WHEREAS, Chuck Ayers worked tirelessly for safe cycling for kids, commuters, and seniors in communities throughout Washington state; and
     WHEREAS, He served as Cascade Bicycle Club's Executive Director for 15 years, leading an organization which has helped achieve significant improvements to our transportation system through policy, community organization, education, outreach, and advocacy; and
     WHEREAS, His education programs have touched people of all ages, from preschoolers on balance bikes, to seniors on step-through bikes; and
     WHEREAS, Chuck Ayers worked with state lawmakers, local governments, and communities to draft innovative policies for better and safer roadways; and
     WHEREAS, During his tenure, he built a 15,000-strong community of cyclist enthusiasts and supporters and organized annual rides like Seattle-to-Portland, which has become a local phenomenon that sells out months in advance; and
     WHEREAS, His work in training youth in the basics of bike riding, road safety, and community leadership promoted a new generation of bike riders and commuters across the Puget Sound; and
     WHEREAS, Programs and projects he sponsored, such as the Annual Commuter Challenge Program that reduced emissions by 1.5 million pounds over the month of May in 2011, developed awareness of how different modes of transportation affect our surroundings; and
     WHEREAS, His leadership and the efforts of Cascade Bicycle Club have led to safer roads, more bike lanes and paths, and an increase in sidewalks around the Puget Sound area, helping support a movement of healthy, green commuters; and
     WHEREAS, He has trained community leaders to advocate for and produce safer and more extensive biking infrastructure for commuters and children alike;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives find that Chuck Ayers' efforts in building a community around, and successfully advocating for, safer, cleaner ways of transportation for more than fifteen years, and the environmental, social, and health impacts which he contributed to deserve special recognition.