Council Member Kristina Walker -- May is Bike Month

City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 04/25/2024 09:03 AM PDT

Hello Tacoma!

May is almost here and, with it, Bike Month! It is that time of year when we get to promote bike riding in our city and collectively look at what bike infrastructure is needed to realize our goal of a safe and connected bike network by 2050. In addition, we have a goal to eliminate crashes that cause serious injuries and deaths by 2050 as part of Vision Zero. Bike Month gives us all an opportunity to get on two wheels and celebrate while we work toward a more bikeable city.

On Tuesday, April 23, we proclaimed May as Bike Month at our City Council Meeting. Thanks to 2nd Cycle for receiving the proclamation! Bike Month kicks off with the 13^th Annual Bike Swap on Saturday, April 27, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Tacoma Community College. The Bike Swap is Tacoma and Pierce County’s biggest celebration of all things cycling and draws hundreds of attendees from across the community. I hope to see you there!

But that is just the beginning. Join me at events happening across Tacoma and Pierce County! You can find the full calendar at cityoftacoma.org/bikemonth.

13th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap (Sponsored by Ride Together Pierce)

The Pierce County Bike Swap will bring the bicycling community together to buy, sell bikes and bike parts, to test ride their future bike, practice bike riding skills, purchase low-cost helmets, discuss best cycling routes, and much more.

Location: Tacoma Community College - Lot A (facing S 19th St)
Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

For more information, visit: https://www.ridetogetherpierce.com/462/13th-Annual-Pierce-County-Bike-Swap.

Tacoma Secures $1.3 Million in Federal Funding to Conduct I-5 Crossings Study Aimed at Improving Safety and Accessibility

I am also excited to share that Tacoma will receive $1.3 million in new federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot and Neighborhood Access and Equity discretionary grant programs for increased safety and mobility options along Interstate 5 in Tacoma. With these federal funds, the City will hire a consultant to help conduct an 18-month engagement, planning, and design process that will begin in early 2025 and have an estimated completion date in 2026. The Tacoma I-5 Crossings Study will focus on the 6.5-mile corridor of I-5 built in 1959 that bisects Tacoma and includes 14 crossings. The study will develop community-supported solutions that, when implemented, will address the significant safety and accessibility challenges created by I-5 for people walking, biking, and rolling.

For more information about capital projects to add to or improve infrastructure in Tacoma, please visit Capital Projects - City of Tacoma.

Mayor Victoria Woodards and I love to ride our bikes to City Council meetings during Bike Month!

You can find more City updates and resources on our website at cityoftacoma.org.

I also invite you to tune in to the City Council’s Study Session or City Council meetings every week on Tuesdays via TV Tacoma, Facebook Live, or Zoom. Access information is available at cityoftacoma.org/councilmeetings.

I hope you will reach out to me with any questions. I can be reached at: kwalker@cityoftacoma.org.

See you out there!

Council Member Kristina Walker