With traffic deaths rising to horrific levels, Mayor Bruce Harrell has signaled his support for prioritizing and taking ownership of Vision Zero.
Harrell spoke before a memorial ride Seattle Neighborhood Greenways organized in honor of Robb Mason last week, and he said knowing traffic deaths are happening on his watch makes them personal, Ryan Packer reported.
“Tonight I stood with our community to honor Robb Mason before a memorial bike ride,” Harrell said via Twitter. “My administration will lead with people and our ultimate goal is safety. I remain committed to achieving Vision Zero so that every neighbor – no matter how they get around – can do so safely.”
Harrell said he puts his full support into the Vision Zero work his new SDOT Director Greg Spotts has made a centerpiece of his first days on the job. Spotts has only been on the job for a month, but he has already been very active in going on community walks and bike rides to learn about issues and meet people. He also started a 90-day review of the city’s existing Vision Zero program with the promise that it will lead to published findings and changes to make it more effective.
Spotts rode with the memorial riders before speaking at the end alongside Claudia Mason. West Seattle Blog recorded his speech along with others: