SAFETY ALERT: Broken glass on bike trail to/from downtown (update: cleanup planned)

3:01 PM: Nicole has been trying to report this to SDOT and hasn’t gotten through yet so in case it hasn’t already been cleaned up, she wants to let other bicycle riders know: “Rode my bike downtown and back this morning. There’s broken glass on the bike trail from the tragic accident. Spokane and East Marginal. Heads up to bikers.”

4:56 PM: Nicole just sent this update: “I just got off the phone with SDOT Incident Response; they are aware of the issue and said they are sending someone now to clean up the glass now.”

North Admiral Cyclist October 20, 2025 (3:28 pm)

Thanks Nicole. Oh the irony! A big advantage of the terrific new bike path SDOT recently opened along East Marginal to Alaskan Way for those headed to or from the new Waterfront and Downtown is it is (was) “free” of broken glass. The old route Downtown from West Seattle, along the street, resulted in many flat tires as it was littered with broken glass, nails, screws, you name it. Once this crash gets cleaned up, the new bike trail should still be much, much better for West Seattle than what we had before.

NicoleB October 20, 2025 (5:02 pm)

At last! The new bike trail and adjacent tree plantings are great. I have used it twice so far.
bolo October 20, 2025 (10:59 pm)

As an avid cyclist who has been cycling in this area since the 80s, my experience has been that this type of glass, (from a car) (called safety glass) does not cause flat bicycle tires. It is designed to break up into small nonsharp pieces so that it does not horribly wound vehicle occupants. Not really sharp enough to penetrate bike tires. The real problem for bikers are the sharp glass shards from broken beer (and other) bottles thrown out of vehicles by yahoos, especially after sports events, usually closer to the stadiums. Also from urban campers near their encampments.

I will agree that the recent crash site was left in a trashy condition. In addition to the scattered glass there was bits and pieces of car laying around and a large greasy area on the rock “landscaping,” presumably some liquids leaked out of the vehicle. Usually the tow truck operators carry a broom and shovel to clean up but maybe they didn’t see well enough as it was dark nighttime and the streetlamps in that section are dead…

Felicia October 20, 2025 (3:36 pm)

I forwarded this to SDOT email:684-Road@seattle.govMaybe a duplicate but in case you don’t have it

NicoleB October 20, 2025 (4:54 pm)

Thanks Felicia. I think that did the trick. I just got off the phone with SDOT Incident Response and they were aware of the issue and are sending someone out now to clean up the glass.
- DaveB October 20, 2025 (6:52 pm)
  
  Thanks for being diligent, Nicole. The city has been pretty quick to respond via the Find It Fix It app when I’ve reported things, and you don’t have to wait on hold!

New Deal October 20, 2025 (5:52 pm)

So incident response is able to respond ASAP to glass on a bike path but I can’t get SPD to ticket the 6 illegally parked vehicles on my one city block? Priorities revealed.

WS Res October 20, 2025 (6:57 pm)

Yes, the city is more concerned about lack of safety on a major transportation artery than the fact that you want to park in front of your house. And, SDOT isn’t in charge of issuing parking tickets. I don’t know what to tell you but the reasons should be obvious.
- New Deal October 20, 2025 (8:21 pm)
  
  My wee Honda Fit fits nicely in my double garage FYI. These cars have no license plates. You think they aren’t being used for crimes? Don’t comment unless you have all the facts. SPD has all the facts. WSB has become just another mean troll social media site and I am tuning out. Sorry Tracy and WSB but your mean, judgmental followers have put a nail in this coffin. I am too mature for this nonsense. 20 years later and I am signing off.
  - WS Res October 20, 2025 (8:52 pm)
    
    Pointing out that you are mad because one department is doing their job and another department is responsible for what you’re mad about is “mean.” Got it.
    - Frog October 21, 2025 (5:55 pm)
      
      Well … um … there was a significant chunk of anti-car snark in your comment. That said, snark policing would be a big job and perhaps not the best use of the site owner’s time. Also, there is informational value in letting everyone fly their true colors. Suppressing all the snark would give the impression that Seattle people are much nicer than they actually are.
  - Neighbor October 21, 2025 (12:06 am)
    
    In the absence of evidence I do not think they are being used for crimes.
K October 20, 2025 (7:15 pm)

Those are two different departments and yes, they have different priorities.
- New Deal October 20, 2025 (8:28 pm)
  
  My final WSB comment. Go Blue Jays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now isn’t that mean.

North Admiral Cyclist October 21, 2025 (6:05 am)

BOLO is correct, in that the broken glass from car windows is relatively less of a threat to bike tires, compared to broken bottles, etc. Still, as BOLO points out, the shards of metal, etc. from a car crash do cause flat tires. For those West Seattle cyclists that are interested, BestSideCycling has a “meet up” planned to ride the new East Marginal bike lane at 10am Saturday, Oct 25th, meeting in front of the Downtown Seattle Ferry Terminal. (See BestSideCyling’s great videos about the new bike lane on East Marginal on his YouTube Channel and Instagram).

Gerry October 21, 2025 (8:55 am)

When I was bike commuting and generally riding more often, it seemed the 4th Ave So. area, especially bridge just south of Costco, was littered with broken glass. I hope SDOT has addressed that….thanks for reminder about the app, I will try to get on board with that.

Wes October 21, 2025 (12:49 pm)

I commute by bike daily to downtown, and have noticed an uptick in scattered glass pieces and tiny punctures recently. I had four when I got home last night (luckily they were sealed by tubeless tire sealant).

Sorry, comment time is over.