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):
Council to read proclamation.
Background and Analysis:
The 33rd Annual Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Challenge (BCC) happens in May. Intercity Transit, which runs the BCC, has adapted the program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many changes this year, both commuter miles and recreational miles will count.
Last year, nearly 1,100 people in Thurston County took part in the BCC. They biked a total of 87,720 miles to places like stores, work, school, or to run errands. This prevented more than 43 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere, reduced wear and tear on our streets, and prevented toxins from going into the water.
Among those people were 51 City employees and family members, who rode a total of 3,934 miles and prevented more than one ton of greenhouse gas emissions.
The City continues to improve our streets for bicycling. This year, the City finished building a wide asphalt path on 26th Avenue NE for people walking and biking through the northeast neighborhood and connecting to Priest Point Park. The City is also continuing to work on a Transportation Master Plan, which will include projects to make it easier for people to get around on a bicycle in Olympia.
While bicycle commuting may not be an option for people during the month of May, bicycling is an important way for people to get exercise and experience the outdoors, while practicing appropriate social distancing.
Attachments:
Proclamation