Month: August 2013

East Marginal Way – interim improvements

The West Seattle Blog reported this week on interim improvements for East Marginal Way S from S Spokane St to S Atlantic Street (at the Coast Guard’s Pier 46).

In addition to the improvements listed by SDOT, we have asked for
– removal of fire hydrants that are right in the middle of the path. These violate SDOT, SPU and ADA standards.
– widening of the path/sidewalk to make it safe and usable for high volume 2-way bike and low volume pedestrian traffic, with safe room for passing.
– improvements to sightlines at some of the terminal driveways where fencing, signs or other obstruction interfere with views.

It will be a tough sell to get the bike commuters currently using the northbound bike lane to switch to the sidewalk on the west side unless it is really improved to be a safe, smooth bike path with room to pass safely.

trees in "tree pits" and hydrant obstructions
trees in “tree pits” and hydrant obstructions

trees in "tree pits" and hydrant obstructions
trees in “tree pits” and hydrant obstructions
trees in "tree pits" and hydrant obstructions
trees in “tree pits” and hydrant obstructions
sign could be raised up to avoid obscuring sight triangle at drive.
sign could be raised up to avoid obscuring sight triangle at drive.

8/17 Delridge Day – Helmets & Helmet Fitting

North Delridge Neighborhood Council, along with the City of Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation, will be hosting the 7th Annual Delridge Day Festival on Saturday, August 17th at the Delridge Community Center and Park.
West Seattle Bike Connections has volunteered to staff Cascade Bicycle Club’s bike helmet fitting, sales and give-away for this event.

We could use more volunteers, and can provide training. If you have 2-3 hours and would like to do this, please reply here or email us at westeattlebikeconnections@gmail.com .

Bicycle Loop Detectors

WSBC heard that some people don’t know that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) added bicycle loop detector markings at many intersections. These markings indicate where cyclists should stop in order to trigger a green light at a signalized intersection.

The marks can be seen as one pulls up to a red light, so as long as there are no motor vehicles in front of you. The marker will generally be located behind the white stop line and generally slightly to the right, positioned over the vehicle sensor that’s embedded in the pavement. There are two forms we see most regularly; the older “T” marking or the newer small “bicyclist” marking, seen here.

loopdetectorPortland

Simply make sure your front tire, at least, is centered over this white marker and you should be added to the signal rotation.

loopdetectorbike

Some intersections don’t have this marker, or they may be faded away. If you think a specific intersection should have a marker but doesn’t you can contact walkandbike@seattle.gov and let them know.

Some intersection signal phases are triggered by camera, not a pavement marker, and these are trickier to identify. If you are not picked up when using a loop detector marker, the light skips you on a regular basis, takes an inordinate amount of time to change, or you need more information, you can contact SDOT at the email address above. Reporting signalized intersections that don’t pick up waiting cyclists should be fixed quickly to help prevent impatient red-light running and general cyclist frustration.

Another Collision – Let’s Stop This

Once again, flashing red lights on East Marginal Way. Medic 1, Rescue 1, Ladder 7 and a bike rider on a backboard. This time, bike-on-bike collision. Second one within weeks. Thank you Scott Johnston for this report on Bikewise.org

This was not an “accident”. This was negligence. The one who caused it walked away. The one who was riding correctly in his lane got a trip to Harborview. I hope the injured rider [edited] receives full restitution from the rider who caused the injury, and that the one who caused it is charged with negligent driving and penalized under the new Vulnerable Users law if the injured rider’s injuries are substantial.[end edit]

We need to get to work safely. We need to get home safely. Commuting to work is not a damn race. No one cares how many riders you pass or if you get downtown 2 minutes faster. If you want to race, sign up for a race and stop pretending. Riding to work or home relaxed and alert has all kinds of benefits.

How about trying some of this?

• Stay alert.
Be aware of what is in front and beside and behind you. Watch your line. Keep your hands near your brakes.

• Ride in a predictable manner.

• Share the road.

• Leave space between you and others, so you can see what is ahead.

• Don’t pass unless you can see well ahead that the way is clear.

• Call out your passes before you pass, or ring a bell. When it is crowded or you can’t see ahead, SLOW DOWN and communicate.

DB

Tuesday, August 6 monthly meeting

At Cycle U – see upcoming events for directions.
Agenda will include

Progress reports, planning and recruiting for projects including Trucks+Bikes safety event, Fiesta de las Patrias, Parking Day, lots more. Open meeting – you are welcome.