Downtown on the Go urges Tacoma to keep active‑transportation funding after streets initiative loss

Downtown on the Go, a local nonprofit that promotes walking, biking and transit, urged Tacoma city leaders to maintain funding for active‑transportation projects after the city’s Streets Initiative failed in April, Executive Director Laura Swanzerik said on Tacoma Report.

Swanzerik said the organization focuses on three areas: employer commuter programs, community events that introduce residents to walking and biking, and local advocacy for active‑transportation projects. She told the program that, with a tighter Public Works budget following the ballot defeat, the group is pressing the city council to continue investing in protected bike lanes, ADA‑accessible sidewalks and safer crossings on the city’s busiest arterials.

Swanzerik described programs the nonprofit runs to get residents walking and biking, including a Walk Tacoma guided‑walk series and public events that pair people with city history and local businesses. She said Downtown on the Go also helps employers with commuter programs and provides resources so new transit riders and cyclists can feel safer trying those modes.

The organization urged volunteers to help with summer events and said it has run advocacy and outreach in council hearings; Swanzerik said that a recent outreach effort brought community members to speak to council on active‑transportation priorities.

The broadcast did not report any specific council votes or budget decisions tied directly to the organization’s advocacy during the segment.