Blake Trask is a self-identified policy wonk who began addressing transportation issues through research in college, has since been civically involved in advising the City of Seattle on bicycling policy and planning, and has worked on transport projects as a consultant. In August, he will begin applying that knowledge as the Statewide Policy Director for Washington Bikes.
Currently the chair of the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board, Blake looks forward to turning his transportation focus statewide with his new position. He is excited to draw upon the knowledge and background of the Bicycle Alliance’s Legislative and Statewide Issues Committee and lobbyist Michael Temple on 2012 priorities.
“I’m especially interested in the 20 mile-per-hour bill (HB 1217) and HB 1700, which relates to the design standards as a complement to Complete Streets and better bicycle/pedestrian design,” said Blake. “They tie into my interest in broadening the toolboxes of individual municipalities to make safer streets for all roadway users,” he added.
As the father of a 9-month-old daughter, Blake feels even more inspired to promote safe and accessible transportation options for all Washingtonians. The Bicycle Alliance’s work to implement Safe Routes to School statewide and promote active transportation are priorities for him. Blake believes there are opportunities to improve urban and rural cycling, and to strengthen the link between cycling and economic development. He’s excited to be a part of making these opportunities a reality.
Blake holds a master’s degree in environmental policy and planning from the University of Washington. Prior to joining the Bicycle Alliance, he worked for Triangle Associates where he worked as a facilitator on often contentious planning and policy issues in Washington state and designed and implemented public involvement for large public works projects. He also served on the leadership team of Streets for All Seattle campaign, which has worked over the past year-and-a-half to seek additional funding for walking, biking and transit.
“Blake is well known in the Seattle area where he has honed his considerable transportation skills as chair of the Bicycle Advisory Board and on various bicycle-related funding campaigns,” said executive director Barbara Culp. “Besides his transportation acumen, Blake has mediated sensitive environmental issues and knows how to bring all parties to a consensus. He knows when to be tough and when to be a team player. He’s a welcome addition to the Bicycle Alliance staff and its vision of a bike-friendly Washington.”
Blake grew up on Vashon Island and has generational roots that stretch into eastern Washington. He and his family live in Seattle where he rides his bike often for transportation. When he’s not consumed with parental responsibilities, he enjoys camping around the state and spending time with his friends.
Be attentive and be safe
–Situational awareness is of central importance when travelling by bicycle
–Look out for turning traffic (in front of you, oncoming traffic and from side streets)
–Don’t ride in the door zone
–Be visible, with good lane positioning and brightly colored gear
–Take the lane when you need to for safety reasons
Keep it fresh, mix it up
–Vary your route.Especially on your ride home extend your ride along a fun or scenic route.
–Ride different bikes.If you have more than one bike, don’t always commute on the same one.
–Wear different clothes, shoes and helmets on different days and in different seasons.
Have a snack
–If you like trail riding, find all the little bits of singletrack anywhere near your commute.In fact, just this morning I snacked on a little stretch of trail as I detoured around a construction zone.
–Stop and smell the flowers along the way.Take a deep breath at a scenic vista.Practice tai chi at the local park.Or meet your friends for coffee en-route to work.
Be imaginative
–Create your own mythologies for inspiration…just remember to NOT really believe in them
–A healthy fantasy life can help your psych to ride.For example, when you mount your bike you might become a bicycle/human cyborg or a two-wheeled centaur whose mission is to ______________.Just don’t explain that one to your boss, the police or your significant other.
Be well-equipped
–Have the right gear for the job.Carry a pump, tube, patch kit and mini tool and know how to use them
–If you are riding in Minneapolis in the winter, studded tires might be in order
–If you are commuting through a Pacific Northwest winter, you really ought to have fenders
–In Honolulu or Houston hydration and sun protection are key
Get better
–Learn more about bicycle mechanics so that you are more self-reliant on the road
–Improve your handling skills.For example; learn how to bunnyhop so you can more safely and easily avoid road hazards.
–Learn traffic law for bicycles and follow the rules.Become a better bicycling ambassador
–Take a safe cycling skills course
Get hooked
–Keep riding when the fall and winter weather rolls in. If you ride through fall and winter it is much easier to ride in the early spring too.We readily adapt to the gradual changes in weather as we ride daily throughout the year.Inertia plays an important role in our habits.
–Get multi-modal on it.Use transit and bikes together where possible to extend your “cruising range.”
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The Bicycle Alliance’s Legislative & Statewide Issues Committee gathered at REI corporate headquarters in Kent in late June to begin planning for the 2012 legislative session.
Nineteen individuals representing bike clubs, bike groups, and partner organizations with shared interests participated in this meeting. Cascade Bike Club, Skagit Bike Club, Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club, and the Vancouver Bike Club, were among the clubs in attendance. Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition, Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition, Transportation Choices Coalition, Washington Coalition Promoting Physical Activity also had representatives participating in the meeting. The geographic representation included Anacortes, Bremerton, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima.
The group reviewed the results of the 2011 session, then discussed possible legislative priorities for 2012. Among the potential legislative and statewide priorities that emerged were:
Representatives from the partner organizations briefed the committee on what their upcoming priorities were likely to be. Transportation Choices is interested in potential tolling revenue changes and promoting mileage-based insurance to reward those who drive less. Washington Coalition Promoting Physical Activity continues to be interested in Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School. They and the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition want to increase community access to physical activity through joint use agreements for facilities like schools.
Many thanks to REI for the use of their facilities and their ongoing support of bicycling and bicycle advocacy and to the individuals from around the state who serve on or participate with the committee. Additional thanks to Ralph Wessels and Brian Foley, who co-chair the committee, and to our lobbyist Michael Temple for his guidance and work on our behalf. The committee will reconvene in September to make a final decision on what priorities to move forward for 2012.
Saris Cycling Group sponsored a national bicycle poster contest for fifth graders earlier this year and the Bicycle Alliance coordinated the contest effort for Washington State. Here’s a link to an earlier blog post about the contest.
More than 5000 students from 17 states submitted posters centered on the theme, “Bicycling is fun…and healthy too!” The winning poster for Washington, pictured here, was created by a student at Orca K-8 in Seattle. The student winner will receive a bike, bike light and helmet and the school will receive a Saris bike rack.
The winning national poster came from a student in Oklahoma. You can view the winning poster here.
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| Photo by Carla Gramlich |
You know Stickman. He’s the figure you see on pedestrian crossing signs. Sometimes you see him riding a bicycle on trail crossing signs. Stickman knows a lot about traffic safety and he’s been brought to life for a safety campaign aimed at all road users (motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists) in Spokane County.
“Safer transportation is about more than just infrastructure. If our residents aren’t accountable for understanding the laws—or choose not to pay attention to them—it makes it that much more difficult for us to improve the overall biking and walking experience in Spokane. Stickman Knows addresses so many of the reasons police see these collisions occur, that’s why we’re optimistic it will achieve its goals in reducing collisions.”
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| Gary in the Tulips. Photo by Arnold Chin. |
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| Gary and daughter Marika at 2008 Ride of Silence. |
Things on the Senate side are not much better. Senator James Inhofe, a lead negotiator in the Senate debate, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate ‘frivolous spending for bike trails.’ This is in direct conflict with Senator Barbara Boxer’s commitment to maintain dedicated funding for biking and walking. However, the Senate is working towards a bi-partisan solution – and Senator Inhofe’s comments mean funding for bicycling and pedestrian programs is at risk of total elimination.
Not in the National Interest?
Frivolous?
The Facts
These projects also create jobs, and build local economies. Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent. Cities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects turn downtowns into destinations, and capitalize on increased business activity.
Finally, shifting 1.5% of transportation spending has no impact on the federal budget, but instead, decreases transportation options for American families in a time of rising gas prices and an uncertain economy.
Help Protect Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Contact
your Representative and Senators, and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue dedicated funding for these important biking and walking programs. We need every Senator and every Representative to speak out for walking and biking.
Seattle City Light is planning to remove all the trees under the power lines along the Interurban Trail north of N 145th Street this summer rather than continue to prune them every few years to cut their costs of doing business. The natural barrier provided by the trees may become a man made barrier of wood and cyclone fences, as it has in other sections where the natural greenery has been removed.
This is what it may become:
It is of course important for the power company to maintain the transmission lines and electric service to the many customers they serve. According to the representatives from the the power company, one of the primary concerns of Seattle City Light is to lessen the work required to come out every few years and prune or top the trees, and it may well be less costly in the long run for them to just remove the trees entirely.
However, this corridor is also a greenbelt with a prominent regional pedestrian and bike trail. The interests and well being of these many users should be an important consideration in any decisions made here. Currently and over the past many decades this vegetation has been pruned and maintained to preserve the shade, the wildlife habitat, a weather barrier, and sound and visual barrier between the adjoining commercial and residential communities. These benefits should be maintained and enhanced, not removed.