New signage for 'Stay Healthy Streets'

FTCC December 14, 2020 (1:41 pm)

Given the choice between simply driving around these barricades or taking much longer detours through identically residential streets, I will continue to choose option #1 and strongly encourage everyone else to do the same.

PayForYourOwn December 14, 2020 (1:42 pm)

I say anyone that wants a closed street should have one – as long as THEY pay the maintenance of it and don’t ask the rest of us to pitch in!

AMD December 15, 2020 (4:29 pm)

Does this apply to people who feel entitled to street parking?

Jim December 14, 2020 (2:09 pm)

Another waste of government money. Just keep signs as is and stop wasting money that should go to more useful things in our community.

StopCuttingDownTrees December 14, 2020 (2:16 pm)

Those signs should be taken down and our streets should be open for all.

KM December 14, 2020 (5:00 pm)

They are open to all. You are confusing cars with people.
- StopCuttingDownTrees December 14, 2020 (9:04 pm)
  
  People drive cars, including my 83 year-old mother with 2 artificial knees who cannot walk very far.

Matt December 14, 2020 (2:36 pm)

Why is it so much to ask to plan your trip knowing that it will take a little longer and stay on the main arterial. Stop cutting through neighborhoods!

Trickycoolj December 14, 2020 (4:15 pm)

Because the main arterial next to my neighborhood is now the bridge detour and we can’t get out during rush hour unless we drive on a closed safe street to a traffic light.
flimflam December 14, 2020 (6:09 pm)

Public streets are for everybody. It’s not illegal to drive on one.
Derby December 14, 2020 (6:42 pm)

Hi MattWhy is it so hard for you to mind your own business and stop telling everyone what to do? I’m pretty sure you’re the guy putting up signs telling people which side of the street we should be walking on. Take a knee, calm down, mind your own business, and have a happy holiday!- Signed: Someone who likely agrees with you politically but wishes you’d take it down a notch

Jason December 14, 2020 (2:38 pm)

I live in a Safe Streets zone, so I (legally) drive on them every day. Since they were put up, I have never – not even once – seen someone using them for exercise or social distancing. They are therefore not providing any substantial benefit to the community. Drivers are, and should be, completely ignoring them. We appreciate the intent, but it’s a failed experiment.

KM December 14, 2020 (5:05 pm)

I have never – not even once – seen the natural curve of the earth. Therefore, the earth is flat.
- Rick December 14, 2020 (8:40 pm)
  
  You just haven’t been high enough.
  - KM December 14, 2020 (10:16 pm)
    
    Weekend plans sorted!
StopCuttingDownTrees December 14, 2020 (5:19 pm)

Amen!
riding in the rain December 14, 2020 (7:44 pm)

When was your street converted to a Stay Healthy street? The Winter weather may be factor with less usage. Have you been closely monitoring the usage?

It may be true, that some Stay Healthy streets are being underutilized and don’t make the best sense for the neighborhood.

Perhaps these neighborhoods should be periodically surveyed, to determine the best use of these streets.. put it to the neighborhood, let them vote.

Maybe some can just be closed seasonally, when they will be better utilized by people as intended.
Street Walker December 14, 2020 (8:23 pm)

Just an alternate view: I also live on a designated street and I’ve seen many families biking, jogging, walking their dogs, etc. down the middle of the street. Far, far more than pre-Covid.
Chris Hoffman December 15, 2020 (9:59 am)

That, and your apparent claim to be watching your street 24/7 is highly unlikely.

SickofTraffic December 14, 2020 (2:53 pm)

I wish 61st SW between Admiral and Beach would be added. People are totally ignoring the new ‘No Thru Traffic’ sign and the new speed bumps. Stay on the arterial and stop racing through our neighborhood!!

Auntie December 14, 2020 (3:30 pm)

Sickoftraffic – seems to me you moved into a highly populated, popular area near the beach – and you want people to stop driving by your house. Gee, I feel so sorry for you. Not. As far as the racing goes, that seems to be a problem everywhere, everyone is in such a big darn hurry and so important (entitled) that they think they can just blaze a trail everywhere they go. I live on a single lane, dead-end street and lost people and delivery trucks regularly go by my house at over 30mph. There’s no stopping speeders wherever they go.

AJP December 14, 2020 (3:32 pm)

Yay!

Walker December 14, 2020 (3:53 pm)

I walk in our neighborhood several times a week, and I definitely see a benefit to the Stay Healthy Streets. More people walk these blocks than the surrounding roads because it gives us a safer place to step out and avoid passing each other too close on the sidewalk. I’m glad they are keeping them and reinforcing them with better signage.

Jort December 14, 2020 (3:53 pm)

I gladly walk and bike down the center of the “Stay Healthy” street, with my family, as often as I can, forcing cars to stop and wait for us to go by. I have had people threaten our lives many times. And I mean literally threaten, by speeding up and steering their car toward me, or by screaming out their window, with spittle flecks ejecting out mouths, to get out of “their” road. This is the mind of the deranged car driver, who can’t for three or four seconds acknowledge the value of another human’s life outside their little metal cage. All because of these stupid little signs. What a sad world, to be so primally enraged at even the slightest, most minor disruption to their perceived social order. Just so, so sad.

ScubaFrog December 14, 2020 (4:41 pm)

That’s awful, Jort. And I imagine terrifying. As a non-driver who enjoys a nice jaunt on our charming streets, I have to encourage you to report these bounders to the police with as much of a description as you can glean. Be safe, I’m sorry this has happened to you! And yes, sad indeed. To drivers: Please slow down: You may think you’re doing 25 – you’re not.
Spooled December 14, 2020 (5:20 pm)

Hi Jort! I’m not the one spitting on you but if you’re wandering down the center of the road I will happily drive around you and the family with the least inconvenience to myself in doing so. Most people keep to the side, preferably the side facing the oncoming traffic, for everyone’s safety.
Anne December 14, 2020 (5:34 pm)

What a ridiculous rant” spittle flecks ejecting out of their mouths” “ deranged car drivers” -“ can’t acknowledge the value of another human life” —over the top even for you. Just so, so sad .
- riding in the rain December 14, 2020 (6:37 pm)
  
  You must not have much experience biking in Seattle, Anne.
  
  Sadly, there are folks out there driving cars behaving that way towards cyclists.
  
  I’ve experienced harassment on my bike by agro motorists, have been yelled at, have had cars aggressively swerve at me numerous times, nearly causing accidents.
  
  Bike hate is real, even if you haven’t experienced it or seen it.
  - Anne December 14, 2020 (9:38 pm)
    
    Is that what Jort was talking about – bike hate? No he continues his car & driver hate rants. This one was over the top. Are there aggressive drivers- yes-I don’t understand that kind of behavior – but Jort tends to paint all drivers with the same hatefilled brush.
StayHealthyStreet? December 14, 2020 (7:10 pm)

Jort – We visited a friend on the “stay healthy street”. Two women walking along the side actually moved quickly into the middle of the street in front of our car and shouted at us. Luckily we were driving slowly and carefully as always, because these women were dangerous, not only to themselves, but to us in the car. We no longer visit our friend on that street – we are unable to walk or bike there. We just want to “stay healthy too”!
- heartless December 14, 2020 (8:12 pm)
  
  Yes, That happened.
- Derek December 14, 2020 (8:47 pm)
  
  lol no way this happened
- Really December 14, 2020 (9:25 pm)
  
  They were rude to you, MAYBE. But “dangerous”? Okay.
- bikecommuter December 15, 2020 (6:24 am)
  
  Anyone who walks or bikes regularly can absolutely validate what Jort is saying. I ride every day, and have a negative encounter at least once per week. Yesterday when out walking with my 6 year old try to cross California at a marked cross walk, a car accelerated and used the opposing lane to aggressively get around us. The hate is real, whether you want to believe it or not.
  - StayHealthyStreet? December 15, 2020 (8:28 am)
    
    Bikecommuter– the driver of car that nearly ran your little girl down should be jailed. Derek – Really – Heartless- Jort & Bikecommuter – 99% of pedestrians and bikers are following safety protocol and are still mistreated – we agree 100%. We shared our experience hoping to send a message to the 2 women who were not only rude, but put theirs & our safety at risk by quickly moving in front of our car. Believe it or not. Wishing everyone a healthy and safe Holiday Season.
Um, No! December 15, 2020 (11:16 am)

@jort. Quit wearing a shirt that says “Jort” on it and they’ll stop.

namercury December 14, 2020 (4:33 pm)

These restrictions on streets are not only illegal, they are unconstitutional! Reference Article II, Section 40 of the Washington State Constitution. It is unconstitutional for the City to spend money to make these streets park/recreation/semi-gated communities. I have sent letters the past 2 months to the City objecting to this unconstitutional activity. They have not responded. I think they know their actions to deny me access to the streets I support with my tax money but they want to ignore the law when they perceive it’s to their benefit.

Jort December 14, 2020 (4:47 pm)

Unconstitutional. This, right here, this is what I’m talking about with Car Brain Disease.
Derek December 14, 2020 (8:58 pm)

Roads can be shut down at the city level for basically any reason the city deems. There’s no law being broken here by the city. And edicts supersede this anyways. Get on a bike already.

TM7302 December 14, 2020 (5:07 pm)

Each one of these streets have sidewalks on either side, so I’m not sure why we need to have these “Stay Healthy Streets.” Aren’t sidewalks safer than walking or riding a bike in the middle of the street? I wish the city would spend their time and effort working on constructing handicap curb cuts on the street corners, like what they’ve done in Ballard…

WSB December 14, 2020 (5:38 pm)

They are doing that. New ones have just gone in at 37th/Holden in Gatewood, for example (along our walking route so we have seen the recent work and finished product).
Kyle December 14, 2020 (10:23 pm)

Also, some of the SHS do not have sidewalks, like the north part of the Highland Park route.
WSB December 15, 2020 (12:29 am)

Also, just happened onto this. Map of all the curb cuts in the works.
https://seattlecitygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f1b31e650f6647fc930a710de665b2ca

Auntie December 14, 2020 (5:09 pm)

Well, at least you have the advantage of having a sidewalk onto which you could escape the nogoodniks. Good luck to me getting out of the way with a dog on her leash when a FedEx blasts by me at 30+ mph and the only place I could go is into the culvert.

spooled December 14, 2020 (5:14 pm)

I take pride in moving the Stay Healthy barricades out of the road every morning. I’m not the only one in my neighborhood to do so. I have even received applause and thumbs-up from passing motorists at times. Nobody in my neighborhood asked for this or wants it.In one particular intersection it is bloody dangerous to block the lane. Bad visibility, uphill, kind of a blind corner, and then the stupid sign in the way!

Jort December 14, 2020 (6:15 pm)

So you’re saying you “take pride” in breaking the law and putting people’s lives at risk because your car-driver feelings are hurt about a sign. Unreal. Absolutely unreal what the car does to a person’s brain.
bill December 14, 2020 (10:46 pm)

Oh my gosh, it is such an imposition to expect you to drive safely approaching a blind corner!
- Spooled December 15, 2020 (3:15 pm)
  
  I’m saying that the stupid sign in the road makes a bad intersection with poor visibility even worse / more dangerous by forcing people to swing into the oncoming lane.
  - Jort December 15, 2020 (5:26 pm)
    
    Or hey I’ve got an idea for ya, how about this? Slow down and drive more carefully. Also don’t commit a criminal act by moving the barricades. Also: deal with it. See? Not hard.

Chris December 14, 2020 (5:54 pm)

What is just so hard for me to understand is how the ability for some people to close streets and not others is equitable by any stretch of the imagination or conscious. If there are any streets that neighbors would like to band together to close that would be a street like 35th or Roxbury but those residents are not eligible, let alone granted permits, to close the streets they live on. As a result, some residents are so clearly privileged over others and the city is orchestrating this inequity by essentially privatizing city streets for a very, very small percentage of it’s residents. I just don’t get why some who live in Seattle should be able to close a street and others can’t. It seems equitable that if all can’t close a street nobody should be able to close a street. And, just an anticipation of potential responses-“anyone” can move if they don’t like the street they live – I bet those who live on busy streets might possibly have less means to move than those living on a “private” streets where many residents live in homes that they own.

heartless December 14, 2020 (6:27 pm)

By your logic speed limits contribute to inequality.
- chris December 14, 2020 (6:49 pm)
  
  Really, only some people have to obey the speed limits?
  - heartless December 14, 2020 (8:10 pm)
    
    Almost, but the point is a tiny bit more nuanced than that.
    
    Some streets are closed to through-traffic. As a result they are quieter and have less traffic. The people who live on them are clearly privileged. (Your point)
    
    Some streets have lower speed limits. As a result, they are quieter and have less traffic. The people who live on them are clearly privileged. (Obvious extension of your point)
    
    I mean, when you write “It seems equitable that if all can’t close a street nobody should be able to close a street.” So does it seem equitable that if all can’t have 20mph speed limits on their street then nobody should be able to have 20mph speed limits on their street? Just curious how, uh, committed you are.
    - nonni December 17, 2020 (10:02 am)
      
      I live at one the intersections with one of these mini-wall-sized barricades. cars turning left onto my “healthy streets” block veer onto the planting strip when meeting a car coming head-on from the other direction. Nobody on my block asked for the signs, the speedbumps, the barricades, the bio-retention pit-falls or the safe street designation.The Nanny State decided for us.
  - bill December 14, 2020 (10:47 pm)
    
    The current evidence is that no one has to obey speed limits.
    - heartless December 15, 2020 (10:33 am)
      
      That’s sort of the crux of the matter, isn’t it? That nobody “has to” do things?
      
      And you’re right. Nobody “has to” follow speed limits. Nobody “has to” follow the rules regarding the low bridge. Nobody “has to” honor street closures.That point is the one children make when throwing tantrums: “I don’t wanna, I don’t have to, screw you!” There is not enough brainpower for them to engage in a serious discussion of the why, they just get stuck on the “I don’t wanna so I’m not gonna” cycle.
      
      These people don’t want to have a longer commute, so they take the low bridge; they think speed limits are dumb and so they speed; they simply don’t wanna wear masks, and so they don’t. And for these special folks, well, that’s as far as they ever go intellectually. They are exactly like children throwing a tantrum: they don’t like it, they don’t wanna do it, and you can’t make them!
      
      The real kicker, of course, is that then they proudly talk about their blatant disregard for societal tenets–they double down on the tantrums.
      
      (Chris (see above) and a few others actually care about the larger issues surrounding these things–the equality of measures, the ramifications for neighbors, etc.–and that is great, because it means discussion is possible. But the rest? Children.)

Barb December 14, 2020 (6:10 pm)

I am amazed how many cars drive round the signs on Alki and park to enjoy the view. It is the only great water view we have left. The parking view looking over to Seattle is now a back in only parking area another stupid idea. -lease give us a our view and streets back.

heartless December 14, 2020 (6:23 pm)

I honestly can’t tell what you’re complaining about: too many cars on the street (“amazed how many cars drive round the signs”) or too few (you wanting the “streets back”).

As for not being able to enjoy the view due to parking being back-in, just get out of the car. Not hard.

Al King December 14, 2020 (6:37 pm)

Jort, i’m with ya. I walk down those streets and make bike riders go around me!

Lisab December 14, 2020 (7:23 pm)

Love it!!!
riding in the rain December 14, 2020 (7:32 pm)

And how many bike riders have you had scream at you and threaten your life, just because they had to bike around you?
Foop December 14, 2020 (11:40 pm)

Congratulations. That’s The law. Bikes yield to peds. You get it.
cwit December 15, 2020 (9:02 am)

As well you should, it is the law. I bike around people all the time. It’s not a huge inconvenience and I don’t get mad. And I try to respect their space b/c of social distancing. Not hard at all.

Auntie December 14, 2020 (7:31 pm)

SPOOLEDThank you!

Kyle December 14, 2020 (7:55 pm)

Wait, I don’t understand..their update is very confusing. Are the SHS in Highland Park already permanent, or no they will make that decision later?

WSB December 14, 2020 (9:00 pm)

Under the LET’S TALK heading, “We’re discussing how to center race and equity, respect the cultural significance of neighborhoods, understand how to make streets feel safe for all, and confirm where up to 20 miles of Stay Healthy Streets should be made permanent” says to me that nothing is permanent so far, which somewhat contradicts this May declaration:
https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2020/05/07/2020-bike-investments-to-accelerate-including-20-miles-of-stay-healthy-streets-to-become-permanent-in-seattle
(Also note the reference in the paragraph above that, to “the 26 miles of temporary Stay Healthy Streets”) – TR
- Kyle December 14, 2020 (9:48 pm)
  
  Thanks WSB. I agree, this contradicts what they’ve said previously. The mileage differences in the update made the whole thing pretty confusing to read. In general, the communication on this initiative has just been random closed signs popping up and a half-edited blog update being posted after the fact. Frankly hoping they mature the program to gather community input before making any permanent changes.

JP December 14, 2020 (8:17 pm)

Glad to see there is broad public dissatisfaction with the “Stay Healthy” streets. The as if privitization of public roads is arbitrary and capricious application of policy. These closures serve no value to the broader public and are nonsensical when applied to streets where a sidewalk is present. The only people who support this concept are a few folks who live on these streets.

Foop December 14, 2020 (11:42 pm)

I don’t live on one but I use one for my daily sanity walk / coffee walk. It’s about the only outdoor activity I get these days and having the street closed makes it easy to avoid other people on the sidewalk. Granted I still use the sidewalk when possible because I get bullied out of the road by cars.
- JP December 15, 2020 (3:33 pm)
  
  Foop, I appreciate the sentiment, but I think this perspective is overwrought. The population density of residential West Seattle blocks does not necessitate the closing of streets for people to limit exposure to one another. Wear a mask, walk with the direction of traffic, and pass others on the sidewalk – you will be fine. And be happy that you have a sidewalk to walk on – many streets in this neighborhood, mine included, do not have that luxury and remain fully open to automobile traffic.
Lagartija Nick December 15, 2020 (11:20 am)

JP, a few comments on the blog is not “broad public dissatisfaction”. I don’t live on one of these streets and have never walked/biked on one either. I absolutely support their existence.
- JP December 15, 2020 (3:44 pm)
  
  Lagartija Nick – you are right of course, but what other data points do we have to go by? The issue remains that this is a misapplication of the intended use for these public roads and the logic behind the implementation of the “stay healthy” roads is vague, arbitrary, and subject to private lobbying.
  - heartless December 15, 2020 (4:36 pm)
    
    You have a fluidity about your position that I find disconcerting. First you were sure that “The only people who support this concept are a few folks who live on these streets,” and now you agree with Nick that “of course” he’s right that lots of people not living on them support the closed streets?
    
    As for your lament that there are no data points available? That’s quite incorrect. There are studies about street closures/stay healthy streets/no-through-traffic streets, etc., studies from all corners of the world even. There were even surveys done regarding these changes in Seattle–surveys and studies reported on by this very blog!
    - JP December 15, 2020 (6:08 pm)
      
      Heartless – to clarify, I am agreeing with Nick that this blog is not an optimal sample size; I do not agree that Stay Healthy streets are broadly supported by folks who don’t live on them and haven’t seen data that would support that argument. Based on the opinions expressed in this blog, albeit a suboptimal source, there is clear dissatisfaction. The questions asked in the summer survey published by StayHealhtyStreets@ did not attempt to directly measure satisfaction or support for the pseudo privatization of public roads.There are two major issues with this survey as I see it:- about 75% of the survey respondents reported that they live on a Stay Healthy Street. These are the folks most likely to support the concept – who doesn’t want less traffic on their street? The data is distorted as the majority of residents do not have the privilege of living on a SHS- the survey does not give respondents the opportunity to express support or satisfaction.

It’s not that hard December 14, 2020 (8:47 pm)

I live on a Safe Seattle street. I love it. I see a lot more of my neighbors these days. If you’re mad about their existence, why? As far as I can tell, it’s just a recommendation with zero enforcement. So please use my street! (It’s our street after all) Just please drive courteous and very slow, knowing there are likely people/kids/pets in the street. That’s it. You’re already doing that through any neighborhood anyway, right? You’ll still get there. It’s not that hard.

Mayor Jenny is lost December 14, 2020 (9:49 pm)

I live on a side street next to one of these “closed” streets. We now have double the traffic because of people detouring around the “closed” street. Our street is now more dangerous because of the increased traffic. I disagree with the mayor’s assumption that putting these barricades on our streets and pretending these streets are closed is making them safer, but even if they are made safer, my street is now more dangerous, so please explain to me how this has accomplished anything?

zark00 December 15, 2020 (1:24 am)

This – the ‘Safe’ streets are making neighboring streets more dangerous. There is a correct way to create more space for walking, playing, riding, etc. that is not a sidewalk or bike lane, or trail – and this is not it. If you live on one, of course you love it, but you should recognize that your neighbors are paying the cost for your improved lot.

1994 December 14, 2020 (10:48 pm)

Streets with sidewalks should not be issued these stay healthy designations and barricades. People, especially children, should be using the sidewalks for safety reasons. Encouraging children to play in the street is not helping children to learn good safety habits. There are few east west arterials in the south end. A few of the east west side streets should be improved by SDOT to increase traffic flows.

Joe Z December 15, 2020 (8:00 am)

The entitlement of car activists is something else. The rest of us are asking for like 1% of Seattle’s streets and they aren’t even willing to give that up. Sad.

Jort December 15, 2020 (5:28 pm)

Not only that, they brazenly admit to breaking the law by removing the street signage and they believe that the designation is “UNCONSTITUTIONAL!” There is something to be said about this kind of mindset. It crosses all political affiliations and it is totalitarian in its ethos. And it is just absolutely remarkable and sad.

TM7302 December 15, 2020 (12:14 pm)

PAVE THE ALLEYS!!!

Lola December 15, 2020 (2:07 pm)

Get rid of these things. Everybody walks in the streets that do not have these so I really do not see what these are doing? They are a nuisance if nothing else. I agree that streets with sidewalks should not have these signs up.

Newsflash December 15, 2020 (9:34 pm)

Hey y’all…if you want your street to be accessible to only local traffic then you should have moved into a GATED COMMUNITY. Newsflash-you live in a CITY. Not a suburb. There is absolutely no reason these streets should be closed, especially in these cold winter months. Keep your dogs leashed and teach your children to stay out of the street. And while you’re at it, stay on the sidewalk yourselves.

Stevie J December 16, 2020 (12:34 am)

The streets aren’t closed. You can still walk, run, bike, or roll on them.

I can’t walk on I-5 and you can’t drive on the Burke Gilman. There is a spectrum of rights of way – they aren’t all for automobile pilots all the time.

In fact, before 100 years ago all roads were for *people*, not cars. Check out Peter Norton’s “Fighting Traffic” to learn more about how the automotive lobbyists in the 1920s transformed our world.
- StopCuttingDownTrees December 16, 2020 (1:47 am)
  
  Both I-5 and Beach Drive are designed for automobile traffic. Closing off a public residential road to vehicles is no less foolish than closing off I-5 to motor vehicles or the Burke Gilman Trail to bicycles.

556moobs December 17, 2020 (9:57 am)

Nice concept, but does it really do anything? All I’ve seen is near accidents from people trying to go around the signs and almost hitting another car.

1994 December 17, 2020 (8:50 pm)

I wonder if the city is on the hook for liability for creating a ‘healthy’ space in the street if there is an accident and someone gets injured or worse? I understand driver’s have a responsibility to drive safe, but people being encouraged to utilize the street as a ‘healthy street’ also have a responsibility to maintain their own safety.
- heartless December 17, 2020 (9:20 pm)
  
  It’s even worse than that. The city of Seattle, in its infinite wisdom, actually encourages pedestrians–including children and the elderly–to venture into the streets, even into streets with no stop signs for cars, no stoplights for cars, no signs for cars, NOTHING.
  
  There are cars speeding by at ridiculous speeds–not their fault, of course, they’ve got places to be!–and the POLITICIANS just continue to shepherd PEDESTRIANS onto the roadways using devices like crosswalks and curb cuts.
  
  In fact nothing will really be solved until we can do away with walking entirely. Think about it: number one reason for pedestrian fatalities? PEOPLE WALKING!
  
  We get rid of crosswalks–they just encourage people to obstruct traffic and injure themselves in the process. We get rid of curb cuts–think about it, do we REALLY want to encourage people with mobility issues to be IN THE STREET? What kind of nonsense is that? I understand drivers have a responsibility to drive safe, but with a city that flat out encourages people–EVEN SLOW PEOPLE LIKE CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY!!–to just be out there walking? IT’S INSANITY!
  
  I, for one, agree with you completely, 1994, and I can’t wait for the lawsuits to pummel Seattle into finally eliminating walkers. Permanently eliminating them. All hail the car overlords!
  
  (Apologies to Jort and Jonathan Swift)