With barely over two weeks remaining
in the legislative session, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington continues to
collaborate with our partners, legislators, and a diverse array of
organizations and cities from around the state to promote legislation that encourages
complete and healthy streets, and grows bicycling statewide.
Happily we are still engaged on each
of our legislative priorities that include (1) safer neighborhood streets; (2) Better
design standards & Complete Streets; and (3) investments in transportation
funding, including Complete Streets.
www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden |
Safer Neighborhood Streets: We’ve had an especially busy week supporting our priority
legislation, SHB 1217 – the NeighborhoodSafe Streets bill. Last Thursday, we held a fantastic public hearing in the
Senate Transportation Committee that featured council members Jon Snyder (Spokane),
Sally Clark (Seattle), Bicycle Alliance Executive Director Barbara Culp and former
WSDOT Secretary Douglas MacDonald. Video of the testimony can be seen on TVW.
Just yesterday, the Senate
Transportation Committee passed SHB 1217 out in executive session without opposition! We are excited to now move forward
in the Senate and to work with our over 35 partner organizations and cities on
next steps to ensure the bill’s passage.
Better Design Standards & Complete Streets. SHB 1700 was also heard in the
Senate Transportation Committee last week and passed out of the Committee on
Monday. This bill promotes safe and flexible design standards by providing
cities and counties the flexibility to use updated guidelines for designing bicycle
and pedestrian projects, increasing safety and reducing project costs.
Healthy Communities. HB 2370, a bill led by Representative Andy Billig of Spokane adds
health as a transportation system policy goal. After a fantastic public hearing
in the House Transportation Committee, which included our own Barbara Culp
noting the transportation changes occurring since she grew up in the Methow
Valley, the bill passed out of the House two weeks ago. It is now slated to be
heard Monday, February 27 in the Senate Transportation Committee.
www.pedbikeimages.org / Mike Cynecki |
Funding.
Transportation funding is still very fluid as supplemental budgets in both the
House and Senate have been introduced. The initial Senate proposal includes a
smaller proportion allocated for Safe Routes to Schools funding (3% versus 4%,
which amounts to approximately a $1 million difference). We are also monitoring
the situation for funding the Complete Streets Grant Program, which originated
out of the passage of last year’s HB 1071.
Your involvement. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has succeeded over the past 25 years
with a focus on collaborating and working with members, clubs, and individuals
across the state to lend experience, expertise, and support. Legislators need
to hear your voice and we can’t thank you enough for lending it over the course
of the session. If you want to get involved, please contact me, join our e-activist list, and – most importantly – become a member of the BicycleAlliance!
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