Two Down, One to Go! Martin Way Non-motorized Bridge Opening

Yes, it is a time of celebration for bikers and walker in Thurston County because of the imminent completion of a project to help link up the north-south backbone trail in our region. The Chehalis-Western Trail is bisected by a "gap" comprised of three major crossings: I-5, Martin Way and Pacific Avenue. First we tackled the I-5 portion, thanks largely to the hard work of then State Legislator, now County Commissioner Sandra Romero.

This celebration is for the completion of the second phase of the project, a bridge over Martin Way. Congressman Brian Baird has been instrumental in funding this project, as well as the third and final phase (a bridge over Pacific Avenue). He'll be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony, and we hope you will be too. Details follow.

-- 

- Larry Leveen

OlyBikes Locally-Owned Bike Shop

"Bikes, Parts, Repairs and GREAT Customer Service"

124 State Avenue NE

Olympia, WA 98501

Phone: 360-753-7525

http://www.olybikes.com

(FREE bike safety & advocacy  materials)

http://olybikes.blogspot.com/

also on Twitter & Facebook

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Cell Phone Bill on Governor's Desk!

The cell phone bill is expected to be signed into law very soon, and we are requesting you help us get the Governor to sign it.

Please take a moment to call Governor Gregoire's office in support of the bill. It simply takes an "I support SB 6345 and hope the Governor signs it into law soon!"

The phone number to Gov. Gregoire's office is 360-902-4111.

Thanks for helping to keep our roads safe.

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Bridging the Gap Phase 2 Ribbon Cutting!

Download now or preview on posterous

dedication.pdf (204 KB)

Check the deets here: http://bit.ly/9d7YPy

Please spread the word!

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National Bike Summit Crankin' it Up for Cycling

The past couple days I've been in Washington D.C. along with scores of other advocates for the 10th Annual National Bike Summit.

Local, regional, state and national advocacy groups of all types - on and off road cycling, transit-oriented health-oriented, and, I'm proud to say bike _industry_ organizations have gathered for an intensive training and issues briefings, followed by visits to members of Congress. We're asking for a variety of things, including, co-sponsorship of various bills to help support Safe Routes to Schools, Active Community Transportation, Complete Streets (i.e. not just moving cars, but moving people by including all modes in projects with federal funding).

I've been spending most of my time with staff from both Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Cascade Bicycle Club, visiting our legislators. It's been nice to do some catching up and comparing of notes with these folks, as well as say hi to the more progressive folks in the industry who get it that we have to "grow the pie" by getting involved.

Washington's congressional delegation tends to be supportive (especially west of the Cascades), but with so many things vying for staff and legislator attention, it is important to deliver these messages in person. Schedules are of course busy, and sometimes a staffer must fill in, but is not a disappointment, as a staffer is likely your best advocate, having "the bosses ear" daily, and preparing their legislative agendas and informational packets. We were able to meet with Brian Baird's Legislative Director and Patty Murray's Legislative Aide, and Senator Cantwell herself.

We then had a stroke of luck and squeezed in a meeting with Senator Murray herself, who was rushing from one meeting to the next, to present her with an award from the League of American Bicyclists for her work for cycling in our state. Stay tuned for pix (my kingdom for an iPhone!).

I'm taking a break in a lounge to catch my breath (and write this!). Following that, we'll head over to meet with Representatives Jim McDermott and Adam Smith, who are from districts north of mine (The Bikin' 3rd!), but who I think have plenty of reason to support our causes.

More as it comes!

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Urgent Action Needed on Cell Phone Bill

Last week the House passed an amended version of the cell phone bill (Senate Bill 6345).  While they supported the ban on texting while driving, the House weakened the Senate bill by reducing handheld cell phone use back to its current status as a secondary offense. Boo!

The Senate has rejected the amended version and pushed the bill back to the House. Please take action!

Write or call your legislators in the next 24 hours and ask them to pass the ORIGINAL version of SB 6345.

The pre-written message using the link below has been changed to reflect this call-to-action. Please send to your House member right away, and pass this link to as many people as you can.

www.votervoice.net/groups/driven

Session officially ends on Thursday, so time is of essence.

As usual, spread the good word to help keep all of us safe. Thanks.

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The Kind of Cell Phone Bill You WANT!

Another important announcement from our friends at Bicycle Alliance of Washington:

The Bicycle Alliance is a member of the Driven to Distraction Task Force.  We are thrilled that Substitute Senate Bill 6345 is close to becoming law!  Below is a message from the task force:

The Washington state legislative session ends in 8 days, and we need your help in our final push for Senate Bill 6345. With your help, handheld cell phone use and texting while driving will become primary offenses in 2010!

PEMCO just released a poll revealing the number of WA drivers using handheld devices illegally has more than doubled over the past 20 months, and texting while driving has skyrocketed even higher.

What we urgently need your help today to help curb this alarming trend:

1. Take a few minutes to e-mail your representative using the online link below, even if you've done it before. To find out who your representative is and how to contact them, click here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

2. Forward the following e-mail/action link to as MANY people as you can that live in Washington and ask them to contact their representative in support: http://www.votervoice.net/groups/driven

SSB 6345 will likely go to the full House floor today for a vote, and every e-mail and phone call to legislators in support of this bill will help. If you or your colleagues hear back from a House representative, please forward any responses to info@nodistractions.org.

And hey, this isn't just about cyclist safety -- this is EVERYONE's safety on the line here, so contact your legislator now!

Thanks.

Posted via email from OlyBikes

Bike & Pedestrian Safety Bill in WA Needs Your Help

I've described OlyBikes before as "the day job which satisfies my advocacy habit". More accurately, though, it is really "one-on-one advocacy" (helping folks use and enjoy bikes for transportation and recreation) that supports my "legislative advocacy" habit. Most days, it is the former and not the latter, but today, I need to ask you to help with a legislative need. The following is from our friends at the Bicycle Alliance of Washington:

Many of you have already heard from me regarding HB 3001, our bike/ped safety bill.  The bill has been doing well and now is our chance to get it significantly closer to being law.  So, I am now asking you to make what I hope is the  last phone call or email.

Contact your Senator right away and ask them to <b>vote "Yes" on HB 3001 as amended by the Senate</b>.   To find out who your Senator is and get their contact information, click here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/    We prefer that you call them.

HB 3001 would require the already approved bicycle/pedestrian awareness curriculum be taught in traffic schools which are for drivers that have received infractions and may qualify to be granted a deferral of the infraction by attending the school.  Many licensed drivers do not have knowledge about such safe driving practices.  The materials for these classes will be paid for by the Bicycle Alliance so there is no cost to the state.

Expanding the curriculum requirement to traffic schools from drivers education schools where it is already required would increase this important knowledge about safe driving practices. 

Thank you and please contact me if you have questions or need additional information.

Dave Janis, Policy Director

Bicycle Alliance of Washington

206.224.9252 Ext. 302

I'll try to make it easy on you South Sounders. Here are some local districts and the contact names and numbers:

22nd District   Sen. Karen Fraser       (360) 786-7642

20th District   Sen. Dan Swecker        (360) 786-7638

35th District   Se. Tim Sheldon (360) 786-7668

<b>Please call now -- I just did and it took all of 30 seconds. Thanks and spread the word!</b>

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