Council adopts planning resolutions on commute trip reduction and bicycle priority network; public comment opposes bike spending

The Spokane City Council considered two related transportation items — an update to the county commute trip reduction program and a bicycle priority network to guide bike investments — and heard public comment critical of the bicycle plan.

The council introduced Resolution 2025-0027 to update the city's commute trip reduction plan and Resolution 2025-0028 to adopt a bicycle priority network as a guide for the transportation element and bicycle master plan. A public commenter, identified in the transcript as Justin Holler (District 1), criticized both measures and said maintenance of existing infrastructure was insufficient and questioned whether bike lanes would be used; he also objected to the perceived policy of discouraging car use.

Why it matters: the commute trip reduction program targets employers with 50 or more employees (with opt-in for smaller businesses in the downtown core) to encourage alternate commute modes and reduce peak congestion. The bicycle priority network sets a funding and construction priority in streets where the city can feasibly provide safe bicycle routes rather than attempting to build lanes on every street.

Council member McClitsky summarized the commute program: "The Spokane County commute trip reduction program is a program for employers of 50 employees or more and areas in the downtown core smaller businesses can opt in to take advantage of incentives and promotional programs to encourage employees to use a commute trip alternative for at least 1 day a week." He said the program reduces congestion at peak times and offers employee benefits. On the bicycle plan, McClitsky told the council the plan acknowledges two truths: that everyone has the right to travel by their preferred mode and that the city must prioritize where to invest limited space and resources.

The public commenter argued the city should maintain bike lanes and clear debris before investing more in new infrastructure and said the plan represents an ideological agenda. Council members responded that the bicycle master plan is a prioritization tool and a living document that can be amended with community input. Both resolutions were presented and council members prepared to vote; the transcript does not record final votes.

Ending: councilors urged public input and noted these planning documents guide future projects and can be updated over time.