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Advocate
The Bicycle Alliance Advocates for Bicyclists and a Bicycle-Friendly Washington
MARCH 2009
Legislative Update: Traffic Actuated Signals Safe Routes bill. This legislation would increase
We’re Busy in HB 1403 and SB 5387 dedicated State funding for Safe Routes to School
grants and make other program changes.
BAW Legislative Committee and Capital Bicycling
Olympia! Club member Brian Faller drafted legislation to Progress has been made in moving this important
require new vehicle-activated traffic signals that legislation forward; however, due to concerns
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has a full plate can detect bicycles and motorcycles, as well as associated with funding and other aspects of the
in Olympia for the 2009 legislative session. Our needed enhancements at existing signals when program, it will likely not be adopted this session.
Legislative & Statewide Issues Committee, our upgrade construction occurs. With all the good groundwork accomplished so
lobbyist, and BAW members are working to advance far, and with advocacy efforts continuing in the
several bicycle-friendly bills. We added “subject to funding” and other revisions,
months ahead, we hope this bill will pass next
including a system to file complaints about
However, the dire state fiscal situation this year year. Substantial work selling the bill will still be
specific signals, in order to address fiscal impact
is effecting all legislation. Any hint of a financial required for final success.
concerns raised by the Washington Department of
impact raises concerns and can cause otherwise Transportation and the Association of Washington Status: Received hearing in House
worthwhile legislation to die an early death. BAW is Cities. Other than fiscal concerns, no objections Transportation Committee.
working to minimize the fiscal impact of our proposed have been raised on this proposed legislation.
legislation, and has agreed to some revisions in order The Washington Road Riders, a motorcycle group, Construction Zone Accommodation
to allow our legislative initiatives to move forward and other organizations such as Cascade Bicycle HB 1535
despite any fiscal concerns. Club have given substantial support to move this Ralph Wessels, BAW Legislative Committee and
Ongoing vigilance of our legislation is needed. As legislation forward. Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club member, drafted
BAW Board President Kristin Kinnamon stated in Status: Received hearing and passed out legislation to require compliance with existing
the recent Bike Bites E-Newsletter, “We want of House Transportation Committee. standards so that people using wheelchairs, bikes,
BAW members to continue to contact their State Passed to Rules committee for second or their feet are considered when construction or
Representatives and State Senators and ask them reading. maintenance closures and detours are necessary.
to support our bills.” Some fiscal objections have been raised on this
Right is a summary of key legislation that we are
Three Foot Clearance proposed legislation.
HB 1491 and SB 5335
supporting. Be sure to check our website, www. Status: Received hearing in House
bicyclealliance.org/programs/index.html#legislation, A bill drafted by Brian Faller and BAW lobbyist Transportation Committee.
for additional details and updates. The website also Michael Temple requires a minimum of three (3)
lists other proposed bicycle-related legislation that feet of clearance when a vehicle overtakes and Vulnerable User Law
the BAW is tracking. The “HB” and “SB” numbers passes pedestrians or bicycles. The bill also allows SB 5838
refer to the House Bill and Senate Bill numbers that vehicles to cross the center line to pass a bicycle
The Cascade Bicycle Club has been working on an
pertain to each proposed bill. when it’s safe to do so.
important bill related to vehicular assault, SB 5838,
As an important safety education tool, this to allow misdemeanor criminal charges in crashes
legislation is supported by the Washington causing serious injury or death when not caused by
Department of Transportation, the Washington use of alcohol or drugs. This bill would help clarify
State Patrol, and other law-enforcement groups. an existing gray area to allow police and district
Status: Received hearing in House attorneys to charge motorists with more than
Transportation Committee. mere traffic fines when they injure or kill cyclists.
Washington cyclists are urged to contact their State
Safe Routes to School Senators to support bringing this bill to vote.
HB 1793 and SB 5743 Status: Received hearing in Senate
The BAW, Cascade Bicycle Club, and Feet First are Transportation Committee.
members of the Childhood Obesity Prevention
Coalition, which has been working to advance a
2009 Transportation
Advocacy Day Sees Action
Over 100 advocates gathered in Olympia on February
24 for Transportation Advocacy Day. Attendees
received legislative updates from Senator Ed Murray
and Representative Sharon Nelson, met with their
Bikestation Seattle offers an array of services for downtown cyclists, including legislators and attended a House Transportation
Committee hearing on Safe Routes to School. See the
secure and accessible bike parking, on-site bike repair services, and route-finding
Legislative Update article on page 1 to learn about
information. the bills we are working on this year.
Many thanks to BAW Board member Bob Duffy and
State to Receive $672 Million in Federal his wife Katherine for coordinating the logistics and
food in Olympia for this event!
Stimulus Transportation Funding
Of the $46 billion in transportation funding recently set aside by the federal government,
Washington State is poised to receive $672 million. The money is part of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the stimulus package.
Our state’s portion of the funding will be divided up in several ways. Bicyclists, pedes-
trian, and transit facilities will receive a total of $180 million, of which 3% will go towards
the Transportation Enhancement program. The remaining $492 million goes towards the
Surface Transportation Program, or STP. As The Bicycle Alliance’s Acting Executive Direc-
tor Dave Janis says, “We will work to see these funds restore our roads to conditions—and
with facilities—that encourage bicycling, rather than increase the danger, as many do now.”
BAW Board member Liz McNett Crowl
Of the $492 million, just under 30% will be allocated to metropolitan decision makers,
such as metropolitan planning offices. The Bicycle Alliance will continue to work with its of Mt. Vernon (far left) testified in
partners to ensure bicyclists get their fair share. favor of the Safe Routes to School
legislation during a public hearing in
the House Transportation Committee.
Rides that support the
Bicycle Alliance of WA
Mar 21 : McClinchy Mile Ride May 3 : May Day Metric Jun 20 : Wheels to Meals Aug 22-23 : RAPSody –
Arlington, WA Federal Way, WA Puyallup, WA Ride Around Puget Sound
Scenic Snohomish County loops of easy 3 challenging routes (50, 72 or 104 20-, 32-, 56- & 76-mile loops through Tacoma, WA
20-, flat 34- or challenging 47-mile miles) on back roads of S. Sound. Start beautiful Puyallup valley & surrounding A challenging 1- or 2-day ride. 175 miles
rolling hill rides. Short & long loops 6:30 -10am at Phil’s S. Side Cyclery. area. Min. $100 in pledges. Mechanic at of rolling hills. No ferries, uses Narrows
include Centennial Trails. Combine Portion of each entry fee and all residual start, support, finish line festival, BBQ & bridge. Great food, sag, cue sheet,
loops for metric century. Starts at Haller donated to BAW & Orting Food Bank. live music. Start WSU-Puyallup campus. socks, rest stops. $10 discount to BAW
Middle School. Registration 8-11am. Supported rest stops every 25 miles. Fundraiser for Food Connection. members.
BIKES Club of Snohomish County Phil’s South Side Cyclery / Tailwind The Food Connection BIKES, Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle
www.bikesclub.org www.maydaymetric.net www.wheelstomeals.org Club, West Sound Cycling Club,
Capital Bicycle Club, Cyclists of
Apr 19 : Daffodil Classic May 9 : Skagit Spring Classic Jul 26 : Tour de Kitsap Greater Seattle
Orting, WA Burlington, WA Silverdale, WA www.rapsodybikeride.com
Starts in Puyallup Valley, winds through 19th annual. 25-, 40-, 65- and 100- Scenic 12-, 30-, 65- and 100-mile courses
Orting valley and surrounding hills. mile routes through scenic Skagit and in lovely Kitsap County, rest stops and Sep 20 : Chuckanut Century Ride
Choose from 40-, 60- and 100-mile Whatcom Counties. Also family 10-mile full sag. New family-friendly route. Run for Hospice
loops or 1- to 30-mile paved trail trail route. Food stops, post-ride meal. in conjunction with Silverdale Annual Bellingham, WA
options. Includes map, sag, fully-stocked Enjoy Skagit County and Chuckanut Whaling Days Festival. Arrive a day early Ride one of the most scenic rides in
rest stops & strawberry shortcake at Drive. & join the community events. Washington. Distances range from
finish line. 25, 50, 62, 100 or the double metric
Skagit Bicycle Club West Sound Cycling Club
Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club www.skagitbicycleclub.org www.westsoundcycling.com century of 124 miles. Ride support and
www.twbc.org food stops.
May 9 : Group Health Inland Aug 1-3 : Courage Classic Mt Baker Cycling Club
Apr 26 : Rhody Bike Tour Empire Century Snoqulamie, WA www.mtbakerbikeclub.org
Port Townsend, WA Richland, WA 3-day, 172-mile, fully supported bicycle
32-, 45- or 62-mile routes on east Ride rivers and wheat fields of eastern tour. Ride Snoqualmie, Blewett & Sep 20 : Cycle the WAVE
Jefferson County’s rural roads. Nice hills WA. Routes through parks & over Stevens passes, average 60 miles/day, Issaquah, WA
on the half-metric course, challenging bridges showcase Columbia and Yakima exceptional food stops. Benefits Child Sponsored, non-competitive, all-
ones on the full century. New 16-mile rivers. New route in Horse Heaven Hills. Abuse Intervention Dept. at Mary Bridge women's bicycle ride for women of all
family course on Larry Scott Trail. Full Ride easy 25- or harder 50-, 75- or 100- Children’s Hospital. ages and fitness levels. Purpose of event
support. Benefits various non-profits. mile tour. Fully supported. is to encourage women toward fitness
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital
Port Townsend Bicycle Association Tri-City Bicycle Club, Kiwanis of www.courageclassic.org through cycling while raising funds for
www.ptbikes.org Columbia and Tri-Cities Industry Eastside Domestic Violence Program
www.tricitybicycleclub.org/IEC.html Aug 1 : 8 Lakes Leg Aches Bike Ride and awareness of domestic violence.
Apr 26 : Lilac Century Surprise Spokane, WA Rising Star Guild and
Spokane, WA Jun 7 : Peninsula Metric Century 30-, 50- or 80-mile route. David’s Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club.
Choice of 15, 25, 50, 70 or 100 miles Southworth & Gig Harbor, WA Gourmet Pizza & prizes at the end of the www.cyclethewave.com
through Riverside State Park, scenic river Challenging ride on scenic Kitsap ride. Pledge riders raising $175 receive
& rural routes northwest of Spokane. Peninsula. Waterfront views, rural 8 Lakes designer jersey. Ride around Sep 27 : Headwaters Century
Start 7:30am, 9am or 10am at Spokane countryside, rolling hills. Choose from Spokane and Cheney. Start and finish Enumclaw, WA
Falls Community College. Potato feed & 29-, 44-, 62- or 100-mile routes, two at Group Health Corp. office. Choose from 45-, 65- or 100-mile loop
live music at finish. start locations Southworth & Gig Lutheran Community Services NW starting at Enumclaw High School. Ride
Spokane’s Aurora Northwest Harbor, sag, rest stops, dessert at www.lcsnw.org/events.html on a plateau in a rural area with little
Rotary Club finish line. traffic. All routes are generally flat with
www.northdivision.com Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club Aug 22 : Tour de Lentil some rolling hills. There is one 1.5-mile
www.twbc.org Pullman, WA long hill near Black Diamond. The 100
May 2 : RACC - Ride Around Clark Enjoy the scenic Palouse Hills on this includes a Mud Mountain Dam climb
County Vancouver, WA Jun 20 : Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic 100 km ride. Course is challenging with and descent. 2-3 rest stops per routes,
Four beautiful and challenging ride Walla Walla, WA many hills. Starts at 9am. Part of the mechanical and sag support. Don’t miss
options (18-, 34-, 65- & 100-mile) Celebrate Ann’s life in a metric century National Lentil Festival. Come for the the finish line dessert!
through scenic Clark County. ride along fields of wine and wheat. ride, stay for the parade, food and other Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club
Vancouver Bicycle Club 30-, 60- and 100-mile options, supported, weekend activities. www.twbc.org
www.vancouverbicycleclub.com lunch buffet at finish featuring L’Ecole Pullman Chamber of Commerce
41 wine & great food. Funds go to www.lentilfest.com Oct 3 : Manastash Metric Century
cycling safety and Share the Road Ellensburg, WA
signs. Annual tour through the Kittitas County.
Wheatland Wheelers CC 100 miles to Suncadia, 62 miles to Cle
www.annweatherillcyclingclassic. Elum, 33 miles to Thorpe, and 11-mile
blogspot.com rides available. Weather is usually sunny
and pleasant. Registration 7:30-9am at
Calendar information provided Wing Central’s Roadhouse Grill.
by Bicycle Paper
RSVP of Kittitas County
www.rsvp-wa.org/ellensburg
The Advocate ( 4 ) March 2009
T h e U . S . B i c y c l e R o ut e s S y st e m :
Connecting People, Communities and the Nation
Exciting News! In October 2008, the • Defining and mapping the corridors,
American Association of State Highway
• Researching and determining a national
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
numbered designation system, and
Board of Directors approved the concept
of a national corridor-level plan for bicycle • Reviews by numerous organizations
routes. The plan provides the basic frame- and agencies.
work for establishing a U.S. Bicycle Route
System that connects urban, suburban and The National Corridor Plan continues
rural bicycle routes across America and to evolve as state DOTs and bicycle
beyond. and trail groups start planning how the
national system will work in their state.
The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a Many state agencies are building cross-
proposed national network of bicycle routes state coalitions to plan and develop the
that span multiple states and are of national routes that incorporate a balance of scenic
and regional significance. State Departments and cultural destinations and cities with
of Transportation (DOTs) are the lead organiza- important transportation hubs. Agencies
tion for nominating, signing and maintaining will coordinate with adjoining states to line
the routes which are designated with a number up routes and apply for nation designation.
and catalogued by AASHTO.
BAW Members can be involved. Help us
Adventure Cycling Association build enthusiasm and momentum for this
(www.adventurecycling.org) has been national network.
mapping bike routes across the U.S. and
Canada for over thirty years. To date, • Download the draft corridor plan
the Adventure Cycling Route Network and view the proposed corridors at
incorporates over 38,000 miles of mapped www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs
bike routes. Back in the 1970’s – when
• Read the Frequently Asked Questions
Bikecentennial (we became known as
Adventure Cycling Association in 1994) • Join our Forums www.adventurecycling.
and the 1976 ride across America was first org/forums/index.php (watch for the
U.S. Bicycle Route System Revitalized.
gaining ground, the idea was that our route USBRS category to go up in March)
network would be nationally recognized, An initiative to restart the concept of a
• Contact your city or state bike/ped co-
signed and potentially maintained by national bike route network began in 2003.
ordinator and ask to help them plan the
transportation agencies. Adventure Cycling serves on the Task Force
routes
for U.S. Bicycle Routes and has provided
That idea took
staff support to AASHTO (http://cms. For more information, email Ginny
hold. In the 1980’s
transportation.org/?siteid=68) since 2005. Sullivan, Adventure Cycling’s routes coor-
two U.S. Bicycle
The AASHTO Task Force is made up of dinator at gsullivan@adventurecycling.org
Routes (USBR)
several DOT staff from across the country
were designated by
representing key AASHTO committees,
AASHTO, the na- Adventure Cycling contributions to
along with the East Coast Greenway
tional nonprofit that this project are made possible through
76 supports the work
of state departments
Alliance and the Mississippi River Trail.
This group was charged with developing
a national corridor-level plan and
grants from the Lazar Foundation,
Bikes Belong and generous support
of transportation
designation system. from our members.
including policy, design standards, and
roadway designations. The national routes,
USBR 1 (Atlantic Coast Route) and USBR 76 The process involved several steps:
(TransAmerica route), were designated • Inventorying existing and proposed state
and signed in Virginia, North Carolina, bicycle routes,
Kentucky and Illinois.
• Determining criteria for establishing
Then nothing happened for a very, very national corridors,
long time.
BOARD BALLOT due 3/27/09
Please vote for one or all of the following candidates.
Mail your ballot to PO Box 2904, Seattle, WA 98111 or email your vote to info@bicyclealliance.org
Share the Road license plates available at any vehicle licensing office or get a mail-in application at BicycleAlliance.org
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