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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Cycling and Walking

Best Foot Forward: How the State Supports Improved Pedestrian Safety

October 22, 2025  by  Lisa Pool ,  Briana Weisgerber
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Traffic Regulation and Enforcement

Looking to make your local roads safer for people biking and walking? Washington State offers a variety of resources, including grant programs, to support projects that create safer roads, from speed management strategies to the construction of better crosswalks. 

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2025 Legislation that Advances Sustainability in Washington Communities

July 7, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Administration ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Parking ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Housing ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This year's state legislative session passed bills addressing sustainability and climate action, updating the state's Clean Buildings Performance Standard, enacting extended producer responsibility, and encouraging the development of shared streets.

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Does Your Code Take E-Bikes and E-Scooters Into Account?

June 24, 2025  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Cycling and Walking

While state-based regulations regarding electric-assist bicycles and scooters are available for local agencies to consider, there may be good reasons to develop more tailored local codes, especially when it comes to parking, trail/sidewalk access, and helmet use. 

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Complete Streets Flourishing in Washington

November 30, 2022  by  Celeste Gilman ,  Lisa Pool
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Climate and Sustainability

Many Washington cities, towns, and counties have implemented complete streets programs to encourage safe access for all users, regardless of mode of transit. These programs vary from place to place, each meeting the specialized needs of local communities. 

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What Is a 15-Minute City? (And Why You Should Care)

October 25, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Cycling and Walking

What types of amenities and services can you get to within 15 minutes of leaving your front door? The 15-Minute City concept encourages the development of walkable neighborhoods where a variety of services are within easy reach. 

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An Emerging Issue: Robot Delivery Devices May Be Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

September 2, 2021  by  Nick Fisher
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Streets and Sidewalks

Coming soon: delivery by robot! While the state offers some guidance on safety requirements and where these devices can operate, local governments will need to consider creating their own regulations, including where device storage units can be located.

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Micromobility Moves Forward in Washington, Despite the Pandemic

October 1, 2020  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Cycling and Walking

This blog post looks at scooter share pilots recently launched in King County and Seattle. 

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What’s New for Washington Cyclists in 2020?

September 21, 2020  by  Steve Gross
Category:  Cycling and Walking

This blog post provides an overview of two pieces of legislation related to bicycling: SSB 5723, from 2019, and SSB 6208, from 2020. 

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Seattle Experiments With Dockless Bike Share

November 20, 2017  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Cycling and Walking

Seattle rolled out a dockless bike pilot program this past July and the colorful, 2-wheeled results can be seen all over the city. What's next for this program and what do neighboring jurisdictions think about it?

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Building for Bicycles: Safe Roads & Recreational Use Immunity

July 19, 2017  by  Nick Quijas
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking

Here in Washington, bicycles are being increasingly recognized and appreciated as a legitimate and important transportation option. In this blog post, MRSC Legal Intern Nick Quijas explores some of the ways in which local governments will be affected by increasing growth in bike transportation. 

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