Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/11/06/seattle-voters-approve-at-least-487m-for-safe-streets/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Seattle voters approve at least $487M for safe streets</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/seattle-results-11-5.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Results as of election night. See updated results <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/results/2024/november-general" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">from the King County Elections website</a>.<p>The Seattle Transportation Levy appears to be sailing to a landslide victory after the initial drop of ballots showed the measure passing with 67% of the vote, a margin that could grow as more ballots are counted.</p><p>Over eight years, the levy promises to invest more than $160 million in Vision Zero, $193 million in sidewalks and crosswalks and $133 million in bicycle safety. Those three categories total $487 million for direct investments into safer streets, about double the annual amount in the expiring Move Seattle Levy. It also promises $151 million for transit improvements and $66.5 million for public spaces in addition to $221 million for bridges and $403 million for street maintenance. It does not include any funding for new or expanded roadways.</p><p>With these funds in hand, Seattle has the means to make a meaningful push to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030, the city’s stated goal since 2015. The city also has the means to make meaningful progress on reducing its <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/environment/climate-change/climate-planning-and-data/greenhouse-gas-emissions-inventory" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">largest source of greenhouse gas emissions</a>: Road transportation.</p><p>Washington State voters also appear to have rejected I-2117, an effort to repeal the Climate Commitment Act’s carbon tax that funds a lot of active transportation and trail work in the state’s budget. The initial results from election night show 62% of voters rejecting the initiative. This is another huge win for climate action, biking and walking safety, and many other investments. This result should also give WSDOT the state the green light to begin its <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/09/13/wsdot-promised-e-bike-rebate-program-still-far-from-launching/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">delayed e-bike rebate program</a>. </p><p>The approval these votes by such wide margins are much-needed rays of hope in our community on a very grim day for the nation. I see our community believing in itself and investing in a better tomorrow. We’re not giving up just because the problem seems difficult, even insurmountable at times. </p><p>“Tonight’s results demonstrate that Seattle voters are committed to advancing a safer transportation system that benefits all,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell in a statement declaring victory for the levy.</p><p>Unfortunately, there are strong echos of 2016 here, when the region passed Sound Transit 3 funding in the same election that Trump won the first time. I went to the ST3 party, and <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2016/11/09/region-passes-gigantic-transit-investment-but-it-feels-so-feeble-today/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">it was grim</a>. People were in tears everywhere, and it was hard to muster much of a cheer when the transit measure passed. It was a big local win overshadowed by a much larger loss. </p><p>I know a lot of you are feeling horrible today. It has taken me hours to write this story because my mind keeps drifting back into the doom spiral thinking about our nation’s future. I am grateful that I had a rec league hockey game scheduled last night in Mountlake Terrace. An hour and a half of biking round trip was very helpful for my mental health. Getting outside and moving my body broke up that painful ball of anxiety in my gut so I could at least start working through it. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t come up with any answers to fix our nation’s problems, but I found strength in this thought: Remember that your community loves you.</p><p>As I <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2015/11/04/the-true-cost-of-move-seattle/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wrote in 2015</a>, the path to the Move Seattle levy “was paved by the lives of people who did not need to die.” The same is unfortunately true in 2024. But Seattle has defiantly responded to a rise in traffic deaths with a rise in traffic safety funding. We refuse to accept that beloved members of our community must die to preserve the status quo on our streets. </p><p>Thank you to everyone who worked to make this transportation levy as good as possible, and then everyone who worked to get out the vote and make sure it passed. Special thank you to Rita Hulsman, who did not allow our city’s leaders to take their eye off <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/22/rita-hulsman-please-join-me-in-honoring-steves-legacy-with-your-yes-vote-to-approve-proposition-1/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">what really matters in this levy</a>. We have done a genuinely good thing that will save lives and make our city a healthier and better-connected place. </p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/stp-bike-map.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>The 20-year plan for the Seattle bike network, from <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/04/24/council-passes-the-seattle-transportation-plan-with-few-changes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the Seattle Transportation Plan</a>. The new 8-year levy won’t build this whole map, but this is the plan that will guide at least $133 million in new bicycle safety investments. The plan also states that any streets selected for paving should also include the designated bike facilities.<p></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
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#2024SeattleTransportationLevy
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Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/31/sngreenways-storymap-shows-how-the-2015-transportation-levy-made-seattle-a-safer-place-for-walking-biking-and-rolling/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>SNGreenways storymap shows how the 2015 transportation levy ‘made Seattle a safer place for walking, biking and rolling’</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://storymaps.com/stories/3fb96889bb5b4281886c539a963b66f2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Check out <a href="https://storymaps.com/stories/3fb96889bb5b4281886c539a963b66f2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the full feature</a>.<p>The 2015 Move Seattle Levy added nearly 100 miles to Seattle’s bike network, repaired or replaced 44 public staircases, built 1,600 new accessible curb ramps, made 293 transit improvements, repaired 220 blocks of sidewalk and built 350 new blocks of sidewalk. This is in addition to all the other road and bridge maintenance work.</p><p>It’s easy to forget how much Seattle has accomplished since voting in 2015 to nearly triple its transportation levy. Now that voters are in the process of deciding whether to increase the levy by yet another 88% annually by voting YES on Seattle’s Proposition 1, it is worth revisiting what the expiring levy has accomplished.</p><p>Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, which has endorsed Prop 1 and has been working to get out the vote, created <a href="https://storymaps.com/stories/3fb96889bb5b4281886c539a963b66f2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a StoryMap highlighting just a few of the projects</a> that only exist because voters in 2015 approved the levy. Some of my favorite projects that they didn’t list include the <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/12/15/sdot-weekday-biking-up-144-after-duwamish-trail-connection-freight-travel-times-increased-less-than-1-second/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Duwamish Trail connection</a> just south of the West Seattle Bridge, the <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2016/07/27/sw-admiral-way-bike-lanes-ready-for-summer-construction/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">SW Admiral Way bike lanes</a> (do you all remember how scary that climb used to be?), and the <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/01/10/seattles-mixed-history-building-neighborhood-greenways/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rainier Valley Neighborhood Greenway</a> (though it’s not an effective alternative to Rainier Ave bike lanes, it is a great project on its own). A few more major levy-funded additions are still pending construction, including the Georgetown to Downtown bike route, the <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/12/21/alaskan-way-bikeway-will-be-wider-better-protected-in-latest-design-update/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Alaskan Way bikeway</a> completing the Elliott Bay Trail, and the in-construction project on 11st/12th Ave NE that will connect to the Eastlake bike lanes as part of the <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/08/the-shovels-are-in-the-dirt-so-eastlake-bike-lanes-are-really-happening/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">under-construction RapidRide J project</a>.</p><p>I, for one, am excited to see what SDOT can accomplish with 86% more annual funding for Vision Zero, 105% more funding for sidewalks, curb ramps and crosswalks, and 108% more funding for bicycle safety. <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/07/16/endorsement-the-seattle-transportation-levy-will-be-a-massive-investment-in-safe-efficient-streets/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Vote YES on Proposition 1</a>! If you want to help further, <a href="https://volunteersignup.org/WATKD/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">sign up for a volunteer effort</a> to get out the vote.</p><p></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/22/rita-hulsman-please-join-me-in-honoring-steves-legacy-with-your-yes-vote-to-approve-proposition-1/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Rita Hulsman: ‘Please join me in honoring Steve’s legacy with your YES vote to approve Proposition 1’</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Steven-and-Rita-Hulsman.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Steve and Rita Hulsman. Photo courtesy of Rita.<p>Rita Hulsman lost her husband of more than 40 years in December when a person <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/01/19/police-person-who-killed-steve-hulsman-was-driving-with-a-suspended-license/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">turned his Chevy Tahoe in front of Steve</a> while Steve biked downhill on Marine View Drive SW not far from his home. Steve died shortly after the collision. He was 66.</p><p>In the months since that horrible day, <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/09/12/at-memorial-bike-ride-for-her-husband-rita-hulsman-asked-attendees-to-vote-yes-on-the-transportation-levy-she-worked-to-strengthen/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rita has become an outspoken advocate</a> for the need for safer streets. She attended City Council Transportation Committee meetings to testify about the need for increasing safety funding in the transportation levy they were developing, and now she is urging Seattle voters to <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/07/16/endorsement-the-seattle-transportation-levy-will-be-a-massive-investment-in-safe-efficient-streets/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">approve Proposition 1</a>.</p><p>Rita penned an op-ed, which Cascade Bicycle Club <a href="https://cascade.org/news/2024/10/rita-hulsman-seattle-voters-vote-yes-prop-1-save-lives" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">published on their blog</a>. She makes a powerful and heartfelt case in favor of the proposition, but perhaps because my mother was an elementary school teacher and my kid is now in first grade, this section really got to me:</p><blockquote><p>As a recently retired elementary school teacher, I encourage you to think about the many students who deserve safe routes to schools. As a widow and mom, I urge you to think of your family members, friends and neighbors who deserve the right to safely walk, bike, and roll through our neighborhoods.</p></blockquote><p>Whether it’s a transportation levy or any other issue, these are the thoughts that should guide everyone’s voting decisions. What would be best for the next generation and for the people you love? We must invest in solutions so that young people today are not doomed to repeat the tragedies of the current generation.</p><blockquote><p>I urge all Seattle voters to support Proposition 1, the Keep Seattle Moving Transportation Levy, which will appear on your Nov. 5 general election ballot. It comes too late for Steve, a pillar of the Seattle bicycling community, but approving this sensible transportation package could save the lives of other people who walk, bike, or roll on Seattle’s frequently inhospitable and dangerous streets.</p></blockquote><p>Thank you, Rita.</p><p><a href="https://cascade.org/news/2024/10/rita-hulsman-seattle-voters-vote-yes-prop-1-save-lives" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Read her full op-ed on the Cascade Blog</a>.</p><p></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/21/2024-voter-guide-who-the-transpo-orgs-endorsed/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>2024 Voter Guide: Who the transpo orgs endorsed – UPDATED</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_1114-1.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><p>Alright, folks, let’s do this. This is the big one for a lot of reasons, but for biking in Seattle specifically this is the most important ballot of the entire decade. We need to <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/09/04/cascade-vote-no-on-i-2117-if-you-love-bikes-and-trails/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">vote NO on Initiative 2117</a> and <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/07/16/endorsement-the-seattle-transportation-levy-will-be-a-massive-investment-in-safe-efficient-streets/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">vote YES on Seattle Proposition 1</a>. If we want to make our streets safer, connect our bike network to every neighborhood, expand and maintain our regional trail network, and accellerate our dismal rate of sidewalk construction, it’s all on the line. Tell all your friends and family members how much these measures mean to you and to our communities. And if you aren’t already spending your time volunteering to get out the vote in swing states, consider <a href="https://keepseattlemoving.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">joining the Keep Seattle Moving campaign</a>.</p><p>It seems that a lot of people have heard the message that voters should say NO to all the state initiatives, and the endorsements below agree. But we need to make sure folks know to vote YES on the proposition. I may lose sleep worrying that people will group the proposition in with the initiatives and just vote no on them all. </p><p>Your ballot for the November 5 general election should have arrived in the mail, or should arrive very soon. Eligible voters have until October 28 to <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/how-to-vote/register-to-vote.aspx" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">register</a> or <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/how-to-vote/register-to-vote/change-my-address.aspx" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">update your address</a> online in King County. After that date, voters can still register in person up to and including election day at <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/how-to-vote/ballots/return-my-ballot/vote-centers" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a voting center</a>. If you are not in King County, check your county’s voter information pages for details.</p><p>I have gathered endorsements from several organizations working for safer streets and better transit in our area: <a href="https://www.theurbanist.org/2024/10/17/2024-general-election-endorsements/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Urbanist (URB)</a>, <a href="https://www.t4wa.org/endorsements" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Transportation for Washington (T4W)</a>, <a href="https://wabikes.org/index.php/2024/10/04/wa-bikes-voter-guide-read-our-fall-2024-endorsements-for-better-biking/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Washington Bikes (WAB)</a>, and the <a href="https://transitriders.org/blog/2024/10/11/2024-general-election-endorsements/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Transit Riders Union (TRU)</a>. Check the endorsements pages for each organization for more information on why they chose who they chose (the Urbanist did a particularly good job of explaining their reasoning this year). If an organization did not mention a race, then I left them off the list. But if they specifically noted “no endorsement,” I did include that. Note that Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and Transportation Choices Coalition are 501(c)(3) non-profits that can accept tax-deductible donations, and U.S. law allows them to endorse ballot measures but not political candidates or parties. Cascade and TCC’s respective sister organizations Washington Bikes and Transportation for Washington are separate 501(c)(4) non-profits that can endorse candidates.</p><p><strong>UPDATE 10-22</strong>: Added a few endorsements from Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Transportation Choices Coalition and <a href="https://seattletransitblog.com/2024/10/22/stb-endorsements-2024-general-election/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Seattle Transit Blog</a> to the list.</p><p><strong>Seattle City Government</strong></p><p>Seattle Proposition No. 1: Yes (URB, T4W, WAB, TRU, Cascade Bicycle Club, Transportation Choices Coalition, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and Seattle Transit Blog)</p><p>Seattle City Council 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck (URB, T4W, WAB, TRU, Seattle Transit Blog)</p><p><strong>Washington State Initiatives</strong></p><p></p><p>Initiative 2066: No (URB, TRU, Seattle Transit Blog)</p><p>Initiative 2109: No (URB, TRU, Seattle Transit Blog)</p><p>Initiative 2117: No (URB, T4W, WAB, TRU, Cascade Bicycle Club, Transportation Choices Coalition, Seattle Transit Blog)</p><p>Initiative 2124: No (URB, TRU)</p><p><strong>Washington State Leadership</strong></p><p>Governor: Bob Ferguson (WAB), No Endorsement (URB)</p><p>Attorney General: Nick Brown (URB)</p><p>Lands Commissioner: Dave Upthegrove (URB, T4W)</p><p><strong>United States Legislature:</strong></p><p>U.S. Senate: Maria Cantwell (T4W, WAB)</p><p>1st Congressional District: Susan DelBene (URB, WAB)</p><p>2nd Congressional District: Rick Larsen (T4W, WAB), No Endorsement (URB)</p><p>6th Congressional District: Emily Randall (WAB)</p><p>7th Congrassional District: Pramila Jayapal (WAB)</p><p>8th Congressional District: Kim Schrier (WAB), No Endorsement (URB)</p><p>9th Congressional District: Adam Smith (WAB), Melissa Chaudhry (TRU), No Endorsement (URB)</p><p>10th Congrassional District: Marilyn Strickland (WAB)</p><p><strong>Washington State Legislature:</strong></p><p>Legislative District 01 – Position 1: Davina Duerr (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD01-2: Shelley Kloba (WAB)</p><p>LD03 Senate: Marcus Riccelli (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD03-1: Natasha Hill (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD05 Senate: Bill Ramos (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD05-1: Victoria Hunt (T4W, URB)</p><p>LD06-1: Steven McCray II (T4W)</p><p>LD06-2: Michaela Kelso (T4W)</p><p>LD09-1: Patrick Miller (T4W)</p><p>LD10 Senate: Janet St. Clair (T4W)</p><p>LD11-1: David Hackney (T4W)</p><p>LD12-1: Heather Koellen (T4W)</p><p>LD14 Senate: Maria Beltran (T4W, WAB) </p><p>LD14-2: Ana Ruiz Kennedy (T4W)</p><p>LD17-2: Terri Niles (T4W)</p><p>LD18-1: Deken Letinich (T4W)</p><p>LD18-2: John Zingale (T4W)</p><p>LD19-1: Mike Coverdale (T4W)</p><p>LD21-2: Lillian Ortiz-Self (T4W)</p><p>LD22 Senate: Jessica Bateman (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD22-1: Beth Doglio (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD22-2: Lisa Parshley (T4W)</p><p>LD23-1: Tarra Simmons (T4W)</p><p>LD23-2: Greg Nance (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD24 Senate: Mike Chapman (T4W)</p><p>LD24-1: Adam Bernbaum (WAB)</p><p>LD25 Senate: Kenneth King (T4W)</p><p>LD25-1: Cameron Severns (T4W)</p><p>LD25-2: Shellie Willis (T4W)</p><p>LD26-2: Tiffiny Mitchell (T4W)</p><p>LD27 Senate: Yasmin Trudeau (URB, T4W)</p><p>LD27-1: Laurie Jinkins (T4W)</p><p>LD27-2: Jake Fey (T4W, WAB), Devin Rydel Kelly (URB)</p><p>LD28 Senate: T’wina Nobles (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD28-1: Mari Leavitt (WAB)</p><p>LD28-2: Dan Bronoske (T4W)</p><p>LD29-1: No Endorsement (URB)</p><p>LD29-2: Sharlett Mena (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD30-1: Jamila Taylor (T4W)</p><p>LD30-2: Kristine Reeves (T4W)</p><p>LD32-1: Cindy Ryu (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD33-2: Mia Su-Ling Gregerson (URB)</p><p>LD34-1: Emily Alvarado (URB, WAB)</p><p>LD34-2: Joe Fitzgibbon (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD35-2: James DeHart (T4W)</p><p>LD36-1: Julia Reed (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD36-2: Liz Berry (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD37-1: Sharon Tomiko Santos (T4W)</p><p>LD37-2: Chipalo Street (URB, T4W)</p><p>LD38-1: Julio Cortez (URB, WAB)</p><p>LD38-2: Mary Fosse (WAB)</p><p>LD39 Senate: John Snow (T4W)</p><p>LD39-1: Sam Low (WAB)</p><p>LD40 Senate: Liz Lovelett (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD40-1: Debra Lekanoff (T4W)</p><p>LD40-2: Alex Ramel (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD41 Senate: Lisa Wellman (T4W)</p><p>LD41-2: My-Linh Thai (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD43-1: Nicole Macri (URB, T4W)</p><p>LD43-2: Shaun Scott (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD44-1: Brandy Donaghy (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD45-2: Melissa Demyan (URB)</p><p>LD46-1: Gerry Pollet (T4W)</p><p>LD46-2: Darya Farivar (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD47-1: Debra Jean Entenman (WAB)</p><p>LD47-2: Chris Stearns (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD48-1: Vandana Slatter (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD48-2: Amy Walen (T4W)</p><p>LD49-1: Sharon Wylie (T4W, WAB)</p><p>LD49-2: Monica Jurado Stonier (T4W, WAB)</p><p><strong>County Leadership</strong></p><p>Chelan County Commissioner D3: Brad Hawkins (T4W)</p><p>Clallam County Commissioner D2: Kate Dexter (T4W)</p><p>Clark County Council D3: Wil Fuentes (T4W)</p><p>Franklin County Council D2: Blance Barajas (T4W)</p><p>Island County Commissioner D2: Christina Elliott (T4W)</p><p>Kitsap County Commissioner D1: Christine Rolfes (T4W)</p><p>Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer: Marty Campbell (T4W)</p><p>Pierce County Executive: Ryan Mello (URB, T4W, WAB)</p><p>Pierce County Council D2: Davida Haygood (URB, T4W)</p><p>Pierce County Council D3: John Linboe (URB)</p><p>Pierce County Council D4: Rosie Ayala (T4W)</p><p>Pierce County Council D6: Jani Hitchen (URB, T4W)</p><p>Spokane County Commissioner D5: Molly Marshall (T4W)</p><p>Yakima County Commissioner D2: Susan Soto Palmer (T4W)</p><blockquote><p><strong>NOTE</strong>: I typed a lot of this in by hand and my eyes were very tired by the end of it, so please let me know in the comments or at tom@seattlebikeblog.com if you spot any typos.</p></blockquote><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/18/the-times-ed-board-forgot-to-do-the-reading-on-the-transportation-levy/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>The Times Ed Board forgot to do the reading on the Transportation Levy</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/lms-chart.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Levy spending breakdown. The Times Ed Board thinks there’s too much bicycle safety and not enough maintenance and bridge work. Chart <a href="https://keepseattlemoving.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">from the Keep Seattle Moving campaign</a>.<p>Just like they did with the 2015 Move Seattle Levy, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-seattle-times-editorial-board-recommends-vote-no-on-seattle-proposition-1-the-transportation-levy/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the Seattle Times Editorial Board once again urged voters to reject the Seattle Transportation Levy</a>. Seattle voters ignored them in 2015, approving the levy by a landslide 59–41. Let’s do it again in 2024.</p><p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/07/16/endorsement-the-seattle-transportation-levy-will-be-a-massive-investment-in-safe-efficient-streets/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Read our endorsement of Seattle’s Proposition 1</a> and see a breakdown of the proposed investments.</p><p>What caught my attention most in their editorial, however, was their accusation that the levy “is not an infrastructure plan as much as a political document.” Seattle is a democracy, so of course this levy is political. Every public budget and every public policy is passed by elected officials is influenced by advocates with stakes in the decision. It’s strange to hear this editorial board pretend that there was a non-political way to craft an initiative to send to voters. </p><p>Further, the politicians who crafted this levy were nearly all endorsed by the Seattle Times Editorial Board. Those politicians sought out support from important constituencies like the port, the Chamber of Commerce, major labor unions, transit boosters, and safe streets groups in an attempt to craft a levy that they would all support. That’s compromise, and it worked. All those groups representing Seattle residents and businesses are supporting the levy together, one of the few times you’ll see all these parties on the same side of a major issue. The transportation levy is an example of what the city can accomplish when everyone works together. It’s odd that the Times Editorial Board sees this unity as a bad thing.</p><p>This levy was very much not written by the big bad bicycle lobby, whose endorsed candidates did not fare well in last year’s City Council races. The Editorial Board tried to paint it that way regardless. They bemoaned that “the levy would spend $133.5 million on ‘Bicycle Safety,'” while spending “only $330 million for ‘arterial roadway maintenance’ and $67 million for pothole repairs.” The $133.5 million for bicycle safety will save lives while making up about 9% of the levy. It is a great investment that will do a lot to connect and protect bike routes across the city, but it’s not an oversized slice of the budget pie (see chart above). They also cite a survey in which 61% of respondents said Seattle was doing a good job, noting that “it’s the department’s highest score.” That’s great news. SDOT is doing something well and people have noticed it. That just confirms that our city’s bike investments are working. It makes no sense to say, “Let’s defund the things our city does well.” The Editorial Board members must not bike much if they think the city’s bike lane network is anywhere close to being complete. This same board once <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/08/08/seattle-times-editorial-board-seattle-should-be-vanguard-of-safe-bike-infrastructure/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">argued that “Seattle should be in the vanguard” of safe bike infrastructure</a>. Well, Seattle needs the funding from this levy to get there.</p><p>Meanwhile, $397 million for paving work makes up more than a quarter of the levy and is vastly more than the city has invested in road maintenance in modern memory. It is more than the entire 2006 Bridging the Gap Levy. The paving total is more like $420 million when you add in freight projects that are also likely to be paving projects or ~$615 million when you add bridge maintenance or ~$770 million if you add together all the paving, bridge maintenance, traffic signals, freight mobility, and general road work planning. </p><p>The Editorial Board oscillates between calling the levy expensive and complaining that it does not include enough funding. They also accuse the levy of not having a plan, yet never once mention <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/03/06/seattles-plan-for-the-next-decade-of-safe-streets-work/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the 752-page Seattle Transportation Plan</a>, an extensive document developed over several years incorporating tons of public feedback that is both the policy basis for the levy’s funding levels and the plan for how to invest it if voters approve it. Their editorial sounds like an essay by a student who didn’t to the reading.</p><p></p><p>The Board also cast shade on Mayor Bruce Harrell for saying that “other funds would be pulled into bridge work besides the levy” and that “it could amount to $35 million annually — but there were no guarantees.” The mayor is correct. The city consistently seeks out state and federal transportation grants, and it is never clear which grant applications will be successful or when those funds will arrive. Mayor Harrell is right to not make promises about this money because Seattle learned the hard way what happens when you rely on future uncommitted funds. The 2015 Move Seattle campaign made a bunch of promises based on the assumption that federal funding would keep arriving at a similar rate to previous years. Then Trump got elected and all but cut off funds from “sanctuary cities” like Seattle. This is one reason the Move Seattle Levy fell so far short on many promises and <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2018/04/16/mayor-durkan-is-right-we-do-need-a-reset-on-move-seattle/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">needed a mid-levy reset</a>. Even without Trump, there could be a national recession or radical Republicans could take hold of the Senate, or any number of things could interrupt an anticipated flow of cash. The Editorial Board seems to be disappointed that the mayor won’t just lie to them and say the anticipated funding is guaranteed.</p><p>Perhaps the most telling sign of how out of touch the Board is on this levy is that the closest person they could find to a political opponent of the levy was one-term Councilmember Alex Pedersen, whose time as Transportation Chair was ineffective and forgettable. It is worth noting that the Seattle Transportation Plan, the basis for the 2024 levy, was almost entirely crafted during Pedersen’s time as Transportation Chair. As an observer of many Transportation Committee meetings (when he bothered to hold them since he cancelled about 25% of them in 2023 not counting holidays and budget season), I’d say he didn’t exercise his power in that role to have the kind of major influence on the plan that he could have had. But sure, now that he’s out of office he has gripes about it.</p><p>I do agree with the Times Editorial Board on one point: Seattle Transportation Levy is not big enough to accomplish everything the city needs to get done. This is why I supported <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/28/cm-morales-transportation-levy-amendment-would-fund-council-priorities-without-pitting-them-against-each-other/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the community push for an even bigger levy</a>, though the mayor and council decided to play it a little more conservative. But even the larger version of the levy would not have been enough. The city built a ton of expensive road infrastructure over the past century without a plan to keep it maintained, and decades of under-funding this work has created an enormous backlog. The proposed levy would represent a major increase in road maintenance, but it’s going to take a long time to catch up. The city also has a lot of streets in the north and south ends that are missing sidewalks. The proposed levy includes a huge increase in the sidewalk budget and will make a big difference for many communities, but it’s still not enough to build a sidewalk everywhere that needs one.</p><p>However, the Times Editorial Board is making the same mistake that a couple Seattle Bike Blog readers expressed recently: That voters should reject this compromise levy in hopes of getting a better one later. There is no realistic path to a better levy if this one fails. If this levy is not approved on what should be a relatively friendly, high-turnout ballot, the city is not going to run an even bigger one on a future lower-turnout ballot. Whether you are hoping for more paving money or more bike lane money, neither of those things will happen if this levy does not pass in November.</p><p>Vote YES on Seattle’s Proposition 1.</p><p></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/09/12/at-memorial-bike-ride-for-her-husband-rita-hulsman-asked-attendees-to-vote-yes-on-the-transportation-levy-she-worked-to-strengthen/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>At memorial bike ride for her husband, Rita Hulsman asked attendees to vote yes on the transportation levy she worked to strengthen</strong></a></p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bHFp7gSCaU" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bHFp7gSCaU</a></p><p>As captured on video <a href="https://westseattleblog.com/2024/09/video-west-seattle-ride-to-remember-steve-hulsman/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">by West Seattle Blog</a>, Rita Hulsman chose to use her address to the crowd gathered Saturday for a memorial bike ride in honor of her late husband Steve to promote action to make sure traffic deaths like his do not continue happening to others (<a href="https://youtu.be/-bHFp7gSCaU?si=6bQ4EsCWF88kINNL&t=406" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">starts at 6:45 in the video</a>):</p><blockquote><p>“Steve would be so honored to see you here today to remember him. He was so skilled and passionate about bicycling, and I’ve heard from so many of you who used to cycle with him about how he was helpful and encouraging to others who found the very, very, very hilly routes that he rode to be maybe a little bit more than some people had bargained for. He was there to help people and encourage people along the way. Thank you for those kind words about him. It meant more than I can tell you in the months that have passed since his untimely death.</p><p>Earlier this year, I became involved in advocating for safety improvements for bicyclists, for pedestrians and for other vulnerable users of our city streets. And I did that by speaking up at City Council Transportation Committee meetings. I am pleased that the full council passed a great transportation levy proposal that will come before those of us who live in Seattle this November. If you live in Seattle, I strongly encourage you to vote yes on the 2024 transportation levy.”</p></blockquote><p>Ever since <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/12/23/man-killed-while-biking-in-west-seattle-identified-as-steven-hulsman/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">news broke</a> of that horrible day in December when a person driving a Chevy Tahoe <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/01/19/police-person-who-killed-steve-hulsman-was-driving-with-a-suspended-license/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">turned in front of Steve’s path</a> as he biked the long and fast downhill on Marine View Drive SW in West Seattle, Rita has been focused on changing city policy to promote safer streets. She and I emailed a few times back in March because she wanted advice on identifying organizations working on safe streets. “Steve’s death is just senseless to me,” she wrote, “but advocating for action to make our roads safer for cyclists will, I hope, give me some sense of consolation.” <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/05/14/rita-hulsman-donates-20000-from-gofundme-for-late-husband-steve-to-benefit-safe-streets-orgs/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">She later donated the funds</a> raised through a memorial GoFundMe campaign to Cascade Bicycle Club and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways. </p><p>She didn’t stop there. As City Council Transportation Committee Chair Rob Saka said in his remarks before the ride Saturday (<a href="https://youtu.be/-bHFp7gSCaU?si=GXDeJccWzCTLMa4f&t=150" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2:30 mark in the video</a>), Rita showed up to every committee meeting in which the 2024 Transportation Levy was being considered to testify in favor of increasing funding for safer streets.</p><p>“Rita showed up at every single transportation committee meeting where we discussed and considered the levy,” he told the crowd. “Her voice was well represented, testifying, holding me and my City Council colleagues accountable to make sure we have proper investments baked into the transportation levy to do more to protect the most vulnerable users. And my commitment is to all users. I want to thank Rita for her leadership, her passion, and making sure that the voice of your family is represented in this transportation levy.”</p><p>He added that if the levy passes, one of his amendments included building protected bike infrastructure named in Steve’s honor. </p><p>“Rita deserves better, the family of Steve deserves better, you all deserve better,” he said.</p><p>Thank you, Rita, and may Steve rest in peace.</p><p></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/24/here-are-the-8-neighborhood-greenways-sdot-paused-until-after-novembers-transportation-levy-vote/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Here are the 8 neighborhood greenways SDOT paused until after November’s transportation levy vote</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/planned-map-edited.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Base map from Seattle’s 2021 – 2024 Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Plan. Seattle Bike Blog added red circles and text to show the delayed projects. Numbered projects paused include all or parts of 20, 29, 35, 57, 59, 65, 70. The “Garfield High School to Leschi Elementary School Connection” does not seem to be listed on the 2021-2024 map so I circled the general area near number 47.<p>SDOT announced that eight neighborhood greenway projects previously scheduled for construction and/or planning have been put on pause because “inflation is affecting our large-scale project budgets more than initially expected,” according to the department. The Central District and Capitol Hill were hit the hardest by the pauses, though there are pauses in all districts other than 7. </p><p>We annotated the map above to help visualize the changes. The projects that formerly had solid lines are the biggest disappointment since those were supposed to have been funded through both design and construction by the end of 2024. The projects with dotted lines were only supposed to be funded through design.</p><p>The highest-profile project on the list is Phase 2 of the Central Ridge Greenway in the Central District and Capitol Hill. The good news is that the most important and difficult element of this route, a traffic signal at 18th and Madison, was completed as part of the RapidRide G project.</p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/18-madison.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>From <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transit-program/transit-plus-multimodal-corridor-program/madison-rapidride-g-line#capitolhilldesign" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the RapidRide G design plans</a>.<p>The projects had been included on SDOT’s <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/document-library/citywide-plans/modal-plans/bicycle-master-plan" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2021-24 Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Plan</a>, a list of deliverable projects that the city created after reviewing the state of rising construction costs amid the peak of the COVID-19 response. The 2021 list also followed Mayor Jenny Durkan’s so-called <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2019/04/02/sdot-and-mayor-durkan-release-more-transparent-less-visionary-bike-plan/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“reset” of the Move Seattle Levy in 2019</a> that included a lot of cuts to the bike plan. The latest delays are pauses to projects that had already made it through several rounds of cuts.</p><p>Though SDOT did not cite the upcoming public vote on renewing the Seattle Transportation Levy, the department’s statement said, “We will have a clearer funding picture in late November when the City Council finalizes the City’s budget.” The passage or failure of the levy in early November will have a massive impact on those city budget decisions. </p><p>This somewhat awkward dance will probably happen throughout this year. SDOT cannot assume that the new levy will pass, so they may make decisions based on the current levy expiring without a replacement. Then if voters do approve a replacement levy, they can add things back and build out the new work plan.</p><p>More details on the pauses from SDOT:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>During our first-quarter assessment of the 2024 budget, it became evident that inflation is affecting our large-scale project budgets more than initially expected. In response, we are focusing funds to ensure we continue making our transportation system safer, more reliable, and better connected and meeting <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/about-us/funding/levy-to-move-seattle" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Levy to Move Seattle commitments</a>. <strong>Happily, we will still exceed our goal for Neighborhood Greenway construction this year.</strong></p><p>Therefore, we are pausing the following Neighborhood Greenways projects. These projects will resume as budget or grant funding becomes available:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/greenways-program/28th-ave-nw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">28th Ave NW – Adams Elementary School Neighborhood Greenway</a></li><li><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/greenways-program/beacon-hill-elementary" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Beacon Hill Elementary Neighborhood Greenway</a></li><li><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/greenways-program/central-ridge" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway</a> – Phase 2</li><li><a href="https://seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/greenways-program/central-ridge" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Garfield High School to Leschi Elementary School Connection</a></li><li><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDOT/Greenways/CentralNorthSouth/Lafayette_SRTS_NGW_Map.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Lafayette Elementary & Madison Middle Schools Connection</a> (PDF)</li><li><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/greenways-program/northeast" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Olympic Hills Elementary School Extension</a> (NE 135th St, from 20th to 27th Avenues NE)</li><li><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/greenways-program/northeast" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Olympic View Elementary Neighborhood Greenway</a></li><li><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/greenways-program/central-ridge" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Stevens Elementary School Connection</a></li></ul><p>We will have a clearer funding picture in late November when the City Council finalizes the City’s budget and information on project status could be available as soon as the first quarter of 2025. Communication will continue through postcards and project websites. For projects with email lists already established, we will also send information via email.</p><p>In the meantime, we hope you have noticed the volume of SDOT projects launching and nearing completion this year, such as the <a href="https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2024/02/06/construction-ahead-15th-ballard-leary/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">15th Ave W/NW & Ballard Bridge Paving and Safety Project</a> preparing to break ground in July and <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transit-program/transit-plus-multimodal-corridor-program/madison-rapidride-g-line" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">RapidRide G Line – Madison St</a> scheduled to start operating in September.</p><p>We also have <a href="https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2024/02/16/south-seattle-safety-bike-projects-moving-forward-with-completed-designs-levy-dollars-at-work/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">four safety and bike projects</a> starting or nearing completion this summer creating a comfortable space for SE Seattle families to use; and recently posted photos of the <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/safety-first/safe-routes-to-school/safe-routes-to-school-wing-luke-elementary" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">extension of the Wing Luke Elementary Neighborhood Greenway</a> northward towards New Holly.</p></blockquote> <p><strong>Share</strong></p> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/24/here-are-the-8-neighborhood-greenways-sdot-paused-until-after-novembers-transportation-levy-vote/?share=mastodon" target="_blank"><span>Mastodon</span></a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/24/here-are-the-8-neighborhood-greenways-sdot-paused-until-after-novembers-transportation-levy-vote/?share=twitter" target="_blank"><span>Twitter</span></a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/24/here-are-the-8-neighborhood-greenways-sdot-paused-until-after-novembers-transportation-levy-vote/?share=facebook" target="_blank"><span>Facebook</span></a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/24/here-are-the-8-neighborhood-greenways-sdot-paused-until-after-novembers-transportation-levy-vote/?share=reddit" target="_blank"><span>Reddit</span></a></li><li>Email</li><li></li></ul> <p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
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