Olympia's Planning Commission convened on October 24 to refine the city's second draft of the transportation chapter in the city's comprehensive plan.
The proposed plan sets policy changes to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit, marking a significant shift in the city's transportation strategy.
"These policy changes are substantial and come with implications that need to be thoroughly explored," said Senior Planner Michelle Swanson, stressing the need for public support. "In a democratic setting, it's crucial to have a public process that verifies the community's consent for such significant changes."
The draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP) focuses on "complete streets," those designed with people, not just cars, in mind.
However, Zainab Nejati, Chair of the Planning Commission, suggested that the TMP could be expanded to encompass broader aspects.
Nejati argued that the TMP needs an update, saying it's not like the concept of complete streets. "The transportation section should be reflective of all modes of transportation, and I feel like the vision statement should encompass that," she said.
Some commissioners also questioned Olympia's readiness to implement this people-first approach fully.
In response, Swanson acknowledged the gradual nature of implementing complete streets but noted that steps are being taken to realize TMP's plan.
"We're building up those complete streets over time, through capital projects and private development," Swanson said, explaining a long-term commitment to these standards.
The TMP also introduces a comprehensive "low-stress bike network," incorporating separated bike lanes on major roads and bike-friendly routes through quieter residential neighborhoods.
Designed with accessibility, the network ensures that residents are never more than a quarter-mile from a designated bike route, making cycling a safer, more convenient, and practical transportation option for people of all ages and abilities.
Swanson shared that Olympia's Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDS) specifies the guidelines for street construction requiring sidewalks on both sides and bike lanes on major roads.
"Our EDS has standards for sidewalks on both sides of the street, regardless of the street classification. They require bike lanes on major streets, and that does include our arterials like Fourth and State," Swanson explained.
Since 2023, the EDS standards have mandated that all new bike lanes must be either buffered or separated from vehicle traffic, a requirement that applies to both city-led and private development projects.
Swanson acknowledged that this gradual implementation process can be frustrating, but emphasized that these incremental changes are necessary to achieve long-term progress.
"That's one of the ways that we get change over time. It is piecemeal, and that is super frustrating for bike infrastructure," Swanson said, describing the network as "a planning process within a planning process."
The low-stress bike network incorporates various elements — separated bike lanes, neighborhood bike corridors, traffic-calming measures, and connecting trails. This combination, which Swanson referred to as a "minimal network," is designed to support safe biking options throughout Olympia.
The commission also discussed traffic modeling as a tool for implementing lane reductions on projects like the Fifth Avenue Bridge and Capital Way. Vice Commissioner Greg Quetin asked if traffic models can support lane reductions while managing congestion.
Swanson explained that recent traffic models suggest lane reductions can be effective when paired with enhanced bike lanes, allowing traffic flow to be maintained. "
We are looking wherever we can to reduce lanes, to reduce travel lanes," Swanson said. "We are right now in the process of working with the state on the Fifth Avenue Bridge, the [proposed] new Fifth Avenue Bridge.
Swanson added that they had done some traffic modeling to see what would happen if they reduced the number of lanes on Fifth Avenue and added enhanced bike lanes.
"We are using the traffic model to do lane reductions. We're doing that on Capital Way as well, and it's looking really good," Swanson noted.
These models are part of broader efforts in the comprehensive plan, which Swanson mentioned and is included in the plan's appendix.
However, Swanson also acknowledged potential complications with state-level requirements. "The state has already flagged concerns about our approach, so we anticipate further discussions around this," the senior planner noted.
The commissioners also focused on expanding bike infrastructure to improve accessibility and ease sidewalk congestion. Nejati suggested adding bike corrals on streets to provide secure bike parking and help clear sidewalks. "Sidewalks are crowded with signs, cafes, and parked bikes," Nejati said. "Adding bike corrals could help clear sidewalks and improve pedestrian flow."
Swanson supported the idea of expanding bike corrals downtown, noting that the existing corrals have improved accessibility and that more could benefit the growing cycling community. "Adding more on-street bike corrals could make downtown safer and more accessible," Swanson said.
The commission also discussed the need for e-bike charging stations in public spaces. Commissioner Aaron Sauerhoff noted that accessible charging infrastructure could make e-bikes more practical for commuters and everyday use. "Charging stations at bike parking areas could support people who use e-bikes for commutes and errands," Sauerhoff suggested.
Expanding on the discussion, Sauerhoff raised concerns about the range and practicality of e-bikes for longer trips. He questioned whether e-bikes could handle multiple stops or extended routes without needing to recharge, especially for those commuting from areas like Lacey or Tumwater. Additionally, Sauerhoff highlighted the need for standardized charging infrastructure, asking if e-bike chargers could be as universally compatible as electric car chargers. "Could we have level two chargers with the same standardization so that riders wouldn't need to carry their own chargers? Just designated chargers at certain bike parking spots," he suggested.
While Swanson was cautious about implementing widespread e-bike charging, they were open to further exploration, and Commissioner Tracey Carlos proposed a feasibility study to assess potential costs and benefits.
"We need a public process to ensure there is consent in the broader community for these significant changes," Swanson reiterated.
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Southsoundguy
E-bikes, really? Those dumb things are littered all over Seattle and you want that here? The leadership here is just Seattle but 10 years behind. This top down land communism doesn’t work. Take your pipe dreams and leave.
Monday, October 28 Report this
KarenM
The e-bikes that are 'littered' in Seattle are part of a rental or loan a bike program. People who own an e-bike wouldn't likely leave it laying around on the sidewalk.
For some purposes, e-bikes can be a useful replacement for a car trip. That saves gas and money and leaves a extra parking place for those driving cars.
I do hope that with the increase in bike and e-bike use everyone will be respectful of the laws for everyone's safety. Drivers and riders need to be patient and predictable and safe.
Monday, October 28 Report this
JulesJames
"Complete" means pretending unlicensed drivers on unregistered vehicles should be "protected" from all other traffic on commercial arterials. Political wordsmithing not much different than calling drug-addled transients "unhoused", or illegal immigrants "undocumented aliens". Bike lanes on every street is a massive waste of valuable resources -- particularly for shopkeepers and restaurants reliant on load zones and street parking.
Tuesday, October 29 Report this
KarenM
I am having a hard time imagining it, but apparently some people think that transportation means cars only. How do we move between the car and the business we want to go to once the car is parked? Walking is a part of many car trips.
About one third of our population does not drive. They might use transit, which means some of their trip is walking.
Some people us cycling as a form of transportation.
Complete streets means that all users have a way to move safely. That seems like a civilized way to have transportation in our community.
Tuesday, October 29 Report this
Southsoundguy
To the people saying “I use bikes, I walk, yada yada yada,” you ought to be the first ones pointing out how asinine this top down approach to planning transportation networks is. If you want something that genuinely is in line with everyone’s way of life, you should be demanding a return to real property rights and development of our cities at the margins. But having a tiny group of democratically elected mid wits try to centrally plan our reality has been tried, and failed.
Tuesday, October 29 Report this
HotTractor
Good to see that a comprehensive transportation plan including more modes of transportation is being addressed. I don't own an E-bike, but they look to be a good alternative to a vehicle for people with mobility issues that make walking or a regular bicycle problematic. There's nothing wrong with working to make a city accessible to all of their citizens and not just vehicles.
Wednesday, October 30 Report this
DudeInOlympia
Why is there not a huge parking garage? like behind the water treatment facility?
Thursday, October 31 Report this
coordinator
I think this plan is ridiculous. Your objective is to make everyone 'bus, bike, or walk'. This is not realistic. Yes, global warming is happening. Yes, we need to cut down on emissions. But car owners are not going to get out of their convenient autos, get on a bus, or bike to commute to work, do their errands, etc. We need more 4 lane roads across Olympia, Lacey, etc., not less. Homes and apartments are being built at a high rate, and we need more. So, your plan is going to make congestion much worse, not better. So, stop this insanity now, before you waste everyone's money and time fighting this. This may sound like an admirable cause, but major changes like this take a 'generational change', not short mistakes. By this I mean we, as a people, will slowly buy hybrid autos, gas mileages will go up, emissions down. Putting in unused bike lanes on busy streets will just prove how stupid this plan really is. As a cyclist my whole life, even I do not leave bikes locked up in sight where they can be easily stolen. Look at how many bikes are piled up in homeless camps. Putting in 'bike barns', supplying charging for e-bikes, etc., will not change this. Add a reality check to this stupidity!
Thursday, October 31 Report this