CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the construction of protected bicycle lanes; requiring major paving projects to include protected bicycle lanes as identified in The City of Seattle Bicycle Master Plan; and adding a new Chapter 15.80 to the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, in 2007, the City established a Complete Streets policy to promote safe and convenient access and travel for all users of the right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, in 2013 the City established a Climate Action Plan, with a goal of achieving zero net Green House Gas emissions by 2050; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 the City adopted the Bicycle Master Plan, which identified a citywide connected network of cycle tracks, protected bicycle lanes, trail, and greenways with a goal of quadrupling bicycle ridership by 2030; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 the City established a Vision Zero policy and plan, with a goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030; and
WHEREAS, protected bicycle lanes establish a physical separation of bicyclists and motor vehicles, and provide the backbone of the Bicycle Master Plan's Recommended Bicycle Network map as a safe bicycle facility for users of all ages and abilities; and
WHEREAS, the City's experience with the 2nd Avenue protected bicycle lane shows that bicycle ridership increases as more bicycle facilities and destinations are connected to the protected bicycle lane; and
WHEREAS, providing connectivity between bicycle facilities is a critical element of the Bicycle Master Plan, so that bicycle users can connect to all the destinations of the Recommended Bicycle Network; and
WHEREAS, major road construction projects provide the greatest opportunity for efficiently delivering protected bicycle lanes as recommended in the Bicycle Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, in repaving 35th Avenue NE, the Seattle Department of Transportation did not build the protected bicycle lanes which were identified in th...
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