TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday notes, Bike Everywhere Day (photos added), + weekend reminders

Good morning. It’s Friday, May 18th.

BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY

(WSB photos added 9:58 am)

What used to be Bike To Work Day has broadened to a celebration for all. You’ll find West Seattle Bike Connections with treats and info at the west end of the low bridge, now until 9 am.

(The map with all citywide “celebration stations” is here.)

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: “Becoming sunny,” high in the low 70s. Sunrise was at 5:27 am; sunset will be at 8:45 pm.

LOOKING AHEAD

-Saturday brings the West Seattle Bee Festival back to High Point, and Lanham Place alongside Commons Park will be closed to vehicle traffic for the street-fair component.

-Sunday is the first West Seattle 5K since 2019, which means morning street closures on Alki/Harbor Aves; the race course is between 61st SW and Luna/Anchor Park.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening.

Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

22blades May 19, 2023 (7:41 am)

Tree down on Fairmont & blocked. Bicyclist down & aid units gave responded onscene.

WSB May 19, 2023 (8:37 am)

Thanks, my early watch was off the desk at Bicycle Everywhere Day and nobody texted. I’ll ask SFD but looking at the call log, does not appear medic unit transport was required, at least.
- 22blades May 19, 2023 (8:54 am)
  
  I called it in. 2 Fire, 1 Aid responded & on scene. Cyclist transported. Tried to send image to you but no luck.

22blades May 19, 2023 (7:43 am)

Fairmont blocked with tree down. Bicyclist down. Under Admiral Bridge.

Another One May 19, 2023 (9:08 am)

Hope the cyclist will be okay. :(

22blades May 19, 2023 (12:29 pm)

His front wheel is a taco but as banged up as he was, he’ll be back in no time I think. The tree down came into view after rounding a corner.

Don Brubeck May 19, 2023 (10:50 am)

Hoping that bike rider on Fairmont is OK, too. We had lots of bike riders stop at the West Seattle Bike Connections station for Bike Everywhere Day. Youngest rider was on the way to preschool. Oldest riders were out for exercise including one woman from Queen Anne looking for bigger hills to ride up in WS, and lots of people riding to work. One from Kent heading to work at Meta in SoDo, and one from Port Orchard riding to work at Global Diving accompanied by a friend on the way to work in Tukwila. They appreciated the new protected bike lanes at north end of West Marginal Way, and the bagels and coffee donated by Eltana. Thanks to Stu and Alki Bike & Board for the mobile bike checks.

Mrs. A May 19, 2023 (3:04 pm)

Hey all – since it’s bike everywhere day, what’s the bike speed limit at Lincoln Park? A very small, but loud, lady screamed at me when I biked by today on my e-bike, stating that the speed limit was 5MPH. She then came to harass me and my husband while we ate lunch until we asked multiple times for her to go away.We were traveling 10MPH, and couldn’t find a speed limit on-line for Lincoln Park. I looked on-line and saw a 15 MPH speed limit on the Burke-Gilman Trail, Elliot Bay Trail, Mountain to Sound Trail, Melrose Connector Trail, and Duwamish Trail.Rules of the Road – Transportation | seattle.gov. Is there some speed limit I have missed? People jog faster than 5MPH, so this can’t be the bike speed limit at Lincoln Park. 10MPH on a bike – ebike or otherwise – is pretty normal. I noticed that she didn’t yell at any regular bikes going by….

Foop May 19, 2023 (3:32 pm)

Not the law, but safety is subjective, go as slow as you need to be able to stop if someone does something silly. I bike ~ 15 mph through Lincoln Park on the gravel, but I communicate when I am passing folks and a slow down for the pass.Some people will never be happy, I’ve been yelled at for going too fast before when I slowed down to barely being able to stay upright. You can’t always anticipate people’s comfort levels and reactions, so as long as you are calling out or ringing a bell, passing at a safe distance, and slowing to pass, don’t let the anomalies get to you.
Bob the Biker May 20, 2023 (1:13 pm)

I have lived very close to the park for about 35 years and walk and run there often. I also ride a road bike thousands of miles a year, but never in the park.

There are speed limit signs posted at both ends of the trail. The speed limit is 5 mph. As noted by Foop, it’s difficult to provide an adequate warning in order to safely pass pedestrians on the narrow gravel path. It’s also hard (dangerous) to ride the gravel at low speeds. It’s probably best if you dismount and simply walk the bike for that short stretch.

The Burke Gilman trail, which is paved, relatively wide in most areas, and generally not used as a pedestrian facility is not a good comparison.

Danimal May 19, 2023 (7:37 pm)

WSB – there are several intersections on Alki now with “Road Closed” signs staged against the street signs. IIRC at 62nd, 61st, and one other I don’t recall. Is this part of a new plan to lock down against vehicle traffic Alki on busy/out of control days?

WSB May 19, 2023 (8:14 pm)

Those would be for the WS5K on Sunday, as we’ve been previewing in our daily traffic roundups. (see above)
- Danimal May 19, 2023 (8:49 pm)
  
  Missed that detail, thank you.

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