Why do we have "sharrows" on Alki Ave?

[nwgardening]

I was hoping that there would be a way to attach a photo here, but if anyone is interested, I can email one to you.

Here’s the deal. From Duwamish Head (where the park with the big anchor is), all the way west past the Alki Bathhouse, there is a dedicated bicycle path. Parallel to that is a dedicated pedestrian path. In theory at least, this should keep bicyclists safe because they have their own lane instead of riding on the street with cars. It also protects pedestrians because they have their own path out of the way of bikes, skate boards, skaters, etc.

This seems like a sensible plan to me. So why does the city paint “sharrows” on Alki Ave, encouraging bicyclists to ride in the street? I have photos showing a bicycle painted on the bike path right next to a bicycle painted on the street (alongside potholes). Bicycles don’t belong on the street there. It is dangerous for riders and adds to the traffic congestion in the neighborhood especially this time of year.

It seems like it would be a better use of money to skip the “sharrows” and invest in a little public education, reminding people that there are three distinct paths – one for automobiles, one for bicycles and one for pedestrians.

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[B-squared]

A lot of different people use the paths that run parallel to the street. i used to be one of them when i rode my bike. But between May and October, those paths become quite treacherous to all. I don’t think that education would solve the problem. There are too many people using those paths. Many with dogs on long leashes, many with tiny children on bikes and trikes, a few on roller blades, groups walking in tandem, runners with earbuds in, zombie smart phone users, etc. Adding bikes into the mix is dangerous so i choose the road.

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[wundrgrrrl]

As a bike commuter, it’s always my preference to ride on the trail but this time of year it’s not always safe for exactly the reasons B-Squared mentions. When the trail is filled with recreational users, the road is more predictable. The “wheels” lane on the trail is nice in theory but the reality is, on sunny days, it’s equally shared with non-wheeled pedestrians, people unloading from cars, groups hanging out, etc.

I’m comfortable and cautious when riding in traffic (the rest of my commute requires it). Yes, a bit more attention is warranted when it’s stop-n-go, the same as in downtown rush hour. Regardless, cars should be just as aware of us as we are of them, whether there is a sharrow or not.

King County Bicycle Traffic Laws site Q & A:

Question: Are bicyclists required to use a bikepath adjacent to a roadway?

Answer: No. A bicyclist may choose either a path or the roadway. Some paths are not well suited to cyclists’ needs, particularly fast riders or when crowded with other users.

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[on board]

I prefer to ride on the trail when possible, but as others are saying, there are simply too many users on the trail to make it reasonable at anything faster than 5mph. Dogs, kids, walkers, and general congregating are all the way the path is used. No amount of paint or signage is going to change this.

What’s the big deal with sharing the road?

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[VBD]

For cyclists going more than 12 to 15 mph, riding on the trail can be very dangerous. Not just for the cyclist, but more so for the dog walkers, joggers, roller bladers, and young kids that use the trail for recreation. I almost never ride the trail, particularly in nice weather, because I go much too fast compared to most of the users. The road is fine for me, and I feel safer there.

That being said, I don’t see the value in painting little bike pictures onto the road. It’s meaningless and wasteful.

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[mark47n]

The RCW states explicitly that cyclists have all the same rights and responsibilities that motorized vehicles have. This includes the right to space on the pavement. As a cyclist I have no obligation to use a bike path simply because it’s there and to claim that that’s the reason that traffic is gummed up on Alki Ave is inaccurate. I frequently pass cars along there, especially this time of year.

Would you say that it’s safe for pedestrians, they are on the “bike” path, and I to share space if I’m traveling at 20 mph? I don’t think it is and I’m sure others would agree.

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[sam-c]

I’ve always thought it made sense. The paved bike path is for the leisurely riders, skateboarders, small kids on bikes, etc. The sharrows are there for the ‘serious’ or commuting cyclists who aren’t riding slow enough to enjoy the view, watch out for dogs on leashes that are too long, watch out for kids that don’t ride their bikes in perfectly straight, predictable lines.

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[nwgardening]

I see the points made here by bicyclists. I’ve lived here a long time and I know how crowded the paths can be, especially around the sandy beach area. It makes sense to me to separate the serious cyclists from little kids riding bikes with training wheels and clueless pedestrians.

It also makes sense to me to separate bicyclists from 2,000+ lb. automobiles. So my questions now are these: are those of you who ride bikes satisfied with sharing the road with cars all the time? Or would you prefer to have *real* bikes lanes reserved for serious riders?

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[datamuse]

Personally I’d prefer to have a dedicated lane, ideally physically separated from the car traffic lane. It’s safer and more pleasant for me, doesn’t delay auto traffic, and if properly placed, avoids the deadly car-door issue.

I don’t ride as much as some, but I once clocked myself at 14 mph on the flat (courtesy of one of those speed detectors that was set up on Fauntleroy for awhile). I don’t go up to Alki often but I’d probably do the same as others here have mentioned, and for the same reason.

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[skeeter]

I prefer a dedicated bike lane (or better yet, a protected bike lane) on any road with a speed limit above 25 MPH. On roads with a speed limit of 25 or less I’m pretty comfortable riding on the street.

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[JayDee]

I agree with all about Alki Ave. My question about sharrows are the ones on Admiral east of California, especially the up-hill ones. With the off-camber turn and traffic it seems foolish to recommend its use. There should be an anti-sharrow along the WB portion of Admiral from Olga to 42nd Ave. I have a similar concern about cyclist safety along California when there are abundant flanking streets with less N/S traffic. Yes, I know it is the right of the cyclist to ride there, but the wisdom of doing so is debatable. I am a cyclist on the weekends and I follow my own advice.

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[VBD]

I’m used to the cars, so I’m not all that bothered. But there is the occasional jerk driver that makes my day stink. As mentioned, car doors and pedestrians cause me to make emergency maneuvers more than anything else.

Of course, I would like a nice bike-only road, but I’m not universally in favor of bike lanes. They can cause their own set of problems. Being too narrow to pass other cyclists within the lane and being too close to parked cars are the most common problems. But also the awkwardness of entering traffic to make left turns, or the lack of visibility while making right turns can be a problem too.

So the short answer is that bike lanes are good only if they make sense for the particular area.

In some cases it’s best just to let the cars and cyclists mix. I know that’s not a popular view point, but I’ve been riding on the roads for nearly 40 years, and it’s what I’m comfortable with.

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[trickycoolj]

I use the road around Alki not the trail, especially that awful section that’s between the parked cars and sidewalk on the lighthouse end of the beach. I couldn’t stop quick enough for a teenage girl who backed her big booty up while yelling at her friends unloading a car not paying attention and my riding partner just got by her and no amount of my bell ringing and yelling WATCH OUT made her stop backing her boo-tay onto the bike lane and I ran straight into her while slamming on my brakes. I was super lucky this was before I started using clipless pedals and I was able to get my feet down and not hit the deck. Her buddies made fun of her fat ass for getting hit… Her leopard print leggings were asking for it anyway.

Between inattentive teenagers dragging their junk to the fire pits, kids on training wheels and dogs with leashes stretched across the path, if you are a serious cyclist going 15-20mph it’s downright dangerous. I could seriously kill or injure a child or fluffykins or myself trying to avoid a child or fluffykins.

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[Alki Warrior]

Because its cool to have sharrows. Its hip to do.

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[mark47n]

@JayDee: The sharrows are not recommendations they are reminders. I refer you, again, to the RCW.

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