Pacific Northwest - Seattle Mayor Nickels unveils bicycle master plan

Saw my picture in the news today:
SeattleTimes (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003651406_webbikeplan04m.html)
(Don't worry, the super telephoto lens makes that truck look a lot closer than it is. I signalled and had plenty of time to pass.)


Anyway, spurred renewed interest in the details of the master plan. Here is the site (http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster.htm)

-michael

I wonder if anybody out there has read the plan or has positive/negative feelings.

I took a look and it looks they have at least identified a lot of areas I had complaints about. Assuming they can execute on the plan as scheduled and not delay it like the usually do, I'm really looking forward to the results.

I just heard about this yesterday when at Bicycles West in Tukwila. I don't live in the city of Seattle, but rather Brier to the north, and don't get the Seattle Times.

I sent Virgina Coffman (listed as a bicycle advocate with the City) a long email with my concerns. It'll be interesting to see what her response is.

Tony

I sent Virgina Coffman (listed as a bicycle advocate with the City) a long email with my concerns. It'll be interesting to see what her response is.


Do you mind sharing the e-mail with us? I'm curious what your concerns were.

Do you mind sharing the e-mail with us? I'm curious what your concerns were.

Here ya go:

"Good Morning Virginia!

Happy Friday!

I have commuted by bicycle in the past, from Shoreline and Edmonds to offices on Eastlake, Queen Anne, the Waterfront and south 1st Ave. as well as Redmond. I’ve commuted on Aurora Ave, 15th Avenue, 15th W/Elliot, Dexter and Eastlake as well as the Burke-Gilman.

I have thought my current commute of the last 7 years from Brier to south Renton (30 miles) as too long for a bicycle , so I haven’t ridden, but like many I’m thinking of dusting off the old wheels and riding at least part of the way due to fuel prices and excess weight (my own).

Since it appears from reading the Master Plan outline that there is still time for input, I wanted to voice some of my concerns:

There is no good way for bicycles to get THROUGH the city of Seattle to the south end. There are lots of ways for those who live to the north whose work does not take them south of the downtown core, but not for those of us working south. Both Airport Way and Alaska Way are too dangerous, not to mention the other avenues. Is it not possible that bikes could use a lane to one side of the bus/train corridor on south 5th? Airport Way would be wonderful for bikes as there is reduced cross-traffic, but a safe lane would need to be identified,

Tagging on to the above, is there any plan to connect the existing Interurban and Duwamish trails and carry them through to the city? Could 5th Ave. from Spokane to King Street be that link?

There are no express buses that connect the northern part of the Seattle Metroplex with the southern without going through downtown. Is there a way to add at least limited express service from Lynnwood to Southcenter? Transfers take too long…

If one wanted to drive part way and cycle the rest of the way, there are no (as far as I can tell) Park & Ride lots near downtown Seattle. Safe parking for bicycle commuters needs to be identified.

Connected with 4 above, there is lots of information on the King County bicycle map, but no listing of Park & Ride locations. It’s my understanding that (at least in the past) the P&R’s have posted that parking is for bus riders only. Obviously transit authorities don’t want people using the space as general parking, but it seems that some provision (a window sticker?) could be made available for bicycle commuters who need a safe place to leave their vehicle, whether they ride the bus or not.

The Burke-Gilman trail is based on abandoned rail right-of-way. Is there no way to work with Burlington Northern to get them to donate room for a bike path for King Street to the south?

Sorry for the length of this. I’m sure that much here has been covered by others. I have many more concerns, but most of them are connected with staying alive. I’m not a bicycle activist, just a concerned citizen who pays tons of road taxes (about 26,000 miles-worth per year) and who just turned 50 and would like to use my bicycle as a SAFE mode of transportation.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Sincerely,

Tony"