improving lives through bicycling
Your tip sheet for a bike-friendly ballot p. 6-7 November 2015 / Vol. 45 No. 11
cascade.org
The biggest thing you can do to make bicycling better in Seattle is to vote Yes on Proposition 1: the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle
Meet your Board of Director candidates
By Kelli Refer, Seattle Advocacy & Field Programs Director
By Briana Orr, Communications Manager
Funding is that critical last piece to transform our Bicycle Master Plan into pavement.
Over the past nine years you’ve spoken out about the streets that are too dangerous to bike on with your children. You have demanded safe routes to school and spoken up about the need for a connected network of bikeways downtown. You’ve shown up to meetings, provided feedback at open houses and signed petitions for safer streets. You’ve helped shape Seattle’s bold and innovative Bicycle Master Plan. Now, for the first time since 2007, we have the opportunity to fund the plan on schedule, but only if we pass the the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle.
TIME DATED MATERIAL
PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Seattle, WA PERMIT No. 2172
In 2006, Seattle voters passed the Bridging the Gap levy to help fund transportation improvements in the city. Now, nine years later, that levy is expiring at the end of the year. A lot has changed in Seattle over the course of those nine years. Our population is booming and businesses are flocking to set up shop.
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7787 62nd Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98115 www.cascade.org
You’ve shown up to meetings, now it’s time to vote yes.
The Bicycle Master Plan laid out a vision for a connected network of bike routes in 2007, but the plan lacked funding. Between 2007-2011 only 43 percent of the network was built out, but most of that was now-outdated infrastructure like sharrows, which don’t make a huge impact on improving safety. Our community spoke out, rallying for an update to the Bicycle Master Plan in 2012. Over the course of two years, you shaped the next generation of
the plan. Finally in 2014, Seattle City Council adopted our current plan, which is bold, innovative and — dare I say — the best plan in the country. All the meetings, all the Safe Routes to School work, all of it has been leading up to this levy. If you spoke up about what you wanted to see in the Bicycle Master Plan, you will see your hard work pay off in the passing of the Move Seattle levy. Funding is that critical last piece to transform our plan into pavement. Right now, we need your help. Of course the Move Seattle levy is about more than bicycle infrastructure. Move Seattle incorporates all of the plans the city has been developing over the years, including the Pedestrian Master Plan, the Transit Master Plan and the Freight Master Plan. The levy is a composite of all of these plans that shows the implementation process. Its priorities reflect how we get around in Seattle: we bike, we use transit, we walk and we drive.
When we look at the history of Bridging the Gap, we see the passing of these transportation levies as a way to build out a functional transportation system for Seattle. SDOT delivered on all their promises for Bridging the Gap. The Move Seattle levy will be funded through property tax, about half of which will be covered by developers in the commercial sector. For the average homeowner in Seattle, it will pen out to be around $12 per month more than the current levy. With strong oversight we know that this money will be used to take care of what we have, to improve transit and make our city safer for people to get around — no matter their mode. The best thing that you can do right now to ensure that Seattle will invest in bicycle infrastructure for the next decade is to vote Yes on Proposition 1, the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle.
The Cascade Board of Directors represents the voice of its members and is responsible to the membership. Its role is to ensure that Cascade’s resources are being used to the greatest benefit for all members as well as the larger community. For 2015 we have five board seats up for election. Over the past months we’ve received great nominations, and after review, the search committee is happy to present a five-member slate of candidates to the Club’s Board of Directors. Two of these candidates are incumbents. If elected, the new or re-elected board members will serve a three-year term beginning in 2016. Sandi Navarro
Incumbent, Board Member since 2015 My main interest in serving on the Board aligns well with Cascade’s mission statement: “improving lives through bicycling.” As a researcher in cancer prevention, I am very aware of the importance of physical activity to one’s health and well-being. I began cycling about four years ago when I developed severe plantar fasciitis from running, and it was recommended that I “pick another sport.” I bought a bike and, after riding on the trail a few times, joined a Cascade Free Group Ride. The warmth and encouragement of the Cascade community was overwhelming. Thus, while I began cycling for health and fitness, I have remained because of the community and social aspects. Wanting to give back to the cycling community, I have become deeply involved in the Club’s activities. In addition to participating on the Board this year, I ride all of the major events, am an active ride leader, and am a member of the Cascade Training Series steering committee. I have a vested interest in improving our Rides Program and extending our reach. Almost anyone can ride a bike and reap the rewards of improved health and positive impact on our environment. But in order to make cycling accessible, riders need to have a safe environment in which to ride; education and advocacy go hand in Continue on page 3