Seattle’s Leary Way Bikeway Design Advances Amidst Community Concerns

TITLE: Seattle’s Leary Way Bikeway Design Advances Amidst Community Concerns
SLUG: seattle-leary-way-bikeway-design-advances-community-concerns
EXCERPT: New designs for a protected two-way bikeway on Leary Way NW in Seattle have been released, aiming to address the “Missing Link” of the Burke-Gilman Trail. However, local advocates and residents are raising concerns about safety and the potential impact on existing infrastructure and pedestrian areas.
CATEGORY: transportation
TAGS: Seattle, cycling, urban planning, transportation, public realm, infrastructure
SEO_TITLE: Seattle Leary Way Bikeway: New Designs Face Scrutiny from Advocates
SEO_DESCRIPTION: Seattle’s SDOT has unveiled 60% designs for the Leary Way bike lane, a project intended to bridge the Burke-Gilman Trail’s “Missing Link.” Read about the community feedback and concerns raised by cycling groups and residents.
MEDIA_QUERY: Seattle, WA, USA – A protected two-way bikeway design on Leary Way NW
IMAGE_ALT: A conceptual rendering of a protected two-way bikeway on Leary Way NW in Seattle, showing cyclists separated from vehicle traffic, with adjacent sidewalks and buildings.

Seattle is moving forward with the design of a protected two-way bikeway along Leary Way NW, a project intended to create a crucial connection for cyclists and address a long-standing gap in the city’s trail network. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) recently released 60% designs for the facility and is seeking public feedback through a survey closing on July 15.

This initiative is closely tied to Councilmember Dan Strauss’s efforts to complete the “Missing Link” of the Burke-Gilman Trail, a section that has historically posed safety challenges for cyclists, walkers, and rollers in Northwest Seattle. Strauss successfully advocated for $20 million in funding for the Leary Way route through the Seattle Transportation Levy, approved by voters in 2024.

However, the proposed Leary Way bikeway is not without its critics. Bicycling advocacy groups, while acknowledging the need for improved cycling infrastructure, argue that this project should not come at the expense of completing the original planned route along Shilshole Avenue NW. That Shilshole South project has been stalled for decades due to objections from industrial businesses and freight interests.

Key Facts

Advocates’ Concerns Over Leary Way Design

The Cascade Bicycle Club, a prominent cycling advocacy organization, has expressed reservations, emphasizing that the Leary Way project should not delay efforts to finalize the Shilshole Avenue route. Lee Lambert, executive director of Cascade Bicycle Club, stated in 2023 that while more safe routes through Ballard are needed, Leary Way is not a substitute for completing the essential Missing Link. This stance appears to be consistent with their current position.

At a recent event hosted by Cascade at Old Stove Brewery in Ballard, attended by Councilmember Strauss, the group encouraged public input on the new designs. However, concerns were voiced about potential conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians, particularly on Market Street where SDOT’s designs place cyclists in close proximity to busy sidewalks.

Jenna Chavez of Ballard Fremont Green Streets highlighted perceived shortcomings in the Leary Way designs, noting that feedback provided during the 30% design phase does not appear to have been fully addressed. “I’m not sure that they ever will be able to because there’s just a lot of conflict points when it comes to the Leary design,” Chavez told The Urbanist. She added that Leary Way will not replace Shilshole as a primary cycling artery, and cyclists will continue to seek the Shilshole route. Until Shilshole is a viable option, Chavez argues, proceeding with Leary Way is premature.

Specific Design Challenges

The proposed bikeway would run in front of the Ballard Landmark senior living facility, raising concerns about safe access for residents and their vehicles. One design option presented by SDOT involves drivers crossing the bikeway twice to reach the Ballard Landmark loading area. Residents of Ballard Landmark have previously expressed their anxieties to the City Council, fearing potential accidents involving elderly residents. Janice Stamm, who co-chaired the Missing Link Taskforce, voiced her concerns: “I don’t want to see the next Seattle Times headline that says that an 83-year-old grandmother has been hit in front of her home. If safety is your main issue, then I urge you to look for an alternative to the bike trail on Leary Avenue.”

Another significant concern is the potential loss of a recently implemented bus lane for Route 40. Chavez proposed an alternative solution: enhancing the 17th Avenue NW greenway to provide a safe and accessible connection from the Burke-Gilman Trail into Ballard. This alternative would preserve the bus lane and offer a viable off-street cycling route.

The Wilson Administration has yet to officially comment on the Leary Way project, leaving its future trajectory uncertain amidst the ongoing community debate and the persistent litigation surrounding the Shilshole Avenue alternative. The resolution of the Shilshole Avenue legal challenges could significantly influence the city’s approach to completing the Burke-Gilman Trail’s Missing Link.

Source: The Urbanist, https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-advances-design-for-leary-way-bikeway-while-advocates-push-for-shilshole/