Seattle Urged to Accelerate Bike Network Progress Amid Funding Concerns

Activists are pressing Seattle city leaders to accelerate the pace of construction for crucial bike network projects. The call comes 18 months after voters approved the “Levy to Keep Seattle Moving,” which allocated $133.5 million for cycling infrastructure and programs. Despite this significant investment, the progress on transforming the city’s fragmented bike lanes into a cohesive and navigable network is perceived as too slow.

Concerns over delayed safety projects were amplified by a recent incident where a cyclist, Christian Salyer, was fatally struck while riding on 12th Avenue. The article notes that the need for improvements in this very area was identified over a decade ago, highlighting a persistent lack of consistent commitment to funding and follow-through from the city.

The slow pace is further evidenced by the financial performance of the Seattle Transportation Levy’s Bicycle Safety Program. Last year, the program reportedly spent just under 50% of its allocated budget, amounting to $8.5 million of the available $17.3 million. Projects within this program typically require extensive planning, community outreach, and construction phases, often spanning several years before tangible safety improvements are realised on the ground.

Historical Precedent of Delays

This pattern of slow progress mirrors the early years of the previous “Move Seattle Levy” from 2015. The Cascade Bicycle Club, the organisation spearheading the current campaign, warns that delays experienced in the initial stages of the current levy are likely to compound over its entire lifespan, potentially impacting the full realisation of promised benefits.

The organisation is urging city leaders to demonstrate urgency by advancing progress on priority corridors where funds have been specifically allocated within the voter-approved levy. They emphasise that all bike projects included in the Seattle Transportation Levy are essential for creating a safe and accessible network for cyclists.

Bright Spots in Network Improvement

While advocating for faster progress on major projects, the article acknowledges some positive developments. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has been proactive in enhancing the safety and comfort of existing bike lanes across the city. Examples cited include the installation of concrete barriers on Ravenna Avenue, connecting Green Lake to the University District, and the completion of small but significant gap-filling projects like the two-block Yesler Way improvement, which now links the waterfront to the 2nd Avenue bike lanes. The 4th Avenue lanes have also been extended to reach Seattle Center.

These smaller improvements are seen as valuable steps in building a more connected network and are appreciated by cycling advocates.

Public Demand and Broader Goals

Research indicates a significant portion of Seattle residents wish to cycle more but are deterred by safety concerns. The completion of promised bike corridor projects is framed as a direct response to the will of Seattle voters, aligning with the city’s broader objectives to end traffic fatalities, protect vulnerable road users, advance climate goals, and foster a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable city.

The campaign from Cascade Bicycle Club aims to galvanise public support in urging Mayor Katie Wilson and Acting SDOT Director Angela Brady to re-prioritise and expedite bike investment. The message is clear: the future safety and accessibility of cycling in Seattle depend on immediate and decisive action.

Key facts

The stalled progress on these vital cycling infrastructure projects has direct implications for public safety, the city’s commitment to its climate goals, and its efforts to create a more liveable and equitable urban environment. The delay in spending allocated funds and completing projects erodes public trust and delays the tangible benefits of enhanced safety and connectivity for all road users.

Source: Op-Ed: Let’s Accelerate Stalled Progress on the Seattle Bike Network, The Urbanist, https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-lets-accelerate-stalled-progress-on-the-seattle-bike-network/