Cascade Visits DC to Speak Up for Bike Funding, Accept National Award
- The League of American Bicyclists has named Executive Director Lee Lambert Bike Advocate of the Year.
- Lambert accepted the award at the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC, where Cascade staff visited Capitol Hill to speak up for federal bike funding.
- The trip coincided with a federal directive to halt federal grants for bike lanes.
Paul Tolmé
In recognition of his leadership and Cascade Bicycle Club’s success in advancing bicycling across Washington state, the League of American Bicyclists has named Executive Director Lee Lambert the national Bike Advocate of the Year for 2025.
The League is the national bicycle advocacy organization working to increase the flow of federal funds for biking infrastructure to states, in addition to running education and advocacy programs across the country.
“Under Lee's leadership, Cascade Bicycle Club achieved a historic milestone by securing funding through Washington state's Climate Commitment Act to expand their bicycle education programs statewide, and successfully defeated a ballot measure attack on the funding last year,” declared Bill Nesper, executive director of the League.
“This award has my name on it,” Lambert says, “but it’s a recognition of the great work being done by Cascade staff members. I wouldn’t be here without their dedication and hard work implementing our vision of a safe and healthy future where bicycles bring people together, eliminate inequity, and create thriving communities.”
Lambert received the award last week in Washington, DC, during the 25th National Bike Summit, where nearly 400 advocates for better biking gathered to share successes and strategies.
Washington State Leads the Nation
The award comes several months after the League named Washington the most bike-friendly state in the nation due to our Statewide School-Based Bicycle Safety Education Program, which will phase in over 16 years with a goal of reaching 90 percent of Washington state students.
The League also cited Washington state’s bike laws, policies, and bike infrastructure investments in naming our state the most bike-friendly. Learn why “We’re No. 1” on the blog of our sister organization Washington Bikes.
The League’s recognition of Lambert and Washington state shows the impact of 55 years of bike advocacy by Cascade, founded in 1970.
Federal Threats to Bike Infrastructure Funding
The Summit coincided with an announcement that the federal government was reviewing and potentially canceling grants for bike lanes, trails, and “green infrastructure” awarded since 2022.
Cascade Deputy Director Vicky Clarke says projects from Spokane to Yakima to the Puget Sound region and “all across the state” are impacted. Read the Seattle Times story, “Trump Administration Takes Aim at Bike Lanes.”
High priority trail initiatives affected by the order include the Eastrail, which received grants for $25 million and $5 million last year, and the Puget Sound to Pacific Trail, which won a $16 million grant.
While in D.C., Clarke, Lambert, Statewide Coalition Officer Rachel Schaeffer, and Michael Payne from Cascade’s Board of Directors visited members of Washington state’s congressional delegation to speak up for continued federal funding. In addition to visiting the offices of U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, the Cascade team met with staff members for U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Pramila Jayapal, and Emily Randall.
“I was very proud of Lee and the Cascade team,” says Payne, who also serves on the Board of the League of American Bicyclists. Payne noted that 10 bike advocates from Washington attended the National Bike Summit and Bike Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, showcasing a deep commitment from our region for safe and protected infrastructure.
Progress in Seattle
Despite the sobering news about federal funding, 2025 will bring rapid progress on Seattle bike infrastructure. On March 8, Lambert spoke at the grand opening of the new protected bike lane on the Seattle waterfront.
Known as the Central Waterfront Connector, the project fills a gap in the Seattle Bike Network and links the Elliott Bay Trail to the East Marginal Way trail currently under construction. Closing the gap provides a protected route for people biking along the waterfront to reach destinations to the north, south, and downtown.
More improvements to the Seattle Bike Network will come in future years thanks to voter approval of Proposition 1, the Levy to Keep Seattle Moving, last November. The growing Seattle Bike Network and progress in communities from Tacoma to Spokane shows that when people speak up for bike funding and vote for bike-friendly candidates, we can make our streets safer for everyone.
Concerned about the future of bike funding? Watch our Washington State of Biking webinar where you will learn about:
- Impacts of federal policies on bicycle safety and trail development.
- Washington Bikes’ legislative agenda.
- Details on how Seattle's Bike Network is growing over the next two years.
Learn more about the League of American Bicyclists 2025 Advocacy and Education Awards, and read Lambert’s hopes for the future of the bike movement.
For more information about the impact of the federal freeze, read the Seattle Bike Blog story "Trump’s USDOT orders hold on funding for ‘bicycle infrastructure."
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