Job Opening: Development Manager

By baw_admin | Published January 11, 2012

Here’s an opportunity for someone to combine their fundraising skills with their passion for bicycling!  Washington Bikes is actively seeking a Development Manager.  Applications are due by January 31.  Read the position announcement for more details.
Posted in News | Comments Off on Job Opening: Development Manager

We have a new home!

By baw_admin | Published January 10, 2012

On Saturday, the Bicycle Alliance moved its headquarters into a new office.  Staff and volunteers gathered at the old office in the morning to load up a bike trailer and other various vehicles with desks, file cabinets, computers and other office furnishings and supplies.  We then trekked the three blocks to our new location and set up the office.

 

The Bicycle Alliance is now located at 314 First Avenue South—still in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.  And, as of Monday afternoon, we were back in the swing of things.  We’re excited to be in our new digs.  Our advocacy partner, Feet First, is on the lower level and Back Alley Bike Repair Shop is opening its doors directly behind us in February.

A huge shout out to the dozen plus volunteers who helped us with the move—you guys were awesome!  And a special thank you to Keithly Electric and H4 Consulting for donating their services to the cause.
Posted in News | Comments Off on We have a new home!

Transportation Advocacy Day is January 31st – Sign Up Today!

By baw_admin | Published January 5, 2012

While Washington Bikes can’t promise snow in Olympia in the New Year, we can promise that hundreds of dedicated advocates for biking, walking, transit, and rail will descend in all modes to Transportation Advocacy Day on January 31st!

This is your opportunity in 2012 to connect with fellow advocates from across the state and lobby your elected officials in Olympia on the issues we all care deeply about. It’s also a great chance to work and to get to know fellow transportation advocates from across the state. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
To register, go directly to our partner, Transportation Choices Coalition, RSVP page: http://transportationchoices.org/action/transportation-advocacy-day-2012
Over the past months, staff and dedicated volunteers from organizations representing biking, walking, transit, rail, and public health have met to plan events and the policy agenda for the 2012 event. In December, organizers and advocates developed the Transportation Advocacy Day platform to include:
  • The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill (SHB 1217) – Washington Bikes’s top priority – that ill provide cities and towns broader authority to establish 20 mile per hour limits on non-arterial streets to lower accident rate and help protect vulnerable users
  • The Safe and Flexible Street Design Bill(HB 1700) would encourage higher-quality bike and pedestrian facilities by allowing greater flexibility in design standards.
  • Support of the Transportation for Washington principles to Fix it First and Save Lives, More Transit, and Build Health and Great Communities.
  •  Legislation to add health to Washington’s six transportation system goals to integrate health in transportation policy, planning and investments for public safety, health, and better transportation choices for all Washingtonians.
As part of the day’s events, this policy platform will be discussed and your questions will be answered before meeting with your elected officials.
The need for safer streets, and better transportation funding for biking, walking, transit, and rail are statewide issues. Join us for this all-day event on January 31 at United Churches in Olympia as we educate state policymakers on the issues and advocate for solutions.
See you there!
Posted in Advocacy, Events, Issues & Advocacy, Transportation | 1 Comment

Alert: Remind your state legislators about their good, but unfinished work from 2011

By baw_admin | Published January 4, 2012

Happy New Year! 
Send a reminder to your State Legislators about their good, but unfinished work from 2011.

Last February, the Washington State House of Representatives unanimously voted 92-0 in favor of the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill (SHB 1217). This bill, drafted by the Bicycle Alliance and championed by Representative Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), gives cities and towns the ability to create safer neighborhood streets by lowering speed limits on non-arterial streets to 20 miles per hour, while at the same time reducing government red tape and cutting study costs currently required by the state.

The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill didn’t make it through the Senate last year, but now we have a chance to give this important safety legislation a jump start in the State House of Representatives.

Because time is critical in this year’s short 60-day session, we need to remind our House Representatives of their essential and unanimous support for this legislation in 2011 and that the time is now to support it again. In the coming weeks, the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill is ready for another vote in the House of Representatives so that it can move quickly over to the Senate.

Your reminder to your elected officials is critical in making this happen. And it only requires two simple steps:  UPDATE: Scroll down for one-step action!

#1 – Follow the accompanying link to contact both of your State Representatives (no need to contact your State Senators right now) by entering your mailing address here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/

#2 – Email each Representative a note expressing your support of this important public safety legislation. Below we’ve included some model text for you to use:

Dear Rep. _________,

Thank you for your support last year of SHB 1217 – the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill. SHB 1217 is now in House Rules Committee for third reading and is ready for a vote in the first two weeks of session.

I urge you to vote again for this important safety legislation. The Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill provides more local control, offers an additional safety tool for local governments, removes additional study costs and red tape currently required by the state, and it encourages active living by offering cities and towns the chance to create safer streets. Most importantly, when used in conjunction with engineering and enforcement, lower speeds on non-arterial streets can save lives.

Please repeat the vote of the 2011 House of Representatives. Vote yes on the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill (SHB 1217).

Sincerely,

[Your Name here]


Use this simplified link to send a prepared message to your legislators!  Thanks to Cascade Bicycle Club for providing it.


For more information about the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill, please visit www.wabikes.org/programs/legislation.htmlor read yesterday’s blog post.

Thank you for your work in creating safer streets!

Posted in Advocacy, Alert, Issues & Advocacy, Safety | Comments Off on Alert: Remind your state legislators about their good, but unfinished work from 2011

Paving the Way for Safer Neighborhood Streets in 2012: SHB 1217

By baw_admin | Published January 3, 2012

Fresh from the holiday break, the State Legislature is slated on January 9 to head into its sprint of a 60-day legislative session. Washington Bikes will be lobbying on behalf of bicyclists statewide with its list of legislative priorities for 2012. At the top of that list includes continuing legislation from 2011 – substitute house bill (SHB) 1217: the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill.

Sponsored by Representative Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), the legislation counts 17 co-sponsors and last year it passed 92-0 in the House of Representatives. The Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill’s supporters include a growing list of cities, organizations, and individuals from across the state.

This legislation paves the way for local governments  – specifically cities and towns – to make safer streets and neighborhoods by allowing them the authority to set speed limits to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial streets. It does not mandate any change, it simply provides cities and towns the local control to do so. 

Wait. Can’t cities and towns set speed limits below 25 miles per hour now?

In a word: no. Current Washington law prohibits municipalities from setting speed limits lower than 25 miles an hour except in very limited areas, such as school zones. If cities and towns do hope to go below this state-mandated minimum, they are required to conduct and administer an engineering and traffic study – a process requiring staff time and money.

Given the stresses of reduced budgets and staffing for transportation in cities and towns across Washington, the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill removes a hurdle in time and cost for local governments who want to create safer streets in our neighborhoods, residential business districts, parks, and to schools across the state.

The list is long for what the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill can do for cities and towns in Washington:

  • Provides more local control. SHB 1217 is fundamentally a neighborhood speed safety bill that puts local governments in charge of non-arterial speed safety and takes the state out of the business of setting speed limits. Letting local governments decide safer maximum speeds is an approach that Idaho and British Columbia both take.
  • Offers a safety tool in the local government toolbox. SHB 1217 offers an important tool for public and roadway safety. It can be accompanied with additional engineering and design to create safe neighborhood streets for all residents, particularly children and the elderly.
  • Economic Development. Providing localities the authority to reduce speed limits in appropriate areas is an effective way to reduce speed limits near shopping districts, parks, and other areas their residents, elected officials, business leaders and other stakeholders deem important. Calmer streets provide more attractive places for business driven by foot traffic.
  • Removes additional study costs and red tape currently required by the state. In a time of tight budgets, this bill removes a traffic and engineering hurdle that costs cities money and takes scarce staff time to administer.
  • Promotes reduction of chronic disease and the growing obesity crisis. Public and private medical costs of obesity for our state are now estimated in excess of $3 billion. SHB 1217 can help ensure that neighborhoods provide spaces for safe physical activity and active transportation – both of which are on the decline compared to previous generations.
  • Benefits Washington’s Safe Routes to School program. Safe neighborhood speeds help to promote walking and healthy activity in our communities. Lower speeds adjoining (but not formally linked) to existing school zones could help promote walking and biking to schools. This is likely to help reduce the epidemic of chronic disease related to obesity and lack of physical activity.
  • Reduced speeds save lives. The chances of dying from a collision with a motor vehicle at 20 miles per hour is 5% compared to the 45% chance of death in a similar impact at 30 miles per hour. Slower speeds can be particularly important on non-arterial streets where we live and play.

This legislation provides cities and towns a template to create safer neighborhood streets, improve public health, reduce red tape, and save our cities and towns money. Most importantly, this legislation aligns with our values for making safe spaces to live, work, and play for our children, the elderly, and everyone who chooses to walk and bike around our neighborhoods, parks, residential business districts, and schools.

Get Involved!
Join us in urging the state legislature to take action on passing the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill during the 2012 session in the following ways:

Check back for Washington Bikes Action Alerts. During the 60-day legislative session (beginning on January 9) communicating your support of the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill will prove invaluable. We’ll be alerting our members, bill partners, and others when it’s necessary via email, blog, twitter and Facebook. Stay tuned!

Attend Transportation Advocacy Day on January 31! Join us for this all-day event on January 31 at United Churches in Olympia as we educate state policymakers on the issues and advocate for solutions. To RSVP, go directly to our partner, Transportation Choices Coalition, RSVP page: http://transportationchoices.org/action/transportation-advocacy-day-2012

Join our list of supporters! We’re looking to continue to expand support for this smart, cost-effective, and flexible legislation. Contact statewide policy director, Blake Trask, if you wish to add your city or organization to our list of Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill supporters.
Posted in Advocacy, Issues & Advocacy | Comments Off on Paving the Way for Safer Neighborhood Streets in 2012: SHB 1217

Year in Review: 2011 Highlights

By Louise McGrody | Published December 29, 2011
What a productive year it has been at Washington Bikes!  Bicycle advocates and active transportation partners helped us earn some legislative victories.  We’ve grown Safe Routes to School programs in communities across the state.  We refined our vision, mission and goals through an inclusive strategic planning process.
Legislative Victories
The Bicycle Alliance and our legislative partners passed a bill that incorporates teaching motorists how to safely drive around bicyclists and pedestrians in Traffic School curriculum.  The vulnerable user bill was finally passed this session, strengthening penalties under the negligent driving laws.  We also passed a bill that established (but didn’t fund) a Complete Streets grant program that encourages local jurisdictions to adopt complete streets ordinances.  Read the 2011 Legislative Wrap Up.
Over 100 active transportation, transit and rail advocates gathered in Olympia in February for Transportation Advocacy Day.  We are one of the organizers for this annual event and our constituents were well represented by 8 Bicycle Alliance board members and 6 staff.  Read more about the 2011 TAD.
Safe Routes to School
We’ve been busy this year helping participating school districts in south King County implement a comprehensive Safe Routes program in their schools.  The Bicycle Alliance taught teachers in 31 school districts across Washington State how to instruct students on safe biking and walking skills.  We now have a second staff person who is nationally certified to teach Safe Routes to School.
Go by Bike, a pilot program designed to bring bicycle safety education to college students, was launched this year with outreach to partnering schools in the Puget Sound region.  Learn more about Go by Bike.
Strategic Plan
The Bicycle Alliance hosted a two-day strategic planning summit that included the participation of 40 stakeholders representing bike clubs, elected officials, health organizations, advocacy partners, transportation agencies, planners, urban and rural interests.  This inclusive process resulted in a revised vision, mission and goals for the organization.  Read the details here.
Other Highlights
We took our Hub & Spoke outreach tour to Olympia, Mount Vernon and Spokane to network with community advocates and discuss issues big and small.  We met with stakeholders in the Methow Valley to begin coordinating our work on the US Bicycle Route System.  We were in Vancouver to participate in the annual policy makers’ ride.  We worked with the Peninsula Trails Coalition to weigh in on the alternatives proposed by Olympic National Park for the Olympic Discovery Trail.  We worked with WSDOT and regional bike advocates to find acceptable solutions to improve bicycle safety on the Hood Canal Bridge.  We coordinated efforts with Futurewise and community activists to rally support for and pass a Complete Streets ordinance in Spokane.
To date, over 4600 Share the Road license plates have been sold in Washington State.  Funds from the purchase of these plates have supported our education activities, including the development and distribution of curriculum that teaches motorists how to safely share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians.
Internet outreach highlights:
Over 195,000 unique visitors to our website in 2011
Over 17,000 unique viewers of the blog
Bike Bites e-newsletter was distributed to over 3000 advocates each month
Facebook – 700+ followers – an 85% increase over 2010
We started to Twitter late this year and have over 250 followers
Posted in Education, Go By Bike, Issues & Advocacy, News, Safe Routes to School, Share the Road, Transportation | Comments Off on Year in Review: 2011 Highlights

Jay Steingold Says Farewell

By Louise McGrody | Published December 27, 2011

If you are a customer of Bike Port, retrieved a lost bike left on a Metro bus, attended a volunteer work party or dropped by our table at an outreach event, then you probably met Jay Steingold.  He was the friendly fella who greeted and assisted you.  His gourmet handcrafted sandwiches that he specially prepared for volunteer work parties are legendary.


Jay brings a specialty beer to share at the
staff’s holiday beer tasting.

After spending a year with the Bicycle Alliance, Jay is leaving us for a new adventure.  In the spring of 2012, he and his wife Laura are heading to South Korea where Jay plans to teach English. 

What will Jay miss about the Bicycle Alliance?  “Everyone’s passion for bicycling and their love of food and craft beers,” he stated.


“I will miss Barb’s warmth and strength as a leader, Donna’s steadfast dedication to accuracy and order, John’s dry wit and tenacious carrying of his grant, JoAnn’s hearty cookies and infectious love of her job, Louise’s laser-like focus and lightheartedness, Blake’s unbearably cute family and knowledge of all things biking in Seattle, Seth’s quiet logic and delicious baked goods, Josh’s optimism and willingness to help with anything, and last but not least—Ben and Julian’s weekly sing-along to Justin Timberlake,” he elaborated.
When asked if he had any parting thoughts, Jay encouraged folks to attend Transportation Advocacy Day because it’s an opportunity to show our numbers.  He advised attendees to do their homework in advance and ask smart questions.
In the interim couple of months, Jay will do some traveling, photography, writing, leatherworking, croissant-making, and learning as much Korean as possible.
Posted in News, People | Comments Off on Jay Steingold Says Farewell

Farewell to Bike Port

By baw_admin | Published December 21, 2011

After serving the Seattle bicycle community for eight years, Bike Port will close its doors at the end of December.  The facility first opened its doors in Pioneer Square in May 2003 and provided 24/7 secure bike parking and an in-house bicycle repair shop.  The Bicycle Alliance has managed the Bike Port facility since 2005 through a partnership with King County Metro, the City of Seattle, and Sound Transit.
As buildings in the downtown area created their own bike parking, the need for Bike Port services has declined.  Bike Port will be missed by those individuals who still need secure bike parking in the Pioneer Square area and we hope that on-demand bike lockers will be available in the future. 

The bike shop located in Bike Port is changing ownership and will remain in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.  Ben Rainbow, the current manager of the JRA Bike Shop housed in Bike Port, is opening Back Alley Bike Repair in February.  The shop will be located at 116 First Avenue S, with an entrance from the alley.  Check Back Alley’s Facebook page for more details.
Posted in Bike Parking, News, Seattle | 1 Comment

Slowing down is gaining momentum

By Louise McGrody | Published December 20, 2011

Pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden

Last year, Washington Bikes championed a bill that would give cities and towns the discretion to set speed limits to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial streets.  The bill passed 92-0 in the House but ran out of time in the Senate Transportation Committee.  We are leading the charge again in 2012 for SHB 1217, the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill.

There are many benefits to passing the Neighborhood Safe Speeds Bill.  It allows local governments to determine safe speeds for local streets, and it removes the additional costs and red tape currently required by the state.  Reduced speeds improve neighborhood safety and save lives.  Making neighborhood streets safer can encourage physical activity and active transportation, resulting in a healthier society.
The desire to slow down our communities is not unique to Washington.  In Idaho, local jurisdictions have the capacity to set lower speed limits on portions of state highways that pass through residential, urban or business districts to enhance safety.  New York City established its first “neighborhood slow zone” earlier this year.  20’s Plenty for Us is the British movement that has successfully campaigned to lower residential speed limits in cities and towns. 

Writer Will Doig took an in-depth look at the resurging popularity of slower streets in a Salon article published last week.  In his article, Doig observed:
Now, gradually, the pendulum appears to be swinging back toward slower streets, partly because walkable neighborhoods and urban density are in vogue again. A lazy streetcar, a strolling pedestrian or a languidly pedaling bicyclist are all signs that neighborhood life in that area is healthy and abundant. They indicate that you’re somewhere that’s packed with businesses, parks, playgrounds — things that people want to stop and use — and, in circular fashion, they encourage even more of that stuff to be built.
Posted in Attitudes, Health, Issues & Advocacy, Safety, Transportation | Comments Off on Slowing down is gaining momentum

Federal agency calls for cell phone ban for drivers

By baw_admin | Published December 19, 2011
Last week the National Transportation Safety Board voted unanimously to recommend that all 50 states and the District of Columbia ban the use of cell phones by drivers.  This recommendation was based on volumes of evidence supporting the dangers of distracted driving.  Here’s NTSB’s recommendation:
Ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers; 2) use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration model of high visibility enforcement to support these bans; and 3) implement targeted communication campaigns to inform motorists of the new law and enforcement, and to warn them of the dangers associated with the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices while driving.
This is the most far-reaching recommendation to date because it prohibits all cell phone use by drivers, including the use of hands-free devices.  According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, only 9 states and DC prohibit handheld cell phone use by all drivers.  Texting while driving is banned in 35 states and DC.  No state prohibits the use of hands-free devices.  Check GHSA site for more information.
In 2010, Washington Bikes and others successfully championed a bill that elevated handheld cell phone use and texting while driving to a primary traffic offense punishable by a $124 fine.  For drivers younger than 18, the ban includes the use of hands-free devices.  Read previous posts on this topic here and here.
Elevating this traffic violation to a primary offense was important.  When it was a secondary law, an officer could only issue a ticket to a driver talking on a cell phone if they had been pulled over for some other violation—like speeding. Washington State Patrol wasted no time going after cell phone violators when the law took effect, issuing 670 tickets in the first 20 days.  Seattle Police Department’s Aggressive Driver Response Team routinely issues tickets to cell phone violators as well.
Is Washington State ready to fully adopt NTSB’s recommendation by prohibiting the use of hands-free devices while driving?  Let’s hope so.  A growing mound of evidence suggests that having your hands on the steering wheel isn’t enough.  Engaging your mind in a cell phone conversation (handheld or hands-free) distracts the driver from the primary task at hand:  driving safely and attentively.
Resources:
Driven to Distraction Task Force of Washington State
Driven to Distraction – New York Times series
Governors Highway Safety Association – Cellphone and Texting laws
Distraction.gov
National Transportation Safety Board
Posted in Issues & Advocacy, Safety, Transportation | Comments Off on Federal agency calls for cell phone ban for drivers