Friday Forums 2023 – More Than the Tailpipe: Climate Resilience & Mobility

More Than the Tailpipe: Climate Resilience & Mobility

As extreme weather events become more common in the South Sound, we’re faced with a serious question: How do we build a climate resilient Tacoma? Register below and join us for a panel exploring the intersections of community, mobility, and climate.

This free Friday Forum panel event was held on March 24th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in person at Metro Parks Tacoma HQ (4702 S 19th St. Tacoma, WA 98405) and virtually over Zoom. It featured panelists Chrissy Cooley (Puget Sound Clean Air Agency), Evlondo Cooper (Sustainable Tacoma Commission), and iLeana Areiza (Tacoma Climate Leadership Cohort). Moderated by Tanisha Jumper (Tacoma Public Schools).

Registration is now closed, but you can view a recording of the forum below!

Downtown On the Go’s annual Friday Forum series is a space to discuss transportation issues and opportunities in Tacoma, to recognize real challenges facing downtown commuters and residents, and to learn about new ideas in the transportation world. The 2023 forums invite Tacomans to imagine what the future of Tacoma could be, as we dive into the rising community concerns of housing, traffic violence, and climate resilience.

Thank you to our partners Metro Parks Tacoma and Pierce Transit for supporting the 2023 Friday Forum series by making a hybrid format possible. The series is sponsored by Parametrix.

Find more information on the 2023 forum series and past forums here.

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Friday Forums 2023 – When a Sidewalk Isn’t Enough: Vision Zero in Tacoma & Pierce County

When a Sidewalk Isn’t Enough: Vision Zero in Tacoma & Pierce County

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic deaths have been on a steady rise. The City of Tacoma is committed to reaching a Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths or serious injuries by 2035, but what does that really mean? Join us for a panel breaking down the causes of traffic violence, how institutions are working to stop it, and the real human impacts. 

This free Friday Forum panel event was held on February 24th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in person at Metro Parks Tacoma HQ (4702 S 19th St. Tacoma, WA 98405) and virtually over Zoom. It featured panelists Dr. Anthony Chen (Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department), Carrie Wilhelme (City of Tacoma), and Noah Struthers, (2nd Cycle Community Bicycle Shop). The forum was moderated by Tanisha Jumper (Tacoma Public Schools).

Downtown On the Go’s annual Friday Forum series is a space to discuss transportation issues and opportunities in Tacoma, to recognize real challenges facing downtown commuters and residents, and to learn about new ideas in the transportation world. The 2023 forums invite Tacomans to imagine what the future of Tacoma could be, as we dive into the rising community concerns of housing, traffic violence, and climate resilience.

Thank you to our partners Metro Parks Tacoma and Pierce Transit for supporting the 2023 Friday Forum series by making a hybrid format possible. The series is sponsored by Parametrix.

Find more information on the 2023 forum series and past forums here.

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Friday Forums 2023 – Who Are We Building For?: Housing & Access in Tacoma

Who Are We Building For?: Housing & Access in Tacoma

As Tacoma grows and changes, what would you like to see in the City of Destiny? Housing and transportation are deeply interconnected and our policies on both influence who can access opportunities and services. Join us for a panel exploring how Tacomans’ needs and wants both match up and differ as we dive into what a future Tacoma could look like. This free Friday Forum panel event was held on January 27th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in person at Metro Parks Tacoma HQ (4702 S 19th St. Tacoma, WA 98405) and virtually over Zoom. It featured panelists Jason Gauthier (South Sound Housing Affordability Partners), Brendan Nelson (Empowering People in Communities), and Tyler Garretson, (Mayor’s Youth Commission of Tacoma). Moderated by Tanisha Jumper (Tacoma Public Schools). 

This Friday forum has passed and registration has closed, but a recording of the forum is available here:

Downtown On the Go’s annual Friday Forum series is a space to discuss transportation issues and opportunities in Tacoma, to recognize real challenges facing downtown commuters and residents, and to learn about new ideas in the transportation world. The 2023 forums invite Tacomans to imagine what the future of Tacoma could be, as we dive into the rising community concerns of housing, traffic violence, and climate resilience.

Thank you to our partners Metro Parks Tacoma and Pierce Transit for supporting the 2023 Friday Forum series by making a hybrid format possible. The series is sponsored by Parametrix.

Find more information on the 2023 forum series and past forums here.

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Tacoma Light Trail Bike Ride

Celebrate the light and the new year with a free, family friendly bike ride on Thursday January 5th, 2023 at ALMA in Downtown Tacoma (1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, 98402). Gather together at 6 p.m. to decorate your bike with lights and reflectors. Free materials available while supplies last, zip ties and tape provided. The ride will leave around 6:30 p.m.

Pre-registration strongly encouraged.

This special event is in partnership with the Tacoma Light Trail, which uses light art to uplift and unify our community during dark times. The ride will highlight light art on the trail, with details on the installations provided by Tacoma Light Trail director Rosemary Ponnekanti. Bring your friends and light up your bikes!

More information available here.

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Speak Up for Mobility at City Council!

It’s budget season at the City of Tacoma, and City Council needs to hear from YOU about why funding walking, rolling, and biking is critical. The active transportation budget in the draft biennial budget is small, and does not include dedicated funds for bike lanes, ADA accessible curb cuts, or sufficient funds for missing sidewalks. Properly funding active transportation is imperative to address safe mobility, equitable access for all, and the climate crisis. Join other advocates to speak up and make your voice heard!

November 15th, 2022 City Council meeting – biennial budget public hearing. 
Meet in the lobby outside of Council Chambers (747 Market St, 1st floor) at 4:30, then we will sit in the back of the chambers together at 5pm. Bring a friend and make some new ones! Plan to have 90 seconds to speak. Write out your comments (or main points) ahead of time and be sure to practice to ensure you’re within the 90 second time limit. Optional RSVP on Facebook. For help writing your comments, check out our advocacy page or contact our Advocacy Manager Laura directly at LauraS@downtownonthego.org

To testify over Zoom, use this information and raise your hand for the budget public hearing (not regular public comment!): www.zoom.us/j/84834233126 Passcode: 349099
To testify over the phone, use this information and press *9 to raise your hand for the budget public hearing: 253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 848 3423 3126
If you’re busy during the meeting time, you can email your councilmembers directly. Contact information here.

Why is active transportation funding important?

  • Vision Zero! In 2020, Tacoma City Council committed to a goal of zero traffic deaths or serious injuries by 2035. To meet this ambitious goal, we need to transform the way we think about traffic violence, how we prioritize funding, and how we design our streets. Funding active transportation is necessary to create better, safer, more accessible infrastructure for those walking, rolling, and biking.
  • Climate! In 2021, Tacoma City Council committed to the Climate Action Plan and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan calls for completing our sidewalk network by 2050, supporting high frequency and high capacity transit projects, hosting active transportation events, updating design standards to prioritize bicyclists and pedestrians, and more. We can’t reach our climate goals without reducing how much people drive, so we need to build a Tacoma where it is safe, convenient, and accessible to walk, bike, and use transit.  A lot of that work happens in active transportation; to reach these goals, we need a fully funded and staffed department.
  • Fight traffic violence! Traffic deaths and serious injuries are increasing across the country, and we’re seeing that trend reflected here in Pierce County. To reverse this, we need to design roadways where cars slow down and bicyclists & pedestrians have connected and protected facilities like protected bike lanes, wide side walks, and intersections that prioritize the safety of people over the speed of cars.
  • Safe mobility for all! We know that low income, BIPOC, and disabled individuals are more likely to rely on active transportation and transit, face transportation overburden and insecurity, be impacted more by traffic violence, and be displaced away from services into neighborhoods with insufficient infrastructure and connectivity. Better infrastructure makes everyone safer and investing in historically underserved communities and neighborhoods helps to right historic inequities.
  • And more! Storytelling and personal experience is the core of good public testimony. Talk about what’s most important to you and your communities.

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South Tacoma bike & walk tours

Join Downtown On the Go and Sound Transit for free, easy, accessible, and family-friendly bike and walk tours in South Tacoma to learn about transit, walking, biking, and rolling facilities and infrastructure improvements planned to improve access to the South Tacoma Station. Snacks from local businesses will be provided before the bike tour and at the mid-way point of the walk tour. Pre-registration is encouraged for both tours. Facebook event here.

Saturday, November 12
Bike Tour: 10am – 12pm, meet at South Tacoma Station (5650 S. Washington St.) *REGISTER HERE* 4.5 mile ride.
Walk Tour: 1 – 3pm, meet at South Tacoma Library (3411 S. 56th St.) *REGISTER HERE* 1.75 mile walk.

For the bike tour, beginners are welcome but some experience street or group riding is preferred. The walk tour is very family friendly! There will be a scavenger hunt activity for kids during the walk.

Bike Route:

Walk Route:

 

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Walk, Ride and Roll with Downtown On the Go!

Join us for a fundraiser benefiting the work of Downtown On the Go! This important event will be held at West of the Waterway – a great venue down on the Foss waterway. It will be a fun night with over 100 local leaders and community members in attendance.

Register today to support mobility, transit, and Tacoma transportation alternatives! This is a great opportunity for the community to see that you support transportation advocacy and mobility equity.

Downtown On the Go serves the Tacoma community by working to improve the interconnectedness of Tacoma and Tacomans by advocating for improved transportation policies including access to walkable neighborhoods, transit accessibility, bicycle infrastructure, and more. Money raised at the fundraiser will go a long way towards helping us to continue this important work, and will contribute to the enhanced livability and accessibility of Tacoma.

Join Downtown On the Go for our first in-person fundraiser since 2019!

https://downtownonthego.ejoinme.org/WRRHome

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Light Up Your Ride

The air is crisp, and the sky is grey – that means that Light Up Your Ride is right around the corner! Nov. 6 marks the end of daylight saving time, which means shorter days and darker commutes by bike. But that doesn’t have to mean less bike riding! Downtown On the Go, joined by Pierce Transit and Razor, wants to shed some light on commuting by handing out free bike lights and other resources on Nov. 3, 2022 at Light Up Your Ride from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at STINK (628 St. Helens Ave.).

Whether riding a bike at night or in dreary weather, bike lights or reflectors can make all the difference in safety. Come and support a downtown business and learn the best tips and tricks from seasoned Tacoma bike commuters. Thank you to GeoEngineers for sponsoring this event!

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Pedal with Politicians 2022

Join Downtown On the Go for our annual bike ride with elected officials! There’s lots of new infrastructure coming to Downtown Tacoma- and outside of downtown. We’ll highlight what’s new, what’s missing, and what Tacoma’s bike network could be. This is an opportunity to engage directly with City Councilmembers and staff about biking in Tacoma.

Register in advance for this 4 mile ride. A helmet and completed waiver are required for participation. Participants will meet at 747 Market St., with the ride departing at 5pm and returning by 7pm. There will be some hills, which will be taken slowly. RSVP on Facebook.

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Park(ing) Day 2022

The goal of Park(ing) Day is the same as it has been for 17 years: to call attention to the need for more urban open space, generate discussion and debate around how public space is utilized, and to improve the quality of urban habitat. For the last few years, we’ve seen parking spots utilized in ways they haven’t before: as restaurant dining space, gardens, bench spaces, and pedestrian rights-of-way. Since 2005, Park(ing) day has been an international event in which artists, citizens, and businesses transform a metered parking spot into temporary public space, and now the event is returning to downtown Tacoma on September 16 from 10am-2pm! Parking spaces along Pacific Ave. between S. 7th and S. 11th will be creatively and temporarily transformed for public use.

Check out this year’s map and list of participants!

Save the date and join us downtown to explore the parklets, enjoy local food vendors, and reimagine the use of public use spaces. DOTG will host a Walk Tacoma tour through the event footprint to highlight all participants. Tacoma’s 2022 Park(ing) Day is organized by Downtown On the Go. See examples of previous Tacoma Park(ing) Day parklets in the DOTG Facebook photo albums, and learn more about international Park(ing) day here.

PARK(ing) Day was originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio.

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