Downtown Bike Routes

[JFM]

Hi All, Recently moved to West Seattle (Admiral), and want to start bike commuting to downtown (5th btwn Madison / Columbia). I feel pretty good about a safe route from Admiral toward downtown, but was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how best (and safest) to get from the waterfront, up the hill(s) to 5th and Columbia?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

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[miws]

Hi, JFM, welcome to West Seattle!

I don’t cycle, so although I could tell you numerous ways to get to 5th & Columbia, I don’t know the best/safest cycling route. I’ll leave that to those that do ride.

However, if you do the Facebook thing, here’s a group you may want to follow:

https://www.facebook.com/WestSeattleBikeConnections/?fref=ts

One heads-up I will give you though since I read about it frequently here on WSB is that since bicycles are relegated to the low drawbridge, they are at the mercy of ship traffic that occasionally goes through there, which the city is unable to regulate bridge openings; Federal Law allows peak traffic hour openings, you might want to factor that possibility into your expected travel times. Again, that’s something regular bicycle commuters could give you more detailed advice on.

In any case, good luck and be safe!

Mike

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[AJP]

Aw, Mike, you are the nicest guy! Always ready to welcome someone and give them tips! So Jim, this is what I have done to get to 4th and Marion: Once you’re on the bike trail from Alaska Way, take a right on King St, left on 2nd, right on Main, left on 4th, which has a bike lane on the left side. There you can decide if you want to push hard up the hill on Cherry or Marion, or you can walk it on the sidewalk up Columbia (Columbia is a one-way going downhill). This still involves elevation gain, but much less crazy than going straight up from the waterfront. Hope that helps!

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[miws]

Thanks, AJP!

Mike

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[sbre]

Hey JFM, Welcome to West Seattle. Admiral and 46th area here.

I’ve been bike-commuting to the South Park area for over a decade so can’t help with any info to your downtown destination, however I have an alternate route to suggest that will get your down to, and up from the lower bridge without having to use SW Admiral Way.

It does add a little bit of length/time but to me being able to get away from that highly and fastly traveled SW Admiral Way is well worth it. Additionally there is a nice, wide sidewalk to climb up the hill on, and with less traffic comes some nicer smelling air PLUS the views are tremendously better!!

Go north on California Ave SW which you will find curves to the right (becoming California Way) and heads down to the waterfront, almost directly across the street from the Water Taxi’s westside docking point (another way for you or you-and-your-bike to get downtown). From there just follow the nice and wide path south to Spokane St, staying on the trail go left across a small bridge (you’ll be under the end of the WS Bridge) and follow the path to the 5-Way intersection at the Chelan Cafe area.

From there just SAFELY cross the intersection and head up to the lower bridge, from there the rest is up to you.

If you would like to meet some who do bike to the downtown area a lot, as well as a smattering of other west Seattleites who are into cycling, then I (we) would like to invite you to the next West Seattle Bike Connections meeting http://westseattlebikeconnections.org/ held on March 8th from 6:30pm-8ish at the HomeStreet Bank (41st Ave SW & SW Alaska St.)

Again, welcome to the peninsula and enjoy all the good it has to offer!

AL

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[JanS]

I do not commute to downtown, and definitely do not ride a bike…too old, too broken for that. But reading the few posts here really makes me smile. I think the helpful attitude that this thread exudes is what makes the West Seattle community different than other communities around Seattle. I have friends around the city (Wallingford, for instance) that have no clue as to who or what is going on 3 blocks from them. I have met at least 2 of the people commenting, and they’re from opposite ends of this community. Welcome, Jim, to West Seattle. I’ve been here for over 40 years, and while it’s growing and changing, it’s still full of great people. This blog forum helps a lot. Hope you come here often. Good luck commuting ! :)

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[JFM]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and the great advice on safe routes. AJP, I like your zig-zag approach as it looks to maximize bike lanes and non-congested roads, and minimize hills (if that’s possible). And will try to check-out the upcoming bikeconnections meeting.

Thanks! Jim

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