From staff reports:
The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) announced this week that Washington is the most “bicycle-friendly” state in the country. This is the sixth consecutive year that Washington has earned the recognition.
According to the LAB, this year’s Bicycle Friendly States ranking is more comprehensive than it has ever been before.
The state earned the top ranking based on a number of key metrics: infrastructure and funding that provides on-the-ground bicycle facilities; education and encouragement programs that promote cycling; and passage and enforcement of bicycle-friendly laws that make it safe and comfortable for people of all ages to ride.
“We’re proud of Washington’s continued recognition as one of the best places to bicycle in the entire country,” said Bob Chamberlain, executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. “At the same time, we will continue to work for improvement in how we identify and overcome barriers that keep people from riding, how we better collect and track data and then address issues around bicycle safety and collisions, and how we identify and prioritize opportunities for investment in non-motorized transportation.”
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Secretary Lynn Peterson was also proud of the state’s bicycle-friendly recognition.
“Bicycles play an important role in managing our transportation system,” she said. “As we continue to find efficiencies in our system, we look forward to partnering with organizations like the Bicycle Alliance of Washington to improve safety and grow bicycling statewide.”
Federal Way connection
Federal Way has been working toward making the city more bicycle-friendly with its work on a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in recent years. According to the city’s website: “The City is developing a comprehensive plan and vision for an accessible and connected bicycle/pedestrian system. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan will include an implementation strategy prioritizing potential improvements and specifying short and long-term improvements that can be made based on funding availability.”
Federal Way has also set up an interactive outreach program for those who enjoy getting around on two-wheels better than four, with the website engagefederalway.com. Tagged as an “an online townhall fourm to keep the conversation going”, the City encourages anyone with an interest in this issue to visit the website and share their thoughts on how Federal Way can become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
Learn more
To learn more about the LAB’s ranking process, visit www.bikeleague.org/states.
