As we bring in 2023 and set our goals for the year ahead, we reflect back on the progress we’ve made to inform and pave the best path forward.

While we’ve made great strides, our work continues in pursuit of a better future for our city. By prioritizing what’s essential — accessibility, equity, safety and sustainability — we can ensure all of our communities are able to lead healthy, peaceful and productive lives.

And as we prep for the journey ahead, to continue advocating for our beliefs and values, let’s keep in mind that no matter what side of the lane we’re on, we’re all headed in the same direction — toward a city where we can feel safe and are proud to call home.

We’re incredibly grateful for all that we’ve been able to accomplish with the support of our volunteers and supporters, and are eager and excited for the road ahead. 

Thank you for being a part of this movement and helping us see this work through.

To a happy and prosperous 2023!
 

What We’re Doing This Year

Last year was an exciting year for our people-powered coalition — we accomplished a lot together! There is a lot going on this year from crafting Seattle’s next transportation plan, to getting Vision Zero back on track, to making progress towards a more equitable city. With your help, this year we will make strides in four key areas:

Mobility Justice: Laws and policies that impact Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities have long been drafted and passed without our input. Consequently, the people who have been most harmed by many policies governing our transportation system are BIPOC. Our all-BIPOC workgroup, Whose Streets? Our Streets! approaches issues around transportation and traffic enforcement with a pro-equity, anti-racist framework directs our mobility justice work towards a vision of how our city and our streets can be safe, thriving places without the use of armed police. This year, we will shape a more equitable automated enforcement program, seek to reform parking enforcement, support housing for all efforts, and state level policy reforms. 

Vision Zero: Too many people are killed by traffic violence on our streets, and victims of disproportionately elders, people of color, and those with disabilities, low incomes, or currently experiencing homelessness. We will continue pushing the city towards a vision where everyone can get home to their loved ones safely. Our local groups will advocate to fix the most dangerous streets in the city including Aurora Ave, MLK Way S, Rainier Ave S, and many streets in SODO. We will also push the city to rapidly implement life saving solutions like no-right on red, improving visibility at intersections, and adding traffic calming on arterials — see more in our manifesto. 

UnGapTheMap: Seattle needs a connected network of safe & convenient streets to bike on — protected from traffic and comfortable enough for most riders, of all ages, languages, ethnicities, genders, races and abilities (#ALEGRA), to feel safe on — not just disconnected pieces here and there. We will be organizing in neighborhoods around Seattle to close key gaps in Beacon Hill, the Rainier Valley, Downtown, Georgetown, and South Park. We will also be working to phase out floppy plastic posts, and upgrade every bike lane in Seattle with real protection. 

Places For People: In addition to helping us get where we need to go, our streets can be thriving places that build community and support local economies. Building off the success of making cafe streets permanent, we will look to create more streets for people in 2023, and work towards solutions like pedestrian only streets, stay healthy streets like Lake Washington Boulevard, and superblocks. We will also continue our work on creating a 15 Minute City,  where everyone can afford to live in a place that has access to their daily needs within a short walk, by supporting smart and equitable housing and land use policies. 

Systemic Change: We’re also pushing for systemic shifts in the way we plan for and fund our city by pushing for equity, safety, and sustainability in Seattle’s long-term planning efforts like the Seattle Transportation Plan and Comprehensive Plan. We work collaboratively as a member of the Seattle Solidarity Budget coalition to push for a budget that aligns with our values and allows everyone in Seattle to live and thrive.

We truly are a people powered movement, and your support, donations, and volunteering really makes a difference — thank you!

Honoring MLK & Human Rights Week

Last week safe streets and mobility justice advocates joined panels and engaged community members in workshops hosted by the Seattle MLK Organizing Coalition, and included our own Clara Cantor, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways community organizer and part of the Lake Washington Blvd Community Task Force, and our all-BIPOC workgroup Whose Streets? Our Streets!, and Seattle Solidarity Budget, among other organizations.

On Wed., Jan. 11, a task force of community members including our own Clara Cantor — community organizer, joined Cary Moon — urban planner and community activist, Ching Chan — SDOT’s senior public engagement lead, Joey Manson — director of the Seward Park Audubon Center, and Tai Mattox — founding member of Coexist Lake Washington, to discuss the current process to decide the future design and accessibility of Lake Washington Blvd (LWB) and how it will affect surrounding communities.

On Thurs., Jan. 12, the Annual MLK March and Rally, Black Prisoners Caucus, Kids are Kids, Whose Streets? Our Streets! and 350 Seattle led a workshop on mass incarceration which included discussions on how to support Black and Brown men after their release as well as Auto-Decline, which allows for children to be tried as adults for crimes, and other issues still greatly impacting our communities of color.

On Mon., Jan. 16, Whose Streets? Our Streets! and Seattle Solidarity Budget teamed up to report back on extensive outreach and engagement conducted with BIPOC communities throughout Seattle to define safety solutions that will pave the path to free and equal access to our public streets and spaces for all.

Learn more about these and other events hosted in celebration of Human Rights Week.

Cafe Streets are here to stay 
Let’s celebrate!

More than 300 small businesses have benefited from the cafe streets program since we advocated for its launch in 2020, and now it's here to stay!

Join us and the Seattle Restaurant Alliance to celebrate the passage of permanent cafe streets legislation!

What: A celebration of the cafe streets program.
Appetizers provided (no host bar)

When: Tuesday, January 31, 4 - 6 PM

Where: Pike Taproom on Ballard Ave.
Address: 5205 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Who: Anyone who enjoys Seattle's cafe streets program! 

Learn more about the cafe streets legislation, and get involved!

Actions & Upcoming Events

• Event: Sat, Jan 28, 3-6pm - I-135 Community Canvass at South Park Playfield with Duwamish Valley Safe Streets, Puget Sound Sage and House Our Neighbors
• Event: Sat, Jan 28, 11am-2pm and Tues, Jan 31, 4-7pm - Seattle Transportation Plan Open Houses, in person at the Bertha Knight Landes room at Seattle City Hall
  • Can't make it in person? Share your thoughts online!
• Event: Sat, Jan 29, 12-3pm - I-135 Community Canvass with Central Seattle Greenways and House Our Neighbors
• Event: Mon, Feb 6, 6-8pm - Seattle Neighborhood Greenways GOTV Phone Bank for Initiative I-135
• Event: Thurs, Feb 9, 7-8:30pm - SNG New Volunteer Orientation 
• Action: Tues, Feb 14, 8pm - Ballots due! Find your closest drop box