The Bicycle Alliance of Washington - Advocates for bicyclists and a bike-friendly Washington
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington -- promoting bicycling for everyday transportation through education and advocacy

309A 3rd Avenue South - Seattle WA 98104
PO Box 2904 - Seattle WA 98111

206.224.9252 - info@bicyclealliance.org

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Transportation & Commuting

Route Alerts | Getting There | Road/Rail/Water | Bike Maps | Parking | Tips

Using the bicycle for transportation can be beneficial on many levels. It's healthy for you and the environment; it reduces traffic and parking congestion and allows for more accessible communities.

Commute Route Alerts

Construction projects can cause temporary problems for bicyclists. When we hear about a location that is noteworthy, we will try to post it here.
Know of another spot?   Send the details to our Webmaster.

LocationDescription
15th Avenue NE Bridge, Seattle

Mar 2010 - Feb 2011

Beginning as early as March 2010, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the 15th Avenue NE Bridge across Thornton Creek to all traffic so that crews can make necessary structural repairs and correct erosion problems along the slope of the ravine under the bridge. The bridge is slated to be out of operation for approximately 11 months.

During construction, the bridge will be closed to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians. Traffic will be diverted to Roosevelt Way NE, Lake City Way NE/SR 522, and Northgate Way during the bridge closure period. Detour signs will be posted throughout the area and closure signs and information flyers will be posted at each end of the bridge to help pedestrians and cyclists identify the detour route.

More info at: SDOT website.

NE 12th Street bridge, Bellevue

Feb 2010 - Spring 2012

The state Department of Transportation will replace the Northeast 12th Street bridge over Interstate 405 with a wider one that will include a trail separated from traffic for cyclists and pedestrians. Construction begins Feb 15th, 2010 and by late February or early March, two of four lanes and one sidewalk on the existing bridge will be closed for two years, during construction of the new bridge.

Bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers should use the Northeast 10th Street Bridge or other routes.

More info at: WSDOT "Braids" project website.

Spokane Street - Seattle

Jan 2010 - May 2012

Construction on the South Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project commencing January 2010 and lasting through 2012 will have some closures that will affect bicyclists. Specifically:

  • Close all lanes of westbound lower Spokane Street (from Sixth Ave S to First Ave S) to through traffic for the duration of the project beginning January 22, 2010.
  • Reduce Fourth Ave S between S Horton and Industrial Way S to one lane in each direction beginning January 22, and lasting for a minimum of one month. This may include full closure of northbound lanes at night for up to a week.

For more information and the most up-to-date closures, check: www.seattle.gov/transportation/spokanestreetdetour.htm

SR 520 Bike Trail - Redmond

June 2009 - Dec 2010

The bike trail along SR 520 is closed from 148th NE to NE 40th St, from June 2009 through the end of 2010 during construction of the NE 36th/31st Street Bridge across SR520.

Detour route: via 148th NE and NE 40th St (or 148th NE to 36th to 150th to 40th).

Info contact Dennis Apland, dapland@redmond.gov 425-556-2867.

Green River Trail - Kent, Tukwila, etc.

Fall 2009 - Spring 2010

The Green River Trail to be Closed for Bikes this fall/winter. In response to the threat of flooding, due to the problems with the Howard Hanson Dam, the City of Kent has made the decision to spend their own money to purchase huge sand bladders that will be placed on top of both sides of the levee that runs parallel to the Green River. These large sand bags/bladders will be placed in the center of the trail, so only limited pedestrian access will be allowed. See the press release from the city about this action.

The exact time frame of closure/detour is dependent on the US Army Corps of Engineers and their evaluation of the Howard Hanson dam but expect it to be as long as there is the "elevated threat of flooding". Installation will likely begin the week of October 5th and expect other cities (e.g., Tukwila) may follow suit with more trail closures likely.

There will be a map of suggested detour routes published to the City of Kent website and as handouts.

More information at the King County website.
S. Royal Brougham Way
Seattle
WSDOT SR 519 Intermodal Access Project

Summer 2009 - late Spring 2010

Until late Spring 2010, Crews will be working on S. Royal Brougham Way between First Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. to construct new off ramps from I-5 and I-90 and a new overpass on S. Royal Brougham Way. S. Royal Brougham Way is closed to vehicles except during games or events at Safeco or Qwest fields. The north sidewalk is open for pedestrians and cyclists.

Another alternative is the north sidewalk of Edgar Martinez Way/Fourth Avenue ramp and King Street. Cyclists can use these routes between First Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. to avoid both trains and construction on S. Royal Brougham Way. Be warned though, that there are NO curb ramps off the sidewalk at the 4th Ave & Edgar Martinez Way intersection.

Once construction is complete in Spring 2010 there will be new bike lanes on the Royal Brougham overpass (no more waiting for trains) and on sections of Third Avenue S. and S. Royal Brougham Way. For more info: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr519.

John Wayne Trail Tunnels

January 2009 - indefinitely
31 January 2009: Tunnels on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (aka the Iron Horse Trail), across Snoqualmie Pass, are closed until further notice because of falling-debris hazards. More info at: Seattle P-I article and ValleyRecord.com.

Getting There

The Bicycle Alliance is involved in several programs to help people ride to work and school:

Bike Buddy Program

Bike Buddy Program

The Bike Buddy Program matches experienced bicycle commuters with those looking for tips and guidance in learning how to use their bicycle for transportation.

In Spokane? There is a separate website for Spokane Bike Buddy Program, coordinated by the Spokane Bicycle Club and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.

Additional bicycle commuter resources can be found at the Cascade Bicycle Club website.


Safe Routes to School Program

Safe Routes to School

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Feet First have partnered to form the Center for Safe Routes to School in Washington State which is funded by a Transportation Enhancements grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The combined efforts of the organizations will provide extensive resources and assistance to communities and schools around Washington. Check out the new Safe Routes website or contact Dave Janis at daveja@bicyclealliance.org or 206/224.9252.


Bicycle Commuting Workshops

Join the Bike Alliance's Commuting Program Director, Every Day, for an upcoming bicycle commuting seminars.
Are you looking for advice about commuting by bicycle? The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has the resources you need to select a route and learn the basics of riding in traffic. The Alliance can also help you select a bike and learn basic repair skills.

For bike commute advice anytime, call the Bicycle Alliance at 206-224-9252 or email bikebuddy@bicyclealliance.org

Notes from Previous commute workshops, with links to Kent Peterson's entertaining and insightful take on getting the most out of your commute:

Commuting Tips:

  • Toronto Cyclist Darren J. has some good tips for cycle commuters who don't have access to a shower at work: how-to-always-smell-fresh
  • Trying to decide which kind of fenders to get for your bike? Read this New York Times article that evaluates at six different brands/styles of bike fenders.

On the Road, Rail, and Water

Links to information on taking your bike on buses, trains, ferries. [see Parking section below for info on bike lockers and Park & Ride lots.]

Links to Bike maps

Warning: some of these files are large and may take a considerable amount of time to view or download over a dial-up connection.

Maps neighboring Washington State

Bike Route Suggestions

  • See bike routes submitted by actual bicyclists at www.bikely.com. You can see routes that are recommended by others, and submit your own route.

  • The City of Bellevue offers a similar service (through mapmyride.com) at: Bike Bellevue
  • Visit Google Maps, enter a start point and destination and select "Bicycling" from the drop-down menu. You will receive a route that is optimized for cycling, taking advantage of bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly streets and avoiding hilly terrain whenever possible. Note: still in Beta as of March 2010, so take with a grain of salt and give them feedback

Bicycle Parking Facilities

It's not enough to just ride your bike--you still need a secure and convenient place to lock it up once you get to where you are going. Racks are fine for short-term parking, but for commuters, more permanent shelters are in order. The following links provide information on installing lockers at your place of work, renting publicly available lockers, and using a variety of short-term and long-term bike parking facilities:

Seattle BIKE PORT Pioneer Square : 24/7 bike parking

Looking for a place to clean up after you bike to work? Check out this list of Gyms/Athletic Clubs with showers [Word doc] in Seattle's central business district.

Bicycle Parking Guidelines

Want to create your own bike parking facility? Or recommend to your employer or retailer how they can provide good parking for bicyclists? We developed design guidelines for Effective Bicycle Parking under our Shop by Bike program.

Bike rack vendors can provide products from the basic to the creative and custom. Check out these web sites to see what is available or can be created to order:

Tips

Be a Better Bicyclist

Route Alerts | Getting There | Road/Rail/Water | Bike Maps | Parking | Tips

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