Yet more Fauntleroy Way restriping – and Sylvan Way too

(looking north on Fauntleroy from just south of Holly)
Thanks to John C for noting that the long line of “no parking” signs along Fauntleroy Way east/south of Morgan Junction has been followed up by what appeared to be lines for bike lanes, and work crews like the one you see above. That stretch indeed is identified as a bike-lane prospect in the citywide Bicycle Master Plan (get a closer look at West Seattle plans here); we asked SDOT‘s Rick Sheridan for details on what exactly is being done right now:

As part of the Bicycle Master Plan, SDOT is adding new bike lanes and sharrows on Fauntleroy Way SW from California to the ferry terminal. Your readers can basically expect to see a bike lane on the northbound side and sharrows on the southbound side. To accommodate the new bike facilities, we are shifting the center line in some locations and reducing the width of the two-way left turn lane. No parking will be lost due to the changes. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by the end of next week.

Over the next few days, we will also be installing bike lanes uphill and sharrows downhill on Sylvan Way SW from Delridge to High Point.

John Commerée October 9, 2009 (3:02 pm)

Tracy,

Thanks for the follow up on this – I’ve been hoping for bike lanes on Fauntleroy for a long time – just to sort of “formalize” the presence of bikes on this major route. Now, if the neighborhood cyclists would just start wearing helmets – the commuters and serious recreational riders understand the need – but as I see more bikes on the road, I am appalled by number cruising along the arterials without a care for their cranium.

I wonder if the SDOT and Cascade Cycle could get together on a series of road-side ads ala Burma Shave, at least in the neighborhood bike corridors. Something like:

Michael cycled with no helmet

So his hair’d look neat.

Ugly? Cute? The point is moot;

His brains are on the street.

Burma Shave.

Thanks again – John C

WSM October 9, 2009 (6:55 pm)

When are they going to finish repaving? The southbound lane is cracked and worn out. Surly three million dollars was not spent on only half the street? When do we get the completed road?

helmet less October 11, 2009 (10:30 pm)

Dear John,

Why do you care what others do so much?
If you really cared about people, you would demand that DRIVERS wear helmets. Any emergency room nurse/doctor know that being inside of a car is the number one cause of head injuries. Driver need helmets. How dare they drive without one!

See you on the road, I will be the biker riding safely WITHOUT a helmet. Riding a bike is NOT dangerous!

PS, be sure to don your helmet this next AM when you get in the shower! No, better yet, just stay in bed!

MYOB!

Nancyri October 12, 2009 (5:23 am)

As the mom of a young transplant recipient, let me just say that biking, motorcycling and driving are all dangerous. Please make sure to be registered as an organ donor, and make sure that your family knows your wishes!
– Avid cyclist that always rides with helmet, and is registered as an organ donor.

Jack Loblaw October 12, 2009 (8:55 am)

I believe that ER nurses refer to bikes/motorcycles ridden by people without helmets as “Donor Cycles” — helmet less — please feel free to ride without a helmet but make sure that your insurance is up to date, that you have a living will and that your family knows your organ donation wishes– the life you save may be someone that you will never know.

55rpm October 12, 2009 (11:16 am)

This is great! I would say the most dangerous aspect of riding on this stretch of Fauntleroy is all of the cracks in the roadway, but I welcome a new bike lane. Riding northbound has always been pretty easy as there is quite a bit of room for cars and bikes to coexist. Riding southbound can be more difficult with the ferry traffic line-up.

Sorry, comment time is over.