Need recommendations on SAFE bike routes for commute from WS to 1stHill

[MrBelvidere]

Hi West Seattlites,

I just bought a bike to commute from West Seattle to First Hill. But I’m scared! Can anyone give me some of the safest routes to the Seattle University area? I live close to Avalon and 35th, so I am assuming that that is the first leg of my commute. But I don’t mind taking longer routes, if they’re safer.

Many thanks!

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[AlkiMac]

If you can get to the low level West Seattle Bridge, here is my route to get to Seattle University:

Cross the low level West Seattle Bridge.

Follow the bike path around (trail goes right at the bottom of ramp) and under the low level bridge to emerge on the north side of Spokane Street.

Take a left (north) on E. Marginal Way S. and get into the bike lane on the road (east side) or take the sidewalk (west side).

Take a right (east) on S. Jackson and ride through the International District and under I-5.

Take a left (north) on 12th Ave. S. Follow 12th Ave. S. until you’ve arrived at your destination.

This is a good route that’s not too steep. Be visible, use hand signals, be safe, obey all traffic laws.

I’d suggest trying the route on a Sunday when traffic is light.

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[MrBelvidere]

Thanks, AlkiMac. The confusing part for me is the underbridge part.

Once I go down Avalon to the bottom, where do I go? There’s a bike path on the left (North) side of the street (Spokane). But then at some point, I have to get to the right side (South side) to take the underbridge, right? And then after that, I have to cross the street again to take Alaskan?

The suggested path on Bikely has me cutting down Yancy and around the Allstar Fitness to catch the Delridge path to the underbridge.

Any additional thoughts?

Thanks,

Mr. B

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[Erik]

From where you’re coming from it’s probably safer to do the Delridge path. Anything to avoid the underbridge quagmire.

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[credmond]

The Delridge path is more direct to the low bridge, but just to unconfuse you – yes, the bike trail’s on the north side of Spokane – it follows the port property (and is very pleasant) till you get close to the Chelan Cafe, at that point you do have to cross over and it takes two light buttons to do it but you will get a green light and you will get across – it’s aggravating and the city is well aware of the confusion and has promised direction and wayfinding signs along the Spokane corridor. The promises didn’t come with a schedule, though, so I can’t say when all this will happen. Sometime before the Viaduct comes down, for sure, though – along with the completion of the Green River-West Duwamish bike trail as well.

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[angelescrest]

MrB,

After a year of living on Alki and wanting oh-so-much to bike it to the Central District, I finally did the underbridge thing–and it’s a pain (lifting the bike through the bushes!?), but doable, once you know where you’re going. Markers are helpful, like the Chelan Cafe; isn;t it the port signs you follow to get to the lower bridge? I think you have to do it a few times before you feel like you really know what you’re doing. Returning is the same hassle, and you’re out there with the big rigs, which is not so fun. Neither is the condition of the road(s).

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[MrBelvidere]

Thanks for your replies. I do not look forward to the underbridge tangle or the steep return back to WS.

I think I will go the Delridge way into the city, but not back (I don’t want to do Yancy uphill!). I might be the only guy with a roadbike who puts it on the front rack of the bus.

Is Jackson the least steep way?

Do any bikers ever take Airport Way? Or is that more dangerous than Alaskan?

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