, Bremerton) and Rep. Christine Kilduff (28th LD, University Place) for their leadership and work throughout the session.

Growing investments in connected and safe infrastructure for people who bike & walk

Washington Bikes worked to secure funding for bicycling improvements, via the multimodal account and bike/pedestrian grant programs. The multimodal account dedicates funds for transportation for rail, ferries, transit, biking and walking. Multimodal account investments for biking and walking include the bicycle and pedestrian grant program and project list and the Safe Routes to School grant program.

Sen. Hobbs (44th LD, Lake Stevens) introduced a transportation revenue package which maintained the same level of investment for active transportation as the 2015 transportation revenue package and included a sales and use tax on new bicycles as part of the revenue proposal. The package did not move forward this year, but it did provide an opportunity to begin educating legislators as to why there is an even greater need for increased investment in active transportation and why taxing a form of transportation and recreation that we want more people to choose is counter intuitive.

The $41 million currently budgeted for SRTS and the bike and pedestrian grant program in the 2019-2021 biennium leaves over 200 applications unfunded statewide. These unfunded projects represent $146 million, close to half of the entire bike/ped and SRTS funding in the 2015 package at $306 million. Washington Bikes looks forward to continuing the work towards increased investments for people who bike in Washington’s next transportation revenue package.

Protecting and connecting trails statewide

Trails form a backbone of many of the biking and walking networks statewide. Washington Bikes, along with our trail advocate partners, worked to ensure the investments detailed below were secured for the development and maintenance of trails throughout Washington.

• $5.7 million at the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation to protect and rehabilitate the Beverly Bridge a key connection along the Palouse to Cascades Trail. (Capital budget)
• $85 million for the WWRP, which go towards improving outdoor recreation opportunities, trail development and enhancing state parks. The original ask was $180 million. (Capital budget)
• Two additional projects along the Palouse to Cascades Trail are funded on the WWRP list. New this year is a requirement that a mediation process be convened to address ownership, development and use conflicts along the Palouse to Cascades Trail in Adams and Whitman counties in order for the Malden to Rosalia project funding to be released.

Support for the creation of the Active Transportation Safety Advisory Committee

Washington Bikes worked alongside active transportation advocates to pass legislation to merge the Cooper Jones Bicyclist Safety Advisory Committee and the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee forming the Active Transportation Safety Advisory Committee (ATSAC). The bill passed the legislature and has been signed into law! The ATSAC will be convened by Washington Traffic Safety Commission and comprised of stakeholders who have an expertise connected to bicycle and pedestrian street safety. The Council will analyze data related to bicycle and pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries and then identify vulnerabilities in the system and recommend improvements.

Of note, some legislators were supportive of including a sunset date for the ATSAC. But ultimately the bill was passed without a sunset date, so the work of the Council will be ongoing. An amendment by Sen. Sheldon (35th LD, Potlatch) was introduced while the bill was before the Senate Transportation committee, it is included in the final bill and strengthens the bill by requiring WTSC to also gather crash data on private property (i.e. in a parking lot) for consideration by the Council.

It was a productive legislative session. The team at Washington Bikes is thrilled we were able to help create safer streets, increase protections for people who bike, and connect and grow bicycle and trail networks throughout Washington state.

Wondering what SB 5723/HB 1966 actually mean for people biking and walking? Read on to see how the proposed legislation, if passed, will increase protections.

SB 5723, prime sponsored by Senator Randall (26th LD) passed the House Transportation committee last week and is headed to the Rules Committee. The bill is a step away from a vote on the full House floor.

Caption: SB 5723 Prime sponsor Sen. Randall speaking in support of the vulnerable road user bill on the Senate floor.

Time and time again Washington Bikes has heard of failure to cite the state’s current VRU law, negligent driving in the second degree with a vulnerable roadway user. Whether that be for lack of awareness or ambiguity around when it should be cited, this new proposed legislation attempts to mitigate challenges in citing of an infraction involving a vulnerable roadway user. How will the bill do that? The proposed bill will make mandatory a fine increase for specific traffic infractions that are commonly dangerous for the most vulnerable people on Washington’s streets. Additionally, the bill clarifies “safe passing” laws. Read on for more specifics from the bill.

Caption: Rep. Kilduff, prime sponsor of HB 1966, speaking in support of the vulnerable road user bill.

Who counts as a vulnerable roadway user?

A pedestrian, a person riding a bicycle, an electric-assisted bicycle; an electric personal assistive mobility device, moped, a motor-driven cycle, a motorized foot scooter, a motorcycle, a person riding an animal, a person operating a farm tractor or implement of husbandry without an enclosed shell.

What is safe passing?:

Current state law states, the driver of a vehicle overtaking other traffic proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of it at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken traffic.

Safe passing under the proposed law:

For people walking, bicycling, riding an animal or farm tractor without an enclosed shell the safe passing language is amended to direct a person passing to:

• Two or more lanes of traffic: Give a lane. If there are two lanes of traffic traveling the same direction, a person must move completely into the lane to the left to pass the vulnerable user.
• Single lane of traffic:
  • When there is sufficient room to the left of the vulnerable user reduce speed, pass at a safe distance, where practicable of at least three feet.
  • When there is insufficient room to the left of the vulnerable user in the lane for traffic moving in the direction of travel, before passing, move into the lane for traffic moving in the opposite direction when it is safe to do so.

The proposed legislation provides clarity for where a vulnerable roadway user should be expected on the roadway, where they should operate or walk if safe to do so. Vulnerable roadway users should operate or walk to the right side of the road way or in a shoulder or sidewalk if provided, safe or accessible. There are specific exceptions called out for people who bike, for example when taking a right hand turn from a right hand turn lane.

Strengthened penalties for specific traffic infractions:

The following traffic infractions have a high propensity for bad outcomes for people walking and biking. Under the proposed legislation, when law enforcement cites one of these traffic infractions involving a vulnerable roadway user there will now be a mandatory doubling of the base fine. The additional fine will be deposited into the newly created vulnerable roadway user education account.

Traffic infractions with a vulnerable roadway user:

• Safe passing
• Following too closely
• Yield the right of way when entering an intersection from different highways
• Yield the right of way when a driver is taking a left hand turn
• Yield the right of way at a stop or yield sign
• Yield the right of way when crossing a highway or private road

Creation of the vulnerable roadway user education account:

SB 5723 will create the vulnerable roadway user education account where the increased fines for the above specified traffic infractions will go to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to be spent on programming that will educate law enforcement, judges, prosecutors and the public regarding vulnerable roadway users.

Please check back for updates and if you have any questions reach out to AlexA@wabikes.org.

Event Announcement: Active Transportation Lobby Day

Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club are partnering again for the Washington Bike Summit (February 11 and 12 in Olympia at Hotel RL). On Tuesday, Feb 12, we will hold our Active Transportation Lobby Day. It’s a chance to meet with your legislators and advocate for people walking and biking in Washington State.

Due to time and capacity constraints, we are only able to coordinate meetings for people who are also attending the Washington Bike Summit. You must sign up for the Active Transportation Lobby Day no later than January 31, and therefore you must register for the Washington Bike Summit no later than this date.

When you register, please select “Active Transportation Lobby Day” and we will follow up with an email with information about legislative meetings and volunteer lobby training.

Register now for the Washington Bike Summit, and pick from over 20 sessions about new mobility, including Open Streets, mobility justice, and ebikes!

 If you have already register for the Washington Bike Summit, but forgot to sign up for the lobby day, or if you have any other questions, please email MeganC@cascade.org before Thursday, January 31. 

Improved street safety, connecting and protecting trails, and growing investments in infrastructure for people who bike and walk

Washington Bikes is excited to be kicking off the 2019 legislative session in Olympia this week. This is the 105-day session or the “long session” which is the start of the biennium or two-year budget period.

In 2018’s “short session” Washington Bikes:

• led efforts to update the statutory definition of bicycle to include e-bikes while ushering in a regulatory framework for the new technology
• in partnership with Washington Trails Association secured funding for an economic and health benefits study for hiking, biking and walking (vendors are just beginning their work on the data gathering)
• helped secure investments for maintenance and development of Washington’s trails
• protected investments in the multimodal account which directly funds the Safe Routes to School and Bicycle and Pedestrian grant programs.

We accomplished all of that in 60 days! This year Washington Bikes is looking forward to again, helping to create healthy, active and thriving communities. We are also looking forward to having a bit more time to achieve the following legislative and budget priorities that will make a difference for people who bike.

Washington Bikes 2019 Legislative Agenda

Vulnerable road user/Safe passing legislation

Washington Bikes is working with Representative Kilduff (28thLD, University Place) on legislation to update Washington’s vulnerable roadway user (VRU) law. The VRU law update will provide clarity regarding when the VRU is applicable, strengthen the penalties, direct funds from VRU penalties toward education of the public, law enforcement and courts regarding the VRU law, and lastly, define a safe passing distance from people who are biking and walking.

Growing investments in connected and safe infrastructure for people who bike & walk

The multimodal transportation account dedicates funds for transportation for rail, ferries, transit, biking and walking, which are multimodal in nature. These investments include: the bicycle and pedestrian grant program, regional mobility grants and Safe Routes to School programs and projects. To ensure all Washingtonians – even those that cannot drive a car – can get around, Washington Bikes supports opportunities to grow the multimodal account and bike/pedestrian grant programs. Additionally, the limited multimodal dollars must remain dedicated to the purpose of providing transportation choices and solutions.

Protecting and connecting trails statewide

Trails form a backbone of many of the biking and walking networks statewide. Key project priorities include the development of the cross-state Palouse to Cascades Trail.

• Support: $3.5 million in State Park’s and Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) funding requests to protect and further develop the Palouse to Cascades Trail. (Capital budget)
• Support: $5.7 million in the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation’s funding request to protect and rehabilitate the Beverly Bridge a key connection along the Palouse to Cascades Trail. (Capital budget)
• Support: $130 million WWRP funding request, including improving outdoor recreation opportunities, trail development and enhancing state parks. (Capital budget)

Support for the creation of the Active Transportation Safety Advisory Committee

The Cooper Jones Bicyclist Safety Advisory Committee and the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee will merge to form the Active Transportation Safety Advisory Committee (ATSAC). The ATSAC will be convened by Washington Traffic Safety Commission and comprised of stakeholders who have an expertise in bicycle and pedestrian street safety. The Council would analyze data related to bicycle and pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries and then identify vulnerabilities in the system and recommend improvements. This is agency request legislation.

Washington Bikes will be working hard over the next 103 days to help create safer streets, increase protections for people who bike, and connect and grow bicycle and trail networks throughout Washington. Stay in touch by signing up for Washington Bikes’ alerts!

Gabe Meyer is the new Policy Director for Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes. Gabe oversees all political advocacy efforts to shape public policy to make bicycling safer and more accessible for all. Based in Seattle, his team works on issues at the neighborhood, city, county, regional, and state levels in Washington State.

Before joining Washington Bikes, Gabe held numerous positions with non-profits and political campaigns, most recently as Finance Director for De-Escalate Washington’s Initiative 940 and as Campaign Manager for WAmend’s Initiative 735, before that. He has experience at the city, county, state, federal, and international levels of policy-making through positions at Not This Time, McGinn for Mayor, the King County Municipal League, Mike Honda for Congress, Seattle’s World Affairs Council, and the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, among others.

Gabe’s career has focused on constructing outcome-oriented teams and building organizational strength. He approaches his work through a social, racial, and environmental justice lens and sees many ways improved active transportation policy can better society and our world. Gabe is excited to bring these skills to build power for bike advocates with Cascade.

Gabe’s love for biking spans the areas of travel, recreation, and commuting. He once rode on his own from Phoenix to Tucson and looks forward to this year’s STP. Gabe often mountain bikes off I-90. And from first to third grade, Gabe biked to and from school every day.

Gabe was born in Seattle, raised in Southwest Washington, and graduated with a degree in  Political Science and Communications at Seattle Pacific University. He earned his Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International affairs, focusing on negotiations and economic development.

In his 20s, Gabe lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Jose, Geneva, Paris, and New York before returning to settle down in Seattle. He now lives in Capitol Hill with his wife Angela and their dog Poptart.

Washington Bikes announces 2018 general election endorsements

This year Washington Bikes endorsed legislators who led or partnered on efforts to create safer streets, increase accessibility to trails, improve healthy communities and health outcomes, and contribute to the economic vitality of Washington’s communities. Additionally, Washington Bikes has endorsed first time candidates who share our vision for lowering the barriers to bicycling for all ages and abilities.

Why do we make endorsements? Washington Bikes works to secure funding for bicycle infrastructure and policies that increase access and safety. To make that happen, it matters who Washington’s elected leaders are.

We’d like to thank all of the candidates, endorsed or otherwise, for taking the time to participate in Washington Bikes’ endorsement process.

Washington Bikes is pleased to announce endorsements for two ballot measures that will appear on November ballots: the SAFE Mobility Levy and I-1631.

• The SAFE Mobility Levy on Bainbridge Island is a property tax levy that will raise city revenues for active transportation and recreation projects by about $2.2 million a year for seven years. If passed, the measure will yield investments in infrastructure improvements for people who bike and walk, including shoulder widening, bike lanes and trail projects with an emphasis on safe routes to school.
• I-1631, the statewide clean air initiative will impose a $15 fee on each metric ton of carbon dioxide beginning in 2020 and increase $2 annually until the state achieves its emissions goals. The funds raised will invest in programs, activities and projects aimed at improving clean air, clean energy, healthy forests and healthy communities. If passed, I-1631 will invest in reducing vehicle miles traveled and increasing public transportation, non-motorized transportation and affordable transit-oriented housing. These efforts align with Washington Bikes’ goals around healthy communities, mode shift and thriving local economies.

The Washington Bikes endorsement speaks to thousands of engaged Washingtonians statewide who care about a range of issues. From wanting more connected trails, to safer neighborhood streets, to more opportunities for physical activity, Washingtonians are looking for leaders and policies that will advance these priorities.

*Download a PDF version of the endorsements list.

With less than six weeks until Election Day, we are in the final stretch! Are you ready to vote? Make sure you are registered to vote through the Washington Secretary of State’s office. If not, you still have a couple of days to register. Monday, October 8th is the deadline to register to vote in the November election. Curious what will appear on your November ballot? Check out your sample ballot at Ballotpedia. Lastly, Washington is a vote-by-mail state, so expect your ballot in the mail in roughly two weeks.

March 8 marked the close of 60 day legislative session, Washington Bikes’ saw success with its entire legislative agenda. Read on for the details!

Washington Bikes’ legislative team, state policy director, Alex Alston and contract lobbyist, Erin Dziedzic.

It’s the close of a fast and furious 60 day legislative session. The new fully Democratic majority in the legislature made for an incredible amount of legislation being introduced and working its way through the legislative process.

The pace was markedly different than a typical second year of a biennium legislative session.

Washington Bikes laid out an ambitious legislative agenda at the end of 2017 and we are thrilled to share we experienced success in every category. What this means is:

• More funding for trails and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, leading to more connected and safe spaces for people who bike.
• An update to e-bike laws ensuring that there is clarity around this exciting new technology while breaking down bicycling barriers for new and different types of riders.
• Lastly, further understanding what bicycling can mean to the local economies of Washington state’s trail communities.

Washington Bikes is grateful to the legislative champions who helped make these wins possible.

Updating Washington’s electric-bicycle law to national standards
Washington Bikes led a broad coalition of voices in support of updating e-bike laws. E-bike owners and riders, retailers and manufacturers, local jurisdictions and more weighed in to support the new legislation. Washington Bikes is excited about the rise in e-bike ridership because it’s bringing new people to the joy of bicycling. We heard this echoed through testimony before the legislature, e-bikes make bike riding possible and fun for families on bikes, older adults and people with disabilities. Our sincere thanks to Senator Rolfes (23rd LD, Bainbridge Island), Representative Kilduff (28th LD, University Place) and Senator Nelson (34th LD, Maury Island) for their leadership in making this bill a reality in 60 days. The bill (SB 6434) passed with broad bipartisan support and has been sent to the Governor’s desk for signature.

Protecting and connecting trails statewide
Beginning in 2017, Washington Bikes along with public agency and business partners, and the non-profit Eastside Greenway Alliance partnership, worked to secure investment in the Eastside Rail Corridor (ERC), this funding is part of a larger public/private funding package for the Wilburton Trestle. The Wilburton Trestle in Bellevue, which will create an important connection on the ERC was funded at $2.5 million in the 2017-19 Transportation budget. In week two of the 2018 legislative session the legislature passed the overdue biennial Capital budget which funded the Wilburton Trestle at $500,000, this brings total investment for the 2017-19 biennium to $3 million.

Additionally, with the passage of the $4 billion Capital budget an $80 million investment in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) was enacted. The WWRP includes projects that will improve outdoor recreation opportunities, trail development and enhancement of state parks. WIthin the $80 million WWRP is $13 million for trails throughout Washington state!

Measuring the economic impact & health cost savings of biking and hiking in Washington
Washington Bikes and Washington Trails Association advocated for funding of a study to be conducted by the Recreation and Conservation Office to quantify the bicycle and hiking tourism industry and the health benefits from these forms of active recreation and transportation. This deeper dive, building on the 2015 outdoor recreation study will provide new strategies for health cost savings and grow our state’s economy, particularly in rural areas. The $125,000 study was funded in the 2018 supplemental operating budget. Our thanks to Senator Van De Wege (24th LD, Sequim), Representatives Chapman (24th LD, Port Angeles) and Barkis (2nd LD, Olympia) for championing the study throughout the 2017-19 biennium.

The Washington Bikes legislative team has had a fun session working hard on behalf of better bicycling statewide. This work doesn’t happen without you. Make a donation today to support the legislative work that made these priorities possible!

Lots of exciting progress, but more work remains

Washington Bikes has been hustling to move our legislative agenda through the fast-paced, 60-day legislative session in Olympia. Our 2018 agenda focuses on issues including:

• understanding the economic development and health benefit opportunities of Washington trail communities,
• funding for building out and maintaining Washington trail networks,
• updating laws to accommodate new technologies that break down barriers to riding bikes, and
• working to improve safety on Washington’s streets for vulnerable roadway users.

Read on for an update on our progress with nine days to go!

Measuring the economic impact & health cost savings of biking and hiking in Washington. Washington Bikes and Washington Trails Association working with legislative champions, Senator Van De Wege (Sequim) and Representatives Barkis (Olympia) and Chapman (Port Angeles) advocated for $125,000 to conduct the study of the economic and health benefits of hiking and biking for Washington state (Operating budget). Both the Senate and House versions of the Operating budgets include the $125,000 funding for the Recreation and Conservation Office to carry out the study.

Legislation to update Washington’s e-bike laws to national standards. SB 6434 (Sen. Rolfes) concerning electric-assist bicycles had a successful hearing in House Transportation committee (opposite chamber of where the bill originated). The bill was then voted out of committee, sent to House Rules committee, and last night the bill was pulled from House Rules to the House floor calendar. The legislation has until Friday, March 2 to be voted on by the full House.

Legislation to strengthen Washington’s vulnerable user laws. HB 2900 (Rep. Kilduff) concerning violations of traffic laws that place vulnerable roadway users at increased risk of injury and death. Unfortunately, HB 2900 died in House Rules with the House of Origin cutoff deadline. This bill was introduced late in session and came through House Transportation committee with direction to continue working on the policy. The need for more effective vulnerable user laws is significant because the education and awareness about the existing law is lacking. Luckily the bill sponsor and stakeholders will continue to work on refining this legislation with hopes of strengthening the vulnerable user laws in a future legislative session.

Next Steps before Sine Die
The legislature is currently in the process of passing the 2018 supplemental Operating, Capital and Transportation budgets. Afterwards, focus will turn to floor activity and passing the remaining legislation for the 2018 legislative session.