{"id":2474,"date":"2013-02-09T09:06:19","date_gmt":"2013-02-09T17:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wabikes.org\/?p=2474"},"modified":"2013-02-09T11:37:59","modified_gmt":"2013-02-09T19:37:59","slug":"love-bikes-take-action-during-valentines-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wabikes.org\/index.php\/2013\/02\/09\/love-bikes-take-action-during-valentines-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Bikes? Take Action During Valentine\u2019s Week!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Legislative hearings and advocacy days in Olympia are coming at us quickly, so we\u2019re pedaling ever faster to stay on top of our policy priorities, get more funding for bike infrastructure, and make sure you know what\u2019s going on so you can take action for active transportation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a round-up of opportunities to engage directly whether you can get all the way to the capital, or just get to your phone and a computer to contact your legislators and ask your friends to do so as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday, Feb. 12:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Safe Passing Bill:<\/strong> SB 5564 <\/strong>\u00a0helps drivers by clarifying that they can legally cross double yellow lines to make a safe passing movement around someone who is walking or biking\u2014a commonsense approach to passing, especially on rural roads. The bill includes language defining a safe passing distance as three feet or more. Hearing<\/strong> Tuesday, Feb. 12, 3:30pm, in Senate Transportation. <\/strong>(On the House side it\u2019s HB 1743\u2014hearing not yet scheduled.)<\/p>\n

Transportation Advocacy Day Tuesday, Feb. 12, 9am-4:30pm: <\/strong>Join nearly 200 people who agree with you that we need to stand up and speak out for active transportation! It\u2019s not too late to register.<\/p>\n

Many thanks to our partners at Transportation Choices Coalition for providing the online registration<\/a> and to our organizational member Zipcar for helping arrange the Zipcar-avan carpooling from Seattle.<\/p>\n

For those of you in the Spokane region, if you absolutely can\u2019t make it to Olympia then take advantage of Advocacy Day partner Futurewise and their \u201cvirtual\u201d TAD in Spokane via Skype: http:\/\/p0.vresp.com\/RmO68J<\/a><\/p>\n

Health and Transportation: HB 1233<\/strong> to include health in the state transportation system policy goals would highlight the value of walking and biking and the importance of investing in projects to support healthy, active transportation.\u00a0Hearing set for House Transportation Committee Tuesday, Feb. 12, 3:30pm.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday, Feb. 13:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Safe Routes to School Funding: SB 5506<\/strong> protects the level of federal funding attained in the last budget cycle. The current transportation budget proposed by the state Department of Transportation drops the level of federal dollars for Safe Routes to School from last biennium’s levels. This bill offers a simple fix to keep those federal dollars the same to provide more safe walking\/biking infrastructure in our neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

Did you know that pupil transportation costs $390-$400 million each year and that every single day Washington schoolbus drivers travel to the moon and back (in terms of mileage)? Or that studies show kids who bike\/walk to school can concentrate better and get better grades? Hearing<\/strong> Wednesday, Feb. 13<\/strong>, 3:30pm, in Senate Transportation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bike\/Pedestrian Infrastructure Funding\u2014<\/strong>Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition Lobby Day<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>Our partners at WWRC advocate for funding through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which includes a great list of trail projects<\/a> like these that add more great assets to Washington\u2019s incredible portfolio of bike travel and tourism opportunities.<\/p>\n