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:
Intercity Transit’s 37th Annual Thurston County Bicycle Community Challenge (BCC) happens in May. Participants are encouraged to ride their bicycle to commute, run errands, and recreate. Bicycling is an important way for people to get exercise and experience the outdoors. When people ride their bikes instead of driving their cars, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, 697 people in Thurston County took part in the BCC. They biked 81,487 miles to run errands, go to school or work, visit friends, go shopping, or explore their neighborhood. Among them were 38 City employees and family members, who rode a total of 4,402 miles.
This year, the City will improve the bicycle and pedestrian crossings along Boulevard Road between the Union Avenue Pathway and Wheeler Avenue, linking the regional trails system to the Bike Corridor that runs into downtown.
We will build a new bike corridor between Sylvester Park and the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail entrance on Eastside Street, which will connect downtown to the regional trails network.
Lastly, we will begin 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. This project supports regional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating opportunities to bike, walk, roll in a wheelchair, and access transit.
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 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