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Feb 2006 enewsletter
F-O-O-T-P-R-I-N-T-S
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Issue #28 Tuesday Feb. 28, 2006
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Footprints is the monthly e-newsletter of Feet First
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That's the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn't matter much whether you get where you're going or not. You'll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home.
Edward Abbey
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1. Feet First launches new website
2. Volunteers wanted at Feet First
3. Seattle strengthens law for pedestrian safety
4. Mazda urges walking
5. AmericaWalks lists of most walkable cities
6. New York transit strike changed commutes
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1. Feet First launches new website
Be sure to visit our website at www.feetfirst.info to check out new pages and information.
2. Volunteers wanted at Feet First
RESEARCHER wanted to gather information about school crossing guard programs nationwide and internationally. Speak with interesting people, gain
insight into civic structure, and help advocate for safe routes to school. Will entail telephone work, internet research, and writing. You can work at the
Feet First office or from your own home (phone cards supplied).
PHOTOGRAPHER wanted for afternoon photo shoot of families walking near Bailey Gatzert Elementary School. Digital photos will be used for Safe Routes
to School brochures, posters and other Feet First literature. You may use our equipment or your own. Date to be determined with your input.
For more information or to volunteer for either position, contact Jen Cole, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, at (206) 652-2310 or jen@feetfirst.info.
3. Seattle strengthens law for pedestrian safety
On December 12 the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a law that adds negligent driving causing serious injury or death as a category of assault. This allows prosecution with a punishment of up to a year in jail and a $5000 fine. Previously these types of infractions only carried a fine of $101. The Public Safety, Civil Rights and Arts Committee, chaired by Nick Licata, approved the bill and forwarded it to the full council. Licata noted in his monthly newsletter that if urban centers are encouraged, their vitality will depend on residents feeling safe as pedestrians. He hopes that this legislation will help create a safer pedestrian environment and send a stronger message to drivers than the $101 fine. A link about the bill is at:
4. Mazda urges walking
The Mazda Motor Corporation recommends that its employees walk to the office in Japan, rather than commute by car, as an effort to improve their health and the environment. Those going by foot and meeting other requirements such as walking more than 2.5 miles in round trips at least 15 days a month, are eligible to receive about $12 a month. They can meet the requirements by getting off a train or bus on their way to the office and walking the distance left. The Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorcycle maker began a similar system a year ago. For the announcement scroll down at:
5. America Walks lists of most walkable cities
This document from AmericaWalks lists cities that Mark Fenton and Dan Burden consider to be the most walkable. You might check to see whether your city is there, and other cities you might visit.
6. New York transit strike changed commutes
There is an interesting interactive map at the website below, which has reports from commuters during the strike. Many of them walked and found some pleasant things about the change.
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Feet First
Email: info@feetfirst.info
Tel: (206) 652-2310
Address: 1402 3rd Avenue, Suite 1121, Seattle, WA 98101
Web site: www.feetfirst.info
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Northeast Seattle Trails Map for Public Comment