Upcoming Events & Meetings and Rides

Statewide RIDES Calendar lists rides and events that support the Bicycle Alliance.
Statewide ADVOCACY Calendar lists Bicycle Advocacy Groups that meet regularly.

Election Recommendations

BAW opposes Initiative 985, Supports Transit Expansion (Sound Transit Prop 1)

Occasionally, the board of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington takes a position on an initiative, bond issue or other issue. (BAW does not endorse or oppose individual candidate races.) Last year, the board recommended passage of the Roads and Transit proposal before voters around Puget Sound: the measure was defeated. For the upcoming election, the Bicycle Alliance is opposing state-wide Initiative 985. BAW is also endorsing the expansion of transit service in the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett area proposed in Sound Transit 2 (Sound Transit Prop 1).

I-985 focuses on motor vehicles [NO on I-985]

by Kristin Kinnamon
Chair Statewide and Legislative Committee

While the ballot title states that the measure is intended to "reduce traffic congestion," it focuses solely on motor vehicles as the means to do so. By requiring a certain amount of state and local money be spent on "congestion relief" measures aimed solely at cars, I-985 puts at risk funding for non-motorized and transit projects. It sets out a "one size fits all" solution to traffic problems across the state, limiting local control and decision-making.

For instance, cities and counties would be required to synchronize traffic signals on arterials. That sounds good in theory, but there may be local reasons why lights are not timed to move cars quickly. It may be a community goal that cars move at safe speeds through neighborhoods. Preference may be given to pedestrian or transit traffic. Or a jurisdiction may simply not have the money to spend on an expensive traffic light management system, and set priorities in other areas.

Other items identified to "reduce congestion" are opening all HOV lanes at off-peak hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and having emergency response vehicles ready to respond to accidents on the freeway.

The initiative would require that 15% of vehicle sales taxes,100% of red light camera fines and all excess road tolls (not needed to pay for the bridge/project itself) go towards these defined "congestion relief" measures, in addition for paying the state auditor to monitor them.

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington supports balanced solutions to improve our transportation system, and developing a system for the future that gives people a choice of convenient, safe and environmentally-friendly modes for getting around.

This initiative puts transportation choices at risk by focusing funding and attention in very limited areas. Congestion relief must focus on moving people, not just cars. A balanced approach would include HOV and pedestrian improvements, bicycle facilities, commuter parking (for cars and bikes) and other support for transit and flexible funding to achieve these goals.

BAW backs expansion of mass transit [YES on Sound Transit Prop. 1]

by King Cushman
First Vice President

On September 26th the Board of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington voted overwhelmingly to support Sound Transit's Proposition 1 on the November 4th ballot, the proposal for major mass transit expansion in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

While the ballot does contain a few explicit bicycle related projects such as adding more bike storage at stations and improving bicycle access to transit facilities, a key rationale for the board's support was the unique long-range opportunity the ballot offers to help create more pedestrian-bicycle friendly development and reduce auto-dependency throughout much of Sound Transit's three-county service area.

The ballot measure provides positive environmental benefits through direct support of adopted local and regional growth management plans that call for major investments in mass transit capital facilities and service expansion - bus and rail - in over a couple dozen community and regional centers. Reduced auto dependency and greatly increased every day travel by pedestrians and bicycles has resulted in many North American and European cities that have increased development densities with supportive transit service expansion.

Sound Transit has also just created a Bicycle Advisory Committee that includes representation from the BAW and it is our intent to work with Sound Transit and this committee to assure that all Sound Transit's facilities and services adequately provide improved bicycle access and bike accommodation.

Legislative Issues

By Kristin Kinnamon
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
Board Member

As a board member and chair of our Legislative & Statewide Issues Committee, I'm proud to share what we're working on this year.

Initiative 985 : The Bicycle Alliance has taken a position opposing I-985. While the ballot title states that the measure is intended to "reduce traffic congestion," it focuses solely on motor vehicles as the means to do so. By requiring a certain amount of state and local money be spent on "congestion relief" measures aimed solely at cars, I-985 puts at risk funding for non-motorized and transit projects. It sets out a "one size fits all" solution to traffic problems across the state, limiting local control and decision-making.

Traffic Actuated Signals : Ever sat on your bike at a traffic light waiting for it to change? Given that bikes are legal vehicles in Washington, it shouldn't have to be that way. We are developing legislation to require cities to make signals detect bikes and motorcycles and to mark loops to indicate bike placement whenever road work is done in an intersection. All lights would have to comply within two years. As a member of BIKES Club of Snohomish County, I know how important this bill is. We've been asking how "improved" intersections on Hwy. 9 will detect bikes. Department of Transportation engineers have told us that, despite DOT bike design standards to the contrary, they don't have to design signals for bikes.

Construction Zones : Ever been frustrated by construction signs blocking the bike lane or shoulder? Ever suddenly come across a closed sidewalk with no safe alternative? National standards (Manual of Uniform Traffic Code) that are adopted by most jurisdictions require that bicycles and pedestrians be considered when planning for access through construction zones. In practice, construction projects often create dangerous barriers for cyclists when proper planning could provide safe alternatives. Our bill will require compliance with MUTCD standards so that people who use wheelchairs, bikes or their own two feet are considered important user groups when construction zone closures and detours are necessary.

School Transportation Funding : The Bicycle Alliance is a partner is the state Center for Safe Routes to School. We help communities educate, engineer, encourage and evaluate walking and biking programs and facilities for schools. With our bad economy, legislators and school leaders are also wondering how to get the most out of school transportation funding. Did you know state money can be used to bus kids who live within 1 mile of school, but can't help pay for school crossing guards so kids could walk instead? We want to give school districts incentives to work for safer roads and walkways in their community, not just more money for buses year after year.

Global Warming : Bicycle Alliance Executive Director Gordon Black serves on the state's Climate Change subcommittee on transportation. The committee will be supporting policies and legislation that encourage bicycles as an earth-friendly transportation option.

3-Foot Passing : Washington state law already requires cars to pass cyclists at a "safe distances." Last year we tried to define that as a minimum of three feet. The Washington State Patrol opposed the bill for fear they couldn't enforce it and truckers wondered if they'd be able to cross double yellow lines to comply. We've been studying other state's laws and will meet with the WSP this month to see if we can change their minds. If not, we'll focus on enforcing existing laws and educating both drivers and cyclists for now.

The BAW Legislative Committee welcomes bike advocates from across the state. If you'd like to be considered for membership, please submit a letter of interest to me at kinnamonk@aol.com or call (360) 658-2462.