Support Proposition 1 – SAFE Mobility Levy
A note from the President of Squeaky Wheels
Since formation in 1994, we at Squeaky Wheels, your Bainbridge Island bicycling advocacy group, have worked hard to improve the safety and efficiency of bicycling on Bainbridge Island. One of our more important efforts has been to raise local government awareness about specific dangers on island roadways and identify improvements so people can safely use our roadways, most which have narrow or no shoulders on which to walk or ride.
One of these efforts is the Core 40 priority list, an island-wide plan to improve critical road shoulders on 40 miles of island roads. In 2017, the City incorporated the Core 40, along with other identified improvements, into its comprehensive Island-wide Transportation Plan. Getting the projects into this plan was the first step toward moving them into the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) so they can get built. However, the projects still must be funded. The City has a limited amount of funds to spend on CIP projects and traffic on the island is increasing faster than the City’s road budget so that we are not keeping up the consequent needed safety improvements. At the same time, pedestrian and bicycle accidents are increasing.
Proposition 1 – the Safe Access for Everyone (SAFE) Mobility Levy – will provide the funds to begin catching up with necessary shoulder upgrades, trails and safe routes to schools, and sidewalks in Winslow. These facilities will make it safer for kids and families to walk and bike and will enhance safety for motorists as well.
Some have suggested that the Levy is not supported by a plan. This is not accurate. The Island-wide Transportation Plan provides guidance for development of the City’s CIP. The SAFE Mobility Levy will accelerate funding for the specific bicycle and pedestrian safety projects that go into the CIP. It is notable that 45% of the Levy funds will be directed to the Core 40-type basic shoulder improvement projects. As drafted, Proposition1 identifies some of the highest priority projects yet allows the City the flexibility to be efficient and strategic in deploying its resources to get projects built.
The City of Bainbridge Island has a clear transportation vision – to make the Island transportation network safe and accessible for all modes of transportation. However, the City needs funding to make substantial progress towards achieving this vision for the benefit of the community. The SAFE Mobility Levy provides dedicated funding for a safe and accessible Bainbridge Island. It is time to get going on these projects – please vote yes on Proposition1.
Helaine Honig
