At the west end of the “low bridge,” as part of the citywide Bike to Work Day (previewed here yesterday), BECU is sponsoring West Seattle’s “commute station” for bicyclists to check in. We stopped by for a photo in the early-morning sunshine; better weather than last year, and seemed busier as a result. Like the other “commute stations” around the city, this one is scheduled to be open till 9 am.
That photo makes it look dark – it’s a beautiful morning and was daylight when I passed through there at 5:15am today. Bums me out that I pass through way too early to ever get any of the free swag at this event.
Yesterday’s bike commute was my first one this year and I believe that I saw substantially more bikes headed back into West Seattle than I’ve seen in previous years.
It’s just a shadow – lots of large structures around there to cast them … Same shadow on a photo I received from a reader, but if you look the other way, you can’t see the tent. Always a challenge! – TR
We are all for cycling and respect anyone taking this mode of transportation to work, but there is one thing ALL cyclists need to remember and that is the rules of the road.
I just took my husband to work, traveling south on West Marginal Way, when we encountered 6 cyclists straight across in a row, taking up the entire lane in front of us.
When we lightly tapped the horn to let them know of our presence so we could all use the roadway as outlined by law, we were not only flipped off, but sworn at with clenched fists in the air.
On the way back home, one cyclist crossing in front of the Chelan was almost hit by a semi, because he continued after the light had turned red.
Something needs to be said…because someone is going to be hurt and then of course it will be the drivers fault.
We respect and follow the rules of the road when cycling….now it’s time for everyone to take this VERY serious situation to heart.
I made it into Kirkland on my bike this morning. I picked up a water bottle and candy bar at the WS station this morning. It was perfect timing, because the bridge span was just beginning to open so about 20 of us bikers got delayed and we took advantage of the station.
Homesick,
As a biker I apologize for the attitude you received this morning from those 6 bikers riding “straight across in a row”. They were in the wrong and may not know the law. Bikers know they’re allowed on the streets, but are unaware that they can’t ride “straight across in a row”. Read section 2 of the following code:
RCW 46.61.770
Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(1) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place 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 or highway other than a limited-access highway, which roadway or highway carries traffic in one direction only and 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 use the shoulder of the roadway or any specially designated bicycle lane if such exists.
(2) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
Sorry again.
Thanks to BECU for sponsoring the station! What a great morning! Lots of new cyclists, and the payback for having a long commute was that I got to go through 5 commute stations and thank the people putting them on (and get a Top Pot doughnut to boot!).
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The vast majority of drivers knew it was BTWD and were polite, even though some of the newbies can be pretty squirrelly. Thanks for your patience and support. It would be nice to get through one commute with no anti-bike rants.
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Did anyone else notice that non-bike traffic was light? There is an estimated 25,000 people to thank for not having their car on the road. CONGRATULATIONS to all those first-timers I saw, and I hope to see you again out there!
I sympathize with getting yelled at, flipped off and blocked. But I have to say that for every jerk cyclist there at least two jerk drivers. I see drivers doing stupid jerky things like that all the time (when I’m driving or riding a bike).
It has always been a bit troubling to me that one is not required to learn the laws before setting out on the street on a bicycle. Along with that, I am also equally troubled that drivers are not required to learn the lawful way to share the road with bikes. Please tell me if this has changed, but I don’t recall bikes even really being mentioned in my drivers ed class in the mid 90s. The rules regarding bikes and cars that i do know are only because i have looked them up for myself after encountering a weird situation or two where I was confused. How are we all to coexist safely when SOOOOOO many people don’t know the rules?
Dont mean to start the never ending bike/car debate, this is just something that has always bothered me
Thanks to “Stu” at the WS bridge station. He fixed my gear shifter. Works better now! Nice job all.
Thanks, BECU, for supporting biking and being a great community bank. I have to say, though, that I was disappointed there were no banana chocolate smoothies like there was two years ago when Aaron’s sponsored :)
Homesick,
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As a cyclist, I am sorry you experienced that this morning. Such cyclists are a black eye to us all.
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Your comment that had the cyclist been hit by the truck, it would have been the driver’s fault is not, in fact, true. Operating a bicycle on the road, we are vehicles and subject to rules and responsibilities incumbent to that privilege. If I break the rules of the road and get in an accident, it is my fault entirely. I should be liable for whatever injury I incur as a result of my illegal behavior, as well as any injury or damage I cause to others.
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That said, if the driver had hit the cyclist doing something illegal, he or she would have to live with the very real emotional and psychological consequences, as well as being painted as the one in the wrong by many cyclists who don’t care for the rules of the road.
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And the cycling advocacy groups such as the Bike Alliance of Washington and Cascade Bicycle Club do try to hammer home the rules of the road and the importance of following them to cyclists. If you don’t believe me, just ask David Hiller, formerly of Cascade Bicycle Club, what he thinks of red light running cyclists…
Homesick, The cyclists were wrong to ride 6 abreast, however one thing you might not realize is how aggressive a car horn can sound to cyclists. A “toot-toot” (I’m just letting you know I’m here and want to get around you) can sound a lot like “HONK!!!!” (get the hell out of my way you slow arrogant jerks)that might have contributed to their response.
I came through the under bridge Bike to Work station around 6:45 this morning; I was disappointed that they were already out of bacon. Oh well.
Lots of new cyclists out there which is great! Super weather is helping that’s for sure. I think that some of the problems drivers may be noticing today are from newer riders who are not familiar with the rules of the road regarding cyclists (not so different than drivers). Some patience on all sides is needed sometimes.
I like this photo- for all of the bright colors the cyclists are wearing. that makes me happy, as well as the volunteers staffing the bike station. thanks!
Thank you to all the volunteers at the bike station! I commute by bike all year long – and a day like today that is sunny, warm & BRIGHT – along with someone to hand me a breakfast bar and water bottle – makes it PERFECT!
Thank you!
I ride to work year around. What a great way to lower our costs for infrastructure, pollution, gridlock and health care costs. Keep it up and pass the word!
Thanks to Stu, owner of Alki Bike and Board at Morgan Junction for volunteering for the free on-site minor repairs/adjustments. Let’s return the favor to him for all of our bicycling needs! Shop Alki Bike and Board!
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