Day 24: Washington Bikes, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington

About the organization

Washington Bikes represents the 2.5 million people (and growing) who ride bikes for transportation or enjoyment.  They advocate for legislation on distracted driving and funding for bicycle infrastructure improvements.  WA Bikes also promotes Safe Routes to School which is a successful network of local programs to improve walking and biking infrastructure, so that kids can safely walk and bike to school.  This has the great side effect of making walking and biking safer for everyone.  WA Bikes has been vocal about the economic impact bicycling has on WA state - 3.1 billion dollars, to be specific - which is something that doesn't get talked about enough in the politically charged discussion about improving and funding bike infrastructure.



Why does it appeal to me?

When I lived in DC I biked a little bit.  I was never super comfortable commuting by bike, though, largely because of my discomfort with the way people drive in DC and the poor bicycling infrastructure at the time (which has improved, no doubt, since then.)  I also am apparently unable to properly fill a bike tire with air, but that's a story for another time.  So, I walked and took transit.  DC's best pedestrian advocacy actually came out of the bicycle advocacy group Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA).  And here in Washington State I see the same thing, that WA Bikes does great advocacy work for both bicyclists and pedestrians, because so many of the important changes (reduced vehicle speed, better road design, clearer signs, improved intersection infrastructure) impact both of these vulnerable road users.



Want to learn more?

To learn more, click here.

To donate, click here.  The donate page is a little confusing, after entering your name and address, click "send your support" and you will be directed to a Paypal donation page.



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