2007 will likely go down as the year bicycle advocates in Spokane were finally heard. Biking infrastructure has made some tremendous gains this year thanks to many dedicated individuals, but we're not satisfied. Looking ahead to 2008 we see the momentum continuing for a city that's safer and more accessible for non-automotive forms of transportation. We think 2008 could be a prime year for the complete streets movement to finally arrive in Spokane.
Complete streets are streets that serve all transportation users and this includes pedestrians, bikes, wheelchairs, transit and autos. Think about the streets you use everyday to get home, to work, to the store, etc. Which ones are designed with all users in mind? It's nothing new in Washington State, in fact Seattle took the bold step of pledging to create complete streets first by passing a resolution and then a city ordinance the following year. Redmond and Kirkland are into it as well...so why couldn't we? C'mon, when you have the AARP and biking advocates on the same side of an issue something is up.