Deaths and serious injuries in cars, on bikes and on foot for first six months of 2019 are at highest level since 2010.
This is what is wrong with substituting sloganeering and speeches for funding and action.
We know what to, and where to do it. Where action has been taken, speeding and crash rates have gone down in a big way. Rainier Ave S from S Alaska to S Kenny is a good example.
Slogans are not enough. Feel good speeches are not enough. Well-conceived plans are not enough. It takes funding and follow through to implement the bicycle and pedestrian master plans and the safety corridor plans.
This community-led project to transform the the triangle now has design concepts. They want community input. Want a play street? A crosswalk? Places to sit and chat? How about a bike rack? Got 5 minutes for a survey?
Really great news for biking from West Seattle!
Funding and City commitment to fully protected bike lanes and signals on East Marginal Way S for the first phase of the East Marginal Way Corridor Improvement Project. This is a win for moving freight safely and efficiently to our seaport and major industrial center; it’s a win for making biking a significant part of a sustainable transportation system.
We’ve been working for this since 2012 as top priority. It could multiply severalfold the number of people riding bikes to downtown and points east and north. It’s a game-changer. SDOT is resuming design now, First phase construction is scheduled to be completed in 2021 from bridge trail at S Spokane to Portside trail at S Atlantic.
Quoting CM Lisa Herbold’s newsletter (Lisa has been a champion of this project):
“On Monday the Council voted to accept $5 million in grants for the East Marginal Way Corridor Improvement Project. This will allow Phase 1 work to proceed.
“This is good news for bicycle access from West Seattle to Downtown. When I met with West Seattle Bike Connections members in March, this project was a high priority.
“”Phase 1 work will include work in the northern portion of the project:
“Phase 1 design work will proceed in 2019 and 2020, with construction starting as soon as fall 2020. The project website has an update about the timeline.
“In addition to the $5 million in grants, the Council legislation conditionally accepted another $4 million, which may become available soon. Voting to approve this now allows SDOT to accept the funds without an additional vote. The additional funds can be used for design of all the project work on East Marginal as far south as Diagonal Avenue. This will make it easier to apply for large federal grants.
“The website notes “Expect to see additional materials and events starting in summer or fall 2019. Comments and questions are welcome by emailing EastMarginal@seattle.gov or calling 206-684-8105.”
“East Marginal Way is a major freight corridor that provides access to the Port of Seattle terminals, rail yards, industrial businesses and the regional highway system, and between local Manufacturing and Industrial Councils (MIC’s). It is also a designated Heavy Haul Route, critical last-mile connector and vital route for over-sized trucks or those carrying flammable cargo. In addition, the corridor provides a major connection for people who bike between the West Seattle Bridge Trail, downtown, and the SODO neighborhood.
“This project will:
Details of funding and phasing are in this SDOT report to the Levy Oversight Committee, starting on page 49 of the slide deck .
We meet on Tuesday, June 4, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. You are invited!
Neighborhood House in High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way.
This month’s agenda includes quick updates on projects and ride planning, then a focused discussion on racial equity as it applies to our group, led by Tamara and Valerie. Please join in creating an action plan!
At last month’s meeting we talked just a little about the new racial equity plan developed by Seattle Neighborhood Greenways. A couple of our members were a part of that process. It includes a “toolkit” for us to work on our own plan. That will be an ongoing process, if we are to meet the intentions.
If you can, think a bit about where you are, where we as a group are, and where our neighborhoods are, and where we can move to create a community of true racial equity and justice for all. Then come to talk about what we can do together.
Here is a link to SNG’s full plan document and toolkit.
Third Annual!
Family friendly! Leisurely pace! Good friends and great beer!
Join West Seattle Bike Connections for a 13 mile ride through some of Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods with stops for tastings at two family friendly breweries. We’ll be meeting next to the playground at the Delridge Community Center at 12:30 on Sunday, June 2. Safety talk and sign-in will be at 12:45. Rolling at 1:00 pm.
Note: the community center restrooms may not be open at the start. Nearest public restroom may be Delridge Library, on Delridge Way south of SW Brandon.
Although the route is fairly flat and mostly on bike-friendly streets and trails, there will be times when we ride in traffic. Kids of all ages are welcome but younger and less experienced children should be in a trailer or trail-a-bike. All 15 year olds and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Both breweries we’ll be visiting offer some snacks for kids but plan on bringing some of your own snacks too. Along our route, there will be a couple of bathroom stop locations and a playground stop for the kiddos.
Helmets required. No earbuds. Traffic laws will be followed. Waiver and sign-in required.
For the adults – each brewery offers a sampler or a pint for $4-$8. If beer isn’t your thing please feel welcome to attend anyway and enjoy the ride and fellowship.
Between the ride and two brewery stops this event will be the better part of the afternoon. If you are limited by time you can always break off after the first brewery and head home. For those doing the full loop we’ll return to the Delridge Community Center at the end of the ride.
Stop at our commute station!
from 6 to 9 AM at the west end of the Spokane Low Bridge, where the trails meet.
West Seattle Bike Connections members will be bringing homemade cookies and bars to power your ride. Besides baked goods, we will have coffee, other beverages, bananas, bicycling information, and on-the-spot bike checks and simple repairs courtesy of Westside Bicycle and Alki Bike and Board. Cascade Bicycle Club has given us a stack of the latest Seattle bike maps, and we’ll have flyers for the June 16 Ride for Safe Streets.
*Extra cookies if you are flying a Norwegian flag for Syttende Mai*
We look forward to seeing you!
Here’s a map of detour routes that Bill, Tamara and others have tested out. It involves short steeper climbing than Avalon, but will get you out of the single traffic lane and rough pavement currently on Avalon from Yancy/Andover to 35th Ave SW. Recommended especially for uphill southbound riding.
We are also asking SDOT for good detour signage and lower speed limit through the construction zone. We appreciate the Adonis and Sara’s outreach to us for biking safety.
Any way you choose to go, take special care on unfamiliar routes and with changing conditions. Let us know how it’s going.
Problems, issues, observations: Email AvalonPaving@seattle.gov or call the project hotline at 206-900-8734.
Traffic emergencies: call 9-1-1 immediately.
SDOT project web page is here.
West Seattle Blog is providing regular updates on construction progress and conditions.
The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee gives the Mayor and City Council a clear, simple request.
We could not agree more! 
