Policy, Planning and Government Affairs

The Department of Policy, Planning and Government Affairs was formed by the merger of the former Commute and Advocacy Departments. The new department name better represents the breadth of work we do and the new department approach is driven by a desire to capitalize on synergies in that breadth.

Our Policy work focuses on making changes at the local, regional, state and national levels that make roadways more accessible and convenient for bicycling and safer for all road users. Examples include our work on local complete streets ordinances, our state legislative agenda and our legal action on the Burke Gilman Trail missing link and PSRC's Transportation 2040 plan. Our work also includes campaigns at all levels, including major local campaigns like Streets for All Seattle, our state legislative agenda, and our work on the next federal transportation bill.

Our Planning work concentrates on helping cities and counties craft new or better bicycle master plans, nonmotorized plans and comprehensive plans. We hold contracts to develop guides and train city staff and community members in cities around the region. We also conduct plan review under contract with businesses and agencies, perform research and write reports like the Seattle and Puget Sound Bicycle Report Cards, help conduct bicycle counts locally and statewide and host services like Bikewise.org. Our planning work also works in concert with our policy arm to ensure both small and large infrastructure projects take bicycle connectivity, safety and good engineering into account.

Our Government Affairs work encompasses our work with businesses and agencies like our forthcoming Bike Friendly Business Certification System, Bike Business Forum, and Bike Month and our work at all levels of government to educate our elected leaders on our issues.

Our political program, endorsements and lobbying fall under our 501(c)(4) and not within the work of the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation.