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Hazard Report #130
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Status: Fixed
Location: Elliott Ave/Elliott Ave W/15th Ave W
Description: Bicyclists regularly use the 15th/Elliott corridor to travel both north and south. Even though the Myrtle Edwards trail is parallel to 15th/Elliott, it is not easily accessible to riders from Queen Anne, and even if they do use the trail, they still have to ride on 15th to get to/from the trail.
Cross Streets: from Broad Street to Ballard Bridge
Direction:
Facility Type: Street
City: Seattle
County: King
State: WA
Lat/Long: 47.632868, -122.37598
Geocoded? Location has been entered
Hazard Type: Other
Hazard Level: 3 - Moderately Dangerous
Annoyance Level: 4 - Extremely Annoying
Incidents: 1 - Confrontation or conflict with other user
Report Date: 2008-01-15
Reported by: Rebecca Slivka[1]
Last Modified by: [1]
Last Modified Date: 2009-03-18
Modes Affected: Bicyclist, Motorist
Start Date: 2000-01-01
End Date: 2008-11-01

Recommendation: Ideally, add bike lanes to Elliott/15th. Since that's probably not going to happen, add "Bicyclists on Roadway" (or similar) signs. Sharrows might help too, but only if they are far enough into the lane (not right next to the curb) so they are visible to motorists AND encourage bicyclists to ride in the center of the far right lane so drivers don't attemp to drive in the lane with them (not enough room).
Comments: When I ride south (from the west side of Queen Anne) I never use Myrtle Edwards bike path anymore because once they closed off the Galer Street at-grade RR crossing it's too difficult to get to the trail. Your options to get to the trail are either 1) stop at Galer, wait for the left turn arrow, then ride/climb up and over the Galer overpass, or 2) walk your bike up the narrow pedestrian ramps to get over the railroad tracks. No thanks. When the City, Immunex, and BNSF were discussing the proposed changes to Galer, bicyclists argued vehemently that the at-grade crossing should be left open for bicyclists. That way when there is no train blocking, bikes could cross easily. But BNSF and the City were more concerned about discouraging motor vehicles from blocking the crossing (and forcing them to use the overpass) than making it easy for bicyclists to access the trail. Northbound from downtown, I only use the Myrtle Edwards trail about 1/4 of the time because I want to avoid the hassle of crossing the RR tracks at Galer. But even if I do use the trail, still have to ride on 15th to get to Gilman where I climb up Queen Anne Hill. No matter how good a trail might be, it only gets you from point A to point B--at some point (many points, actually) riders get OFF the trail and go to where they are going. That means bicyclists are going to be found on all streets. Get used to it. As a driver, you should expect to see bicyclists on the roads and you should treat them as legal (albeit occasionally slower) occupants of the right of way. The City needs to post "Bicycles in the Roadway" or other similar signs to alert and educate drivers.
Log: Article in Seattle P-I 15 Jan 2008 (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/347388_repaving15.html) notes that the City plans to repave this corridor, AND ADD SHARROWS.******************[15 Jan 2008 12:47:34 EST] Report edited/modified by: Rebecca Slivka [1]******************[15 Jan 2008 12:48:17 EST] Report edited/modified by: Rebecca Slivka [1] ********************************************************************************** 21 Sep 2008 4:51:10 EDT, Rebecca Slivka [1] comments: [ Repaving and new signage are mostly done now--with BAT (Business Access & Transit) lanes on the right side that are restricted to buses and bikes during rush hour. So this is almost fixed. (20 Sept 2008) ] ********** Now that the BAT lanes have been installed, with signage to allow bikes (especially at the approach to the galer street overpass), this is probably as good as it's going to get. Thanks SDOT for including bikes in the plan here!******************[21 Nov 2008 1:21:39 EST] Report edited/modified by: Rebecca Slivka [1]******************[21 Nov 2008 1:23:27 EST] Report edited/modified by: Rebecca Slivka [1]******************[18 Mar 2009 15:20:59 EDT] Report edited/modified by: Rebecca Slivka [1]

Hazard Report #130Back To Main Page Back To Browsing Hazards

Hazard Report #130
Back To Main Page Back To Browsing Hazards