City goes public with Seattle’s “bicycle plan progress report”

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Just back from Alki Point, where we toured the upcoming sidewalk-completion project zone with SDOT workers, neighbors, and Alki Community Council leaders. Working on that story right now – many more details since the update we published last weekend — but wanted to share something that landed in the inbox while we were out, the city’s announcement of its Bicycle Master Plan Progress Report – read on for the summary (which takes note of “sharrows” like the one above, which have appeared on many stretches of West Seattle roadway in the past year or so) and link:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has made
significant progress towards the goal of making Seattle the most
bike-friendly city in the nation, outlined in the “Bicycle Master Plan
Progress Report” posted today on SDOT’s website. During the past two
years, SDOT has extended the network of bicycle routes, lanes and
trails, and improved bicycle safety.

Nearly two miles of new multi-purpose trail have been completed during
the last two years. SDOT added a section to the Burke-Gilman Trail along
Shilshole Bay to Golden Gardens Park, and designed the “Missing
Link” section of the trail in Ballard. Two sections were added to
the Duwamish Trail (one built by the Port of Seattle), and the
Interurban Bikeway was completed.

New features added to Seattle streets include “green bike lanes” at
locations where bikes and cars are most likely to be in conflict, and
“sharrows,” pavement markings that remind motorists to look for
bicyclists.

SDOT also designed and installed new bicycle route signs, performed
trail maintenance, repaired roadway pavement, improved trail crossings,
installed hundreds of bike racks, distributed thousands of bike maps,
and funded the Bike Smart education program.

To read the Bicycle Master Plan Progress Report on SDOT’s Website,
please go to www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster.htm

chas redmond February 13, 2009 (12:37 pm)

If nothing else they deserve credit for finally installing useful and decent bike trail and wayfinding signs – pretty much everywhere – WS low bridge, Harbor Island, W. Marginal Way, all throughout downtown and SLU area and Ballard/Interbay/Magnolia. Information on these signs is useful – now we need to improve the safety element.

Brian February 13, 2009 (1:27 pm)

As a West Seattlite, cyclist, bike racer AND a driver I have this to say-

Sharrows –
– waste of tax payers money and heightens the danger element between cyclists and drivers as they make it “ok” for the cyclist to take the lane (not legally mind you, but look where they paint the damn things!)

Bike Lanes –
– the perfect way to go! keeps us mindful of the seperation of driver/ rider. Now if only they werent full of broken glass…

The times are changing. More folks here are using bicycles to commute so any focus is welcomed but I wish those who DO make the final decision would ask a real bike commuter what they think. Contrary to popular belief, 99.9% of us do NOT want to be in a vehicles way.

Al February 13, 2009 (2:16 pm)

Brian – they do listen. The more bicyclists get involved the better. Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board has monthly meetings (the 1st Wednesday of every month) and the public is free to attend and comment. This is ENCOURAGED by the SBAB. While they haven’t had much clout in the past, the city and SDOT are listening and they’ve been able to push forward with some good improvements (like the new signage). Speakers from around the city often join the meetings and there’s been representatives recently from the SPD, SDOT, Metro, SODO Business group, etc.

You can email SBAB at bikeboard@seattle.gov and another good resource is Walk & Bike Seattle, walkandbike@seattle.gov

Al February 13, 2009 (2:19 pm)

I’m not sure what you stated about Sharrows and that they make it “‘ok’ for the cyclist to take the lane (not legally mind you, but look where they paint the damn things!)” What do you mean by “not legally?” Sharrows are NOT placed well in Seattle for the most part. They should be smack dab and huge in the center of the shared street. They encourage the dangerous “door zone” riding by poor placement for sure, and make it confusing for everyone. But it’s not illegal placement, nor is it illegal for a bicyclist to take the lane if necessary…

JanS February 13, 2009 (3:02 pm)

interesting information all..and not to get OT…but can I have that nice convertible in the background of the picture?

Glocson February 13, 2009 (4:24 pm)

The “Sharrows” are better than nothing. The people parking curbside need to remember to not open their doors before they look. A car door really hurts at 30 miles an hour. Especially a big blue Caddy droptop door. I hope they focus on high use areas first. I would think most people on beach drive don’t commute to work via their bike. I know this is a little off topic, but if I lived down there I would rather drive my Ferrari or Lamborghini to work.

JanS February 13, 2009 (9:19 pm)

Does anyone know what the specific law is about opening your car door into traffic? Or at least point in the right direction?

Ron February 13, 2009 (9:47 pm)

I would like to make a safety suggestion to those bikers who care what motorists think since we both are sharing the road and in a collision it’s obvious which will come out the worst. When riding in a group of bikes in an area like Beach Drive, if you would ride single file instead of taking up the whole lane, it would create a safer situation for everyone. With the winding sections of that street, an auto driver shouldn’t be forced into oncoming traffic to avoid you. Personally, if you force me to make a decision on whether I have to hit you or another car coming in the opposite direction at 30 -35 mph, prepare to go airborne because I’m not going to get killed just so you can claim turf.

Probably 3 out of 4 bicyclist drive responsibly, but that 1/4 is giving the rest of you a bad name and you need to talk to these guys if they will listen. (I know, it’s doubtful, but worth a try). As for you bikers who ride safely and don’t behave as the whole road is yours, thank you for being considerate and I will continue to reciprocate. As for the minority that don’t, I hope it doesn’t take too many of you being killed to get your attention.

Al February 14, 2009 (12:19 pm)

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikecode.htm
Section 11.58.050 OPENING AND CLOSING VEHICLE DOORS. No person shall enter, leave, or open the door of a motor vehicle on the side adjacent to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle adjacent to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Al February 14, 2009 (12:21 pm)

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikecode.htm
Section 11.53.200 OVERTAKING A VEHICLE ON THE LEFT. The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of such overtaken vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

Section 11.44.040 RIDING ON ROADWAYS. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed slower than the normal and reasonable flow of motor vehicle traffic thereon shall ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe, except as may be appropriate while preparing to make or while making turning movements, or while overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway that carries traffic in one direction only and that has two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway may utilize the shoulder of the roadway or any specifically designated bicycle lane if such exists.

Section 11.44.060 RIDING MORE THAN TWO ABREAST PROHIBITED. Persons operating bicycles upon a roadway or sidewalk shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

Jim February 14, 2009 (2:07 pm)

Ron, thanks for the safety suggestion. I occasionally ride a bike on Beach Drive and did not realize my presence on that scenic, non-arterial presented life and death choices for motorists. Choices such as “Do I hold off the gas for a couple of blocks to allow the bike riders to live?” Or “Do I drive into oncoming traffic because I can’t slow down and enjoy the view?” Or “Is life too short to drop below 30-35 mph even if other lives are at stake?”
You’re obviously a thoughtful guy. Think about a world where cars and bikes find a way to share the road. We’re all just folks going our own way.

Ron February 14, 2009 (9:00 pm)

Dear Jim, if you follow the information given previously by Al (Wash State Law)you shouldn’t have a problem. Just keep to the right and ride single file. The other day while visiting a friend that lives on Beach Drive I looked out the window and there were 3 bicyclists riding side by side at a slow speed taking up the whole lane. A car passed them on the opposite side of the road on a curve, very dangerous. Also you are wrong, it is an arterial, notice the painted line down the middle, it’s a dead give away it’s an arterial. I suggest you sit down and read a Wash. State traffic law manual before you venture out onto your little bikie. Incidently I drive 30 mph top speed on that arterial.

Al, thanks for providing the legal guidelines for cars and bikes. I will make a copy of that. Maybe we can print it in between the sharrows.

WSB February 14, 2009 (9:48 pm)

Beach Drive by the way is what the city calls a “minor arterial” – I had heard that before but just doublechecked via search to make sure that’s actually written in city documents as well.

glocson February 14, 2009 (10:18 pm)

Ron, you don’t even live on Beach Drive? Ahhh ha ha ha!!! You combed your comb over too tight today. Give the cyclists some room, there are some tough ones out there, buddy.

Jim February 15, 2009 (7:20 pm)

Ron, Thanks for the helpful advice on how to ride my little bikie in the neighborhood. I would like to clear up one point before taking my bikie to my meditation class. Your advice about staying to the right isn’t quite what the law says about the rights of little bikies on our neighborhood streets. It says the bikie rider “shall ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe.” Thanks, Al. Beach Drive, as an example, has a parking lane along the right. Riders generally avoid the door swing area, known as the door zone, for obvious reasons if you think about it. Making matters worse, the Beach Drive road surface is terrible in places, forcing riders further left in order to be safe. Knowing you would want all of us on our little bikies to be safe, I hope you and others will understand why we’re taking up more lane than you might like. And since you brought up the City ordinance, it could not be more clear that my little bikie is as entitled to be on the road as your vehicle. I don’t think it’s a matter of law and order, I think its more about neighbors finding ways to get along with each other. I’m sorry you had to see the terrible thing you saw through the window of your friend’s house, but all that unpleasant stuff could be avoided with just the smallest bit of patience and tolerance for your neighbors on their little bikies.

Sorry, comment time is over.