Week 2 Legislative Update

By baw_admin | Published January 23, 2012

By all accounts, the 2012 legislative session has been unusually busy due in part because legislators are already up-to-speed on many of the pressing fiscal concerns due to the special session held in November and December of 2011. Unfortunately, the second week’s weather slowed the legislature’s previous fast pace, resulting in the cancellation of several committee meetings. Heading into week 3, the Bicycle Alliance will be watching to see this delay will affect the progress of bills we support and monitor in Olympia.
Bicycle Alliance Legislative Priorities:

 

Governor’s Transportation Package. During the first week of session the Governor, in her State of the State speech, proposed a $3.6 billion transportation package. The legislation, introduced yesterday, will use fees to fund the package (as we understand it, the chance of a transportation package going on a November ballot is now slim). It is slated for hearings in the House and Senate Transportation Committees concurrently at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24.
The Bicycle Alliance has concerns about the current legislation, but is hopeful it can be improved. In brief, the proposal is heavily weighted in favor of operations and maintenance for roads and ferries (good in that it generally takes a ‘fix it first’ approach), includes some money for transit, and provides some (at present, the limitations are concerning for active transportation interests) money for local governments. Notably, it fails to include funding for bicycle mobility, safety, or education (including the Safe Routes to School Program). In the coming weeks we will be working to convey the import of a more balanced package that includes the active transportation and public safety elements, as well as more freedom for local government revenue options, necessary for a balanced transportation package. 
Programmatic Threats and Opportunities. In addition to the Governor’s transportation package, the Bicycle Alliance is closely following the funding conversation both around existing funding and exploring potential new revenue streams for Safe Routes to School, bicycle and pedestrian mobility, to fund the currently unfunded Complete Streets Grant Program (passed last year as HB 1071), as well as issues around future funding for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program. As we better understand these situations, and if and when future issues arise, we will be alerting our partners and membership.
Transportation Advocacy Day. We have set an ambitious goal for over 200 participants to make it down to the January 31 event where you can meet legislators, get to know fellow advocates, and make a difference in growing bicycling in Washington. The Bicycle Alliance is coordinating with our transportation partners on making sure the event is a huge success. Please join us on January 31 and spread the word to friends and colleagues! RSVP for the all-day event here: http://transportationchoices.org/action/transportation-advocacy-day-2012 
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Week 2 Legislative Update

Put a Share the Road mini license plate on your bike

By baw_admin | Published January 19, 2012

Remember the mini license plate you could put on your bike when you were a kid?  Now you can get one that looks just like our Washington Share the Road license plate!

The Share the Road mini plate can adorn your bike, trike, or unicycle.  Hang it on your backpack or shoulder bag.  Frame it and put it on your desk.  Attach it to your snowboard or skateboard.  Give one to your child or favorite bicyclist as a gift!
The text on your Share the Road mini license plate is personalized.  You can display your name, nickname or other message with up to 10 characters.  Buy a set of them proclaiming the name of your bike club, racing team or Bike to Work team!
Purchasing a Share the Road mini plate is an investment in yourself as a bicyclist.  Not only are you conveying an important message, but proceeds from the mini plate–just like the Share the Road vehicle license plate–is used by the Bicycle Alliance for bicycle safety and education.
Check our merchandise page for details on purchasing a Share the Road mini plate. 
Own a car, truck or motorcycle?  You can show your support for bicycling with a Share the Road license plate!
Posted in Education, Safety, Share the Road | Comments Off on Put a Share the Road mini license plate on your bike

Greenways Organizers Kick Off the New Year with a Meet Up

By baw_admin | Published January 18, 2012

This post was submitted by Alexa Heidrich.  Alexa grew up in Corvallis, lived in Portland, and studied abroad in Australia before she landed in Seattle.  She will be a regular contributor to the blog.

The Seattle Neighborhood Greenways continues to build steam and connect neighborhoods through community advocacy and action.  This meeting in Beacon Hill started with an introduction by Dylan Ahearn, and segued to updates from Madison, Phinney, Wallingford, Ballard and Delridge neighborhoods.  Bob Edminston was fresh from presenting at Monday night’s Madison Park Neighborhood Council meeting, which resulted in the addition of new members for the Madison Park Greenways group!

Next up was Sally Bagshaw, who began with updated information about the RFQ for the upcoming Seattle Bike Master Plan update.  She was able to intone City support for Seattle Greenways and improved bicycle facilities, which will be detailed in a press release coming soon from Cathy Tuttle of Seattle Greenways Wallingford.
Keynote speaker Blake Trask, statewide policy director of Washington Bikes, began his Next Steps presentation which provided the historical context of biking in Seattle, gave his comments about the current Seattle Bike Master Plan, and the importance of Greenways in the overall improvement of biking in Seattle.  He emphasized that additional measures included emerging best practices of bike facilities which continue to evolve with international and national examples, such as better intersections, improved signals, and better data collection and analysis.  It will be important to advocate for all of these improved facilities to comprehensively connect the neighborhoods of Seattle. Blake concluded with some observations about the release of the Governor’s proposed transportation package urging state residents to continue to highlight to their elected officials the importance of bicycling and walking as affordable, healthy, and safe choices for our state’s transportation system (outside of funding for local transportation funding, the Governor’s proposal did not mention funding for bicycle or pedestrian projects).

Blake provided information about the opportunity to show support at the state level on Transportation Advocacy Day on January 31st in Olympia, in addition to emphasizing continued advocacy and community driven efforts to effect real change in the neighborhoods of Seattle.  Blake voiced concerns about fiscal support from the State in the near future, but encouraged a long-term approach that would build on the gains made by groups like Seattle Neighborhood Greenways in the short-term.

(For more information about Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia visit http://transportationchoices.org/action/transportation-advocacy-day-2012) 
Overall the members and attendees of the meeting left with a better understanding of the resources available, which included a number of City grants and a generous amount of support and knowledge for groups new to the process.  For more information about Seattle Greenways and community grants available for neighborhood bicycle and pedestrian improvements please contact Cathy Tuttle at Cathy.Tuttle@gmail.com.
Posted in Advocacy, Complete Streets, Events, Politics, Seattle | Comments Off on Greenways Organizers Kick Off the New Year with a Meet Up

Board Ballots Due January 31

By baw_admin | Published January 17, 2012

If you’re a member of Washington Bikes, be on the lookout for an email or postcard inviting you to vote for board members.

The Bicycle Alliance is served by a board of up to 24 volunteer directors who bring a variety of skills and perspectives from all corners of the state.  Board members serve 3-year terms which are staggered to maintain continuity.  Approximately one-third of the board positions are up for election each year.
Three new individuals are running for the board this year:
·         John Pope of Anacortes has served on our Legislative Committee for several years.  Manager of Engineering Specifications and Standards for Tesoro Refining and Marketing, John is interested in expanding his role with the Bicycle Alliance.  His community involvement is extensive and includes serving on the boards of Skagit Regional Transportation Planning Organization and the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.
·         Seattle resident John Vona is an avid bicyclist and daily bike commuter.  John holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Georgia and is the Manager of Business & Analysis for Green Diamond Resource Company.  He is interested in serving on the Bicycle Alliance board because he wants to contribute to an effort that promotes safe, alternative transportation in Washington.  John has volunteered for the Phinney Ridge Community Center and with various homeless shelters and missions.
·         Marc Mims of Veradale dove head first into bicycle advocacy a couple of years ago when he successfully championed a grassroots effort to save a bike lane project in Spokane Valley.  This experience inspired Marc to join the Bicycle Alliance board so he can further advocate, defend and support bicycling as a transportation choice.  Marc managed a small software company for 15 years and now works freelance as a software developer.
In addition to the three new candidates, seven current board members are seeking re-election to their positions:
·         Mary Anderson, Bellingham
·         Brian Foley, Black Diamond
·         Julie Gregg, Seattle
·         Kirste Johnson, Seattle
·         Rod McDonald, Arlington
·         David McLean, Seattle
·         Ralph Wessels, Gig Harbor
Bios on current board members can be found here.  Voting closes on January 31.
Posted in News | Comments Off on Board Ballots Due January 31

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