Date:
Monday, December 05, 2005
Contact:
Paula Reeves, Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Manager, 360-705-7258
Charlotte Claybrooke, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, 360-705-7302
OLYMPIA – Pedestrian and bicycle transportation has gained firm footing in Washington with the completion of the state’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.
"In addition to the legislature's 2005 Transportation Partnership Act, and reaffirmation of the funding by Washington voters this November, the state is poised to move forward with a serious commitment to improving conditions for walking and biking in the state," stated Paula Reeves, Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Manager.
For this plan, the primary goals are to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, while also increasing the number of people bicycling and walking. The strategies for achieving these goals are: maximizing funding through partnerships; raising awareness of bicycle and pedestrian safety needs; and sharing information on bicycle and pedestrian issues between Washington’s agencies, jurisdictions, and organizations.
In Washington State, bicycling and walking currently account for approximately five percent of all trips and over six percent of work trips in urban areas. An average of 88 pedestrians and bicyclists are killed in traffic crashes across the state each year. The majority of the bicycle and pedestrian crashes that result in serious injuries and death involve young children or the aging. WSDOT will be monitoring and reporting on these and other benchmarks annually.
WSDOT produces the Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways Plan for Washington State (RCW 47.06.100). This process involves all state, regional, and local agencies, and organizations with a role in bicycling and walking.
For additional information about the 2005 Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways Plan, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/bike_plan.htm
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