Guest post from Blake Trask, state policy director for Washington Bikes

The longest legislative session in Washington state history turned out to be the best for bicycling, as Washington Bikes got some big wins last week before the Washington State Legislature adjourned.

On Friday, the House passed the remaining bills needed for the complete Transportation Spending Package to make it to the Governor’s desk. The outcome for biking? Washington Bikes worked to get the largest investments ever for bicycling, safe routes and complete streets.

Over the next 16 years, the state transportation spending package will invest over $500 million in our priorities. That’s a sevenfold increase over the previous 16-year commitment made in 2005.

Just the day before the Legislature passed a new two-year Capital Budget that includes an all-time high of $15.6 million for 18 trail projects across the state.

What does this mean? In the short-term Washingtonians will see more than $60 million in investments made over the next two years. That’s well past Washington state's previous high of about $39 million.

We are heartened by the fact that our message resonated in Olympia: when Washington Bikes communities are healthier, economies are stronger, and Washington’s transportation system is safer and more efficient.

In addition to funding gains, Washington Bikes succeeded in getting the majority of its 2015 legislative priorities through this year.

Highlights included:

• “Dead Red Bill”, SSB 5438 signed into law. This legislation, championed by Washington Bikes, was a top priority of bicycle riders who experience the frustration of getting stuck at a broken red light. We’re elated to get this legislation passed on its first run. It officially becomes law next week: 
• Outdoor Recreation Bill - ESSB 5843: Washington Bikes, along with a large coalition of outdoor recreation interests successfully passed ESSB 5843. This bill implements two of the key recommendations of a Blue Ribbon Task Force on Outdoor Recreation (which Washington Bikes Executive Director Barb Chamberlain was a co-chair): Establishing an outdoor recreation sector lead in the Governor’s Office for the first time ever; and re-igniting funds for the “No Child Left Inside” grant program to get our youth outdoors. Money in the budget was also secured for this legislation: 
• Additionally, we were instrumental in pushing back on a number of bad bills including one that would have allowed mopeds on bike lanes, and all soft- and hard-surface trails in Washington state.

Learn more about Washington Bikes at www.wabikes.org