Tag Archives: 2013 legislature

State transportation proposal is exact opposite of what people want

The Senate Majority Caucus Coalition has proposed a transportation package that in no way resembles the desires of Washington residents. If anything, it is the opposite of what people want. In fact, I’m not sure it’s accurate to call it … Continue reading

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BikeWA: Stella and Caron search for meaning and solutions after witnessing a horrifying collision in Kirkland

Caron Lemay and her daughter Stella bike to school in Kirkland together regularly. But they are both haunted by what they saw, heard and felt one day on the way to school, when a person driving failed to see a … Continue reading

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WA transpo package failure kills CRC highway project and bike/walk funding, hangs Metro out to dry

Though the State House of Representatives was able to pass a $10 billion transportation package late last week, the Senate decided to adjourn without considering the bill. The headlines in Portland are all about the CRC. The Washington legislature’s failure … Continue reading

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State House passes transpo bill with lots of bike/walk funding, highway spending

The Washington State House of Representatives today passed a transportation bill that would save King County Metro operations and invest about $323 million in biking and walking projects, road safety and complete streets projects and Safe Routes to School. The … Continue reading

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Senate transportation package ignores people who walk, bike or take transit

For many, last week’s transportation package out of the state House was a bitter pill. On one hand, the state desperately needs to pass a funding bill to repair our crumbling infrastructure, maintain and expand transit service and upgrade safety … Continue reading

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Blake Trask: End days in Olympia – What’s at stake for biking and walking? A lot.

Editor’s Note: Blake has been in Olympia all session working with the legislature to make the state safer and more accessible for people on bikes. In this guest post, he makes the case for why urgent action is needed to … Continue reading

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Orcutt: No need to increase transpo investment because ’11 of the 12 sections of the bridge are still standing’

Ed Orcutt, the ranking Republican on the Washington House Transportation Committee, has sent another email with questionable conclusions about transportation policy. You may remember the representative from this misstep from March: “You would be giving off more CO2 if you … Continue reading

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For sixth year in a row, Washington named most bike-friendly state in the US

Washington is, once again, the most bike-friendly state in the Union. That’s according to the League of American Bicyclists, which creates annual report cards for every state in the US, taking into account various criteria for being bike-friendly. “But wait,” … Continue reading

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Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill one step closer + Transportation funding up in air

The humble Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill (SHB 1045) passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday with unanimous support. The bill, which would give municipalities the option to lower speed limits on non-arterial streets to 20 mph, passed the House … Continue reading

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State lawmaker defends bike tax, says bicycling is not good for the environment

EDITOR’S NOTE, May 2015: This story is going viral again, but not everyone realizes the story is old. Please note that it happened in 2013. Thanks! Representative Ed Orcutt (R – Kalama) does not think bicycling is environmentally friendly because … Continue reading

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The bike tax is just a distraction: The real problem is the billions on new highways

When the state Senate Democrats unveiled a transportation package last week, folks were shocked to see a “symbolic” bike tax of up to 5 percent on bike sales in the state. And we all fell for it, posting about why … Continue reading

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Why a statewide bike tax makes no sense

UPDATE: For more, see our post “The bike tax is just a distraction: The real problem is the billions on new highways” State Democrats unveiled a $10 billion revenue package for transportation Wednesday that includes monstrous investments in new highways … Continue reading

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Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill passes House, going strong in Senate

The Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill (HB 1045) passed the State House today 86-10. With its Senate companion bill (SB 5066) passing the Transportation Committee unanimously earlier this month, things are looking good for the humble 20 mph neighborhood street bill. … Continue reading

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Bill would officially allow drivers to cross double yellow to pass someone on a bike

A bill starting its journey through the state legislature would officially legalize something that nearly all careful and courteous drivers already do: cross a double yellow line in order to give someone biking or walking on the road a safe … Continue reading

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Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill starts journey through State Legislature

The Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill (AKA the Safe Neighborhood Speeds Bill and the 20’s Plenty Bill) has started its journey through the state legislature as HB 1045. The bill would give municipalities the ability to cut through red tape when … Continue reading

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Sign up for Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia February 12

The road to increasing safe and inviting cycling for every person in Washington State goes through Olympia. That’s why you should join an ever-growing crew of advocates and regular old citizens for Transportation Advocacy Day February 12. Go meet with … Continue reading

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Bicycle Alliance’s 2013 legislative goals include safe-passing, safe neighborhood streets + more

The 2013 state legislative season is starting to pick up steam, with lawmakers figuring out their alliances and picking committee heads. Meanwhile, advocacy groups of all kinds are putting out their agendas and building support for bills they hope will … Continue reading

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