WEEK AHEAD: Fauntleroy forum Tuesday on improving safety for bicyclists after 2 deaths in 2 years

| Fauntleroy | Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, June 15)

Though this is usually the quiet time in summer’s final weeks, not this year. Major events this week will include the community forum Tuesday night (August 11) on making Fauntleroy safer for bicycle riding, after two deaths in a little over two years, most recently Maridee Bonadea on Wildwood Place, uphill from the ferry dock, in June. All are invited to participate Tuesday night, 6-8 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (south end of the historic schoolhouse, 9131 California SW). We published first word of the forum plan on July 31st; the Fauntleroy Community Association and Ms. Bonadea’s family finalized the plan a few days later. They expect elected officials and representatives of SDOT and WSDOT to be in attendance. They also have drafted a suggested message to all of the above to express support for safety improvements (find it added to our original report about the forum date).

North Admiral Cyclist August 10, 2026 (5:56 am)

I used to regularly ride my bicycle through this area on Wildwood, and on Fauntleroy since the late 1990s. It is no longer safe and I now avoid it except maybe an occasional Sunday morning bike ride. The ferry dock has been at Fauntleroy for a hundred years, but of course, WSF has put larger boats and more frequent service on the route over the years. Today, the traffic, including truck traffic, is many times greater than it was when the ferry dock first began service. Years ago, I remember the City of Seattle declining the opportunity to designate the road to the ferry dock as an official state highway (as is usually the case), saying at the time they wanted to maintain “more control” over the road. It is only appropriate that WSF be part of the discussion, as “their” increases in ferry traffic over time is a major contributor to the problem. The traffic light at the ferry dock WSF is planning will make matters worse for bicyclists and pedestrians, as anyone can watch all day long the ferry riders in their rush make illegal maneuvers (such as “double-left” turns onto Fauntleroy) when there is no staffed traffic control. Wildwood Place has a host of safety problems, and it sure seems it is past time for the city to face up to them. I’ve seen that the SDOT has stated they believe they must move slowly to “avoid unintended consequences”, but what could be a more glaring unintended consequence than the recent tragedy. Because of the ferry traffic, including trucks, it is beyond obvious that bike lanes are needed along Wildwood and Fauntleroy both, if SDOT was serious about “Vision Zero” or safety. Ten years ago, the SDOT added bike lanes with a painted “buffer” area to SW Admiral west of California Ave. and transformed the safety for bicyclists. Proper bike lanes do work. Its does not help that the city has no-parking signs placed along Wildwood that are too close to crosswalks, violating the city’s own 20-foot “daylighting” rule. Parking too close to intersections blocks views and makes it unsafe for pedestrians crossing and bikes or cars trying to pull out onto Wildwood.

bolo August 10, 2026 (10:38 am)

For those bicyclists desiring to avoid the Wildwood danger area, as I do, take the alternate E/W route of SW Director St. between Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Barton St. It’s quiet, peaceful and most importantly, way more safer.

bill August 10, 2026 (12:22 pm)

I take a similar route on side streets, starting (or ending) at SW Monroe.
Unfortunately in Maridee’s case, unless you spend some time studying maps, you won’t realize Fauntleroy Way SW can be accessed from the ferry by turning north first, opposite the direction you intend to go. This is pretty much the norm for safe bike routes; you have to go out of your way whereas drivers get the most obvious and direct routing.

KinesthesiaAmnesia August 10, 2026 (4:38 pm)

I left comments with SDOT since I can’t make it to the meeting. I asked for the suggested improvements. Thank you to the people trying to make better things happen from these horrible tragedies.

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