Road-sharing for bikes and trucks: Safety fair next month

(WSB photo from May 1st collision investigation on East Marginal Way)
Early warning of an important event, in light of not just the deadly May 1st bicycle/truck collision, but ongoing concerns: Both West Seattle Bike Connections and the Port of Seattle have shared this announcement of a Bike/Truck Safety Fair four weeks from today:

Friday, September 6
6:30 am to 8:30 am

Terminal 25 | Map
3225 East Marginal Way

Share the road safely! Join the Port of Seattle and our partners for an opportunity to learn about truck blind spots and the challenges bicyclists and truck drivers face each day as they share Seattle’s busy roads.

Featuring

Bike – truck “blind spot” simulation
Truck ride-along
Helpful safety information
Free continental breakfast

More information from WSBC, here.

Meantime, following up on the two-bicycle collision earlier this week, we’re working to get an update from SDOT on the status of planned improvements in the area.

8 Replies to "Road-sharing for bikes and trucks: Safety fair next month"

  • rob August 9, 2013 (4:15 pm)

    I’m going to attend because I respect and appreciate the effort to put this on. The current situation in this part of town sucks, and anything being done is going to look like a step in the right direction to me.

  • Steve f August 9, 2013 (4:48 pm)

    Rob is absolutely correct. It is a bad area (but better than about 10 years ago). I commute through there about 0530, so traffic is much lighter but I still stick to the side walks a lot. Oddly, Bertha and the related closing of Alaska has made it a bit safer, only Coasties and an occasional truck.

  • JN August 9, 2013 (5:33 pm)

    This is definitely an appreciated event, but will non-cyclists have an opportunity to ride a bicycle along there with trucks traveling alongside to that they, too can appreciate how nerve-racking and stressful it can be to have those trucks pass close by?

  • Don Brubeck August 9, 2013 (7:08 pm)

    We will be inviting truck drivers to do a saddle swap, and try the bike lane.

  • Jeff August 9, 2013 (7:12 pm)

    I’m planning to be there at 0630 on my cargo bike (with blender attached) and will let others ride it around the area. I’m hoping truck drivers will want to ride it with truck traffic. It is easy to ride and has an electric motor. I’ll also have my GoPro helmet cam and (hopefully) can get some video and pics from inside the cab of a freight truck so that others can see what truck drivers deal with.
    .
    I’ll be bringing ice and believe there may be some food and coffee there. With the bike blender we’ll be making iced coffee drinks…for real…come see it! ;-)
    .
    http://jnsadventures.com/2013/06/rockin-the-sun-atlas-with-a-bike-blender/

  • Mike August 9, 2013 (8:20 pm)

    Jeff has a great idea. People don’t always realize how much concentrating on all activity there is when driving big rigs. Cyclists and car commuters need to help not become the problem too. Everyone can learn to be more aware and respectful, that prevents accidents.

  • West Seattle Hipster August 9, 2013 (8:37 pm)

    I wish the longshoreman’s union would put as much energy into safety in this area as they do in the future basketball arena.

  • detslim August 10, 2013 (12:15 pm)

    I know this has nothing to do with this topic (in sorts) but the other day I saw a man with one of those child towing things on the back of his bike going north on 26th SW and Roxbury and yes he had a small child in it! No flag or anything on it, I thought how dangerous that was. :( thought those were only for bike path/trails not city streets???

Sorry, comment time is over.