Doug Ollerenshaw is a year-round bike commuter and former professional bike racer. But he was not comfortable riding with his young son on Avalon Way SW. No longer! Here is Doug’s (and our) message of thanks to SDOT. This is what “Complete Streets” are all about.
Living in North Delridge, my family and I have always loved visiting businesses in Alaska Junction, but found it nearly impossible to get there safely by bike. So I was extremely excited to see the Avalon Way protected bike lanes being installed. Finally there is a family friendly route between our neighborhood and the commercial center of West Seattle. And last week, we had a major milestone, with our son seven year old son, Elliott, finally making the ride up the hill under his own power.
After another long day of online learning, Elliott and I set off from our home, northbound on the 26th Ave greenway. We used quiet Nevada street to connect up to 30th Ave (there was a little walking involved on Nevada!), then took advantage of the 30th Ave being closed at its northern end to all but bikes and pedestrians to connect to Avalon itself. From there, what would previously have been a stressful uphill ride in a narrow bike lane was, instead, a stress free cruise. With a row of parked cars separating us from from the motor vehicle lane, I didn’t have any worries about the Metro bus, the box truck, and the other assorted traffic passing by. In my excitement, I took a quick
cellphone video, linked here.Elliott was so proud of himself for making it all the way up the hill, and I was incredibly grateful that he had a safe space in which to do it. We’re both excited for the day when businesses reopen and I can reward him with a big Husky Deli ice cream cone at the top.
Thanks, too, to Councilmember Lisa Herbold, and the to the Luna Park business owners who worked openly and honestly with us during the planning of this project.
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