Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing Olympia Bicycle Month
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim May as Olympia Bicycle Month.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proclaim May as Olympia Bicycle Month.
Staff Contact:
Kristin Gilkerson, Program Specialist, Public Works/Transportation, 360.753.2731
Presenter(s):
Kristin Gilkerson, Program Specialist, City of Olympia
Duncan Green, Bicycle Community Challenge Coordinator, Intercity Transit
Background and Analysis:
The BCC
Intercity Transit’s 38th Annual Thurston County Bicycle Community Challenge (BCC) happens in May. Participants are encouraged to ride their bicycle to commute, to run errands, or just for fun. Bicycling is an important way for people to get exercise and be outdoors. When people ride their bikes instead of driving, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, which are two policy goals for the City and the Thurston region.
Last year, 715 people in Thurston County took part in the BCC. They biked 74,400 miles to run errands, go to school or work, visit friends, go shopping, or explore their neighborhood. Among them were 34 City employees and family members, who rode a total of 3,413 miles.
What the City is doing this year to support bicycling
This year, the City will complete the new bike corridor between Sylvester Park and the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail entrance on Eastside Street, connecting downtown to the regional trails network.
We will build the Westside Bike Corridor to connect northwest and southwest Olympia to Woodruff Park and Garfield Elementary School.
We will change Pacific and State Avenues from Sawyer Street to Fir Street to create better conditions for people biking, walking, and taking transit through this area. This project includes parking separated bike lanes, concrete islands, and green pavement markings to highlight areas dedicated to bicyclists.
We will construct the 4th Avenue and Plum Street Pedestrian and Bike Improvements Project to make this intersection safer for everyone who uses it. The planned changes include a separated bike lane and crossing improvements.
Lastly, we continue to transform Fones Road into a safer corridor for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. Bike improvements include a separated bike lane on both sides of the street and an improved crossing at the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail.
Climate Analysis:
In Thurston County, the transportation sector is the second-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions. Making it easier to bike is an important strategy for reaching our emissions and vehicle miles traveled reduction goals.
Equity Analysis:
Our current street system is oriented around the car, which means that people who do not or cannot drive face limited opportunities, including reduced access to jobs, education, services, and social connections. Additionally, having to own a vehicle is an economic burden for many people.
Building streets that work better for more people is the focus of the City’s Transportation Master Plan. We can make our transportation system more fair by changing our streets to better serve people who cannot or choose not to drive.
Attachments:
Proclamation