Tag Archives: 2011 legislature

Is lowering speed limits the key to increased safety on Dexter?

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

Alan Durning wrote a column for the Seattle Times earlier this week arguing that, in light of Mike Wang’s death and other senseless traffic fatalities in our state, Washington should follow nearby states and provinces by allowing municipalities to lower … Continue reading →

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Governor signs Vulnerable User Law

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

Governor Chris Gregoire signed the Vulnerable User Bill into law today, reports Cascade Bicycle Club. SB 5326, which passed both chambers of congress with relatively strong margins, would require people who seriously injure or kill a more vulnerable road user … Continue reading →

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David Hiller resigns from Cascade Bicycle Club – UPDATED

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

David Hiller is stepping down as Advocacy Director of Cascade Bicycle Club effective Friday, May 13. UPDATE: Have no fear, Hiller fans, he will not be going far. Publicola reports that Hiller has taken a job with Mayor Mike McGinn’s … Continue reading →

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Governor will sign Vulnerable User Bill May 16

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

David Hiller at Cascade says Governor Gregoire will sign SB 5326 (AKA the Vulnerable User Bill) May 16. This bill has been three years in the making, and many people whose lives were affected by negligent driving came out to … Continue reading →

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The 20’s Plenty bill is just too polite for this year’s legislature

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

We reported earlier this week on the quiet death of HB 1217, which would have given municipalities the power to lower non-arterial speed limits to 20 mph. Taking a cue from similar campaigns elsewhere, I have dubbed the bill the … Continue reading →

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Complete streets bill passes House and Senate

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

The complete streets grant bill, HB 1071, passed the Senate yesterday 29-19. The bill needs a concurrence vote to settle differences in the Senate a House versions, then should go to the governor to be signed into law. With this … Continue reading →

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Vulnerable Users Bill gets a flat, but luckily we have a spare tube – UPDATED

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

HB 1339 has officially passed away in committee. But have no fear, the House has a spare Vulnerable Users Bill in its legislative pannier (as well as a canister of political CO2… okay, its an imperfect analogy). SB 5326 just … Continue reading →

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Still not convinced of the benefits of complete streets?

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

SDOT published a post on their blog with great before and after shots of the redesigned intersection at 15th Ave S and S Lander St. Sited a block from the light rail station, the intersection’s former design can be seen … Continue reading →

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Vulnerable User Bill passes House 59-39 – UPDATED

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

The Vulnerable User Bill made it past yet another big hurdle today by passing the state House of Representatives 59-39. A similar bill passed in the Senate February 24, so only a couple reasonable number (see update below) more steps … Continue reading →

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Vulnerable User Bill passes Senate – UPDATED

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

The Washington Senate voted 43-5 to pass SB 5326, otherwise known as the Vulnerable User Bill. This is a major hurdle to passage. The trials for the bill are not over. A similar bill must pass in the House, the … Continue reading →

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Better road design standards bill passes House Transportation Committee

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

Publicola reports that HB 1700, a bill that would ease state road design standards to give communities more tools for designing bicycle and pedestrian-friendly roads, has passed out of the House Transportation Committee. The bill is one of many being … Continue reading →

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Take a minute right now to support vulnerable road users

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

The time is now. Take a minute to contact your state senators and representatives and urge them to support HB 1339 and SB 5326, two nearly identical versions of the Vulnerable User Bill. We need to get at least one … Continue reading →

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Vulnerable User bill pace far ahead of last year

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Vulnerable User bill (SB 5326) 7-1 Monday. Next the bill moves to the Rules Committee, which is expected to place it on the floor calendar. There are still many ways for the bill to … Continue reading →

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Two complete streets bills in Olympia this year

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

Complete streets are easier to cross on foot. They are safer for biking. They also reduce the number of car crashes, especially the rate of injury-causing higher speed wrecks. Basically, complete streets are about creating streets designed for people. Two … Continue reading →

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Vulnerable User Bill finds very little resistance in Senate hearing (VIDEO)

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

For your weekend viewing pleasure, here’s video of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on SB 5326, otherwise known as the Vulnerable User Bill. Debate on the bill is somewhat interesting (if you’re into that kind of thing), but the testimony … Continue reading →

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Cascade focusing on Vulnerable Users Bill

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

What is the appropriate penalty for killing a person with a car? Through practically any other method, causing a death due to negligence would be cause for a manslaughter charge. But currently, causing a death through negligent driving typically results … Continue reading →

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Bicycle Alliance pushes bill to ease setting of 20 mph limits

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

20’s Plenty For Us from Streetfilms on Vimeo. Rep. Cindy Ryu has introduced House Bill 1217, which will allow cities to set speed limits as low as 20 mph in residential and business districts. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has … Continue reading →

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‘Mutual Responsibility’ bill trades rights for space

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

A law mandating a distance of three-to-five feet of passing distance between motor vehicles and people riding bicycles likely appeals to any rider who has buzzed by a speeding car. Washington law currently mandates that drivers pass at a “safe … Continue reading →

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State bill aims to mandate safe passing distance

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Tom Fucoloro

A bill introduced by Rep. Jamie Pedersen would require drivers to give cyclists space when passing. The bill also outlines required cyclist behavior, such as riding as far to the right as possible (or left if in the left lane … Continue reading →

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