We’re proud to announce our 2024 inductees into the Transportation Choices Hall of Fame! This year’s awardees are helping more people access safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation.
This year, we are recognizing the following inspiring transportation champions from across our state:
Keep scrolling to read more about our inductees!
Mayor Lisa Brown of Spokane
Mayor Lisa Brown is recognized for her leadership on transportation and safety. This year, Mayor Brown signed an executive order to implement Safe Streets Infrastructure in Spokane, directing city departments to improve traffic calming, implement adaptive design projects, and increase their focus on infrastructure for people walking and biking. She also established a new transportation commission responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and recommending policies and projects to achieve the City’s goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Finally, Mayor Brown has eliminated parking minimums, which will lay the groundwork for more sustainable development!
Transit Safety Officers at Whatcom Transportation Authority
Since July 2023, Whatcom Transportation Authority’s Transit Safety Officers have improved safety and security across the WTA system. Transit Safety Officers Chico Sowah, George Henderson, Rocky Hamilton, Charlie Fawcett, and Safety and Risk Director Jeff Benson, bring a unique blend of experience, including as transit operators and in law enforcement, which has been invaluable in creating a safe and welcoming environment. With over 2,425 passenger interactions in their first year, the TSOs have responded to and de-escalated situations with professionalism and empathy, reducing the need for law enforcement intervention to just 30 incidents. Passengers and transit operators alike have appreciated their presence on buses and at WTA stations.
Week Without Driving
Nearly a third of people in the United States get around without a car, including people with disabilities, young people, seniors, and people who can’t afford to drive. The Week Without Driving was created so that people who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face and work with nondrivers to create more accessible communities for all. The Week Without Driving challenge was launched in 2021 by Anna Zivarts at Disability Rights Washington, author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. In 2023, in partnership with America Walks, it went national! This year, more than 400 organizations across all 50 states are co-hosting the Week Without Driving.
Congratulations to our 2024 inductees!
