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Advocacy News
By Kristin Kinnamon
The city is
making a great effort to include bicyclists and pedestrians in its
new Transportation Master Plan. An open house July 17 started the
process. Here’s how the city describes it:
The open house
is intended to get people's ideas on making it easy and safe to walk
or ride bikes to places within the City. Needs for people of all
ages and abilities will be considered. Ideas may include new or
improved sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, and other features that
enhance options for non-motorized transportation.
Pedestrian and
bicycle access is a component of a citywide transportation master
plan that the City is developing this year. The master plan will
also include components for addressing vehicle traffic and transit
connections.
They have
identified numerous bike routes and possible road re-channelizations
to make room for bike lanes around the city. It doesn’t hurt that
the city traffic engineer Kirk Roberts is a regular bike commuter.
This is the
perfect time for cyclists to be involved in developing the city’s
priorities, standards, transportation impact fees and Transportation
Improvement Program (project list) for the next six years and
beyond.
The next open
house is Sept. 10. Meanwhile, check the city’s website or stop by
city hall for more info and to comment:
www.ci.mountlake-terrace.wa.us
Community Transit Seeks Swift Comments
Community
Transit plans to build a “bus rapid transit” system from Everett to
Shoreline. The agency is seeking input on the design and
environmental impacts of the system, called “Swift.”
According to
Community Transit, Bus Rapid Transit is an innovative concept that
combines the efficiency and appeal of light rail with the
flexibility and low cost of buses. The Highway 99 corridor between
Everett and Shoreline has the county's highest bus ridership and is
lined with dense residential and commercial uses.
Currently, space
for only two bikes per bus is planned, and bike parking at the
stations has not been considered. Ideally, 3-4 bikes would be
allowed inside, and bike lockers and racks should be provided at key
stops.
Help make this
new bus service bike-friendly by learning more at
www.communitytransit.org
and submitting
your comments by Aug. 16
to swift@commtrans.org
Attend Bike Alliance Auction – FREE
BIKES Club of
Snohomish County will be giving away $75 tickets to the annual
Bicycle Alliance of Washington Auction at our September and October
meetings. That will give BIKES Club auction attendees a little extra
money to spend on the many bike rides, dinners out, bike art, family
outings, food baskets, weekend getaways and other fun stuff for sale
at the Oct. 27 auction in Seattle. Put it – and our club meetings on
Sept. 13 and Oct. 11 on your calendars.
If you’ve got an
item or experience (like a guided kayak trip or home-cooked meal )
you’d like to donate to the auction, visit
www.bicyclealliance.org
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Thanks for
belonging to Snohomish County’s recreational cycling club. The
statewide organization for bicyclists is the Bicycle Alliance of
Washington (BAW).
The Bicycle
Alliance advocates for bicyclists and promotes cycling to build a
bicycle-friendly Washington. BIKES Club supports BAW through our
McClinchy Mile Ride ($1 per rider donation) and the Ride Around
Puget Sound (100% of RAPsody profits go to BAW)
This is a great
time to show your commitment to safe cycling by joining the Bike
Alliance.
Bicycle Alliance
members help:
· Advocate
for adequate funding for a complete non-motorized transportation
infrastructure.
· Provide
Washington residents a statewide clearinghouse for bicycle education
and advocacy.
· Work
to increase percentage of all types of bicycle ridership in
Washington.
· Ensure
that bicycles are recognized as a reasonable and mainstream
transportation option.
· Educate
communities in Washington to become bicycle-friendly and embrace a
Share the Road philosophy.
Together we
create a powerful voice that protects and expands bicycle rights and
oppurtunities throughout the state.
Join the Bicycle
Alliance today and help make Washington a great place for
bicyclists.
Sincerely,
Kristin
Kinnamon
BIKES Club of Snohomish County, past president
Bicycle Alliance of Washington, board member
The City of
Everett recently adopted an updated Transportation Plan that has
great ambitions for bicycles: safe freeway crossings, lanes
that connect to other lanes, trails and bike parking.
Many club member
helped the city’s consultant Perteet develop the plan, but it was
Everett bike activist and BIKES member John Lindstrom who really got
and kept cyclists involved.
John’s big issue
is “peak oil” and preparing for the day when we run out. Meanwhile,
he wants to ride comfortably around his hometown on two wheels.
I wish I could
say you could view the plan on the city’s website, but I can’t find
it (I got my copy from John). Thanks to John for paying attention!
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