Once again, Washington state ranks as the most "bike-friendly"

For the 5th year in a row, the League of American Bicyclists has ranked Washington state as the most bicycle-friendly state in the nation.

For more information:

• Vist the League's Bicycle Friendly State Program webpage for a complete look at the the 2012 state rankings.
• Read about the results on the League's blog.
• Review the report card specific to Washington.

In particular, the League says that, "Washington is the model for all other states on utilizing federal funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects." Also, the state passed a safe passing / vulnerable user law in 2011 that demonstrates recognition of the importance of sharing the roads.

“People in the Pacific Northwest embrace bicycling as part of a lifestyle that honors the environment, healthier living and transportation choices,” said Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. “This title once again confirms that we’re on the right track, supporting bicycling as a transportation option in our communities.”

Update:

• WSDOT press release re: Washington state's ranking (5/25/12)
• For 2010, the most recent data available, Washington was ninth highest in the nation for bicycle safety and our bicycle fatality crash rate was 0.89 bicyclists per 1,000,000 – the lowest in the state’s recorded history.
• The League named Port Townsend a silver-level Bicycle-Friendly Community, up from bronze status last year. 

Overall Bike-Friendly Ranking of States (League of American Bicyclists 2012)

The mission of the League of Amercian Bicyclists is:
To promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.

The League was founded as the League of American Wheelmen in 1880. Bicyclists, known then as "wheelmen," were challenged by rutted roads of gravel and dirt and faced antagonism from horsemen, wagon drivers, and pedestrians. In an effort to improve riding conditions so they might better enjoy their newly discovered sport, more than 100,000 cyclists from across the United States joined the League to advocate for paved roads.

The League continues its advocacy efforts today.

  

Legislature considering Governor's transportation revenue package

2012 Legislative Session

The Washington State Legislature is considering Governor Christine Gregoire's proposed transportation revenue package during the early stages of the 2012 Legislative Session.

The bill numbers for the revenue components of the package are HB 2660 in the House and SB 6455 in the Senate. There are associated policy bills being considered by the House and Senate Transportation Committees, as well.

Connecting Washington

The current package is one outcome of the Governor's Connecting Washington Task Force effort. The Governor "...charged the Connecting Washington Task Force with reviewing statewide transportation needs, recommending the most promising investment options and revenue sources to address top priorities." The group was comprised of locally elected officials, members of State Legislative Transportation Committees, tribal members, organized labor, and trade associations and businesses.

The results of the effort are presented in a final report dated January 6, 2012.

Jefferson and Other Counties

If adopted, the package could have the following impacts on Jefferson County and other counties.

MV Chetzemoka gets ship christening

On Sunday, November 14, the MV Chetzemoka, the newest vessel in the fleet of Washington State Ferries, received its ship's christenting, a 4,000-year old tradition. 

The Chetzemoka is the first replacement ferry for the Port Townsend - Coupeville route.  The vessel is named after S'Klallam Indian Chief Chetzemoka (1808-1888).

Click "Read more..." below for more info and a picture of the new on-board bike racks.

Gov. Gregoire congratulates Port Townsend students for submitting winning vessel class name

Gov. Chris Gregoire visited Blue Heron Middle School in Port Townsend on Thursday, April 22, 2010 to congratulate students for naming the new Washington State Ferries (WSF) vessel class. WSF conducted a contest to name the new classification of 64-car ferries with fourth-grade students from Chimacum, Port Townsend and Whidbey Island.

Blue Heron student Rose Dunlap submitted the winning entry, Kwa-di Tabil (pronounced kwah DEE tah-bayle), which translated from the Quileute dialect means “Little Boat.” The first Kwa-di Tabil Class ferry, Chetzemoka, is scheduled to begin service in late summer 2010. WSF is building two more Kwa-di Tabil Class ferries, which will begin service in 2011 and 2012. Click here to see photos of the event and construction progress.

New State Climate Report

The State Department of Ecology put out a press release today. The referenced report includes an appendix item dedicated to transportation-related activities, which according to the report account for nearly half of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Washington state. Here are excerpts from the new climate change report to the Governor and Legislature:

* * * *

New state climate change report provides blueprint for new jobs, green economy, energy independence

OLYMPIA – A new report continues Washington’s bold leadership against climate change and shows how creating new “green” jobs will keep the state at the forefront of building a clean, green economy.

Gov. Chris Gregoire required the report, “Growing Washington’s Economy in a Carbon-Constrained World,” in her requested climate change legislation, HB 2815. The 2008 Washington Legislature approved the bill, and she signed it into law.

“This report is our blueprint for continuing to build the new, clean, green economy,” said Jay Manning, director of the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). “We will reduce our emissions of planet-warming pollution and, in the process, develop new technologies that create clean energy and new jobs while reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The plan describes changes we will make to transition to a green economy, shrink our carbon footprint, and do our part to stabilize the climate.”

“We’re constantly competing in the world market for private investment dollars, especially in clean technology and renewable energy,” said Juli Wilkerson, director of the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). “A strong climate change policy will help Washington’s businesses become even more competitive. We need to show business that we are serious about climate change – now and for the long term. This will attract and keep businesses here, putting people to work today and growing jobs for the future.”

Ecology and CTED led the report’s creation. The report also includes the work of the departments of Transportation, Natural Resources and Agriculture; the Western Climate Initiative; the many business and environmental interests, tribal, local and state governments, and others who made up the state’s Climate Action Team; and other statewide groups that examined forestry, agriculture and land use.

The report:

• Outlines how curbing Washington’s changing climate will create jobs, make us more energy independent, and grow the green economy.


• Details what is already being done to curb climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions and additional actions necessary to achieve required greenhouse gas reductions.


• Summarizes the Climate Action Team’s recommendations for increasing energy efficiency and green buildings; expanding waste reduction and recycling; improving transportation choices to cut greenhouse gas emissions; and using the State Environmental Policy Act to limit climate change.


• Discusses how land-use choices can influence climate change.


• Advocates adoption of the Western Climate Initiative’s cap-and-trade program for controlling carbon emissions. A cap-and-trade system is the needed centerpiece policy for reducing emissions, and will spur the creation of innovative technologies and green jobs.

Read the report at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/2008CompPlan.htm.

Find fact sheets that outline cap-and-trade and other issues at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/factsheets.htm.


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Media Contacts: Seth Preston, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell
Penny Thomas, CTED media relations, 360-725-2805
Dave Workman, Ecology media relations, 360-407-7004

For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/index.htm

Ecology’s Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/