Posts Tagged ‘viaduct’

#Viadoom WOW!

Friday, October 28th, 2011 by Serena Lehman

Wow is really the only word I have to describe Cascade’s Viadoom Energizer Stations this week. It was far from doom and gloom, and for that, you all deserve a high five.

Cascade Bicycle Club, WSDOT and Alki Bike and Board came out to support people new to bicycle commuting on both Monday and Wednesday morning. I have to admit I was a little nervous when I woke up to pouring rain on Monday morning, imagining that nobody was going to ride.

Thankfully, I was wrong. 381 bike commuters wrong! The city counted 308 bicyclists in 2008 at this particular location. Here we are three years later on a cold, dark October morning with 381 people bicycling. Wow!

Particularly inspiring was that so many of the people I spoke with were new bicycle commuters. One fellow had been training all summer to bike commute during the Viaduct closure, but realized he liked it so much that he was going to continue. Another made a donation to support the work Cascade does. Another woman gave me a hug. Another and another. Wow!

Let’s keep the fun going. To support people continuing to riding after the Viaduct opens, Cascade and Alki Bike and Board will be out again on Monday morning from 6:30 – 9 a.m. with donuts to cheer everybody along. It is Halloween so costumes are encouraged! I will be the one in the cape.

One of the many things I love about my job is that I am also continually learning and here are the top things I learned during the closure:

1. Bicycle trailers are amazing. I was able to get our complete energizer set-up from Southeast Seattle to West Seattle. Multiple times! And it didn’t suck.

2. Don’t wait until it is pitch black to turn your lights on. I noticed that even when the sun was up I could see bicyclists better when their lights were on.

3. “We don’t want no stinkin’s apples” People want sugar and caffeine in the morning. There will be donuts on Monday. Promise.

4. We need better bicycle infrastructure. I rode on the new SODO trail, with had front row seats to the viaduct being torn down. Because I wasn’t near traffic I could relax without the unnerving feeling of freight vehicles breathing down my neck. That said, a truck driver came out of his way to express to me that he doesn’t want to hit bicyclists that we need better ways to share the roads so the most vulnerable of us can be safe. It was an encouraging conversation, and I look forward to more like this. We need more facilities for people to feel safe bicycling on our city streets.

5. Bicycling is more fun when you know are part of something. Hey you out there who bicycled for the first time or for the thousandth time! We are part of a greater community having a positive impact on our community.  Clearly bicycle riders had a big impact on the success of this morning’s commute was said in reference to the car traffic not being that bad on Monday. More bikes on the road means less cars which means less congestion which allows all of us, bikes, car commuters and freight to move faster.

How was your commute during Viadoom?

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Posted in Around town, Commuting | 3 Comments »

The top ten things which are more fun and/or easier to do via bike than via car

Monday, October 24th, 2011 by Erica Hann

With the this week’s Viaduct closure, many folks may be looking for ways to alter their commute, beat the traffic, and make the road restrictions less painful.  Below is some motivation to try using your bike for commuting or recreation during the closure period-the top ten activities that are either more fun, easier, or both more fun AND easier to do while using  a bicycle instead of a car for transportation.  Happy Riding!

10. Getting Downtown: In Seattle, we are lucky that downtown is pretty much at the bottom of all the hills ever, so even if you have a long hilly commute, you’ll get a nice breeze before your arrival!  Also, how great is it not to look for/pay for/worry about parking??

9. Hanging out with your kids: Although I’m not a parent myself, I can definitely remember being a kid and being utterly and thoroughly BORED during most car rides.  Instead of listening to endless drones of “are we there yet?” or trying to keep some semblance of control from the front seat, think how much more fun traveling by bike with your kids could be.  You can get them exercise, teach them independence, and avoid having to listen to Radio Disney all in one go!

8. Partying:  Gotta give props to the Germans here.  Their Bier Bike concept is probably one of the greatest innovations of the century. No way this could happen (at least not legally) in a car!

7. Taking the ferry: One of the most unique features of Seattle is our ferry system, and what better way to maximize your enjoyment of being on a boat (hint: you will definitely look at least as cool as these guys) than by catching a ride via bike. You pay less, get to exit before everyone else, and can access some great riding areas.  Cascade’s annual Kitsap Color Classic and Chilly Hilly offer just a few ideas for local cycling, all easily accessed by ferry.

6. Indulging: For some of us, this means an ice cold brew on a hot summer day, others prefer bubble baths, nice dinners out, or even watching reruns of The Bachelorette (I mean that is totally totally not me, promise….).  Whatever your chosen comfort, riding a bike allows you to burn more calories (no more guilt about that second piece of pie!) save money, and appreciate your down time much more than arriving by car.

5. Having a perpetual excuse for your fashion sense: I mean really, we all make some questionable choices in the fashion department, or experience slightly less than perfect hair-dos from time to time (just be glad you’re not this kid).  Riding your bike means that you will always have an excuse for looking a little ruffled, and best of all, wearing a helmet means that you will have the ultimate protection from that poor kid’s misfortune. And let’s be honest, cycle chic is the new black leopard print.

4. Making noise: Bells are just way cooler and friendlier sounding than any car horn I’ve ever heard.  Well, except maybe this fellow.

3. Traveling: Just ask Willie Wier, Seattle’s resident professional travelling adventure cyclist.  On a bike, you are moving at just the right speed to truly experience a new place, people are much more interested and friendly than if you are gawking from a bike seat than gawking from inside a car, AND you can follow your nose much more easily to the delicious food venue!

2. Going through puddles! (with fenders): I guess I can only speak for myself here, but the glee of splashing through a giant puddle while on a bike is about 10,0000 times more exciting than whizzing by inside a car. Just be sure you’re not biking into a pothole or other hazard. And that you won’t be splashing anyone nearby-though it is pretty much impossible to do this kind of damage on a bike.

And the Number One activity in which fun and ease can be maximized by grabbing your bike lock instead of car keys??

1. Connecting with your world:  Whether it’s noticing the changing seasons, getting to visit with friends (SO much easier when you aren’t both behind glass and steel), or simply appreciating the beauty of the Northwest, the bicycle is a much more convenient venue than a car for really becoming a part of your surroundings!

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Posted in Around town, Commuting | 1 Comment »

#Viadoom nonsense and some real concerns

Friday, October 21st, 2011 by Serena Lehman

I spoke too soon about “Carmageddon 2.0“. Apparently we are going with #Viadoom.

On to more serious matters.

Some of you may have seen this video posted on the Seattle Bike Blog involving dangerous truck-versus-bike intersection in Seattle.

Cascade took these concerns very seriously and took them back to WSDOT to find out what was being done to avoid a crash. Here is WSDOT’s reponse:

Are you planning to ride your bike from West Seattle during the nine-day viaduct closure? Thanks for choosing to use alternate transportation! Here’s what WSDOT and SDOT are doing to support you:

  • Hosting a morning commute meet-and-greet under the West Seattle Bridge with Cascade Bicycle Club. 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday, Oct. 26.
  • Paving over the existing multi-use path on the west side of the street south at South Massachusetts Street.
  • Draining the big “flood” puddles along the multi-use path near the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Adding 90 feet of barrier on the multi-use path near South Massachusetts Street.

Also, we’re aware that some northbound East Marginal Way South freight haulers are illegally using the southbound lane to access the Port of Seattle when a train blocks the intersection at South Atlantic Street. I wanted to let you know that WSDOT, SDOT and the Port of Seattle are working together to address the issue while improving safety for all travelers. Here’s what we’re doing:

  • Adding two temporary left-turn lanes on northbound East Marginal Way South between South Atlantic Street and South Massachusetts Street. Trucks will be able to use the two added left-turn lanes to access the port instead of illegally using the southbound lane to jump the line or to turn left into the port.
  • Increasing traffic enforcement by adding two additional officers on East Marginal Way South. Additional traffic enforcement would likely deter northbound traffic from speeding or illegally using the southbound lane.
  • Working with freight haulers to remind them to watch for cyclists and to use extreme caution when sharing the road with cyclists.
  • Asking cyclists to do their part by wearing bright clothing, using lights at night and riding in the multi-use path or striped bike lanes whenever possible.

Thank you, again, for riding your bike during the nine-day closure. Please remember to ride smart and stay visible out there. I’ll look forward to meeting you on the Alki path under the West Seattle Bridge at our WSDOT/Cascade Bicycle Club meet and greet.”

What WSDOT, SDOT and the Port are all doing sounds good and all, but I want to know how you, fellow bike commuter, are feeling out there on the road during #Viadoom. Let us know in the comments.

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Posted in Commuting, Road & Trail News | 3 Comments »

Carmageddon is upon us!

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 by Serena Lehman

The upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct closure is the second coming of “carmageddon.” No really, it is. Before you start stocking your basement with canned goods and toilet paper, I would like to remind everyone that the last time carmageddon was upon us, all was not lost. Far from it.

Last summer Los Angeles closed I-405, a major automobile thoroughfare, to expand the highway, and the media freaked out. Stay home! The streets will be a parking lot! Panic was upon L.A. Jet Blue offered $4 flights across the city over the carmageddon weekend. In response, a group of cyclists decided to race the flight to show how ridiculous the whole situation was. Long story short, the bicyclists won.

Now I know the Viaduct issue is a little different. The Viaduct will be closed for nine days, not just a mere weekend. However, one message came out loud and clear during the L.A. carmageddon: you can get places by bicycle. And this wasn’t in bike-town Portland. Or Minneapolis (where they brag that Portland is just a street). This was in Los Angeles, the car-capitol of the country.

L.A.’s take-away is true here, too. We can get places by bicycle. And we invite you to give it a try. Why? Besides the fact that it’s our mission to encourage biking, the word on the street is that the fastest way to get downtown from West Seattle during the Viaduct closure is by bicycle. We want to support everyone who is willing to try bike commuting instead of driving. So in partnership with WSDOT, we’re here to help you bike to work next week.

Viaduct Closure Energizer Stations

Monday, Oct. 24

6:45 – 9 a.m.
Trail on the Westside of the Lower West Seattle Bridge
Stop by for some morning cheer! If your bike hasn’t gotten regular use, you’ll definitely need some air in those babies. We also have a limited supply of bike lights for new riders who really need them. Once your tires are inflated and you’re feeling ready to roll, join the bike train, heading into the city. Additionally, WSDOT will have a representative available to answer questions about the closure and the multi-use trail.

7:30 a.m.
Bike Train to downtown
Cascade’s very own Ed Ewing and Robin Randels will lead a ride downtown for everyone who either wants a little guidance or just wants to ride with others.

Wednesday, Oct. 26 (pretty much the same thing as Monday)

6:45 – 9 a.m.
Trail on the Westside of the Lower West Seattle Bridge
 Now that you’ve rolled a couple of days, you might notice your chain is squeaky and dry. We’ll help fix that and send you smoothly on your way, squeak-free.

7:30 a.m.
Bike Train to downtown
 Tried it on Monday and want to do it again? We’ll be there. Same details as Monday.

Monday, Oct. 31

6:45 – 9 a.m.
Trail on the Westside of the Lower West Seattle Bridge
 Even though the viaduct will reopen by Halloween, this is chance to challenge yourself and keep riding. Wear a costume, trick-or-treat with us and join in the holiday fun!

Need a little more help? Here are our tips for riding on the road, what all the paint means, and the essential gear for riding in Seattle.

So, what do you think? Will you dust off your bike, skip the drive and ride with us next week?

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Posted in Road & Trail News | 11 Comments »

The deep bore tunnel will do what?!?

Sunday, August 7th, 2011 by Tessa Greegor

In case you haven’t had the opportunity to read any of the articles highlighting WSDOT’s data from the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (here, here,here and so on), we’ll provide our own “brief” take of the recently released FEIS with an emphasis on why the bored-tunnel project doesn’t improve conditions for bicyclists – hence our position on Referendum 1.  More specifically, I will illustrate how the bored-tunnel makes bicycling less safe and desirable in Seattle, reduces transit performance, puts more traffic on Seattle’s waterfront, and at $3+ billion, makes investments in bicycling, walking and transit and unlikely reality. But before we get into the wonky data, let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Get a cup of coffee and read on.

(more…)

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Posted in Advocacy, Elections, Road & Trail News | 17 Comments »

Reject Seattle Referendum 1

Friday, July 29th, 2011 by M.J. Kelly
  • • Cascade Bicycle Club’s position is that any chosen viaduct alternative should improve bicycle access to and around the Seattle waterfront.
  • • New information contained in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the deep bore tunnel released by the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) on July 7, 2011 shows that the deep bore tunnel will negatively impact city streets on which bicyclists travel.
    • ◊ Washington state law requires tunnel tolling in order to pay for it.[i]
    • ◊ WSDOT’s traffic analysis shows that tolling will cause thousands of drivers to opt-out of taking the tunnel.
    • ◊ WSDOT’s traffic analysis shows that thousands more vehicles over today’s traffic volume will be diverted onto adjacent streets in the downtown core.
    • ◊ The daily vehicle volumes projected by WSDOT also show little to no difference between closing the viaduct and building the tunnel. In other words, building the tunnel yields a similarly negative impact as closing the viaduct and doing nothing, but at a great financial expense to the region.
    • ◊ We question if there will be funding available to make the areas impacted by the deep bore tunnel safer for bicycling and walking.
    • ◊ Without dedicated funding for critical complementary improvements, bicycling on downtown streets will be an inferior, less safe experience.
  • • The revised goal of the project does not align with our mission.

Cascade Bicycle Club endorses the “Reject” position on Seattle Referendum 1 regarding the deep-bore tunnel. Over the past several years, Cascade has advocated for an Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement that will improve all modes of transportation, including bicycling, in Seattle’s downtown core. The recent release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) by WSDOT leaves the Club with serious concerns about the project as it relates to our mission of Creating a better community through bicycling. Cascade Bicycle Club believes we should spend taxpayer dollars strategically and wisely on a complete transportation network that connects great places to live, work and play. We believe that a viaduct replacement should cost less, create more jobs and move more people by bicycle, by transit and on foot.

The Club has taken the position that any chosen alternative should improve bicycle access to and around the Seattle waterfront. Either a surface/transit/I-5 or tunnel alternative could have achieved this goal. However, when WSDOT changed the purpose of the project from moving “people and goods[i]” in a variety of ways, to providing “essential vehicle capacity[ii]”, we saw a move away from improving bicycle, pedestrian and transit access in favor of improving car capacity.

Since elected officials chose the deep-bore tunnel as the preferred choice, study of how improvements to surface streets, transit and I-5 can accommodate transportation demands has been inadequate. The state’s own traffic model shows that the project would divert thousands of additional vehicles per day directly onto adjacent streets. This produces significant new traffic from SODO, downtown and the waterfront to South Lake Union and does not create bicycle-friendly streets. If the deep-bore tunnel moves forward under the current plan, we question whether there will be funding available to make critical complementary investments that make the areas impacted by the project safe for bicycling and walking.

How did Cascade reach this conclusion after remaining neutral for so long? After the release of the FEIS this month, Cascade sought the opinions of both campaigns on this issue. Cascade board and staff members listened to a presentation and debate by representatives of those campaigns. Cascade Bicycle Club’s legislative committee then discussed whether it was appropriate and necessary for the Club to take a position, and which position to take. Made up of board members as well as policy and planning staff, this committee recommended that the board of directors endorse the “Reject” or “no” position. After much deliberation, Cascade’s board voted to endorse rejecting Seattle Referendum 1.

We believe that the high cost of this project threatens our region’s ability to meet its priorities, whether they are education, human services or transportation. The state’s analysis should better address the real costs and benefits for the people of the Puget Sound region. Cascade will continue to advocate for transportation plans and projects that detail how they will accommodate bicycling as well as other modes of transportation.

The Club appreciates that both members and the general public are torn between their desire to “just build it already”, and their right to express important concerns about how a deep-bore tunnel would affect the future of the Puget Sound region. We also do not diminish the challenge before our elected officials in finding a workable compromise, or the work that professional planners and engineers are doing to solve the challenges with this project. We urge our members to express their vision for a bicycle-friendly future on Election Day and every day. Now may be the final chance for Seattle citizens to have a voice.

Further reading
[i] RCW 47.01.402: Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project — Deep bore tunnel option — Funding, accountability, and responsibility.

[ii] Alaskan Way Viaduct Guiding Principles, February 2008

[iii] Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project, Final Environmental Impact Statement, July 2011. Page 1, Summary, item 4.

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Posted in Advocacy, Elections, Road & Trail News | 13 Comments »