Thank You for Biking Everywhere! Now Let’s Speak up for Biking

For people like me who regularly use their bike to get around Seattle, Bike Everywhere Day was a chance to gather and celebrate, make new friends, encourage newcomers–and score some free pastries, socks, bike swag, or even a tuneup.

The stoke was high at each Celebration Station. The smiling faces in the photos from our Celebration Stations in Fremont and Redmond show that folks who bike are happy, friendly, and healthy.

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As Bike Everywhere Month presented by Microsoft comes to an end, I’m hopeful that we can harness the positive energy of Bike Everywhere Day and turn it into positive action for safer streets here in Seattle. 

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Speak up for Biking on June 4

The truth is, people won’t bike if it is not safe. Seattle needs to build a more connected bike network – especially in South Seattle. Surveys show that 60 percent of Seattle residents want to bike more. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors don’t bike because they are worried about safety. We know that more people will take up bike commuting to protect our climate and increase their joy if everyone works together to make Seattle a safe biking haven – and that includes the Seattle City Council.

As I wrote in my last post, Mayor Bruce Harrell has included $114 million for bike routes in the draft Seattle Transportation Levy. The Mayor’s levy proposal invests in bike lane maintenance; improving 30% of the existing protected bike lane network with sturdy separation; and building new bike routes in South Seattle. However, the Seattle City Council gets the final say on what levy goes before voters in November. Council can and should prioritize biking to ensure true safe streets for all. 

Now it is your chance to turn your pedal power into political power by speaking up for more bike infrastructure. Throughout June and early July, the City Council will be choosing how much funding they will be prioritizing towards bike infrastructure in the final Transportation Levy. That vote is expected on July 2, which means we have a short window of opportunity to show up, testify, or submit comments online in support of safer cycling. 

Specifically, we’re asking the City Council to go beyond the $114 million already in the Mayor's proposed Levy so that Seattleites can bike between all Seattle neighborhoods safely by the end of this Levy. 

Here’s how to speak up on behalf of a Seattle Transportation Levy that prioritizes bicycling:

• Send the City Council a written comment at council@seattle.gov
• Bike to City Hall on June 4 for the 4:30 p.m. public hearing, or attend virtually.
• Be friendly and respectful, and keep your comments to about one minute.
• Email me at tylerv at cascade dot org  if you have questions or need help with talking points.

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Want to see more Bike Everywhere Day photos of happy people biking everywhere? Go to our Flickr page.