Rita Hulsman to Seattle Voters: Vote Yes on Prop 1 to Save Lives

By Rita Hulsman

I rarely ride a bicycle and I never planned to become an outspoken advocate for safer streets. But the senseless death of my husband of over 40 years at the hands of a bad driver on a poorly designed Seattle roadway compels me to speak up.

I urge all Seattle voters to support Proposition 1, the Keep Seattle Moving Transportation Levy, which will appear on your Nov. 5 general election ballot. It comes too late for Steve, a pillar of the Seattle bicycling community, but approving this sensible transportation package could save the lives of other people who walk, bike, or roll on Seattle’s frequently inhospitable and dangerous streets.

Safety is at the heart of why I support Proposition 1. Thoughtfully crafted by the Seattle City Council and approved by Mayor Bruce Harrell, Keep Seattle Moving funds transportation projects that will enhance our neighborhoods and improve transportation safety for everyone–including drivers. Highlights include:

• Increased funding for Vision Zero, especially 70 projects to improve traffic safety near Seattle Public Schools
• More bike lanes in South Seattle including a seven-mile protected lane from Capitol Hill to South Beacon Hill
• Upgrades to bridges throughout the city
• Construction of at least 350 new sidewalks in the first four years of levy.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this levy for me is its provision to honor my late husband by creating a protected bike lane in West Seattle, where we lived together for many years until last Dec. 21. That is the day that Steve was struck by an SUV and catastrophically injured while biking in our neighborhood. He died just hours later.

The Steve Hulsman Memorial Bike Lane is among many infrastructure investments that will benefit current and future generations. These improvements will make our streets safer for everyone, and they carry deep personal significance for me and for my family. 

As a recently retired elementary school teacher, I encourage you to think about the many students who deserve safe routes to schools. As a widow and mom, I urge you to think of your family members, friends and neighbors who deserve the right to safely walk, bike, and roll through our neighborhoods. 

For those of you who live outside Seattle but commute to work here, please support the Keep Seattle Moving Transportation Levy by talking with your Seattle friends and co-workers about the necessity of voting YES for Proposition 1.  A few things you can do:

• Put up a yard sign in support of the levy
• Contribute to or volunteer with the Keep Seattle Moving campaign by visiting keepseattlemoving.com

As a Cascade Bicycle Club ride leader, my husband always prioritized safety. In that same spirit, the Keep Seattle Moving Transportation Levy supports safety for all and will improve our city by fixing its ailing bridges, building new sidewalks, adding more protected bike lanes, and–most importantly–saving lives. Please join me in honoring Steve’s legacy with your YES vote to approve Proposition 1.