S-1859               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5421

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by  Senators Tanner, Bluechel, Bender and McDonald)

Read first time 2/20/87.

AN ACT Relating to bicycle programs; adding new sections to chapter 43.59 RCW; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.59 RCW to read as follows:

          Bicycling is increasing in our state.  What used to be simply a children's activity is now a common form of transportation and recreation for children, adults and families.  Increased bicycling has many benefits:  It is healthy, nonpolluting, energy efficient, and does not cause wear to the road system.  Bicycling is an enjoyable activity that people with a wide range of physical abilities can share.  The creation of the state bicycle program specified in section 2 of this act is essential to further the benefits of bicycling to the residents of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.59 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The Washington state traffic safety commission shall be responsible for the initiation and operation of a bicycle program.

          (2) To assist the commission in the operation of the bicycle program, a full-time staff position of state bicycle coordinator is established.  The coordinator shall be appointed by the commission and paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040.

          (3) The state bicycle coordinator shall coordinate bicycle safety, education, enforcement, and tourism programs in all state agencies.  The coordinator shall be responsible for providing input to the department of transportation, and the cites and counties of the state in prioritizing, programming, and developing bicycle-related projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 43.59 RCW to read as follows:

          The state bicycle coordinator shall have the power and it shall be the coordinator's duty:

          (1) To gather bicycle program information and resources;

          (2) To plan bicycle programs;

          (3) To work with other state agencies to develop bicycle programs;

          (4) To provide assistance in revising and updating superintendent of public instruction and state patrol bicycle material; and

          (5) To develop a grant program to distribute funds to local agencies in areas with high bicycle accident rates to create bicycle programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     There is appropriated to the Washington state traffic safety commission the sum of forty-five thousand dollars from the motor vehicle fund, and forty-five thousand dollars from the general fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.