ACT

Active Community Task Force (ACT)
Mission Statement

The Active Community Task Force (ACT) supports an integrated transportation system with a focus on advocating for the use of non-motorized components within the Skagit County region. Our purpose is to elicit a dialog between levels of government, public agencies and private groups, to look at transportation alternatives, which are cost effective and incorporate non-motorized modes of travel.
The ACT serves as a technical resource for the Policy Boards and local agencies in addressing non-motorized transportation issues. The ACT also works to educate officials, staff, and the public regarding best practices in non-motorized policies and projects, and to help implement and promote them.

Description of the Active Community Task Force (ACT)
The ACT is a subcommittee of the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Boards and the RTPO/MPO Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Reporting to the RTPO/MPO Policy Boards, the ACT mission supports an integrated, effective, and affordable transportation system for Skagit County, emphasizing the system’s non-motorized components.

Why and How ACT Supports Bicycling and Walking
The ACT encourages bicycling and walking to conduct the daily routines of life. The benefits of an active community include:

  • Good health
  • More livable communities
  • Economic development
  • Reduced pollution and global warming emissions
  • Greater flexibility in the face of rising gas prices
  • Reduced congestion
  • Reduced public and private expense

In pursuit of these aims, ACT works with public and private bodies, locally and statewide, to make walking and bicycling safe, convenient and attractive. A major emphasis is creating connections and links that foster active transportation and working to remove barriers between and within our communities.

2010 Task List
1.    Hold meetings (monthly)
2.    Attend training (as available)
3.    Conduct community assessments to inform work.
a.    Prioritize active living community needs from the community assessment.
b.    Promote active living community priorities to key community leaders such as city council members, county commissioners, and mayors.
4.    Prioritize active living community needs in Skagit County.
5.    Conduct or participate in community outreach efforts.
6.    Promote active living community priorities to key community leaders.
7.    Work with cities and county to get active living community priorities into their comprehensive plans.
8.    Help MPO/RTPO/cities and county find funding to achieve active living priorities:

  • SR2S
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
  • Enhancement Fund
  • Pedestrian Mobility