West Seattle Bike Connections: Bicyclists, get connected!

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(Bicyclists on the low bridge; September 2012 photo by Don Brubeck)
Whether you are a daily commuter, a weekend rider, or somewhere inbetween, a brand-new group called West Seattle Bike Connections invites you to pedal on over and join in. You might have seen the announcement and discussion in the WSB Forums, or maybe on Facebook. And this week, you can check out WSBC in person. The announcement shared by Don Brubeck:

Thursday, October 25 from 6:45 – 9:45 am, rain or shine

West Seattle Bike Connections will be meeting, greeting and treating bike commuters at the West Seattle lower bridge where the Alki, Duwamish, and West Seattle Bridge Trails converge. Homemade cookies, Halloween treats, and information about how to get involved in our mission to Provide advocacy and assistance for those traveling by bicycle to, from, and around West Seattle. We want to give West Seattle a strong voice in the 2012-13 Seattle Bike Master Plan Update.

More info about that – including a WSBC meeting next Saturday – is here.

11 Replies to "West Seattle Bike Connections: Bicyclists, get connected!"

  • W Sea Neigbor October 22, 2012 (8:38 am)

    I’ve found that intersection just before the low bridge to be the biggest obstacle to commuting to/from West Seattle by bike. It is confusing, and very dangerous. What is really needed is an overpass for bikes, though there may not be enough room then for the semis to get through. I think that would improve the situation there for cars, trucks, and cyclists alike. Are there any proposals for cycling-related improvements to that intersection?

  • Don_Brubeck October 22, 2012 (9:38 am)

    Yes, really bad. No proposals yet, and not on SDOT’s list yet of top priority areas, so that’s why we want West Seattle to show up at the SDOT public meetings, and list your top hot spots in the WSB Seattle Bike Connections forum discussion or on our Facebook page. We’ll record all of these with a tally for how many times each one is listed.

  • bolo October 22, 2012 (12:40 pm)

    The fenced-in “dog run” NW of the intersection of Spokane and Alaskan Way. The entry/exit are dangerously pinched and rough, and the fence topography seems to change daily, mainly when the semi tractors in the truck yard to the north back into the fence a little too zealously, pushing the fence into the bike route itself.
    How much longer for this “temporary” reroute?

  • Shannon October 22, 2012 (3:12 pm)

    Thank you for organizing this. The problematic areas on my commute are:
    1. Fenced area previously mentioned, which mingles bikes and semis across a couple driveways in SODO.
    2. Abrupt end to the bike lane heading west after the 5-way intersection, if you want to cross Harbor and ride north on Avalon. Crazy fast right-hand turning cars…even when I cross at the cross walk.
    3. Bike lane needed all the way up Avalon, especially on climbing side.
    4. Fauntleroy after Morgan juntion heading to ferry is full of potholes and dangerous for bikes.
    Thanks for listening.

  • J October 22, 2012 (9:33 pm)

    I don’t know if “wanna-be” comments are useful–As in, I’d love to bike to work but not on a road I have to share with motor vehicles?

  • Rick October 23, 2012 (4:49 am)

    From that pic apparently bicycles are also experiencing traffic jams in Seattle.

  • bolo October 24, 2012 (5:54 pm)

    Rick, it often looks like that right after the bridge reopens during commute times.

  • JR October 24, 2012 (8:51 pm)

    As a cyclist I have to say that there is a very nice loop under the bridge that is safe and not confusing. The cyclists cutting the intersection at all different points and angles is what is confusing and
    unsafe. Take a little extra time and use the loop. It’s nice.

  • Kelly October 25, 2012 (7:35 am)

    Ditto. There is no reason not to use the loop underpass. It’s pleasant and safe. As an added bonus for the cyclists who refuse to stop at stop signs, you can cruise right through without even looking both ways.

    I hadn’t thought of the fenced area as a dog run–funny. It is dangerous, though, coming out into semi traffic. And even if you get past the driveways smoothly, there is no clear, safe place for bikes to cross to the northbound bike lane.

  • WS Neighbor October 25, 2012 (8:06 pm)

    If it’s the loop under the bridge on the east end of the lower bridge that you’re referring to, I agree that it is nice, and I do use it, but that is not the intersection I’m referring to in my post. Is there a loop under the bridge on the west side as well that I’m not aware of? That would be great, I’ve just never seen it.

  • bolo October 25, 2012 (11:37 pm)

    OK, today it looks like they closed off the dog run and opened up the sidewalk that runs adjacent to the streets (and intersection) at Spokane and Alaskan Way. Finally! Great improvement!

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